Rockhampton is a regional city and
Local Government AreaLocal Government Area is a term used in Australia to refer to areas controlled by each individual Local Government....
located in
QueenslandQueensland is a state of Australia that occupies the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory to the west, South Australia to the south-west and New South Wales to the south. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
with the 2006 census recording the Rockhampton Statistical Subdivision population to be around 74,531,5 people. Rockhampton hosts a significant number of governmental, community and major business administrative offices for the central part of the state.
Rockhampton experiences over 300 days of sunshine each year, which lends itself to tourism activities all year round and an abundance of outdoor activities. Popular attractions include Riverbank Parklands, a riverfront parkland attraction located on the banks of Fitzroy River; the Capricorn Coast, the coastal strip between Yeppoon and Emu Park and
Great Keppel IslandGreat Keppel Island lies 15 kilometres from the coast off Yeppoon, Central Queensland, Australia . The island is the largest of the eighteen islands in the Keppel Group, and covers an area of more than 14.5 square kilometres...
, a large neighbouring island off the Capricorn Coast, the vast majority of which is national park.
History
The Rockhampton district is the traditional home of the Darumbal
Aboriginal peopleIndigenous Australians are the original inhabitants of the Australian continent and nearby islands, and these peoples' descendants. Indigenous Australians are distinguished as either Aboriginal people or Torres Strait Islanders, who currently together make up about 2.6% of Australia's...
.
The European history of the area began in 1853, when the area that would become Rockhampton was visited by the brothers Charles and William Archer, who were seeking grazing lands. They were acting on information from earlier expeditions by
Ludwig LeichhardtFriedrich Wilhelm Ludwig Leichhardt, known as Ludwig Leichhardt, was a Prussian explorer and naturalist, most famous his exploration of northern and central Australia.-Early life:...
and Thomas Mitchell, who had explored the area in 1844 and 1846 and noted suitable land for grazing then.
In January 1854, the
New South WalesNew South Wales is Australia's most populous state, located in the south-east of the country, north of Victoria, south of Queensland and east of South Australia...
Government proclaimed two new districts: Port Curtis and Leichhardt (roughly today's Fitzroy Region), and settlement began in earnest in 1855.
The
Fitzroy RiverThe Fitzroy River lies in Central Queensland, Australia. Its catchment covers an area of 150,000 square kilometres, making it the second largest river catchment in Australia, after that of the Murray Darling system and the largest river on the east coast of Australia.The river is formed by the...
provided a convenient waterway for shipping of supplies for those who followed them, and a settlement grew on the riverbanks just downstream of a bar of rocks which prevented further upstream navigation from the coast. These rocks were incorporated with the traditional English term for a village, and the name "Rockhampton" was born around 1856, though was not proclaimed officially until 25 October 1858.
In the 1880s and 1890s, sea ports were established on the coast, adjacent to the mouth of the Fitzroy River. Broadmount was on the northern side and Port Alma on the south. Railways were subsequently constructed to carry goods to the wharves at these locations, the railway to Broadmount opening on 1 January, 1898 and the line to Port Alma opened on 16 October, 1911. Maintenance on the Broadmount line ceased in August, 1929. The following month, the wharf caught fire and the line was effectively closed in July, 1930. The line to Port Alma closed on 15 October, 1986.
Like many other Australian cities, Rockhampton's fortunes were assured with the discovery of
goldGold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. It has been a highly sought-after precious metal for coinage, jewelry, and other arts since the beginning of recorded history. The metal occurs as nuggets or grains in rocks, in veins and in alluvial deposits. Gold is...
, in this case at Canoona to the north. Later, the significant gold deposit at
Mount MorganMount Morgan is a town located in central Queensland, Australia. It is situated on the Dee River, 38 kilometres south of the city of Rockhampton, and is 680 kilometres north of the state capital, Brisbane. The Burnett Highway passes through the town. The town has a population of approximately 3000...
to the southwest was discovered, and Rockhampton became a service town for the local area. The early tents and shanties were slowly replaced by more substantial buildings. The historic streetscape of Quay Street still displays a number of substantial historic buildings, built when Rockhampton was envisaged as being capital of a state of North Queensland. Most prominent of these is the sandstone Customs House (1900), which today houses an information centre. Other important nineteenth century buildings include the Post Office (1892), the Supreme Court House (1888), and St Joseph's Cathedral (1892).
The
City of RockhamptonThe City of Rockhampton was a Local Government Area located in the Central Queensland region of Queensland, Australia, encompassing most of the suburban area of the regional city of Rockhampton...
was proclaimed in 1902.
A passenger tramway began operating on 16 June 1909, making Rockhampton the only provincial city in Queensland to have a street tramway.
Purrey steam trams ran on a number of routes throughout South Rockhampton, totalling 10 kilometres of track. The discomfort of passengers riding in steam trams in a tropical climate in part led to their demise in 1939, replaced by a bus network run by the City Council.
During the Second World War, a US army base was established outside the city; it hosted up to 70,000 servicemen en route to action in the
Pacific OceanThe Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. Its name is derived from the Latin name Tepre Pacificum, "peaceful sea", bestowed upon it by the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan. It extends from the Arctic in the north to Antarctica in the south, bounded by Asia and...
and
New GuineaNew Guinea, located north of Australia, is the world's second largest island. It became separated from the Australian mainland when the area now known as the Torres Strait flooded after the last glacial period. The name Papua has long been associated with the island...
.
The Fitzroy River Barrage was commissioned in 1971. The barrage has a capacity of 81,300 megalitres and holds back a lake 60 kilometres long. The barrage was funded by the City Council to provide a reliable source of water to the city, and to effectively drought proof Rockhampton.
In 2003, Rockhampton was the centre of significant national media interest after local teenager Natasha Ryan was found in her boyfriend, Scott Black's North Rockhampton home after being missing for five years. Ryan had been presumed to be murdered.
