The industrial reputation of Rocklea isn’t the whole story of this southside suburb, there are many treasures to be found here that go way beyond commercial enterprises. Locals keep their secrets close to their chests, but with a little persistence you’ll see why this suburb has some fierce fans.
Oxley Common
Taking its name from the bordering suburb of Oxley but within the bounds of Rocklea itself is the Oxford Common. This encompasses a number of areas to explore, from pastoral fields complete with black-faced heritage sheep to a wetlands area that is home to a wide range of birdlife. There are a number of well-paved trails to trek here too; take your pick between the 4.6km Secret Forest Walk that winds through some fascinating vegetation, or try the 3.5km Pelican Island Walk, where you might be lucky enough to spot some Great Egrets or Jabiru, as well at making friends with inquisitive Pelicans. Dusk or Dawn are the best times to see the most wildlife, but these are very pleasant walks at any time of day.
Relove Treasures
If you’re into antiquing, op shopping and love a jumble sale, then you’ll think you’ve wandered into a bargain hunter’s paradise at Relove Inc. It has a quirky mix of second-hand goods; whether they’re trash or treasure is for the browser to decide, but with this much variety on offer over two storeys you are sure to find something to your liking here. There’s furniture and homewares, vintage fashion, retro toys and games, and a whole lot more on sale here, and the owners love to do a deal, so flex your haggling muscles here and walk away with something truly unique.
Play at Fauna Park
Nestled in suburban streets, this is one of the locals’ best-kept secrets. Fauna Park is hidden away, but well worth making the effort to discover. It has a fun playground for the kids to explore, an off-leash dog area where you can enjoy some canine mayhem and a number of walking paths with plenty of benches for when you just want to relax. A creek runs through the middle of the park which makes for some lovely scenery. If you want to get your game on, there are cricket pitches and a basketball court here that are open for use. There’s also a barbeque and picnic tables here, so you can bring along some chops and snags and enjoy some alfresco dining as well.
Showground adventures
The Rocklea Showgrounds are a hub of local activity. You’ll find all kinds of events happening here, from Rockabilly festivals, car shows, markets, and of course the Rocklea Show itself. Whatever your idea of a great weekend is you’re sure to find something going on here that’s of interest. They also have agricultural shows, dressage competitions, livestock auctions and all sorts of events you wouldn’t expect this close to the city, so get ready to be surprised. Check in to see what events are on while you’re there and go experience some local entertainment.
