Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ROCKHAMPTON
POP 61,724
Welcome to Rockhampton ('Rocky' to its mates), where the hats, boots and utes are
big…but the bulls are even bigger. With over 2.5 million cattle within a 250km radius of
Rockhampton - it's called Australia's Beef Capital for a reason - it's no surprise the smell
of bulldust hangs thick in the air. This sprawling country town is the administrative and
commercial centre of central Queensland, its wide streets and fine Victorian-era buildings
reflecting the region's prosperous 19th-century heyday of gold and copper mining and the
beef-cattle industry.
Straddling the tropic of Capricorn, Rocky can be aptly scorching; it's 40km inland, lacks
coastal sea breezes and summers are often unbearably humid. The town has a smattering of
attractions but is best seen as the gateway to the coastal gems of Yeppoon and Great Keppel
Island. Stay in the old part of town to enjoy some charming walks along the Fitzroy River.
Sights & Activities
Botanic Gardens & Zoo
GARDENS
( 07-4932 9000; Spencer St; 6am-6pm)
Just south of town, these gardens are a beautiful
oasis, with impressive figs, tropical and subtropical rainforest, landscaped gardens and lily-
covered lagoons. The formal Japanese garden is a zen-zone of tranquillity, the
cafe
(open
8am to 5pm) serves tea and cakes under a giant banyan fig, and the awesome
free zoo
(open
8.30am to 4.30pm) has koalas, wombats, dingoes, apes, a walk-through aviary and tonnes
more.
Tropic of Capricorn
(Gladstone Rd)
Attitude on the latitude! Straddle the tropic of Capricorn at the visitor centre on
Gladstone Rd; it's marked by a huge spire.
LANDMARK
Quay Street
In town, wander down this historic streetscape, with its grand sandstone Victorian-era
buildings dating back to the gold-rush days. You can pick up leaflets that map out walking
trails around Rockhampton from the visitor centres.
STREET
