Things to do in Capricorn Coast
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Rockhampton City Art Gallery
An eclectic and satisfying snippet of Australian artwork is on display at Rockhampton City Art Gallery. Sir Russell Drysdale, Sir Sidney Nolan and Albert Namatjira are part of the fine permanent collection, as are some impressive contemporary Indigenous painters. Check with the gallery for the latest temporary exhibition, for which there is usually a charge.
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Megalomania
Another ultra-cool hang-out with an urban-islander vibe, this is a great place for a drink or dinner. The menu changes weekly.
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Great Western Hotel
Looking like a spaghetti-western film set, this 116-year-old pub is home to Rocky's cowboys and -gals. Out back there's a rodeo arena where every Wednesday (which is also two-for-one meal night in the bistro) and Friday night you can watch poor brave fools try to ride bucking bulls and broncos. DJs and occasional live acts also feature on Friday night.
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Freedom Fast Cats
Freedom's coral cruises visit the best location of the day (depending on tides and weather) and include viewing through a glass-bottomed boat and fish feeding. There are also afternoon and full-day cruises (adult/child $130/85, including snorkelling and barbecue lunch).
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Dreamtime Cultural Centre
The Dreamtime Cultural Centre is an easily accessible insight into Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage and history. The excellent 90-minute tours are hands on (boomerangs!) and appeal to all ages. It’s about 7km north of the centre.
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Botanic Gardens
Rockhampton’s wonderful Botanic Gardens is an oasis of Japanese gardens, lagoons and immaculate lawns. There is good access for those with disabilities, a kiosk, an attractive picnic area and a small zoo with koalas and a walk-through aviary.
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Bush Inn Bar & Grill
The Bush Inn, in the crumbling but super-atmospheric old Criterion Hotel, serves some of the best pub food in town and is very popular with locals. There are huge steaks, slabs of barramundi, chicken dishes and pizzas on the menu.
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Miners Heritage Walk-in Mine
The excellent Miners Heritage Walk-in Mine has informative 20-minute underground tours throughout the day that have you descending into a maze of tunnels 18m beneath the surface.
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Watersports Hut
The Watersports Hut is just one of a few places hiring sailboards, catamarans, motorboats and snorkelling gear. It can also take you waterskiing, parasailing or camel-riding.
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Criterion Hotel
Easily Rockhampton's favourite pub, the Criterion resonates with a good-time feel in its front bar and in the Bush Inn Bar & Grill. There's live music Wednesday to Saturday nights.
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Rock Salt by the River
A bit of a tourist trap, but nonetheless ideally situated by the river and starring the most mouth-watering seafood platter for two ($85), which is better suited to four!
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Heritage Nightclub
When the pubs are shut, try this revamped club down by the river. It’s got raised leather booths, a heaving dance floor and a number of enticing bars.
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Island Pizza
This friendly place prides itself on its gourmet pizzas with plenty of toppings. The pizzas are rather pricey but still tempting. Check the blackboard for opening times.
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Keppel Reef Scuba Adventures
Keppel Reef Scuba Adventures on Putney Beach offers introductory dives for $120, and snorkelling trips for $40 per person.
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Thai Paleao
The food at friendly Thai Paleao in Emu Park is up there with the best. The tofu green curry ($27) rocks.
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Jake's Fossicking Tour
Jake’s Fossicking Tour leaves daily from the Anakie Gemfields Caravan Park.
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Mavericks
Attached to the Great Western Hotel, Mavericks sells quality belt buckles, Akubra hats, stockman whips and other countrified regalia.
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Rockhampton's zoo
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Rockhampton's Cafe
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Thai Take-Away
A deservedly popular BYO restaurant where you can dine alfresco while satisfying those chilli and coconut cravings. There's a large selection of seafood dishes and snappy service.
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Strand Hotel
The battered old Strand has live music every weekend. The pub serves $10 counter meals at lunch and dinner daily, but is especially known for its Sunday-evening parrilla, an Argentine-style barbecue with music to match. The pub's on the corner of Anzac Pde.
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Saigon Saigon
This two-storey bamboo hut near the corner with Denham St overlooks the Fitzroy River and serves pan-Asian food with local ingredients like kangaroo and crocodile served in a sizzling steamboat (pre-order required for these exotic treats). If you're not up for reptile, try the crispy chicken or the king prawns.
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Pacino's
This stylish Italian restaurant oozes Mediterranean warmth with its stone floors, wooden tables and potted fig trees.
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Heritage Hotel
This grand old pub with iron-lattice balconies has a stylish cocktail lounge with river views and outdoor tables. After-work drinks can linger on to dinner in the tavern (meals $7 to $21), where the extensive menu includes pizzas, burgers and lamb shank pie as well as the ubiquitous steak.
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Cassidy's
One of Rocky's finest, this licensed dining room features modern Australian versions of kangaroo, steak, lamb and seafood. Sit inside or on the terrace overlooking the river.
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