Governance
Rockhampton is governed by the
Rockhampton Regional CouncilRockhampton Regional Council is a Local Government Area in Queensland, Australia. The Local Government Area was created on March 15, 2008 as a result of Local Government Reform undertaken by the State Government.- History :...
. The Council consists of a mayor and ten councillors. The Mayor is elected by the public, and the Councillors are elected from ten single-member divisions (or wards) using an optional preferential voting system. Elections are held every four years. Brad Carter is the current mayor, having won the mayoral election in March 2008, for his first term.
The
Rockhampton Regional CouncilRockhampton Regional Council is a Local Government Area in Queensland, Australia. The Local Government Area was created on March 15, 2008 as a result of Local Government Reform undertaken by the State Government.- History :...
local government area consists of four former local government areas. The first was the original
City of RockhamptonThe City of Rockhampton was a Local Government Area located in the Central Queensland region of Queensland, Australia, encompassing most of the suburban area of the regional city of Rockhampton...
, consisting of the Rockhampton City region as listed above. The second, was the Shire of Livingstone (comprising of the Capricorn Coast and Byfield). The third area was the
Shire of FitzroyThe Shire of Fitzroy was a Local Government Area located in the Capricornia region of Central Queensland, Queensland, Australia, to the immediate west and south of the regional city of Rockhampton...
, (comprising of the Gracemere and smaller surrounding towns), and the fourth areas was the
Shire of Mount MorganThe Shire of Mount Morgan was a Local Government Area located in the Capricornia region of Central Queensland, Queensland, Australia, about south of the regional city of Rockhampton...
, (comprising of the town of
Mount MorganMount Morgan is a town located in central Queensland, Australia. It is situated on the Dee River, 38 kilometres south of the city of Rockhampton, and is 680 kilometres north of the state capital, Brisbane. The Burnett Highway passes through the town. The town has a population of approximately 3000...
.)
Before the time of the 2008 amalgamation, Rockhampton City had a population of approximately 74,530, Livingstone Shire had a population of approximately 28,266, Fitzroy Shire had a population of approximately 11,357, and Mount Morgan Shire had approximately 2,925.
Geography
Rockhampton lies just north of the
Tropic of CapricornThe Tropic of Capricorn, or Southern tropic, is one of the five major circles of latitude that mark maps of the Earth. It lies 23° 26′ 22″ south of the equator, and marks the most southerly latitude at which the sun can appear directly overhead at noon...
in Central Queensland. A sculpture originally marking the
latitudeLatitude, usually denoted by the Greek letter phi gives the location of a place on Earth north or south of the equator. Lines of Latitude are the imaginary horizontal lines shown running east-to-west on maps that run either north or south of the equator...
was later moved into town to be more accessible to tourists. Although the Tropic of Capricorn is represented on maps as a "dotted line" that lies at 23
°A degree , usually denoted by ° , is a measurement of plane angle, representing 1⁄360 of a full rotation; one degree is equivalent to π/180 radians...
26' 22", there is actually a bio-geographical overlap of Tropical and Temperate zones more than 500 km wide; Rockhampton is roughly at its centre on the East Coast of Australia.
The city is located on the banks of the Fitzroy River, approximately 40 kilometres from the river mouth. The Berserker Range lies on the eastern side of the city, with the Athelstane Range to the west.
The coastal area to the east of the city is known as the Capricorn Coast, with the rapidly growing town of
YeppoonYeppoon is a coastal resort town situated in Central Queensland, Australia. Located on Keppel Bay, at the 2006 census, Yeppoon had a population of 13,284.-Geography:...
its major centre.
Suburbs
Rockhampton is made up of a number of suburbs or neighbourhoods, including:
- Allenstown
Allenstown is a suburban area of Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia situated about three kilometres south-west of the central business district. At the 2006 census, Allenstown had a population of 2,721....
- Berserker
Berserker is a suburban area of Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia situated about six kilometres north east of the central business district. At the 2006 census, Berserker had a population of 7,179....
- Depot Hill
Depot Hill is a suburban area of Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia situated about one kilometre south of the central business district. At the 2006 census, Depot Hill had a population of 1,164....
- Fairy Bower
- Frenchville
Frenchville is a suburban area of Rockhampton in Queensland, Australia. Situated at the base of the Berserker Range about seven kilometres to the north of the Fitzroy River, the district was named for Anthelme Thozet, first director of the Rockhampton Botanic Gardens in the 1860s. Frenchman's...
- Greenlake
- Ironpot
- Kalka
- Kawana
Kawana is a suburban area of Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia situated about eight kilometres west of the central business district. At the 2006 census, Kawana had a population of 4,674....
- Koongal
- Lakes Creek
- Limestone Creek
- Mount Archer
- Norman Gardens
- Nerimbera
- Oasis Gardens
- Park Avenue
- Parkhurst
- Port Curtis
- Rockhampton City
This article is about the suburb 'Rockhampton City' - representing the CBD of Rockhampton, Queensland.
For urban Rockhampton, see Rockhampton, Queensland.
For other uses, see Rockhampton ....
- Rocky View
- The Common
The Common is a parkland area of Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia situated about 500 metres east of the central business district. The Common is the location of the Cyril Connell Touch Fields, Rockhampton Cricket Club and Callaghan Race Park....
- The Range
The Range is a suburban area of Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia situated about three kilometres west of the central business district. At the 2006 census, The Range had a population of 5,731.-References:...
- Wandal
Wandal is a suburban area of Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia situated about four kilometres north-west of the central business district. At the 2006 census, Wandal had a population of 4,188....
- West Rockhampton
West Rockhampton is a suburban area of Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia situated about six kilometres north-west of the central business district. At the 2006 census, West Rockhampton had a population of 1,457.Two schools were established in the area...
Economy
Grazing is still a dominant industry in Central Queensland. Two large abattoirs are located in the Rockhampton area. Due to a long term drought and general economic conditions, one of these facilities has experienced a number of closures over the years and was closed from 2002 until 2004, but has now reopened. The
GracemereGracemere is a town located on the Capricorn Highway in Central Queensland, Australia, approximately 9 kilometres west of the city of Rockhampton...
