Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Rockhampton, Australia

Located just inland from the Central Queensland Coast, Rockhampton is among the oldest cities in the state, established along the banks of the Fitzroy River during the 1850s.

The Central Business District (CBD) features numerous buildings that showcase Rockhampton’s early architectural heritage, particularly on Quay Street along the River Front.

A substantial portion of this development was financed by a gold rush, while presently, the city serves as the hub for Australia’s cattle industry.

Situated on the Tropic of Capricorn, Rockhampton boasts a lush botanic garden, which is home to one of the finest zoos in the state.

Explore further afield and you will uncover ancient limestone caves, breathtaking mountain vistas, and the stunning beaches of the Capricorn Coast.

1. Rockhampton Botanic Gardens

Discover the vibrant flora nourished by Rockhampton’s tropical climate in what is widely regarded as one of the premier regional botanic gardens in Australia.

Whether you are looking to relax during a leisurely walk, enjoy a family picnic, or delve into horticultural studies, you may easily lose track of time in this beautiful setting.

The gardens feature nearly 30 distinct sub-gardens and precincts, including two rainforest areas, 150-year-old Banyan figs, a pinetum, a Japanese garden, lagoon foreshore, fernery, palm grove, tropical fruit arboretum, and many additional attractions.

The site also serves as a habitat for over 50 native species and hosts several local sports clubs, along with Rockhampton’s war memorial.

2. Mount Archer National Park

Nestled between Rockhampton and the Central Queensland Coast, the Berserker Range features its highest peak protected within this national park.

Mount Archer stands at 604 metres, offering spectacular views from its summit over the surrounding ranges and back towards Rockhampton.

You can reach this peak via two easy trails originating from the primary picnic area.

The expansive park encompasses 4,250 hectares of predominantly eucalyptus forest, including a significant pocket of dry rainforest situated along the deep valley of Moores Creek.

Visitors to the valley during early morning or late afternoon are likely to encounter rock-wallabies as they hop to the creek for hydration.

3. Rockhampton Zoo

Set within the lush surroundings of the Botanic Gardens, Rockhampton Zoo serves as a prominent attraction featuring over 60 species of animals, including a complete range of Australian wildlife such as koalas, kangaroos, dingoes, crocodiles, and wombats.

The highlight of the zoo is the large family of chimpanzees, which received an upgraded enclosure in the 2010s.

The aviaries are remarkable, showcasing more than 80 birds from over 25 species, including rose-crowned fruit doves, royal spoonbills, macaws, and wedge-tailed eagles.

Throughout the day, you can attend keeper talks that provide detailed insights into various species’ behaviors, dietary habits, and natural habitats.

4. Rockhampton Heritage Village

This open-air museum encapsulates the first century of European history in the Rockhampton region, spanning more than ten hectares.

It houses preserved historic tools, artifacts, and furniture within cottages, a printworks, a woolshed, a fire station, a school, wagon works, and a timber cutters’ shed, among others.

While many of these structures are original, others are accurate reproductions based on period photographs.

The Rockhampton Heritage Village also features significant collections of vintage vehicles, timepieces, and dolls, all worth exploring.

Every other month on a Sunday, the village hosts a comprehensive market showcasing food, handmade arts and crafts, fashion, and organic cosmetics.

5. Archer Park Rail Museum

The elegant railway station building located on Denison Street was constructed between 1897 and 1908 and was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 1992. At the museum, visitors can explore the captivating history of the North Coast Railway and daily transportation in the Rockhampton region.

A Digital Soundscape system recreates the ambiance of historic rail travel, complemented by numerous railway artifacts and photographs.

The main attraction is the French Purrey Steam Tram, meticulously reconstructed using parts sourced from Rockhampton City Council’s fleet dating between 1909 and 1939. This engine operates on weekends for rides along a designated track.

6. Capricorn Caves

This highly regarded limestone cave system is located just 30 minutes north of Rockhampton and stands as one of Queensland’s oldest attractions, having been discovered in 1881. Visitors can explore the Capricorn Caves through a variety of tours, with the hour-long Cathedral Cave tour being the most popular choice.

This tour enters the magnificent Cathedral Chamber, renowned for its remarkable natural acoustics.

Another fascinating option is the Fossil Tour, which showcases the numerous fossils discovered in the caves, which vary from tiny creatures to enormous prehistoric animals.

Additionally, those who plan ahead may partake in a special Adventure Caving Tour, allowing them to access the surface for stunning 360° views.

7. Kershaw Gardens

This 50-hectare park, characterized by its rich variety of palms on the north bank of the Fitzroy River, was built on what was previously a landfill site until the 1980s.

Opened in 1988, the park underwent renovations and reopened in 2018 following damage inflicted by Severe Tropical Cyclone Marcia three years earlier.

If you are visiting Rockhampton with family, Kershaw Gardens is an ideal destination featuring an impressive nine-storey playground, Wyatt’s Wonder Web, which includes ladders, tunnels, climbing nets, and ropes.

