Rockhampton

With over two million cattle within a 250-km radius as well as various statues of bulls at the northern and southern entrances to the city, Rockhampton is aptly called the 'beef capital' of Australia.

Things to See and Do

Flowing through the heart of Rockhampton city is the Fitzroy, Queensland's largest river. On the southern side of the river are several historic buildings, many of which are classified by the National Trust.

The city centre itself consists of attractive gardens, large shopping plazas and modern housing estates.

Rockhampton serves as the main access point for many islands, in particular Great Keppel Island which is the largest island in the group of islands around Keppel Bay. Boats usually leave from Rosslyn Bay, on the coast about 40 km away.

Other tourist attractions include an art gallery, an Aboriginal cultural centre as well as some excellent gardens and parklands.

Day trips can also be organised to the limestone caves in the Berserker Range north of Rocky, the historic mining town of Mt Morgan and the Koorana Crocodile Farm.

Getting to Rockhampton

Regular domestic flights to Rockhampton are scheduled from all major centres along the coast. McCafferty's and Greyhound Pioneer Australia's buses also pass through on the coastal route.

Several trains travel to and from Brisbane with some stopping by as part of their journey to other destinations such as Cairns.

Tourist Information

For more information, visitors can visit the Capricorn Information Centre on the highway entrance to Rockhampton from the south, three km from the town centre. It is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm.

The Riverside Information Centre on Quay St is a good resource for backpackers seeking information on tours and getting to the various attractions in Rockhampton.