History
The Capricorn Coast was part of the traditional lands of the Darumbal Aboriginal people. Yeppoon was first settled by the Ross family in 1865 who took up large landholding along the length of the Capricorn Coast. Fruit crops, cattle, and wool were the major industries of the early town. A short-lived period of sugar cane growing followed from 1883 to 1903, which failed due to unseasonal rains and lack of financial backing. Along with other sugar growing areas of Australia, South Sea Islanders were used as labourers on the sugar plantations, often without their consent (see blackbirding) Pineapples, Mangoes, and other tropical fruit became the mainstay of local agriculture in the new century, with cattle grazing and fishing also contributing to the local economy.
Yeppoon developed as a seaside resort in the late 19th century, being particularly popular with working-class people from Rockhampton, as well as miners from Cawarral and Mount Chalmers. Commuter and goods transport improved immensely with the connection of a branch line from Sleiper Junction (siding on the Emu Park line) in 1910.
Yeppoon and Emu Park were joined by road in 1939 with the completion of the Scenic Highway. Work on the road was started in the early 1930s as a work creation project during the Great Depression and was finally completed just prior to the Second World War with the construction of The Causeway and bridge between Mulambin and Kinka Beaches.
(See Capricorn Coast for comprehensive history of Yeppoon and surrounding districts.)
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