Rockhampton – also known as “Rocky” to those more familiar with it – is a charming, historic town, 616km north of Brisbane.Rockhampton is known as the Beef Capital ofAustralia, and is home to over 2.5 million cattle, all within a 250km radius of the town.
This sprawling country town is famous for its wide streets and fine Victorian-era buildings that reflect the town’s prosperous 19th-century heyday of gold mining and cattle farming.
Founded in 1853, today Rockhampton has lovingly restored the historic architecture of its time. There’s plenty to see in town. Take a peek at one of the world’s oldest trams at the Archer Park Steam Tram Museum. Step back in time at the Rockhampton Heritage Village, an open-air museum that displays the region's rich history. Enjoy the many gardens and nature reserves the town is home to.
Located 30km inland from the coast and straddling the tropic of Capricorn, Rockhampton receives more than 300 days of sunshine every year. Temperatures tend to soar, with so bring your sunscreen.
Quay Street
When in town, make sure to wander down Quay Street, a historic streetscape with grand, elegant, sandstone Victorian-era buildings, which date back to the gold rush days. Walking tour maps can be picked up from visitor centres in the town and will guide you through the streets and history of the area.
Capricorn Caves
To escape the heat of the day, jump in your rental car and take the easy 30-minute drive north from Rockhampton towards Capricorn Caves. The limestone cave system can be explored on guided tours, or caving and abseiling adventures. On the Cathedral Cave Tour, visitors are treated to an audio-visual feast, when a hauntingly beautiful music and light show offer a thrilling experience that makes the most of the cavern’s acoustics. Due to the Cathedral Cave’s unique atmosphere, in recent years, it has become a popular wedding spot, and also plays host to several concerts throughout the year.
Rockhampton Botanical Gardens
A short drive south of town in a rental car will take you to Rockhampton Botanical Gardens. Here you’ll find a beautiful oasis, with tropical and subtropical rainforest, landscaped gardens and lily-covered lagoons. The Japanese garden is a place of utter tranquillity, with a cafe and a small, well-kept zoo that has koalas, wombats, dingoes, monkeys, a walk-through-aviary and much more.
Rockhampton Heritage Village
A great place to stop on a road trip in the area is Rockhampton Heritage Village, especially if you’re travelling with kids. The village is home to a an interactive museum, complete with replica historic buildings and townsfolk dressed in period clothing.
Koorana Crocodile Farm
With more than 3,000 crocs on the farm and engaging, entertaining tour guides, this is an interesting and unmissable stop when driving around the region. You’ll get the chance to come within metres of saltwater crocodiles, watch them at feeding time – and you’ll get the opportunity to hold a baby crocodile at the end of your visit.
Rockhampton and the surrounding region has a lot to offer visitors who are willing to go on an adventure. For the best way to see it all, jump in a rental car and hit the road.
Wherever you want to go, you’ll get there in a rental car from Hertz.