Saleyards, one of the largest livestock sales facilities in the country, lies just to the west of the city. Rockhampton promotes itself as the
Beef Capital of Australia
Queensland RailQR Limited is the company government-owned corporation responsible for the operation and maintenance of the railway system in the State of Queensland, Australia....
has a large workforce in the city, which is the meeting point for the main north coast rail line and the line to the major coalfields to the west. Enormous coal trains regularly pass from the west to the coal port of
GladstoneGladstone is an Australian city located some 550 kilometres by road north of Brisbane and 100 kilometres south-east of Rockhampton. The city is situated between the Calliope River to the north and the Boyne River some 14 kilometres to the south. Between the two river mouths lies the deep water...
to the south. The coal fired 1440 megawatt Stanwell Power Station lies 30 kilometers west.
Tourism is increasingly playing a role in the development of city and surrounds. The city is a convenient distance north from Brisbane to provide an overnight stop for tourists, who can then branch out to visit local attractions. The Capricorn Coast is a 30 minute drive from Rockhampton, with the islands of the
Keppel groupKeppel Bay Islands are part of both a national park and a scientific national park in Queensland , respectively 538 km and 518 km northwest of Brisbane. The islands are positioned in Keppel Bay, off the coast of Yeppoon and Emu Park on the Capricorn Coast...
easily accessible from there.
To the north of the city lies the extensive Shoalwater Bay Military Training Area, where large scale ground, air and amphibious operations can be conducted. A detachment office of the
Singapore Armed ForcesThe Singapore Armed Forces is the military arm of the Total Defence of Singapore; as well as the military component of the Ministry of Defence. The SAF comprises three branches: the Singapore Army, the Republic of Singapore Air Force and the Republic of Singapore Navy...
has been based in Rockhampton since 1995.
Retailers
Rockhampton has many large retailers, including a
ColesColes Supermarkets is an Australian supermarket chain owned by Wesfarmers . It has over 740 stores nationally and more than 92,000 employees...
, Woolworths,
Big WBig W is the largest chain of discount department stores in Australia , with over 140 stores. It is a division of Woolworths Limited, the largest retailer in Australia. Its main competitors are Kmart and Target, both owned by Wesfarmers.-History:Woolworths Limited's original Woolworths variety...
, a Targetand a
Mitre 10 Home & TradeMitre 10 is a retail and trade hardware store chain, with over 700 locations in all states of Australia as well as under 250 in New Zealand. The operations in Australia and New Zealand are two separate companies, each based on a co-operative system where the store owners are members of the...
.
Culture, Events and Festivals
The Rockhampton region has many renowned festivals, celebrating some of the various international cultures that call the region home. The annual
Multicultural Festival and
CQU Open Day held at the
CQUniversityCQUniversity is Australian public university based in Queensland. Its main campus in North Rockhampton Queensland, but it has operations throughout Asia-Pacific...
, showcases hundreds of market stalls and dislays, international foods, music and cultures are popular with the locals and tourists alike.
The Annual "Big River Jazz" is a three day program showcasing a variety of jazz bands from the 12-14 September.
The city also has a vibrant pub and night-club scene, many of them located in Denham Street. Local and national music groups can often be found performing live in these venues. The East and Denham Streets streetscape was renewed in 2002 and now caters for sidewalk dining at many new cafes located in the street.
The Pilbeam Theatre, seating 1200 people, and is host to many national and international music shows, as well as sporting and trade shows. Since its opening in 1978, the Theatre has been a centre of entertainment and performing arts, providing an environment to further develop the performing arts in Rockhampton and the region.
Rockhampton Events Information, can be found on this site:
Rockhampton Events on e-Rockhampton.com.au.
Climate
Rockhampton experiences a
humid subtropical climateHumid subtropical climate is a climate zone characterized by hot, humid summers and cool winters. This climate type covers a broad category of climates, and the term "subtropical" may be a misnomer for the winter climate....
(
Köppen climate classificationThe Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by the Russian climatologist Wladimir Köppen in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen himself notably in 1918 and 1936...
Cfa). The city is situated on the
Tropic of CapricornThe Tropic of Capricorn, or Southern tropic, is one of the five major circles of latitude that mark maps of the Earth. It lies 23° 26′ 22″ south of the equator, and marks the most southerly latitude at which the sun can appear directly overhead at noon...
and lies within the southeast trade wind belt, too far south to experience regular north west monsoonal influence, and too far north to gain much benefit from higher latitude cold fronts. Typical daytime temperature ranges are 32 max 22 min in the summer /wet season and 23 max 9 min in the winter/dry season.
Rockhampton lies within the
cycloneIn meteorology, a cyclone is an area of closed, circular fluid motion rotating in the same direction as the Earth. This is usually characterized by inward spiraling winds that rotate counter clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere of the Earth.Large-scale...
risk zone and the area is subject to summer thunderstorms. There is a high incidence of winter and early spring fogs. Maximum temperatures in the low to mid 40's have been recorded in October to March. The
Fitzroy RiverThere are three rivers named the Fitzroy River, all in Australia:*Fitzroy River *Fitzroy River *Fitzroy River...
at Rockhampton has a long and well documented history of flooding with flood records dating back to 1859. The highest recorded flood occurred in January 1918 and reached 10.11 metres on the Rockhampton gauge. The two most recent major floods occurred in January and March 2008. The highest recorded official temperature in Rockhampton was 45.3 degrees
CelsiusCelsius is a temperature scale that is named after the Swedish astronomer Anders Celsius , who developed a similar temperature scale two years before his death...
.
Attractions
The
Rockhampton Art Gallery collection, also owned by the
Rockhampton Regional CouncilRockhampton Regional Council is a Local Government Area in Queensland, Australia. The Local Government Area was created on March 15, 2008 as a result of Local Government Reform undertaken by the State Government.- History :...
