The 11 best things to do in Rockhampton

Explore the historic heart of Central Queensland with a visit to one of the state’s longest-standing cities.

Rockhampton is one of the oldest cities in Northern Australia. If you’re a fan of heritage buildings, modern history and great natural surroundings, then you’ll find plenty of things to do in Rockhampton, whether you’re pottering around town or keen to take a day trip a bit further afield. Here, we’ve listed our picks for the best things to do in Rockhampton below.

1. Rockhampton Heritage Village

There’s no better place to immerse yourself in gold-rush-era Australia than the Rockhampton Heritage Village . Here, you’ll find authentic vintage automobiles, old machinery and homesteads that bring to life the atmosphere of rural Queensland in the days of yonder.

The Heritage Village is an interactive and immersive way to learn about local history, and one of the quintessential things to do in Rockhampton if you consider yourself a bit of a history buff.

2. Archer Park Rail Museum

Rail enthusiasts will find lots to love at the Archer Park Rail Museum , where artefacts and displays tell the story of Rockhampton and Central Queensland through its locomotive past.

Archer Park Railway Rockhampton — Learn about all things locomotive at Archer Rail Museum. (Image: Tourism Events Queensland)

Featuring a restored Purrey Steam Tram from the 1930s, digital soundscapes and life-like mannequins, Archer Park Rail Museum charts the quaint yet fascinating rail history of one of the state’s oldest cities.

3. Day trip to Yeppoon

It’s all but Aussie instinct to make a beeline for the coast. And if you opt to do so from Rockhampton, you’ll certainly be making a great call. The closest beach town, Yeppoon, is a taste of the good life. Perched alongside pristine beaches, the town combines laid-back local vibes and the ebullience of holidaymakers in the know about this coastal gem.

Yeppoon Coastline Aerial View — Yeppoon is a seaside gem just begging to be discovered.

The 40-minute drive to Yeppoon from Rockhampton is a scenic trip through the luscious expanses of Darumbal country. When you arrive, hit the beach, chill out at the lagoon or explore the laid-back cafe scene.

4. Day trip to Capricorn Caves

Capricorn Caves are Rockhampton’s local caves, located just 30 minutes from the township. On a tour of this above-ground cave system, you’ll witness ancient geology, eerie cave acoustics and if you’re lucky, a glimpse of microbats flitting about the caves.

Capricorn Caves Rockhampton — Venture deep into this fascinating cave system, just a short drive from Rockhampton. (Image: Tourism Events Queensland)

The more adventurous can opt for longer, immersive tours, where you’ll don a helmet and torch as your guide leads you into the depths of the winding cave system.

Capricorn Caves Rock-climbing — There are also other activities like rock climbing to enjoy. (Image: Tourism Events Queensland)

5. Mount Archer National Park

Explore Rockhampton’s scenic backdrop and hit the trails at Mount Archer National Park . Wander among towering eucalyptus and dry rainforests and stride up to scenic lookouts where you can admire the beauty of Darumbal country.

Nurim Circuit — Grab your walking shoes and hit the trails around Mt. Arthur.

Ramble through bluegums and swamp mahogany on the relatively easy First Turkey trailhead to Mugul, or opt for something a little more challenging like the Nurim summit walk where you’ll be met with rewarding vistas as you reach the top.

6. Mount Morgan Historic Village

Relax in the rolling hinterland of rural Queensland. Just 30 minutes southwest of Rockhampton, the quaint village of Mount Morgan is a time capsule of Aussie mining history.

Strolling around Mount Morgan is like walking in an interactive museum, where you can admire streets full of heritage-listed architecture including the school, police station and the old mine.

Check out the Mount Morgan Historical Museum, where you can pursue the impressive collection of relics that are sure to paint a picture of early local history.

7. Botanic gardens

Embrace Central Queensland’s sub-tropical climate at Rockhampton Botanic Gardens . Mosey around groves of Banyan figs, a tropical fruit arboretum, a Japanese garden and much more.

Rockhampton's Botanic Gardens. — Soak up nature at Rockhampton’s Botanic Gardens.

If you’re a keen botanist, the Rockhampton self-guided audio tours app will have plenty to pique your curiosity. The Gardens Tearooms is the perfect pit stop to refuel as you soak up the blissful atmosphere.

