Enjoy the Charming Regional City of Rockhampton on the Capricorn Coast of Queensland

The Queensland Regional City of Rockhampton is located about 40 km inland from the Capricorn Coast, about half-way between Cairns and Brisbane. Enjoy the contrast and diversity of this flourishing city: Hinterland and Tropical Coastline, Creative pursuits and Beef grazing, Heritage and up to date technology. Rockhampton or "Rocky" as its known by the locals is located on the banks of the mighty Fitzroy River, which is one of Queensland`s biggest streams and its most scenic. The town of Rockhampton is bordered by magical Mt Archer and the spectaclar Berserker Ranges supply a stunning picturesque backdrop to this flourishing city.

Rockhampton is well renowned as the `Beef Capital' of Australia and there are cattle statues on the highway at the entrance to the town. Despite the name the cattle are mostly in the surrounding countryside. Cattle grazing provides a major source of income for the city and the local community. However Rockhampton has a thriving arts and craft and performance entertainment community and a variety of other enterprises. Come and discover the town, the magnificent coastal areas around the resort town of Yeppoon, reef, stream, sandy seashore and heritage in this magnificent region.

There is always lots to see and do in Rockhampton and the surrounding districts.

For comprehensive information visit the Tourist Information Centre located in the in the Customs House on the riverbank. Some of the numerous popular enticements in Rockhampton encompass the Riverbank Parklands along the Fitzroy River; the attractive Capricorn Coast, the beachfront resort strip between Emu Park and Yeppoon and offshore the magical Great Keppel Island in the Great Barrier Reef, most which is National Park. You can stay on the beachfront overlooking the Coral Sea and Barrier Reef at one of the many towns on the coast.

The best way to find out about the rich heritage of Rockhamton is to take the Heritage Route through the city entre which showcases numerous art deco buildings. The path takes in the impressive period architecture, lovingly maintained or refurbished, which graces numerous localities of Rockhampton. The Fitzroy River offers numerous recreational pursuits encompassing angling, water skiing, canoeing, houseboats, kayaking and geneal boating. For a resting way to discover the river environs charter a Rockhampton House Boat for a vacation right on the water. Visit the Rockhampton Historical Society at Old Borough Chambers to find out about the fascinating history of Rockhamptom.

Rockhampton is the birth place of numerous famous Australian performers, fine creative artists, and instrumentalists and there is a flourishing creative arts community in the region. The town has a world class theatre complex, the Pilbeam Theatre, which includes a number of concert halls and smaller live theatres. The town furthermore has numerous art galleries encompassing the Rockhampton City Art Gallery that showcases works from numerous well-known nationwide and worldwide artists. The Walter Reid Art Centre provides facilities for home wares and craft artists and local creative individuals who display their wares for visitors. The Centre is home to numerous ceramic artists, weavers, actors, instrumentalists and various other kind of artists.

The Rockhampton zoo, established in the surrounds of the South Rockhampton Botanic Gardens, has chimpanzees, koalas and numerous other native Australian species, and a magnificent assemblage of birds. Closeby is Mt Archer National Park that presents magnificent scenery, a stunning variety of native Australian flora and fauna, and provides an very good location for bushwalking, camping, mountain bike riding and rock climbing. Mt Archer rises to an elevation of about 600 m above sea level.

There are a wide range of activties to enjoy in the Rockhampton district including fishing for Barramundi.

Experience the country hospitality and culture at the Great Western Hotel, and see the weekly rodeos at the back of the pub.  Local attractions include the Dreamtime Cultural Centre, which is established in about 30 acres of native bushland and provides insight into the Aboriginal heritage of the area. The renowned Rockhampton Heritage Village is a working and active township museum showcasing Rockhampton's colourful and rich heritage. Another great place to see and explore is the famous magnificent set of limestone caves at Capricorn Caverns. 

Local events in Rockhampton include:

• Alpha Bullarama,
  
• Easter Sunflower Festival (Emerald),
  
• Rockhampton Eisteddfod,
  
• Winter Racing Carnival,
  
• Rockhampton Agricultural Show,
  
• World Cooeeing Contest (Cooee Bay),
  
• Rockhampton Swap,
  
• Multicultural Fair,
  
• Rockhampton Jazz Festival,
  
• Yeppoon Tropic Pine Festival,
  
• Brahman Week,
  
• Rockhampton Barra Bounty,
  
• Quarter horse Sale (Gracemere).