, situated next to the Pilbeam Theatre consists mainly of works by Australian artists from the 1940s to the 1970s. Plans have been released to redevelop the downtown art gallery into a shopping haven with a new fully glass-walled 2-storey art gallery, a new 16-storey hotel and a 16-storey apartment/office block right behind it. The Pilbeam Theatre will not be affected by the construction.
Established in 1869, the
Rockhampton Botanic Gardens are located on Spencer Street in South Rockhampton. Excellent specimens of palms, cycads and ferns are found throughout the manicured grounds. Some specimens are over 100 years old.
Rockhampton Zoo is located between the Botanic Gardens and Murray Lagoon. Animals and birds include Koalas, Chimpanzees, Saltwater Crocodiles, Freshwater Crocodiles,
Red KangarooThe Red Kangaroo is the largest of all kangaroos, the largest mammal native to Australia, and the largest surviving marsupial...
s and the rare
CassowaryThe cassowary is a very large flightless bird native to the tropical forests of New Guinea, nearby islands and northeastern Australia....
.
A second public garden, the
Kershaw Gardens, was officially opened in 1988 on the site of the former Rockhampton rubbish dump. Located on the
Bruce HighwayThe Bruce Highway is the major coastal highway of Queensland, Australia. Running from the state capital, Brisbane, to Cairns in Far North Queensland, the route is a part of the Australian National Highway. The Bruce Highway is also part of Highway 1...
in North Rockhampton, these gardens specialize in Australian native plants, especially those of
Central QueenslandCentral Queensland is an ambiguous geographical division of Queensland that centres on the eastern coast, around the Tropic of Capricorn. Its major regional centre is Rockhampton and the Capricorn Coast and the area extends west to the Central Highlands at Emerald, north to the Mackay Regional...
. Their most striking feature is the imitation waterfall constructed on the northern boundary of the site adjacent to the highway, which aims to recreate a scene from the Blackdown Tableland.
The
Dreamtime Cultural Centre is Australia's largest Cultural Centre set on more than 12 hectares of land, with native plants, trees and waterfalls. The major points of interest at the Dreamtime Cultural Centre include the Torres Strait Islander village,
DidgeridooThe digeridoo is a wind instrument developed by Indigenous Australians of northern Australia at least 1,500 years ago and is still in widespread usage today both in Australia and around the world. It is sometimes described as a natural wooden trumpet or "drone pipe". Musicologists classify it as...
playing, Djarn Djarn dancers, and throwing the returning
boomerangA boomerang is a curved piece of wood used as a weapon and for sport. Boomerangs come in many shapes and sizes depending on their geographic or tribal origins and intended function. The most recognizable type is the returning boomerang, which is a throwing stick that travels in a elliptical path...
.
The
Archer Park Steam Tram Museum covers the development and history of rail-based transportation in the major central Queensland town of Rockhampton and is set in the 100 year-old Archer Park rail station on Denison Street on the city's southside. The museum tells the story of Archer Park Station (built in 1899) and the unique Purrey Steam Tram, through photographs, soundscapes and object-based exhibitions.
The tram is believed to be the only one of its kind in the world, and is a wonderful relic of Rockhampton's tram history dating back to 1909.
Rising out of Rockhampton's north-eastern suburbs,
Mt Archer National Park provides views of the city, and showcases a range of native Australian flora and fauna. Frazer Park, at the summit of Mt Archer, is approximately 604 metres above sea level.
The
Rockhampton Heritage Village is an active township museum, where visitors can experience Rockhampton's rich and colourful history which features Time After Time clock collection, History of the Rockhampton District, Life before electricity, Hospital exhibition and a Vintage car collection.
Health
The Rockhampton Base Hospital, Rockhampton is situated in the suburb of
The RangeThe Range is a suburban area of Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia situated about three kilometres west of the central business district. At the 2006 census, The Range had a population of 5,731.-References:...
, and is located around 4
kmKM, Km, or km may stand for:*Kilometre *KM - the Michaelis constant in Michaelis-Menten kinetics*Kernel methods*Kettle Moraine High School*Khmer language...
from Rockhampton City, and is the major hospital for the
Central QueenslandCentral Queensland is an ambiguous geographical division of Queensland that centres on the eastern coast, around the Tropic of Capricorn. Its major regional centre is Rockhampton and the Capricorn Coast and the area extends west to the Central Highlands at Emerald, north to the Mackay Regional...
Region. The smaller Hillcrest Private Hospital and Mater Private Hospital are located nearby. The Australian Red Cross Blood Service is located across from the Base Hospital on Canning Street.
Rockhampton is a base for the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the Rescue Helicopter which operates clinics and provides emergency evacuations in remote communities throughout the region.
Shopping
Rockhampton is home to 7 major shopping centre, all of which include national major tenants and retail outlets:
- Allenstown Plaza
- City Centre Plaza
City Centre Plaza is Rockhampton's second largest shopping centre and is located on the fringe of Rockhampton City, on the Corner of Fitzroy and Bolsover Streets.- History and Development :...
- East Street Mall
- Farm Street Marketplace
- Northside Plaza
- Red Hill Homemaker Centre
- Stockland Rockhampton
Stockland Rockhampton is a major shopping centre, located on Bruce Highway in Park Avenue, a suburb of Rockhampton.-History and development:...
(Recently joined with Kmart Plaza)
Education
Rockhampton is a major education centre for the region and has numerous state and private primary and high schools.
Transport
Rockhampton is an important transport hub in the Central Queensland region. Rockhampton provides important transport links between the Central Highlands and Capricorn Coast regions and the areas to the north and south of the state.
Rockhampton AirportRockhampton Airport is a major Australian regional airport that services the city of Rockhampton, with flights to the cites of Brisbane, Sydney, Gladstone, Cairns, Townsville, Mackay and Melbourne....
is essential to the viability of the tourism industry.
