Rockhampton

Rockhampton is a city that lies on the tropic of Capricorn near the Queensland coast, south of Mackay and north of Bundaberg.

Rockhampton was established in 1855 and is one of Queensland's oldest cities. It was named by Queensland's first Land Commissioner, Mr W. Wiseman, who was supposedly inspired by the rocks in the river flowing through the town.

In the late 1800s, several nearby gold discoveries ensured continued economic growth of the region, and of Rockhampton itself. Subsequently, as mining, grazing, farming and meat processing industries developed in Central Queensland, Rockhampton thrived as a regional service centre.

Rockhampton was finally recognised as a city in 1902, and has continued to grow slowly but steadily ever since. It has a population of 80,000. The Rockhampton area is surprisingly busy, with considerable traffic on the roads, and a substantial suburban area. It has a feel much more of a developed city than of an outback town.

Rockhampton is almost universally called Rocky. Just about every business has some variation of Rocky in their name or their promotion.

Many of the attractions in Rockhampton are operated by the local council, which has a focus on tourism promotion.

• Rockhampton Zoo, 93 Spencer St (Next to the botanic gardens, +61 7 4932 9000. 3pm is feeding time at the zoo. A variety of Australian wildlife, including wallabies, kangaroos, goannas, wombats, and koalas. There is also a freshwater crocodile display. Also seeming somewhat out of place is a chimpanzee, a baboon and a monkey. 3pm is also the chance to get up close to a koala for photos. free.
• Botanic Gardens, 100 Spencer St (next to the zoo.. Surrounding the zoo, includes a Japanese Garden and the Rockhampton War Memorial. The Giant Banyan Figs in the gardens are a feature. There are tea rooms in the garden, serving cappuccinos. ice-creams and lunch.
• Rockhampton Heritage Village, Boundary Rd (Signposted off Bruce Highway north of Rockhampton. opens 9am. A large site, with around 20 historical buildings from between 1850 and 1950 reconstructed on the site, including a school, hospital and church. Takes around 1 hour to walk around the site, but if you are interested in historic machinery it may take longer. Volunteers run kiosk on site, serves Devonshire teas until 2pm (but only instant coffee) $8.50 adults.
• Dreamtime Cultural Centre, Bruce Highway, +61 7 4936 1655. M-F 10AM-3:30PM. The Dreamtime Cultural Centre showcases Aboriginal culture, heritage and artwork. Local Aboriginal guides give regular tours through the centre, and describe regional tribal history, myths of the Dreamtime and the process involved in producing Aboriginal artworks. There are also displays of didgeridoo playing, bush tucker and boomerang throwing. A convention centre and accommodation are located on the site. It is located 6 kilometres to the north of Rockhampton city centre.
• Mount Etna Caves National Park. Access to 2-wheel drive vehicles. If you are an experienced caver in a group, you can go caving independently here. Guided tours are available at the nearby Capricorn Caves
• Capricorn Caves. Guided tours
• Capricorn Spire. The tropics are caused by tilt of the earth on its axis, with the tropic of Capricorn marking the line of latitude when the sun is directly overhead at the summer solstice. Rockhampton lies pretty much on the tropic of Capricorn with the temperate zone to the south of the city, and tropical zone to the north. A spire marks the Tropic of Capricorn but the position is inexact, and varies by a few kilometres a year because of the wobble of the earth on its axis. The position here is a convenience, and an older marker lies on the Bruce Highway 3km south of this location.
• Customs House and Riverside Esplanade. Immigrants to Australia used to arrive by the boatload at Rockhampton. The sandstone Customs House building now houses the tourist information centre. Just across the road is a modern riverside esplanade on the banks of the Fitzroy river.
• Archer Park Station and Steam Tram Museum. In south Rockhampton a tram line runs through the city streets, and a restored steam tram runs on Sundays. The museum is also open Monday to Friday.

Rockhampton Zoo, 93 Spencer St (Next to the botanic gardens, +61 7 4932 9000. 3pm is feeding time at the zoo. A variety of Australian wildlife, including wallabies, kangaroos, goannas, wombats, and koalas. There is also a freshwater crocodile display. Also seeming somewhat out of place is a chimpanzee, a baboon and a monkey. 3pm is also the chance to get up close to a koala for photos. free.

Botanic Gardens, 100 Spencer St (next to the zoo.. Surrounding the zoo, includes a Japanese Garden and the Rockhampton War Memorial. The Giant Banyan Figs in the gardens are a feature. There are tea rooms in the garden, serving cappuccinos. ice-creams and lunch.

Rockhampton Heritage Village, Boundary Rd (Signposted off Bruce Highway north of Rockhampton. opens 9am. A large site, with around 20 historical buildings from between 1850 and 1950 reconstructed on the site, including a school, hospital and church. Takes around 1 hour to walk around the site, but if you are interested in historic machinery it may take longer. Volunteers run kiosk on site, serves Devonshire teas until 2pm (but only instant coffee) $8.50 adults.

Dreamtime Cultural Centre, Bruce Highway, +61 7 4936 1655. M-F 10AM-3:30PM. The Dreamtime Cultural Centre showcases Aboriginal culture, heritage and artwork. Local Aboriginal guides give regular tours through the centre, and describe regional tribal history, myths of the Dreamtime and the process involved in producing Aboriginal artworks. There are also displays of didgeridoo playing, bush tucker and boomerang throwing. A convention centre and accommodation are located on the site. It is located 6 kilometres to the north of Rockhampton city centre.

