Rockhampton

🌍Australia

Rockhampton, Australia

Rockhampton is known by many as the unofficial capital of Central Queensland and as the official beef capital of Australia, with three million head of cattle calling the region home. With its historical buildings and tree-lined streets facing the Fitzroy River, Rockhampton is a great place to visit. Its location on the Tropic of Capricorn gives the city over 300 days of sunshine a year. Enjoy the beaches of the Capricorn Coast, or explore the region’s national parks and caves.

Population:

78,592 (2018)

Currency:

Australian Dollar (AUD) $1 = 100 cents

Emergency Numbers:

Emergency: 000
Police: +61 7 4932 3500

Opening Hours:

Shops are generally open Mon–Wed, Fri 9am–5pm, Thu 9am–9pm, Sat 9am–3pm.

Newspapers:

The Morning Bulletin
Capricorn Local News
Central Queensland News

The City

A gateway to the Capricorn Coast and the Queensland Outback, Rockhampton (the Beef Capital of Australia), is located on the Tropic of Capricorn. Founded in 1853, Rockhampton’s Victorian architecture shows off the city’s long history. Quay Street, facing the Fitzroy River, has a historic streetscape that is unique in Australia. There is plenty to do in the city and the surrounding area.

Rockhampton is 40 km away from the seaside village of Yeppoon, which is well known for its idyllic beachside setting amid towering palms and sparkling seas. Thirteen of Queensland’s most beautiful beaches lie between the main townships of Yeppoon and Emu Park.

Only a 30-minute ferry ride away lies the Great Keppel Island, a popular spot for visitors. Ferry services operate daily out of Keppel Bay Marina and Rosslyn Bay. The sand is pristine white and the waters are sheltered by the stunning Great Barrier Reef.

Rising out of Rockhampton’s northeastern suburbs, Mt Archer National Park provides magnificent views of the city, and showcases a spectacular range of native Australian flora and fauna. Frazer Park, at the summit of Mount Archer, is approximately 604 meters above sea level.

West of Rockhampton is Gracemere, which is home to the largest cattle saleyard in the Southern Hemisphere. The small town of Mount Morgan gives you a glimpse of the with gold rush era and the rich gold and copper mining history in the region. Emerald and the Sapphire Gemfields are only 4 hours west of Rockhampton, along the Tropic of Capricorn. Visitors have the chance to strike it rich and fossick for high-quality sapphires and zircons. 25 kilometres from Rockhampton are several limestone caves worth exploring.

Do & See

Rockhampton offers you beautiful gardens, museums displaying local history, crocodile farms, cultural centres and much more. You will have a great time staying in the city itself, as well as travelling to the near-lying Great Keppel Island and nature parks.

Dining

Rockhampton isn’t just about beef, but you will certainly find no shortage of excellent steaks in the nation's beef capital. You could also head on to the Capricorn Coast and sample some of the freshest and most tantalising seafood that is literally straight off the trawler. Relax on the beach with fish and chips or dine at one of the many waterfront restaurants.

Cafes