Queensland Holidays - Destinations - Rockhampton

Rockhampton, or as the locals call it "Rocky," is a city teeming with fascinating historical, natural and cultural draw cards. Located on the Tropic of Capricorn it is both a gateway to the outback and the magnificent Capricorn Coast.

First settled by the Archer brothers when they drove their mobs across the Berserker Ranges, Rocky remains more a big country town than the metropolis it has grown into today. It is a city where real country hospitality is not lost in the hustle and bustle of its 68,000 residents. Their sincerity and spirit seemingly merges the contemporary and classic throughout this vibrant Capricorn capital.

Large bull statues around the city play tribute to the generations of cattleman that have made this region one of the finest beef producing areas in the country. Visitors are welcomed amongst the big hats of cattlemen at Gracemere Sale Yards - the largest saleyards in the Southern Hemisphere.

Rockhampton's pride in its rich heritage shines through with the endless display of superbly restored buildings and collections of artefacts and outstanding parks and gardens.

So diverse is Rockhampton it also boasts a national park, a 130year-old heritage-listed botanic gardens, a zoo and meandering through the cities centre, the Fitzroy River offers a quiet retreat and anglers the chance to reel in a prize barramundi.

Rockhampton is known as both a town and a region. For more information about this region, download the official Australia's Country Way brochure here.