The Rockhampton region is well serviced by the National and State highway system, with the city being located at the main junction of the coastal highway, the
Bruce HighwayThe Bruce Highway is the major coastal highway of Queensland, Australia. Running from the state capital, Brisbane, to Cairns in Far North Queensland, the route is a part of the Australian National Highway. The Bruce Highway is also part of Highway 1...
, the central western highway, the
Capricorn HighwayThe Capricorn Highway is located in Central Queensland, Australia, and links the city of Rockhampton with western Queensland. The highway is approximately 560 kilometres long, and joins the Landsborough Highway at Barcaldine...
, and the Rockhampton Hinterland is serviced by the
Burnett HighwayThe Burnett Highway is an inland rural highway located in Queensland, Australia. The highway runs generally north - south, from its junction with the Bruce Highway, just south of Rockhampton, to Nanango. Length is approximately 550 kilometres...
. Driving time is seven and a half hours from
BrisbaneBrisbane is the state capital of the Australian state of Queensland and is the largest city in that state. With an estimated population of approximately 2 million, it is also the third most populous city in Australia....
to Rockhampton, Central Queensland's Tourism Hub.
Rockhampton is also served by long distance coaches to Brisbane in the south, and as far as Cairns in the North. Daily services operate into Rockhampton with Greyhound Pioneer Australia. The
HinterlandThe hinterland is the land or district behind the borders of a coast or river. Specifically, by the doctrine of the hinterland, the word is applied to the inland region lying behind a port, claimed by the state that owns the coast...
and
Central HighlandsCentral Highlands is the name for several mountainous regions located in the center of the nations or geographical regions.*Central Highlands *Central Highland *Central Highlands *Central Highland...
are also serviced daily by Rothery's Coaches, Pacific Coaches and Emerald Coaches.
An extensive bus services are operated by
Capricorn SunbusSunbus is the principal provider of public transportation at Rockhampton in Queensland, Australia. It operates bus routes under the new QConnect scheme in regional Queensland.-Service Area:...
, which operates under the
QConnectqconnect is a system of integrated public transport that covers rail, bus, air and ferry networks in Regional Queensland, Australia. It was introduced by the Queensland Government in December 2007, and is an agency operated by Queensland Transport with an annual budget of more than A$300...
public transport system. A bus interchange is located in Rockhampton City through with nearly all services operate. Service include most parts of the city, Parkhurst in the north to
AllenstownAllenstown is a suburban area of Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia situated about three kilometres south-west of the central business district. At the 2006 census, Allenstown had a population of 2,721....
and
Depot HillDepot Hill is a suburban area of Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia situated about one kilometre south of the central business district. At the 2006 census, Depot Hill had a population of 1,164....
in the south and to
The RangeThe Range is a suburban area of Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia situated about three kilometres west of the central business district. At the 2006 census, The Range had a population of 5,731.-References:...
and Lakes Creek in the west
Rockhampton has one major taxi company,
Rocky Cabs who service the
City of RockhamptonThe City of Rockhampton was a Local Government Area located in the Central Queensland region of Queensland, Australia, encompassing most of the suburban area of the regional city of Rockhampton...
,
GracemereGracemere is a town located on the Capricorn Highway in Central Queensland, Australia, approximately 9 kilometres west of the city of Rockhampton...
, and also some services in Yeppoon and Emu Park.
Rockhampton is located on the
North Coast railway|}|}|}|}|}|}|}|}The North Coast railway line is a narrow gauge railway line in Queensland, Australia. It runs from Brisbane, along the Queensland coast to as far north as Cairns. The line is electrified between Brisbane and Rockhampton...
, and is the terminus of the
electrifiedA railway electrification system supplies electrical energy to railway locomotives and multiple units so that they can operate without having an on-board prime mover. There are several different electrification systems in use throughout the world...
section of line from Brisbane. The line north of Rockhampton station
runs along the middleOn-street running or street running is when a railroad track runs directly along city streets, without any separation. The rails are embedded in the road, like for a tram....
of Denison Street. The
Electric Tilt TrainThe QR Tilt Train is the name for two similar high speed tilting train services operated by QR Limited along the coast of Queensland, from Brisbane, the state capital, through to regional centres Rockhampton and Cairns.-Route and unit details:...
service travels from Brisbane to Rockhampton six days per week, with Rockhampton also a stop on the Diesel Tilt Train service to Cairns.
Rockhampton AirportRockhampton Airport is a major Australian regional airport that services the city of Rockhampton, with flights to the cites of Brisbane, Sydney, Gladstone, Cairns, Townsville, Mackay and Melbourne....
is operated by
Rockhampton Regional CouncilRockhampton Regional Council is a Local Government Area in Queensland, Australia. The Local Government Area was created on March 15, 2008 as a result of Local Government Reform undertaken by the State Government.- History :...
and is located 6 km (3.7 mi) west of Rockhampton City. It is Australia's twelfth busiest domestic airport. The airport handles flights to major Australian cities, tourist destinations, and regional destinations throughout Central Queensland. It is an important base for general aviation serving the
Central HighlandsCentral Highlands Regional Council is a Local Government Area in Queensland, Australia. The Local Government Area was created in March 2008 as a result of the report of the Local Government Reform Commission released in July 2007...
and Capricorn Coast commununities. The Airport is also a base for the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the Rescue Helicopter.
Water
The catchment area of the Fitzroy River is approximately 145,000 square kilometres (almost the size of England).
It contains six major rivers, and Rockhampton and Central Queensland accordingly enjoy abundant good water. The existing and future dams under construction ensure on-going needs for agriculture, industry and domestic purposes are met.
The Fitzroy River Barrage at Rockhampton separates tidal salt water from upstream fresh water, and provides the supply for Rockhampton's domestic and industrial needs.
Power
Central Queensland's major generating facilities, including the
StanwellWith a capacity to generate 1,400 megawatts , Stanwell Power Station is Stanwell Corporation Limited's major operating site which is located near Rockhampton and one of the largest industrial developments undertaken in Queensland...
