Rockhampton is full of adventures, and so many of them are free! Here are the best free things to do in Rockhampton while you’re in town – you’ll be amazed at how much there is to do. Visit Rockhampton Zoo and Botanical Gardens, have fun at adventure playgrounds, take selfies with cow statues, explore the Japanese gardens, heritage buildings, sunflower fields, and enjoy hiking and mountain biking.
A visit to Rockhampton, or Rocky as the city is affectionately known, should be on your list – we reckon to save about three to four days to explore the town and take a few side trips around the area.
Where is Rockhampton?
Rockhampton is in Central Queensland, halfway between Brisbane and Townsville. It’s only 30 minutes inland from the coastal town of Yeppoon, and on the way to Carnarvon Gorge. You’ll fly into Rockhampton airport if you’re heading for the coast and islands like Great Keppel Island, and it’s an easy side-trip if you’re driving up or down the coast too. Make sure to stop here for at least a few days to explore and experience the city and its beautiful surroundings.
About Rockhampton
The Darambal people have called the region home for at least 40,000 years, living from the land and taking only what they needed. Learn more about local Indigenous culture through a visit to the Dreamtime Culture Centre and On Country Experiences with Darumbal Enterprise while you’re here.
Rockhampton is one of the oldest cities in Queensland, and its stunning heritage buildings along the Fitroy River are testament to the wealth of the town during its gold rush and peak cattle production days. The Archer Brothers arrived here in the mid 1800s, and the town of Rockhampton – named for the rock barrier in the Fitzroy River (Tunuba)- was proclaimed in 1858. The fertile land attracted pastoralists who ran sheep and cattle, and the discovery of gold in Canoona and then Mount Morgan – which for a time was the most productive gold mine in the world – added to the towns’ expansion, with Rockhampton Port becoming the second biggest in the state and operating as an international port for a time.
With three million head of cattle here in the region, Rockhampton is known as the Beef Capital of Australia and holds the huge Beef Week event every three years to celebrate Australian beef, local produce and rural community.
Rockhampton is a beautiful city, full of history and and surrounded by diverse landscapes and nature. Make sure to visit the Dreamtime Cultural Centre – especially if you are heading to Carnarvon Gorge – to learn about the Indigenous history, and give yourself enough time to explore and relax and enjoy this heritage town.
Where to stay
We loved the Quest Rockhampton for fab apartment living right on the Fitzroy River and a short walk to adventure parks, the heritage building, restaurants and cafes.
Stay at Kortes Resort for its famous restaurant, pool and proximity to moutain biking and sunset views at Mount Archer.
You can camp at Kershaw Gardens and stay at the Riverside Tourist Park or Rockhampton Discovery Park if you’re in a caravan. Find more Rockhampton accommodation here.
So here are the best free things to do in Rockhampton.
Visit the beautiful sunflower fields
If you’re in luck the local sunflower fields will be blooming while you’re in town, and the owner is very kind about letting people stop and take photos – but do be careful not to damage any of the gorgeous flowers. The fields are literally five minutes out of town – just follow Quay St towards Bowlin Road, and it’s a gorgeous start to the day to enjoy these stunning yellow flowers turning their faces to the sun as it rises to start the day.
Fitzroy Adventure Playground
If you’re traveling to Rockhampton with kids you’ll be delighted with the number of amazing parks and play areas throughout the city. Our favourite was the adventure playground on the Fitzroy River (you’ll pass it on the way back to town from the sunflowers). Kids will love climbing and sliding, and traversing the rock walls and rope bridges. Cafes nearby include The Boathouse and the Riverston Tea Rooms, so grab a cuppa and take a seat while the kids play. There’s another fabulous adventure park at Kershaw Gardens to stop at while you explore the gardens and find the waterfalls.