When you’ve recharged, check out Rockhampton Zoo situated within the gardens where you’ll come face-to-face with cassowaries, chimpanzees and meerkats.

8. Kershaw Gardens

If you want to soak up even more serenity, head uptown to Kershaw Gardens . This is the go-to spot for locals and families to gather and kick back. Kids will love Wyatt’s Wonder Web, a five-level playing sphere originally designed for New York’s Central Park.

Fitzroy River water play area is also popular, especially on balmy days. Or, pack a picnic lunch and relax in the shade surrounded by green.

9. CQ Military and Artefacts

Staffed by a friendly and passionate group of modern history aficionados, CQ Military and Artefacts is the place to head if you’re a modern history enthusiast. Here, you can examine an impressive collection of artefacts and exhibits that detail Australia’s involvement in various wars. Explore the history of Australia’s armed forces through historic photographs, medals and badges, diaries and dioramas that shine a light on Australia’s military past.

10. Rockhampton markets

You’re bound to find the stalls at Rockhampton markets teeming with colourful produce and sumptuous local fare. There are multiple markets in Rockhampton, from Doblo’s Farmer’s Markets open daily to Rocky Sunday Markets where you can find plenty of arts, crafts and food vans to grab a bite. Head down to peruse handmade knick-knacks, enjoy artisanal produce and farm-fresh flavours, or stop for a chinwag with one of the friendly stallholders.

11. Rockhampton Museum of Art

The Rockhampton Museum of Art is the largest regional art gallery in Queensland, pulling together the best of local and international talent.

Rockhampton Museum of Art Interior — Take your time to wander through the largest regional art gallery in Queensland. (Image: Tourism Events Queensland)

Fronting the Fitzroy River, this new gallery is ‘where creativity and community come together’. The museum is one of the most significant in the country, and the only one to contain a collection of mid-20th-century Australian art.

Rockhampton Museum of Art Aerial View — The gallery has a plum position overlooking the Fitzroy River. (Image: Tourism Events Queensland)

Browse the core collections and the fascinating carousel of temporary exhibitions on display.

Rockhampton Museum of Art Exhibition — Creativity and community come together at Rockhampton Museum of Art. (Image: Tourism Events Queensland)

Heading to Rockhampton? Check out our guide on the best places to eat and stay while you’re in town.

Exploring the world’s largest sand island starts with the perfect K’gari homebase.

The morning light is still soft, but it’s already a perfect sunny day. We left our K’gari homebase at Kingfisher Bay Resort with our guide, Peter Meyer, at 9 am to make the most of our time to explore all that the world’s largest sand island holds. The size of K’gari is hard to grasp until you arrive here. This is no sandbar. Stretching 120 kilometres, unique lakes, mangrove systems, rainforest, 75 Miles of beach, historic shipwrecks, small townships and even one of Queensland’s best bakeries are all hidden within its bounds.

But first, one of the island’s most iconic sights: the pure silica sand and crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie.

Laying eyes on it for the first time, I’m finally able to confirm that the photos don’t lie. The sand is pure white, without the merest hint of yellow. The water fades from a light halo of aqua around the edges to a deeper, royal blue, the deeper it gets (not that it’s particularly deep, six metres at most). The surface remains surprisingly undisturbed, like a mirror.

Arriving with our guide before 10 am means that no one else is around when we get here. Which means we have the pleasure of breaking the smooth surface with our own ripples as we enter. As a self-confessed wimp with chilly water temperatures, my fears are quickly assuaged. Even in the morning, the water stays around 23 degrees – perfect for lazing about all day. But we have more sights to see.

Exploring K’gari

ariel of in lake mckenzie on k'gari fraser island — Relax in the warm waters of Lake McKenzie. (Image: Ayeisha Sheldon)

This was the Personalised 4WD tour offered by Kingfisher Bay Resort, and my absolute top pick of experiences. Over the course of the day, we had the freedom to create our own bespoke itinerary (plus a provided picnic lunch along the way), with an expert guide who had plenty of stories and local expertise to give context to what we were looking at. From the history of the SS Maheno shipwreck, which survived the First World War only to be washed ashore by a cyclone in 1935, to a detailed description of how an island made of sand could sustain such diverse flora.