, Gladstone and Callide power stations, produce the majority of the State's power. Queensland's newest and most technologically advanced powerhouse at Stanwell, 28 km west of the city, came on line in 1993. The Stanwell facility is a key element in the State's program to expand electricity supply and is a major exporter of power station technology.
Media
Rockhampton has a number of newspapers.
- The Morning Bulletin
The Morning Bulletin was established 147 years ago in July 1861. It is the second oldest business in the City of Rockhampton, the oldest being the Criterion Hotel which was established in October 1860....
- CQ Extra
- Rockhampton and Fitzroy News
- Under the Capricorn Sun
- Central Queensland News
Radio
| Callsign | Frequency | Owner |
|---|
| 4RO |
990 kHz The hertz is a unit of frequency. It is defined as the number of complete cycles per second. It is the basic unit of frequency in the International System of Units , and is used worldwide in both general-purpose and scientific contexts...
AMAmplitude modulation is a technique used in electronic communication, most commonly for transmitting information via a radio carrier wave. AM works by varying the strength of the transmitted signal in relation to the information being sent...
|
Prime TelevisionPrime Television is an Australian television network owned by Prime Television Limited. Prime Television launched on 17 March 1962 as CBN/CWN in Orange and Dubbo, New South Wales, and has since expanded to cover regional New South Wales, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory as a Seven...
|
| 4CC |
1584 kHz AM |
Prime TelevisionPrime Television is an Australian television network owned by Prime Television Limited. Prime Television launched on 17 March 1962 as CBN/CWN in Orange and Dubbo, New South Wales, and has since expanded to cover regional New South Wales, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory as a Seven...
|
| Sea FM |
101.5 MHz FMIn telecommunications, frequency modulation conveys information over a carrier wave by varying its frequency . In analog applications, the instantaneous frequency of the carrier is directly proportional to the instantaneous value of the input signal...
|
Macquarie Regional RadioWorks Macquarie Southern Cross Media is an Australian company, owned by Macquarie Media Group. The company was previously known as Macquarie Regional RadioWorks, prior to the absorption of the remaining assets of Southern Cross Broadcasting that were purchased by Macquarie Media Group in 2007.The company...
|
| Hot FM |
107.9 MHz FM |
Macquarie Regional RadioWorks Macquarie Southern Cross Media is an Australian company, owned by Macquarie Media Group. The company was previously known as Macquarie Regional RadioWorks, prior to the absorption of the remaining assets of Southern Cross Broadcasting that were purchased by Macquarie Media Group in 2007.The company...
|
| Triple J triple J is a nationally-networked, government-funded Australian radio station , mainly aimed at youth...
|
104.7 MHz FM |
ABCThe Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC", is Australia's national public broadcaster. With a total budget of AUD$1.13 Billion annually, the corporation provides television, radio, online and mobile services throughout metropolitan and regional Australia, as well as...
|
| Radio National Radio National is an Australia-wide non-commercial radio network run by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.Radio National broadcasts national programming in areas that include news and current affairs, the arts, social issues, science, drama and comedy...
|
103.1 MHz FM |
ABC |
| ABC NewsRadio ABC NewsRadio is an Australian Broadcasting Corporation radio service devoted to delivering live and 24-hour news updates and information. The service is available on a number of broadcasts right around Australia, including AM/FM radio, some pay-TV platforms and online via the Internet.Originally...
|
105.5 MHz FM |
ABCThe Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC", is Australia's national public broadcaster. With a total budget of AUD$1.13 Billion annually, the corporation provides television, radio, online and mobile services throughout metropolitan and regional Australia, as well as...
|
ABC Classic FMABC Classic FM is an Australian classical music radio station available in major centres around the country. It is operated by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation . It was established in 1976 as "ABC-FM", and later for a short time was known as "ABC Fine Music" , before adopting its current name...
|
106.3 MHz FM |
ABC |
| ABC Capricornia |
837 kHz AM |
ABC |
| 4YOU |
98.5 MHz FM |
Community |
| 4US |
100.7 MHz FM |
Community |
| Kix Country |
92.7 MHz FM |
Country (?) |
| 4TAB |
99.9 MHz FM |
UNiTAB Limited |
| Vision FM |
87.6 MHz FM |
UCB Australia |
Television
Rockhampton is serviced by four commercial stations and one non-commercial station.
- Seven Queensland
Seven Queensland is an Australian television station, licensed to, and serving the regional areas of Queensland. The station is owned and operated by the Seven Network from studios located in Maroochydore on the Sunshine Coast, using the callsign STQ, which stands for Sunshine Television,...
- Southern Cross Ten
Southern Cross Ten is an Australian television channel broadcast by the Macquarie Media Group in Queensland, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria and South Australia. The channel is owned by the Macquarie Media Group as is affiliated to Network Ten...
- WIN Television
WIN Television is an Australian television network owned by the WIN Corporation that is based in Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia. WIN commenced transmissions on 18 March 1962 as a single Wollongong-only station, and has since expanded to 24 owned-and-operated stations with transmissions...
- ABC TV
ABC1 is a national public television channel in Australia. Launched on 5 November 1956, it is the responsibility of the ABC's television division, and is available nationally. As of August 2009, ABC1 has a 19.1% audience share...
- SBS TV
SBS One is a national public television channel in Australia. Launched on 24 October 1980, it is the responsibility of SBS's television division, and is available nationally. As of 2007, SBS One has a 5.5% audience share.-Origins:...
Rockhampton's local news service,
WIN NewsWIN News is a local news service in parts of regional Australia, produced by WIN Television. 21 regional bulletins are presented from studios in Wollongong, Canberra, Ballarat, Rockhampton, Toowoomba, Mount Gambier, Hobart and Perth.-History:...
, presented by Paul Taylor and Samantha Heathwood is screened every weeknight at 6:00pm on WIN Television, broadcast from the
RTQRTQ is an Australian television station broadcasting in regional Queensland in Australia. The network was owned by Star Television, before being purchased by the WIN Corporation on October 5, 1988.-WIN News:...
studios in North Rockhampton. On weekends, news is relayed from the
Nine NetworkThe Nine Network, or Channel Nine, is an Australian television network based in Willoughby, a suburb on the North Shore of Sydney. For nearly 40 years between 1956 and 2005, it was the most watched television network in Australia...
