If you love outdoor adventure, sunflower fields, Victorian architecture, stunning sunsets and a taste of Aussie heritage then make sure to visit Australia’s beef capital, Rockhampton, in Central Queensland. It’s a popular stop on the drive between Brisbane and Cairns, and is worth at least a three day stay to explore the city and the region. We had such a great time here – it just has a vibe, lots of sunshine, friendly locals and so much to do. We will definitely be back (and not just because I found out my Great-great-grandfather settled here and owned pubs around the region!).
Enjoy farm-stays, dig for gems, explore nature, hike, mountain bike and learn about the city’s fascinating Indigenous culture and farming and mining heritage. Rockhampton’s charming riverfront precinct, world-class gardens, parks and Rockhampton Zoo coupled with its dining and cafes make it the perfect place to spend a few days or a week.
The historic wealth of this thriving cattle region is evident in its ornate buildings, wide treelined streets and beautiful suburban Queenslander homes. Explore sunflower fields, fish and cruise on the Fitzroy River, let the kids loose in its many playgrounds and enjoy local produce and friendly welcomes everywhere you go.
There is just so much to do in and around Rockhampton. Read about the 10 best free things to do in Rockhampton here and learn more about this beautiful city and adventure-packed region at Explore Rockhampton.
Rockhampton’s history:
The Darumbal people have called this region home for at least 40,000 years and continue their strong connection to the land.
Rockhampton is one of Queensland’s oldest cities, and for a time, the gold from Mount Morgan mine supported the entire country. From the mid 1800’s colonial settlers arrived here and began running cattle and sheep on its grazing land, and with the discovery of gold at Canoona, Northern Australia’s first gold rush began. After gold was discovered at Mount Morgan the regions’ prosperity grew even further and with international trade through its busy river port, stunning Victorian architecture began to line the towns main streets.
When to visit Rockhampton:
Rockhampton is right on the Tropic of Capricorn and its weather is fabulous all year round. Be mindful the temperature can get up to the mid-30s over summer,but this is also when it can rain a lot. The upside is it breaks the heat and fills the rivers and waterholes, so you can always cool off, especially at beautiful Blackdown Tableland National Park.
From March to November the heat is milder – it can even be chilly in the morning – and it’s much easier to get around without sweating!
Where to stay in Rockhampton:
Rockhampton has a great variety of accommodation, from the perfectly located free camp at the Kershaw Gardens, to caravan parks like Riverside Tourist Park and Rockhampton Discovery Park, hotels or luxurious waterfront apartments.
We stayed in an at the Quest Apartments on the riverfront and were so close to everything, plus having a kitchen is so convenient. We shopped at the local Woolworths and cooked meals in the kitchen, and sat on our balcony to watch the river and the gorgeous sunsets.
Kortes Resort is just out of town and has lovely rooms, a beautiful tropical pool and an amazing on-site restaurant. It’s just a short drive up to Mount Archer so is perfect for hiking and exploring the mountains and its walks and lookouts.
Further away, you can camp or pull up at Mount Hay Gemstone Tourist Park, Capricorn Caves has cabins with the caravan park open during school holidays, and Alkoomi Adventure Homestay has camping and caravan sites as well as cabins.
Quest Apartments, Rockhampton
Where to eat:
Rockhampton has a diverse range of restaurants, cafes and coffee shops and there are some incredible dining options along the riverfront and in heritage buildings in the surrounding streets.
If you’re staying at Kortes Resort or passing by, it’s worthing stopping in to dine. You can sit outside by the pool and it’s just a really lovely spot, especially after watching sunset at Mount Archer.
CocoBrew Rockhampton is a beautiful restaurant, bar and whisky lounge in a converted heritage building, just a few minutes from the riverfront. The staff and the vibe is welcoming and fun – and it’s child friendly. Our dinner here was delicious and the deserts were amazing. Bookings are essential – don’t miss out while you’re here.
Just across the road is Dingles Cafe – we didn’t eat here but I grabbed coffee a couple of times and it was delish.