Moreover, there is a man-made waterfall, a water play area adjacent to the river, free Wi-Fi, a sensory garden, picnic facilities, winding walking paths, and a camping area.

8. CBD Heritage Walk

Rockhampton is endowed with a wealth of Victorian and early-20th-century architecture, reflecting its historical merchant and gold rush heritage.

Consequently, it is beneficial to invest an hour or two traversing the tree-lined streets of the CBD.

If time is limited and you wish to capture the essence of the city, you can explore this two-kilometre walking trail, entirely along the scenic Quay Street waterfront.

Utilizing a downloadable map for smartphones, this walk encompasses 20 beautiful heritage sites, including the Criterion Hotel (1890), the Post Office and Clock Tower (1895), Cattle House (1864), Union Trustee Chambers (1887), and Luck House (1862).

9. Rockhampton Art Gallery

Situated next to the Pilbeam Theatre on the south bank of the Fitzroy River, Rockhampton Art Gallery offers free admission and has been operational since 1967. Though modest in size, its permanent collection features a formidable array that traces Australia’s Modernist movement from the mid-20th century.

Artworks by notable figures such as Fred Williams, John Brack, Sidney Nolan, Russell Drysdale, and Charles Blackman are among the collection.

The gallery also hosts a vibrant schedule of temporary exhibitions sourced from regional, state, national, and international institutions (entry fees may apply), alongside a range of talks and workshops.

10. Pilbeam Theatre

Serving as the central hub for performing arts in the broader Central Queensland region, the Pilbeam Theatre is situated by the river in Rockhampton.

Since its opening in 1979, it has hosted numerous renowned Australian artists, comedians, actors, and cultural luminaries, including Baz Luhrmann, Peter Allen, Tina Arena, David Hobson, Angus & Julia Stone, and Kitty Flanagan.

The auditorium accommodates just under 1,000 attendees and features a diverse programming mix, including live music, performances by the Rockhampton Symphony Orchestra, theatrical productions, tribute shows, stand-up comedy, musicals, and family-friendly events.

Upon your arrival, you can enjoy refreshments from the bar, where pre-orders for interval drinks are available.

11. Mount Etna Caves National Park

The breathtaking karst landscape within this national park is a remnant of ancient coral reefs.

These numerous rocky niches provide essential habitats for bats, including vulnerable ghost bats and more than 80% of the nation’s breeding population of little bent-wing bats.

As anticipated, Mount Etna Caves represents a sensitive habitat, and visitor access is restricted.

However, there are marked trails and a designated picnic area available for day-use.

From December to February, you have the opportunity to participate in a guided ranger tour, allowing you to witness thousands of little bent-wing bats as they emerge from their roosts to hunt.

12. Yeppoon Main Beach

If you aim to enjoy a leisurely day on the Capricorn Coast, Yeppoon Main Beach, located approximately 30 minutes away, is an excellent choice.

This beach features fine, pale sand that stretches nearly 1.5 kilometers long and can expand up to 300 meters wide at low tide.

At high tide, the beach is nearly non-existent, so it is prudent to monitor the tidal schedule.

The southern end offers gentle surf, making it family-friendly, and a grassy reserve backs the beach along the seawall.

Yeppoon Main Beach comes equipped with essential facilities, including gas barbecues, and features a zero-depth water play area, the Keppel Kraken, showcasing a mythical sea creature rising from its center.

13. Dreamtime Cultural Centre

The only indigenous cultural centre in Central Queensland highlights Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and history.

Guided tours of the centre, which occur at 10:30 and 13:00, include a didgeridoo demonstration along with a visit to the Torres Strait Islander Village, providing insights into their spiritual beliefs and traditional lifestyles.

Your guide will also demonstrate how to throw a boomerang; during the school holidays, performances by the Djarn Djarn Dancers, a male dance group, are featured.

During a self-guided visit, you will be free to wander through 12 hectares of landscaped gardens, learning about the role of flora in Aboriginal culture while exploring 34 meters of reconstructed sandstone caves from the Central Queensland Sandstone Belt.

14. Alkoomi Adventure Farm

For a genuine experience of outback agricultural life, this cattle farm located in Marmor, approximately 40 km south of Rockhampton, invites guests to camp or stay in en-suite accommodations while participating in the daily activities of farm life.

Alkoomi Adventure Farm is nestled in picturesque rolling hills featuring walking trails leading to distant lookouts.

Visitors can engage in various daily chores such as hand-feeding cattle, grooming horses, collecting eggs, and feeding chickens.

Additionally, numerous outdoor activities are available, including horseback riding, quad biking, as well as swimming or kayaking in freshwater dams.

15. Koorana Crocodile Farm

The first commercial crocodile farm in Coowonga has maintained operations for 40 years.

Initially, Koorana Crocodile Farm focused on capturing crocodiles deemed a threat to local safety.

Today, the farm houses over 5,000 crocodiles and offers guided tours twice daily, except on Christmas.

The period spanning February to May presents an ideal opportunity for visitors, as it coincides with hatching season when guests may witness the birth of baby crocodiles and even hold a young crocodile in their arms.