'Beef Capital of Australia'

Also known as Rocky this city of approx 100,000 residents in the greater Rocky area sits astride the famous Fitzroy River and the Tropic of Capricorn only 40 km inland from the Capricorn coast and the Pacific Ocean. The Bezerker Ranges and Mt Archer provide a magnificent backdrop to this historic Queensland city.

Settled in 1855 Rockhampton was named by Queensland first Land Commissioner Mr W Wiseman, who apparently was inspired by the rocks in the Fitzroy River. Gold was also discovered nearby which brought new residents trade and industry into the area. Rocky was proclaimed a city in 1902. Our research did not uncover any information on the original inhabitants of the area.

Other items of interest include the imposing colonial buildings along the river and throughout the city centre, the Military Museum, Big River Jazz Festival, Beef Expo, Barra Bounty, Railway Museum, Chinese Festival, Glenmore Homestead and many of the more usual holiday pursuits such as skydiving, bull rides, go karting, art and craft galleries, shopping and more.

Today Rockhampton is the centre of a huge beef industry processing some half a million beef carcases per year worth over $200 million in sales annually.

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