The Boathouse overlooks the Fitzroy River and also makes lovely coffee, and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The outdoor tables have beautiful views, and you can finish your meal with a walk along the riverfront or take the kids for a play in the Fitzroy Adventure Park which is just next door.
The best things to do in Rockhampton:
Rockhampton is a beautiful city, full of history and and surrounded by diverse landscapes and nature.Stay for longer if you can – you’ll always find something more to explore. Here’s how to fill your (at least) five days here.
Cultural Activities:
Visit the Dreamtime Cultural Centre
It’s so important to learn as much as we can about the traditional owners of the land here in Australia, and the Rockhampton Dreamtime Culture Centre is a must do. Join a tour and learn all about the Darumbal people, their culture and experiences, listen to the didgeridoo and learn to throw a boomerang. It’s so valuable to visit here if you’re on your way to Carnarvon Gorge, as you will learn about this sacred area on the tour and from beautiful displays. Make sure to also check out On Country Experiences with Darumbal Enterprise while you’re here.
Address: Dreamtime Cultural Centre, Bruce Highway
Open: 10.30am – 3pm Monday to Friday, with guided tour at 10.30am
Cost: Kids and students $7.50, adults $15.50
Rockhampton Heritage Village
Step back in time and explore Rockhampton’s history from 1850 to 1950 at this open air museum. This fabulous heritage village features a timber cutters camp, a heritage township with homesteads and cottages, vintage cars and machinery and a blacksmiths shop. Find it on the road into Rockhampton. Sunday markets are held here every second month.
Address: 296 Boundary Road, Parkhurst
Cost: $5
Adventure & Nature Activities
Mountain biking at First Turkey
If you’re keen to ride and explore Rockhampton’s surrounding nature then head out to First Turkey Mountain Bike Reserve for 35 kilometres of mountain biking trails from easy recreational rides to black runs. It’s such a great way to explore the nature that surrounds the city, challenge yourself and have a great day out. Make sure to bring your own bike, and check out all the trails here.
Address: 249 German St, Norman Gardens QLD 4701
Walk Nurim Circuit lookout & hiking trails
Take a short drive up to Mount Archer for sunset and watech the city and Fitzroy River below turn to gold. Rockhampton sunsets are very special and it’s a rare night that’s not full of colour.
The Nurim Circuit is a 500metre elevated boardwalk that hangs over the edge of the mountain. There are seats at lookout spots, a children’s play area and signs in the local Darumbal language.
There are many hiking trails in Mount Archer, find all the details here.
See the beautiful Sunflower fields
Sunflowers bloom throughout the year here and you may be lucky enough to see them. They’re very close to town, just take a drive out on Quay St to Bowlin Road and you’ll find the fields. They’re on private property so make sure to be respectful when you’re out there.
Spend the day at the Botanic Gardens
Rockhampton’s Botanic Gardens were built in 1873 and are the oldest public gardens in Queensland. With a lagoon, an abundance of palms, figs, flowers and fruit trees, shaded walkways and picnic areas, it’s the perfect way to get outdoors and enjoy the Queensland weather. Within the grounds are the Japanese Gardens, the Cenotaph and lawn, the Garden Tearooms and the amazing Rockhampton Zoo.
Visit the free Rockhampton Zoo
Can you believe that Rockhampton Zoo is free? And it’s such a beautiful spot inside the oasis that is the Rockhampton Botanic Gardens. There are more than 60 species of local and exotic animals here, as well as rescued koalas, and if you come in the afternoon you’ll able to join a keeper talk and see the chimpanzees being fed.
Enjoy the beautiful Kershaw Gardens
Kershaw Gardens has two beautiful waterfalls and waterholes for you to discover, shaded picnic areas and BBQs plus a huge adventure park for kids. Let the kids run free on the grass or at Wyatts Wonder Web – a huge five level adventure play area – and the water play area for smaller children. Enjoy the free campsite if you have a self contained van. There is lots of parking near the playground.