Mount Etna Caves National Park. Access to 2-wheel drive vehicles. If you are an experienced caver in a group, you can go caving independently here. Guided tours are available at the nearby Capricorn Caves

Capricorn Caves. Guided tours

Capricorn Spire. The tropics are caused by tilt of the earth on its axis, with the tropic of Capricorn marking the line of latitude when the sun is directly overhead at the summer solstice. Rockhampton lies pretty much on the tropic of Capricorn with the temperate zone to the south of the city, and tropical zone to the north. A spire marks the Tropic of Capricorn but the position is inexact, and varies by a few kilometres a year because of the wobble of the earth on its axis. The position here is a convenience, and an older marker lies on the Bruce Highway 3km south of this location.

Customs House and Riverside Esplanade. Immigrants to Australia used to arrive by the boatload at Rockhampton. The sandstone Customs House building now houses the tourist information centre. Just across the road is a modern riverside esplanade on the banks of the Fitzroy river.

Archer Park Station and Steam Tram Museum. In south Rockhampton a tram line runs through the city streets, and a restored steam tram runs on Sundays. The museum is also open Monday to Friday.

• Koorona Crocodile Farm, 65 Savages Road, Coowonga (around 10km from Rockhampton on the Emu Park Road, +61 7 4934 4749. Last admission at 2pm. Tours at 1pm.. Cafe serving croc and other dishes, mains over $20. The only possibility of getting value for money here is to turn up for the tour. You will get an idea of the entrepreneurial nature of the operations here. The tour involves feeding and viewing the crocs that are in the pens visible as you approach the farm entrance, which is basically the breeding pairs. Also offers the opportunity to hold a younger croc. $22 adults, $11 children - no family discount.
• Mount Archer. Pleasant views of Rockhampton are available from Mount Archer, including the locally known Hell Nights at night. Free.

Koorona Crocodile Farm, 65 Savages Road, Coowonga (around 10km from Rockhampton on the Emu Park Road, +61 7 4934 4749. Last admission at 2pm. Tours at 1pm.. Cafe serving croc and other dishes, mains over $20. The only possibility of getting value for money here is to turn up for the tour. You will get an idea of the entrepreneurial nature of the operations here. The tour involves feeding and viewing the crocs that are in the pens visible as you approach the farm entrance, which is basically the breeding pairs. Also offers the opportunity to hold a younger croc. $22 adults, $11 children - no family discount.

Mount Archer. Pleasant views of Rockhampton are available from Mount Archer, including the locally known Hell Nights at night. Free.

• The Heritage Hotel, Corner William and Quay St, Riverside, +61 7 4927 6996. Midday - 1am. Wine and dine spot, with accommodation.
• Great Western Hotel, Cnr Stanley & Denison Streets. There is an award winning steakhouse. On every Wednesday and Friday nights, you can choose to have your dinner in the rodeo arena while watching bull rides practice.
• Pacino's. Great homey Italian food.
• Punjabi's. Surprisingly good and authentic Indian cuisine. Fresh ingredients and great ambience.
• Coffee House. Serves lunch and dinner. Good and fresh food.
• Seagull's Fish and Chips. In Yeppoon. Recently ranked as the 6th best fish and chips shop in Australia. Very friendly people. Consistent quality. Try the special tartare sauce.
• Restaurant 98. Relaxed environment and close to fine dining.
• Saigon Saigon. Great location by the river. A combination of Vietnamese and Chinese food. Vey tasty but the service can be a bit slow and disorganized.
• Ascot Hotel, 177 Musgrave Street, North Rockhampton. The Ascot Hotel serves large portion steaks on a StoneGrill. If you like steak, this is one of the best in Australia.

The Heritage Hotel, Corner William and Quay St, Riverside, +61 7 4927 6996. Midday - 1am. Wine and dine spot, with accommodation.

Great Western Hotel, Cnr Stanley & Denison Streets. There is an award winning steakhouse. On every Wednesday and Friday nights, you can choose to have your dinner in the rodeo arena while watching bull rides practice.

Pacino's. Great homey Italian food.

Punjabi's. Surprisingly good and authentic Indian cuisine. Fresh ingredients and great ambience.

Coffee House. Serves lunch and dinner. Good and fresh food.

Seagull's Fish and Chips. In Yeppoon. Recently ranked as the 6th best fish and chips shop in Australia. Very friendly people. Consistent quality. Try the special tartare sauce.

Restaurant 98. Relaxed environment and close to fine dining.

Saigon Saigon. Great location by the river. A combination of Vietnamese and Chinese food. Vey tasty but the service can be a bit slow and disorganized.

Ascot Hotel, 177 Musgrave Street, North Rockhampton. The Ascot Hotel serves large portion steaks on a StoneGrill. If you like steak, this is one of the best in Australia.

Rockhampton has 4 nightclubs located at the Quay Street end of William Street, and many bars scattered throughout the city. The Criterion Hotel situated at 150 Quay Street has a lively atmosphere and the bar and club is open till 3am Friday and Saturday. The "Cri" as it's locally known is a great place for food and a few drinks in the afternoon as well. Locally known to have a ghost as well.

Rockhampton is about as far south as the habitat of the salt water crocodile extends. These animals are dangerous to humans. If you are travelling north along the east coast of Australia, Rockhampton is where you have to start being aware of crocodiles Crocodiles are seen in the Fitzroy River.

Gladstone and 1770 are both possible day trips.

Trips to the Great Barrier Reef and the Keppel Islands are available from Yeppoon, just 30 minutes drive away.

Rockhampton is a great base if you are travelling Central Queensland to the Gem Fields, Great Barrier Reef and Islands, Gladstone, The Coast, Gracemere, Mount Morgan