,
BrisbaneBrisbane is the state capital of the Australian state of Queensland and is the largest city in that state. With an estimated population of approximately 2 million, it is also the third most populous city in Australia....
.
Seven Queensland and Southern Cross Ten have a physical presence in Rockhampton, but local news programs do not exist on these channels. Instead, they carry news bulletins from Brisbane's
Seven NetworkThe Seven Network is an Australian television network owned by the Seven Media Group. It dates back to 2 December 1970, when the first stations on the VHF7 frequency were established in Sydney and Melbourne. It is currently the second largest network in the country in terms of population reach...
and
Network TenNetwork Ten, or Channel Ten, is one of Australia's three major commercial television networks. Owned-and-operated stations can be found in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, while affiliates extend the network to cover most of the country...
. Southern Cross Ten also screens many local updates throughout the day, broadcast from their Canberra studio.
Sports teams
- Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball team sport that is first documented as being played in southern England in the 16th century. By the end of the 18th century, cricket had developed to the point where it had become the national sport of England. The expansion of the British Empire led to cricket being...
- North's Tigers
- Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of 5 players try to score points against one another by placing a ball through a
10 foot high hoop under organized rules...
- The Stadium Rockets (Men's); Rockhampton Cyclones (Women's)
- Rugby League
Rugby league football is a full-contact form of football, played with a prolate spheroid ball by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. Rugby league is one of the two codes of rugby football, the other being rugby union...
- Central CometsThe Central Comets are an Australian rugby league football club based in Rockhampton, Queensland. Formed in 1999, they play in the Queensland Cup competition.-History:...
in the Queensland CupThe Queensland Cup is the premier rugby league football competition in the state of Queensland.It is a statewide competition with the majority of teams based in South East Queensland but also including sides based in Cairns, Mackay and Rockhampton....
- Rugby Union
Rugby union is a full contact team sport, a form of football which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand. It is played with an oval-shaped ball, outdoors on a level field, usually with a grass surface, 100 m...
- Rockhampton Brahmans
- Soccer - Capricorn Cougars
Notable residents or persons born in Rockhampton
| Name of resident | Year of Birth/Death | Notable For |
|---|
| Leanne Benjamin Leanne Benjamin is a principal dancer with the Royal Ballet in London.Born in Rockhampton, Australia in 1964, she trained at the Royal Ballet School and won the Adeline Genée Gold Medal and Prix de Lausanne. She joined the Company in 1992 becoming a Principal by the spring of that Season...
|
1964 |
Ballet Dancer - Principal dancer with the Royal Ballet in London. |
| JTS Bird |
Born in EnglandEngland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west and the North Sea to the east, with the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
|
Author of 'The Early History of Rockhampton' |
| Gerard Brennan Sir Francis Gerard Brennan, AC, KBE, QC , is an Australian lawyer, judge and 10th Chief Justice of Australia. He is father to Jesuit priest and lawyer Frank Brennan....
|
1928 |
Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia |
| George Curtis |
1845–1922 |
Queensland and Australian politician |
| William Knox Darcy |
1849–1917 |
Mining magnate and founder of British Petroleum |
| Jamie Dwyer Jamie Dwyer OAM is a field hockey striker from Australia, who was a member of the team that won the golden medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. He scored the decisive golden goal in the final against title holders The Netherlands...
|
1979 |
Field hockeyField hockey is a team sport in which a team of players attempt to score goals by hitting, pushing or flicking the ball with hockey sticks into the opposing team's goal. Its official name is simply hockey, and this is the common name for it in many countries...
- gold medal in 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens |
Frank FordeFrancis Michael Forde was an Australian politician and the 15th Prime Minister of Australia. He was the shortest serving Prime Minister in Australia's history, being in office for a mere 8 days....
|
1890–1983 |
Prime Minister of AustraliaThe Prime Minister of Australia is the head of government of the Commonwealth of Australia, holding office on commission from the Governor-General. The office of Prime Minister is, in practice, the most powerful political office in Australia...
|
Vince GairVincent Clare Gair was an Australian politician. He served as Premier of Queensland from 1952 until 1957 when his stormy relations with the trade union movement saw him expelled from the Australian Labor Party. He was elected to the Australian Senate and led the Democratic Labor Party from 1964 to...
|
1901–1980 |
Premier of Queensland |
| Paul Hoffmann Paul Jacob Christopher Hoffmann born 14 January 1970, Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia, is an Australian cricket player who has played for the cricket teams of Scotland...
|
1970 |
Sportsman (CricketCricket is a bat-and-ball team sport that is first documented as being played in southern England in the 16th century. By the end of the 18th century, cricket had developed to the point where it had become the national sport of England. The expansion of the British Empire led to cricket being...
) - Australia Country representative 1993 and Scottish Saltires Cricket World CupThe Cricket World Cup is the premier international championship of men's One Day International cricket. The event is organised by the sport's governing body, the International Cricket Council , with preliminary qualification rounds leading up to a finals tournament which is held every four years....
