Australian Townxs, Cities & Highways: Rockhampton

Rockhampton

Rockhampton, the beef capital of Australia is also the main centre in central QLD. The city is set 5km north of the Tropic of Capricorn, on the banks of the Fitzroy River and 40km inland from the Capricorn Coast. It also lies on the junction of the Bruce, Capricorn & Burnett Highways. The city was settled in 1855 by the Archer brothers who farmed the area now known as Gracemere, however the area boomed upon the discovery of gold in Canoona (about 60km north) and Rockhampton became a principal port along the Fitzroy River. The city itself is beautiful - it has an attractive & shady CBD with many of the original sandstone buildings still standing, wide tree-lined boulevards and a recently completed riverside parkland. The Berserker Ranges and Mt Archer (excellent lookout) provide a spectacular backdrop to the city. Also of interest are the Dreamtime Cultural Centre, the Heritage village in Parkhurst, the Kershaw Gardens & Botanic Gardens and the Art Gallery. Rockhampton is also in the ideal spot to explore the Capricorn Coast - most of which is within a 30 minute drive and features the popular town of Yeppoon, several standout beaches and the ferry terminal to Great Keppel Island.

Population: 65,000
State: Queensland
Name Origin: English based name being the conglomerate of "Rock" and "Hampton" denoting a place near the rocks in the river.
Pronunciation: Rock-hamp-ton
Postcode: 4700
Local Government: Rockhampton City Council
Location: 634km north west of Brisbane
Main Watercourses: Fitzroy River
Main Roads: Bruce Highway , Capricorn Highway , Burnett Highway , Capricorn Coast Road
Radio Stations (Music): Hot FM (107.9), Sea FM (101.5), Triple J (104.7)

Photos from Rockhampton (Click on thumbnail for full sized image):

Quay Street, looking north-west in Rockhampton (2004).

East Street, looking south-east in Rockhampton (2004).

East Street, looking north-west in Rockhampton (2004).

East Street, looking north-west from William Street, Rockhampton (2007).

Fitzroy River frontage, Rockhampton (2004).

And again, this time showing part of the Fitzroy River and the Fitzroy St bridge, Rockhampton (2004).

William Street, looking north-east approaching East Street, Rockhampton (2004).

East Street mall, looking south-east from Denham St (mall has now been ripped up), Rockhampton (1999).

Musgrave Street, heading north in Rockhampton (2002).

Moores Creek Road (Bruce Hwy), heading north with Mt Archer in the background, Rockhampton (2002).

Gladstone Road, heading south in Rockhampton (note: old style Central QLD font on the sign) (2004).

View west over Rockhampton from Mt Archer (2004).

One of many bull statues in Rockhampton - this one is near the southern entrance to the city (2007).

Looking east across the Rockhampton Botanical Gardens (2004).

Monument to the Tropic of Capricorn in Curtis Park, Rockhampton (2007).

Heading east along Kerrigan Street approaching Dean Street, Rockhampton (2004).

Thozet Road, heading south between Kerrigan St and High St, Rockhampton (2004).

Denison Street, looking south-west from Derby Street, Rockhampton (2007).

Moores Creek Road, heading south between Kerrigan St and Yaamba Road - unusual 1.5 lane road! (2004)

	Quay Street, looking north-west in Rockhampton (2004).
	East Street, looking south-east in Rockhampton (2004).
	East Street, looking north-west in Rockhampton (2004).
	East Street, looking north-west from William Street, Rockhampton (2007).
	Fitzroy River frontage, Rockhampton (2004).
	And again, this time showing part of the Fitzroy River and the Fitzroy St bridge, Rockhampton (2004).
	William Street, looking north-east approaching East Street, Rockhampton (2004).
	East Street mall, looking south-east from Denham St (mall has now been ripped up), Rockhampton (1999).
	Musgrave Street, heading north in Rockhampton (2002).
	Moores Creek Road (Bruce Hwy), heading north with Mt Archer in the background, Rockhampton (2002).
	Gladstone Road, heading south in Rockhampton (note: old style Central QLD font on the sign) (2004).
	View west over Rockhampton from Mt Archer (2004).
	One of many bull statues in Rockhampton - this one is near the southern entrance to the city (2007).
	Looking east across the Rockhampton Botanical Gardens (2004).
	Monument to the Tropic of Capricorn in Curtis Park, Rockhampton (2007).
	Heading east along Kerrigan Street approaching Dean Street, Rockhampton (2004).
	Thozet Road, heading south between Kerrigan St and High St, Rockhampton (2004).
	Denison Street, looking south-west from Derby Street, Rockhampton (2007).
	Moores Creek Road, heading south between Kerrigan St and Yaamba Road - unusual 1.5 lane road! (2004)