Rockhampton

Introducing Rockhampton

With pig dogs, Bundaberg Rum, utes, graceful old buildings, lots of beef and country music, ‘Rocky’ defines true-blue small-town Oz. The town proclaims itself to be the country’s beef capital, and larger-than-life figurines of cattle greet the visitor at nearly every turn. There are more than two million cows within a 250km radius of the city – and believe us, their shit smells.

These days central Queensland’s admini­strative and commercial hub is looking a bit sad, however. Abandoned buildings mix with the graceful old Queenslanders lining super-wide streets and there aren’t as many eating choices as there used to be. Queensland’s largest river, the mighty Fitzroy, flows through Rockhampton’s heart, but check before roaming the banks – a 12m crocodile was photographed lounging here on numerous occasions in 2007!

Visit the Rockhampton Visitor Information Centre (/fax 4922 5339; 208 Quay St; 8.30am-4.30pm Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm Sat & Sun), a helpful office in the beautiful former Customs House.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009