People & Places
Is Rockhampton right for you?
Located on the steamy Capricorn Coast of Queensland, there is lots to do and see in Rockhampton, or ‘Rocky’ as it’s known by locals. Lana Clements finds out more
As it is proudly known as Australia's Beef Capital, you can probably figure that Rockhampton folk maintain a typical straight-talking Australian Outback country character.
Rockhampton became a cattle centre towards the beginning of the 20th century when, like many other towns, it was no longer able to thrive from the regional mining industry. The area now contains around three and a half million cattle: Brahman, Braford and Belmont Red being the most common breeds.
As a tribute to its thriving export the town is dotted with large statues of bulls and cows, which make for an interesting photo or two, but, rest assured, there is more to do in Rockhampton than cow spotting. Quay Street is the city's main avenue for architecture – it is a National Trust Heritage Street and, as so, makes for great ambling. Ashley Rosenberg stayed in Rockhampton last year, he says, "Rocky is very pleasant to just aimlessly wander around. Smart new buildings are built next to older colonial styles. The pubs here are also pretty decent – full of locals who are always up for friendly chat and a bit of banter." The centre is home to the impressive Rockhampton City Art Gallery, which contains work from well-respected Australian artists such as Charles Blackman and Sidney Nolan and frequently showcases themed art exhibitions. As well as this, Rocky boasts the Pilbeam Theatre and the Rockhampton Music Bowl which host a variety of productions from drama and orchestral presentations to rock concerts.
The Big River Jazz is an annual music festival, full of energy and soul, that takes place each September. The event is a celebration of jazz music, showcasing jazz bands in venues around the city and also staging a large outdoor concert. Located on the city's outskirts, the Dreamtime Cultural Centre is another of Rockhampton's intellectually stimulating attractions. The centre is a look and tribute to Aboriginal culture and history. Tours take place during the day, and are a great way to learn more about Australia's indigenous population. The council has recently been putting a lot of resources into fixing up the local parks, meaning that they are now a great venue for picnics, walking, jogging and other recreational pursuits.
If you appreciate outdoor greenery, take a stroll through the stunning Botanic Gardens. Located close to the town centre, the landscaped gardens and lagoons are free of charge and feature some spectacular flora. By the gardens is a small zoo, featuring koalas and other native creatures, the perfect option for family days out. On the other side of town, the Kershaw Gardens, again family-friendly, are also worth discovering. The sporting facilities for the town should please and occupy any fitness buff, with outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, football pitches and gyms all on offer. During the summer, the pools are popular among local families, with areas sectioned off especially for children, and also shady cover.
Being located on the Capricorn Coast means that the climate is typically tropical – heavy downpours of rain can erupt with little warning. However, there is plenty of sunshine, around 300 days per year, which more than compensates for the wetter moments. The Fitzroy River runs through laid-back Rocky, making fishing another popular way to while away hot and sleepy afternoons. Each October the Rocky Barra Bounty takes place, which is a barramundi fishing extravaganza. If you enjoy taking scenic walks, you should find Rockhampton and the surrounding landscape most satisfying. Mount Archer is a little out of town but offers immense views over the city, as well as an abundance of wildlife and plant life.
During the evenings you can pick up a meal at a number of restaurants and diners in Rockhampton. There are a couple of good Thai and Indian eateries and, as a hearty Aussie town, there are some excellent venues specialising in traditional Australian nosh – serving the likes of crocodile and kangaroo steaks, Great Keppel shrimp and, of course, plenty of scrumptious beef! After a helping of steak, you can further embrace the rugged sensibility of the town by spectating local cowboys practising their skills in the bullring at one of the rodeos which regularly take place in Rocky. As a family dominated community, the nightlife contains an element of constraint, but is not completely dead and buried with a few late-night venues where you can drink and be merry.
Around Rockhampton there are a number of attractions situated nearby. The Capricorn Caves make for a great day trip, particularly during the summer solstice when the sun illuminates the caves. At the Koorana Crocodile Farm, you can visit and get up close to some of the croc's and then buy some crocodile skin goods. The Myella Farm Stay is another place to meet and experience the local animals, and experience country life, including horse trekking through the bush. Not far from Rockhampton is the small community of Yeppoon. On a sunny day you can come to the town and relax on the beach or take in the sea air with some picturesque walks.
If you're in Queensland you are usually close to a spot for great snorkelling or scuba diving, and in this respect Rockhampton is no different. From Yeppoon you can reach Great Keppel Island, where the white-sand beaches on this island are stunning. Soak up the beautiful scenery with bush walks, and then jump into the sparkling sea to explore the coral and marine life. There are companies based on Great Keppel Island which provide introductory dive excursions, as well as watersport activities. For a bit of fun and excitement try some water-skiing or paragliding. Middle and Halfway Islands are also within close reach of Rockhampton and again good for snorkelling, scuba or even glass-bottomed boat tours if you don't fancy getting wet.
Rocky is a far-cry from the bright lights and theme parks of Brisbane and the Gold Coast but it does offer its own unique sense of charm. For an average-sized town, Rockhampton has a wealth of attractions for those seeking either culture, amusement or simply some pleasant surroundings to bask in the seemingly limitless sunshine of Queensland. The town has a friendly aura where visitors are instantly endeared and welcomed. The surrounding region is beautiful and offers some truly unique attractions and sights. To summarise on one slightly cheesy phrase: Rocky rocks.
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