2007 |
| De-Anne Kelly De-Anne Margaret Kelly , was an Australian politician. She was a National Party member of the Australian House of Representatives from March 1996 until November 2007, representing the Division of Dawson, Queensland. She was born in Rockhampton, Queensland, and was educated at the University of...
|
1954 |
Politician A politician or political leader is an individual who is involved in influencing public decision making. This includes people who hold decision-making positions in government, and people who seek those positions, whether by means of election, coup d'état, appointment, electoral fraud, conquest,...
|
| William Kidston William Kidston was an Australian politician and Premier of Queensland, from January 1906 to November 1907 and again from February 1908 to February 1911.-Early life:...
|
1849–1919 |
Premier of Queensland |
| Mark Knowles For the Bahamian tennis player see Mark KnowlesMark Knowles OAM is a field hockey defender from Australia, who was a member of the team that won the golden medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens.He is nicknamed Knowlesy, and played club hockey for the Queensland Blades in his native country,...
|
1984 |
Sportsman, Field hockeyField hockey is a team sport in which a team of players attempt to score goals by hitting, pushing or flicking the ball with hockey sticks into the opposing team's goal. Its official name is simply hockey, and this is the common name for it in many countries...
|
Rod LaverRodney George "Rod" Laver MBE is a former tennis player from Australia who was the World No. 1 player for seven consecutive years, from 1964 to 1970. He is the only tennis player to have twice won all four Grand Slam singles titles in the same year — first as an amateur in 1962 and second as a...
|
1938 |
Sportsman, TennisTennis is a sport played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a strung racquet to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court....
|
| Grant McLennan Grant William McLennan was an Australian singer-songwriter with the alternative rock band The Go-Betweens, which he co-founded with Robert Forster in Brisbane, Australia in 1977...
|
1958–2006 |
singer-songwriterA singer–songwriter is a musician who writes, composes and sings their own material including lyrics and melodies. They often provide the sole accompaniment to an entire composition or song, typically using a guitar or piano...
and co-founder of independentIn popular music, independent music, often generally abbreviated as "indie", is a term used to describe independence from major commercial record labels and an autonomous, Do-It-Yourself approach to recording and publishing....
Australian band, The Go-BetweensThe Go-Betweens were an internationally influential indie rock band from Australia, formed by guitarists Robert Forster and Grant McLennan in Brisbane in 1977.-Biography:...
|
| Anna Meares Anna Maree Meares, OAM is an Australian track cyclist. She has been the 500m TT world champion twice and a gold medalist at the Commonwealth and Olympic Games.-Biography:...
|
1983 |
Cyclist - 2 times OlympicThe Olympic Games are a major international event of summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes compete in a wide variety of events. The Games are currently held every two years, with Summer and Winter Olympic Games alternating. Originally, the ancient Olympic Games were held in...
gold medalA gold medal is typically the highest medal awarded for achievement in a non-military field. The concept comes from the military, initially with a simple recognition of military rank, and later decorations for admission to military orders dating back to medieval times.Since the eighteenth century,...
winner |
| Kerrie Meares Kerrie Meares is an Australian professional racing cyclist. She is the older sister of Anna Meares. Kerrie was a contender for the 2004 Olympic team, representing Australia...
|
1982 |
Cyclist |
Scott MintoScott Minto is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 2000s. He played 14 games for the North Queensland Cowboys and 40 games for the Brisbane Broncos in the National Rugby League competition...
|
1973 |
Sportsman, Rugby LeagueRugby league football is a full-contact form of football, played with a prolate spheroid ball by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. Rugby league is one of the two codes of rugby football, the other being rugby union...
- Brisbane BroncosThe Brisbane Broncos are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the city of Brisbane, the capital of the state of Queensland. The Broncos play in Australasia's elite competition, the National Rugby League premiership...
|
John MooreJohn Colinton Moore AO is a former Australian politician. He was a Liberal member of the Australian House of Representatives for over 25 years, and a minister from 1980 to 1982 and 1996 to 2001....
|
1936 |
Politician A politician or political leader is an individual who is involved in influencing public decision making. This includes people who hold decision-making positions in government, and people who seek those positions, whether by means of election, coup d'état, appointment, electoral fraud, conquest,...
|
| Matthew Robinson Matthew Robinson is a British film and television producer and director.Nicknamed Pope of Soap by UK tabloid The Sun, Robinson was lead director of BBC1's soap opera EastEnders when it launched in 1985...
|
1980 |
ActorAn actor or actress is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
/Performer - Starred in PippinPippin, Peppin, and Pepin are variants of a single Frankish given name. It was the name of several important figures in the Carolingian family that ruled the Frankish Empire in what is now France and the western parts of Germany in the Middle Ages:* Pepin of Landen, nicknamed the Elder, sometimes...
, appearances in Blue HeelersBlue Heelers was a long-running Australian police drama series which depicted the lives of police officers stationed at the fictional Mt. Thomas police station in a typical small town in Victoria.- Overview :...
, StingersStingers was an Australian police drama television series. It ran for eight seasons on the Nine Network before it was canceled in late 2004 due to declining ratings and the late timeslot Channel Nine gave the program...
, Pratt Prize winner |
| Anthelme Thozet Anthelme Thozet was a French-Australian botanist and ethnographer.His naturalisation in Rockhampton, Queensland 9 January 1862, states that he was born at Belley east of Lyon in France about 1827, and his obituary depicts him as a political refugee following the 1848-51 revolt in France...
|
1826–1878 |
botanist and ethnographer |
| Kenrick Tucker |
1957 |
cyclist, 1978 Commonwealth GamesThe Commonwealth Games is a multinational, multi-sport event. Held every four years, it involves the elite athletes of the Commonwealth of Nations. Attendance at the Commonwealth Games is typically around 5,000 athletes...
GoldGold Medal is the sixth studio album by the American hard rock band The Donnas, released in 2004 on Atlantic Records. It was one of the first albums released in the DualDisc format, but was recalled due to a mastering error which resulted in the final track being partially omitted from the CD...
and SilverA silver medal is a medal awarded to the second place finisher of contests such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, etc....
Medallist |
Rhys WesserRhys Wesser is an Australian professional rugby league player for the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the National Rugby League competition. He has also represented Queensland in the State of Origin. Wesser previously played for the Penrith Panthers...
|
1979 |
Sportsman, (Rugby LeagueRugby league football is a full-contact form of football, played with a prolate spheroid ball by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. Rugby league is one of the two codes of rugby football, the other being rugby union...
- South Sydney RabbitohsThe South Sydney Rabbitohs are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in Redfern, a suburb of South-Central Sydney. They participate in the National Rugby League premiership and are one of nine existing teams from the New South Wales capital...
) |
External links