If it’s your first time to K’gari, the Beauty Spots Tour is another great option. Departing daily from Kingfisher Bay Resort (you’ll start to notice a trend, as many of the tours do start and end here), an air-conditioned, 4WD bus takes guests to the island’s most iconic locations, including the best places to swim, like Lake McKenzie and Eli Creek. The latter offers a gentle current, perfect for riding with a blow-up tyre out towards the ocean.

The next day, for a look at a completely different side of K’gari, I joined one of Kingfisher Bay Resort’s Immersive Ranger-guided tours to kayak through the mangroves of Dundonga Creek. This long, snake-like stretch of creek winds its way inland from the ocean outlet we entered by, at times too narrow for three kayaks to be side-by-side. Small insects buzz from leaf to leaf, while birds call overhead. Occasional bubbles indicate we’ve passed some fish that call this place home.

kayak tour through the mangroves at k'gari island — Learn about the island’s mangroves from your Ranger. (Image: Reuben Nutt/ TEQ)

If kayaking isn’t for you – or if, like me, you simply want more – other ranger-led experiences include nature walks and a dedicated Junior Eco Ranger Program for kids ages five to 12 (these run every weekend, and daily over the peak December holidays). Just ask for a timetable of upcoming tours when you check in.

While during whale season, Hervey Bay Whale Watch & Charters operates tours from the hotel’s jetty to get up close to the famous Humpback Highway of Hervey Bay, from 7 November to 31 May, attention turns to the Aqua Oasis Cruise . Departing from the resort every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday for resort guests, adventure along the island’s remote western coast, pointing out wildlife like dolphins, turtles, flying fish and eagles along the way.

The cruise drops anchor so guests can jump into the water using the boat’s equipment – from SUP boards to inflatable slides and jumping platforms. Then refuel with a provided lunch, of course.

Unwind at sunset

two people drinking cocktails at sunset bar, kingfisher bay resort — Unwind at the Sunset Bar. (Image: Sean Scott)

As much as days on K’gari can be filled with adventure, to me, the afternoons and evenings there are for unwinding. Sunsets on K’gari are absolutely unbelievable, with Kingfisher Bay on the west side being the best spot to catch the colours.

The Sunset Bar , located at the start of the resort’s jetty and overlooking the beach, is the ultimate location for sundowners. Let chill beats wash over you as you sip on cool wines, beers and cocktails in a relaxed, friendly vibe. Personally, a cheese board was also absolutely called for. As the sun sinks, the sand, sea and horizon turn a vibrant shade of orange, with the jetty casting a dramatic shadow across the water.

When the show is over, head back to the hotel for dinner at the Asian-fusion Dune restaurant, or the pub-style Sand + Wood. But if your appetite is still whetted for more lights and colours, the evening isn’t over yet.

Settle into the Illumina stage for Return to Sky, an immersive light and sound show leading viewers on a captivating journey through K’gari’s stories and landscapes.

Indulge and disconnect

woman setting up massage room at kingfisher bay resort Island Day Spa — Find bliss at Island Day Spa. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Of course, there is a type of traveller who knows that balance is important, day or night. While Kingfisher Bay Resort offers more than one pool for guests to spend all day lounging by (they’ll even serve you food and drinks while you do it), you’ll find me at the Island Day Spa.

The masseuses could match the magic hands of any big city spa, and I felt the warm welcome as I walked into the light, breezy reception. Choose from a range of botanical facials, beauty treatments and soothing massages using traditional techniques (obviously, I couldn’t go past a relaxing massage). All products used contain organic, native botanical ingredients with nutrient-rich plant extracts to soothe skin and mind. To really indulge, try out one of the packages, couples treatment or even a pre-wedding day offering.

Getting there

kingfisher bay resort 4wd tour driving passed ss maheno on k'gari island — The world of K’gari awaits. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Getting to K’gari is shockingly easy. Find daily flights into Hervey Bay from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Kingfisher Bay Resort offers a shuttle bus between the airport, their headquarters in Hervey Bay and the ferry to take you to K’gari.