Rockhampton’s freebies
10 great things to see and do in Rockhampton, for free.
1. Rockhampton Art Gallery:
Australian art collection including works by Sir Joshua Reynolds, Grace Cossington Smith, Charles Blackman, Arthur Boyd, John Coburn, Russell Drysdale, James Gleeson and Fred Williams. 62 Victoria Parade, Rockhampton. Open Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm; 11am-4pm weekends.
2. Rockhampton Botanic Gardens: tropical gardens with excellent specimens of palms, cycads and ferns. The gardens date from 1869 and were originally intended to experiment with the cultivation of various plants to establish what could be grown profitably in this region. There are some especially impressive palms here dating back a century or longer. There is also a Japanese Garden, an Arid Garden and a Tropical Fruits Garden. Spencer Street, Rockhampton.
3. Rockhampton Zoo: the zoo has Australian fauna, as well as some exotic species. There are elevated walkways through the koala compound and the aviary. Spencer Street, Rockhampton. Open daily 8am-5pm. Feeding times start at 3pm.
4. Kershaw Gardens: a natural Australian bush environment, in contrast to the more formal style of traditional Botanic Gardens, these magnificent gardens stretch for 1km along the Bruce Highway. Highlights include the Scented Garden, rainforest walk, waterfall and slab hut. There’s also a playground and barbecue facilities.
5. Stroll the Riverfront Boardwalk and take in the views of the Fitzroy River and historic Quay Street, Australia's longest National Trust Heritage Street.
6. Climb Mt Archer: go for a bushwalk in Mount Archer National Park. Rising to a height of 604 metres on the northern edge of the city Frazer Park at the summit offers magnificent views of the city and showcases a spectacular range of native Australian flora and fauna. It is a steep five kilometre drive to the summit and there are three lookouts located along the way providing extensive views of the city and surrounding countryside. Frazer Park has excellent barbecues and picnic tables.
7. Go fishing: the Fitzroy River flows through the centre of Rockhampton and is one of the best places to catch a barramundi. Other species of fish in the Fitzroy include blue threadfin, king threadfin and gold spot estuary cod.
8. Take your photo at The Spire: the Tropic of Capricorn runs straight through heart of Rockhampton and is marked by a spire at the Capricorn Tourism Visitor Information Centre on Gladstone Road.
9. Hit the sales: Rockhampton is Australia’s beef capital; more than two million cattle graze the surrounding countryside. Join in the dust and drama of a real cattle auction at Gracemere Saleyards, on the outskirts of town and is the largest stud-selling venue in the Southern Hemisphere handling the largest throughput of export beef cattle in Queensland. Public are welcome.
10. Take a walk through history: the city is full of elegant historic buildings with 30 listed as historically significant. A free Heritage Walk Booklet is available from the Rockhampton Tourist Information Centre located in the historic Customs House.
To download PDF click here
Free things to do in Rockhampton