Snap a cow selfie
It’s the Beef Capital of Australia so of course there will be cow statues! Follow Explore Rockhampton’s Where’s the Beef google map to find the cows and take your selfies. Find it in the FREE Explore Rockhampton App in your app store and there’s more info at Explore Rockhampton.
I’m sure you’ll take a better pic than us.
Wander the heritage walk
Rockhampton has the longest stretch of heritage buildings in Australia. Take a wander along Quay Street on the riverfront and enjoy the sandstone and wrought iron history of the town, the stunning buildings a testament to the rich and thriving gold town on the 1900s. Follow the Heritage Walk Audio Tour on the free Explore Rockhampton app to learn its history and secrets.
Walk the riverfront
With play areas, seating, a beautiful ampitheatre and the river flowing before you, this is a beautiful walk at any time of the day.
Fish on the Fitzroy
If you have your rods with you chuck a line into the Fitzroy River and see what you can catch. Barrmundi is a speciality here and you may get lucky! If not you can book a tour on the river or out at sea with Hooked Fishing Charters.
Bike ride – so many cycling trails
If you’re a keen mountain biker or just want to give it a go, Rockhampton’s mountain ranges are the perfect spot for a ride, with heaps of cycle trails for all skill levels. Explore the network of 33 trails down Rockhampton’s Mount Archer at First Turkey Mountain Bike Park as well as the 25 kilometres of trails around Mount Morgan and the No 7 dam.
Learn more and find your trail here.
Mt Archer (Nurim) National Park and lookouts
This stunning national park boasts hiking trails, mountain bike tracks and famous lookouts that are fabulous at all times of the day – but really show off as the sun sets over Rockhampton. The Nurim Circuit boardwalk has the best views of the city below as it fades in the pink sky and its lights start twinkling with seating and lookout points from its position overhanging the cliffs. There’s another great kids playground here too, so pack up a picnic and settle in to watch Rocky’s famous sunset begin.
The Rockhampton Zoo
This incredible zoo in the Botanic Gardens is home to more than 60 species of local and exotic animals – many of them rescued like one-eyed Shaun the koala, and are being cared for here at the city zoo. Its focus is on education and conservation, the grounds are beautiful and it’s perfect for small and big kids alike. It’s hard to believe it’s free but it is! Make sure to visit.
The Botanical Gardens
Rockhampton’s heritage listed Botanical Gardens is one of the oldest and most beautiful in Queensland. You can find the Central Queensland War Memorial here, the Rockhampton Zoo and a beautiful Japanese Garden. It’s perfect for picnics, a day in the sunshine and a rest from being super active. Walk round the lagoons, lay under the palms and grab a coffee and a snack from the cafe.
Kershaw Gardens
Kershaw Gardens is another lovely splash of nature in the city, with a huge adventure park for kids, large grassy spaces, tropical gardens and waterfalls. You can camp here if you have a self contained van. Take the challenge to find the two waterfalls – one is just off the main road and the other is hidden in the garden behind the adventure park. Wyatts Wonder Web is a huge five level adventure play area with obstacles and climbing activities for kids, and there’s a water play area for smaller children too.
Explore Mount Morgan
The heritage town of Mount Morgan is right next to the old Mount Morgan gold mine site and you can get a great view over the mine and town from the Arthur Timms Lookout. Visit No.7 dam – one of the seven dams built to service the mine – and enjoy a picnic, ride one of the many easy mountain biking trails or just enjoy the nature. Stop on the way out to the dam and walk across the hanging bridge, the last one left in the town. Wander the town at stop at the Running The Cutter statue – after a hard days work in the mine the miners would send boys with their billycans to be filled up with beer from the pub – and the heritage pubs, noting the turrets in two, which served as military watch posts during the war.
There is so much to explore here in Rockhampton – let me know how you enjoy your visit.
And if you’re feeling nervous about travelling check out our comprehensive family travel safety guide HOLIDAY SAFE: The complete guide to staying safe when traveling with kids It has everything you need to know about traveling safely on our family holiday or extended trip.