Address: Moores Creek Rd, Park Avenue QLD 4701
Farm fun at Alkoomi Adventure Farmstay
About 30 minutes from Rockhampton, Alkoomi Adventure Farmstay is a true Australian fam experience. Enjoy horse riding, campfires, kayaking and swimming the dam, feeding the farm animals, bushwalking, log swings and so much more. Roam around the property and enjoy the stillness of nature. Sites are $10 per person and the cabins are $100, activities are extra. There is a fully equiped camp kitchen, bathrooms and your kind hosts will make your stay an incredible farm life experience.
Explore the Fitzroy River
Wander the Riverside Precinct
Rockhampton has one of the prettiest riverfronts I’ve ever seen. Take a stroll along the riverside esplanade and enjoy the peace of the gardens and the water, enjoy the Indigenous art and birdlife. You can walk all the way along the esplanade and then walk back along past the stunning heritage buildings that line Quay Street and East street. Download the interactive app from the Explore Rockhampton website and learn all about the history of the buildings.
Run and jump at Fitzroy Adventure Playground
You’ll find this fabulous playground on the waterfront – and it’s conveniently located near cafes so you can grab a cuppa and let the kids climb, slide and play. It’s a great playground and perfectly located right on the river.
Try your luck at Fishing in the Fitzroy
If you have your rods you can head on down to the Fitzroy River and try your luck with barramundi fishing from the shore. Fishing tours can take you up the Fitzroy River or out into the ocean from Yeppoon. Find out more about fishing charters with Hooked Fishing Charters.
Relax on a sunset cruise
The perfect way to see out the day is on a guided sunset cruise with River Cruises CQ. The cruise includes a delicious snack box and drinks are available for purchase on board. Make sure to take your camera as the sunsets are spectacular.
Take your Cow Selfies
You haven’t been to Rockhampton if you haven’t taken a selfie with one of the many cow statues around town. Find one or find them all! Download the FREE Explore Rockhampton App in your app store for the Cow Selfie Trail and find more info at Explore Rockhampton.
Around Rockhampton
There is a lot of great stuff to explore just outside of Rockhampton too.
Visit Mount Morgan historical township
Mount Morgan is a historic gold mining town just 40 minutes from Rockhampton. Visit the swinging bridge, the lookout over the old gold mine, wander the streets and spend an hour or so at the Mount Morgan Heritage Railway Museum. Read more about what to do in Mount Morgan here.
Find gems at Mount Hay Gemstone Tourist Park
Try your hand at finding gemstones at the family owned and run Mount Hay Gemstone Park, just 30 minutes drive south west of Rockhampton. It’s such a fun experience digging through the dirt from the ancient volcano looking for thundereggs – round formations where minerals have seeped into gas bubbles in the lava and cooled, creating beautifully coloured crystal! Every day, fresh mounds of dirt are brought up from the lava field, and you never know what treasures could be in it. When you find the round thundereggs you pop them into a bucket and take them up to the office where Doug, the owner, will cut and polish them for you. It’s so exciting to watch and see what will be inside.
Make sure to visit, its so much fun and kids will LOVE it.
Cost: $25 per person and fossicking gear provided
Explore the Capricorn Caves
The Capricorn Caves are on everyone’s list and there’s a good reason why – these 390 million year old limestone caves are some of the oldest in Australia, and are home to rare and endangered fauna. Make sure to book a tour – depending on your thrill-seeker level you may wish to join the adventurous caving tour that will have you squeezing through tunnels – and enjoy the serenity, especially the incredible Cathedral.
Open: 8.30 – 5pm daily
Cost: From 16.50 – $159 depending on the tour
Be wowed by nature at Blackdown Tableland National Park
A few hours north west of Rockhampton is the incredible Blackdown Tableland National Park. You can camp here in the Queensland National Park camping ground and explore the waterfall, flowing pools and stunning nature. The waterfall and pools can be explored in one day.
And have a fabulous time!