A big city with a lot of soul, Rockhampton stays true to its country roots by embracing its history, local culture, and bountiful lands. Come for the weather and stay for the scenery as endless sunshine bathes through this city. From Capricorn Caves to the Fitzroy River and everything in between, one thing is for certain, you will leave holding a special place in your heart for this spellbinding city.
Take a Walk-Through History in Rockhampton
An enchanting country city with a colourful past, Rockhampton’s rich colonial history lives on through the art, stories, and old Victorian-style architecture strewed across city streets. Home to Queensland’s longest heritage-listed street, Quay Street was once at the forefront of Rockhampton’s evolution, paving the way for life in the early years.
An easy drive from the city centre, cruise on down to The Criterion Hotel in your Hertz rental car – the start of Rockhampton’s famed Heritage Building Trail. Lying right in the heart of town, you will be in awe at the intricate detail and outstanding preservation of these glorious ornate buildings, a sign of the city’s economic prosperity at the time. Explore life in the early days as the city evolved from a budding frontier town to a thriving river port, before succumbing to its destiny as a highly decorated gold rush city. A 4-kilometre round trip, scale Rockhampton’s old central business district on a walk-through history before a scenic stroll along the Fitzroy River for a delightful return trip.
After a lovely time exploring the Quay, delve further into the history books with a visit to one of Central Queensland’s most popular attractions – the Rockhampton Heritage Village. Running daily 10 am to 4 pm, travel back to a time bygone at this charming old township museum. Be blown away by the extraordinary collection of old vintage cars, clocks, reconstructed homesteads, cottages, machinery, memorabilia and more, depicting life as it was between the 1850s to 1950s. Frozen in time, the village encapsulates facets of life in the early years with a great blend of activities the whole family can enjoy.
A wonderful city with a unique story to tell, explore Archer Park Rail Museum, the CQ Military and Artefacts Museum, Dreamtime Cultural Centre, and Rockhampton’s golden town – Mount Morgan for further insights into the city’s historic evolution.
See the Sights in and around Rockhampton
A world of opportunity awaits, with a host of spectacular attractions in and around the city certain to keep you entertained.
Only a 30-minute drive north of Rockhampton is arguably Queensland’s oldest known tourist attraction – Capricorn Caves. Explore the award-winning limestone caverns with ease – all within reach in your Hertz rental car. Formed over 400 million years ago, uncover some of life’s most intriguing geological mysteries with one of three pulsating tours through the family-owned estate.
If it’s greener pastures you are searching for, then Mount Archer National Park will steal your heart. Traverse the park’s vibrant Treetop Boardwalk for unrivalled views of the city lights and sparkling Fitzroy River below. Soak up the endless sunshine on one of the park’s numerous short walks, scaling the summit of Mount Archer and large pockets of open woodlands through the otherworldly Berserker Ranges.
The city itself has a plethora of popular attractions to discover: Koorana Crocodile Farm – home to over 3000 crocodiles, Rockhampton Botanic Gardens & Rockhampton Zoo, Kershaw Gardens, The Pilbeam Theatre, Rockhampton Museum of Art, and Rockhampton’s luxurious riverfront precinct. Spy the impressive bovine statues dotted around the city or dine ringside at the iconic Great West Hotel with its mouth-watering steakhouse.
As the gateway to the Capricorn Coast, Rockhampton is only just the beginning. Discover Yeppoon and its surrounds, the perfect starting point for exploring the famed Southern Great Barrier Reef.
