Specialist migration information to assist you to relocate to Australia.

Rockhampton City Guide

Rockhampton is the city for lifestyle. There are few places in the world where the average person can afford to live in such a beautiful city surrounded by tropical gardens and architecture, travel only five minutes to work, yet have top-class education, sporting and cultural facilities on the doorstep.

Whether Rockhampton is your intended destination or just a brief stopover on the way to your new home, we have compiled this guide to help you get your bearings on arrival. To obtain more details about the city check out the websites listed at the end of this profile.

Population

Rockhampton's population is approximately 60,000, and the total population for the greater Rockhampton district is 100,000 - which includes the Rockhampton, Fitzroy, Livingstone and Mount Morgan Shires.

Geography

Rockhampton is situated on Queensland's largest river, the Fitzroy, and lies 40 kilometres inland from the beautiful Capricorn Coast beaches. The City is surrounded by the Berserker Ranges and Mount Archer (607 metres high), posing an impressive backdrop for the vibrant City centre, business districts and residential areas.

 

Economy

The region’s major mining activity produces coal from the nearby Bowen Basin for the world’s steel-making plants and for power production. The open-cut and underground operations have estimated deposits in excess of 10,000 million tonnes. Machinery used in the mining process is some of the largest in the world, with walking draglines weighing up to 6600 tonnes. Magnesite, limestone, and salt are also mined and processed in large quantities near Rockhampton.

Rockhampton is known as the Beef Capital of Australia, with more than two million head of cattle in the region. The tropically adapted beef breeds – Brahman, Braford and Belmont Red – make up the bulk of the region’s herd. Gracemere Saleyards, just a few kilometres west of Rockhampton at Gracemere, conducts some of Australia’s largest sales of stud and commercial cattle. Two major meatworks operate in Rockhampton and export to world markets.

Local Transport

Rockhampton is the major airport in Central Queensland handling in excess of 483 000 passengers in the 2005 calendar year. The Port of Gladstone is one of the largest deepwater ports on the eastern seaboard and handles more than 38 million tonnes of cargo each year. A regional trading port also exists at Port Alma for specialist cargo such as dangerous goods and explosives.

The Rockhampton region is well serviced by the National and State highway system, with the city being located at the main junction of the coastal highway (Bruce Highway), and the central western highway (Capricorn Highway). Good rail infrastructure also exists, with an electrified rail link between Brisbane and Rockhampton. An express tilt-train service travels from Brisbane to Rockhampton six days per week.

Travel within Rockhampton is well organised and there are local buses with an extensive network of set routes throughout the city

Dining Out

Rockhampton is known as the beef capital of Australia so you definitely will find some of the best steaks in Australia. Try some of Rockhampton’s famous beef, crocodile, emu or kangaroo meat.  Relax in one of Rockhampton’s fine coffee shops, enjoy the local produce and try the fresh seafood with a good glass of Rockhampton wine. There are many great restaurants in the city with the best cuisines from all around the world.

Performing Arts

Rockhampton is the birth place of many artists, performers and musicians. It is through the city’s appreciation of the arts that it has developed a nurturing approach to young people who decide on the arts as their path of life. Because of this, the city has many world class theatres, an active township museum, galleries and the famous Walter Reid Art Centre. The Pilbeam Theatre and the Rockhampton Music Bowl host major productions ranging from quality drama and orchestral presentations to rock concerts.

Lifestyle and Outdoor Recreation

Rockhampton provides a casual and relaxed lifestyle with all the essential facilities within easy reach. Because the city is situated on the Fitzroy River, fishing and water recreation are a major part of the Rockhampton lifestyle. The region is also well known by its great sporting facilities, like the two Olympic sized swimming pools, tennis courts, football, cricket and hockyfields. Callaghan Park Racecourse offers a range of racing activities. If you are looking for some peace and quiet, you can have a picnic in the one of the Botanic Gardens in the city, or visit the Rockhampton Zoo.

Education

The Central Queensland University is an internationally, nationally and regionally networked university based in Rockhampton. The Rockhampton district has wide-ranging education facilities ranging from kindergarten to doctoral level. Rockhampton has numerous State and private primary schools, three State secondary schools, two non-denominational private secondary schools and several Roman Catholic secondary schools.

Rockhampton on the Net

Rockhampton City Council
http://www.rockhampton.qld.gov.au/

Rockhampton Tourism
http://www.rockhamptoninfo.com/

Tourism Queensland
www.visit-queensland.com

Weather

Average maximum temperature in Summer Average maximum temperature in Winter Bright sunshine hours per year Mean annual rainfall

28.5  Degrees Celsius 17.2 Degrees Celsius 7200 945mm

Time

Rockhampton operates on Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT.