Rockhampton

This is the only hotel in Australia with its own indoor rodeo ring. The iconic Great Western Hotel is not only a hotel but also an entertainment venue. They offer exciting events like rodeo or bull riding, live music and great food. Watch the amazing rodeo as you dine on the best steak in Australia.

The museum tells the story of the development of railroad transportation in Rockhampton, and is set in the 120-year-old Archer Park Rail Station. The main attraction of the museum is the fully restored Purrey Steam Tram, which still operates every Sunday. The station also features a revolutionary digital soundscape system that provides an audio interpretation for the entire site to create a unique visitor experience.

Whether you want to see a crocodile that weighs over three-quarters of a tonne or just to see a baby croc hatch out of its egg, Koorana Crocodile Farm has it all. You can try crocodile meat or buy products made from the highest quality crocodile skin. Koorana Crocodile Farm and Restaurant is approved by the Australian Government and offers two tours a day. Book ahead.

With specimens of over 200 palms, cycads and ferns, the Rockhampton Botanic Gardens are regarded as one of the best provincial gardens in Australia. The heritage-listed Botanic Gardens are 130-years-old and perfectly suited to spend a sunny afternoon with the family. Located within the Botanic Gardens, the Rockhampton Zoo is home to a wide range of animals in their natural surroundings.

This heritage-listed Gold Mine was once the deepest man-made pit in the Southern Hemisphere. Visit this historic township to travel back in time to the gold rush era, learn about the amazing mining history and see Jurassic dinosaur footprints.

Mount Archer is the highest peak and provides fantastic views of Rockhampton and surroundings. Watch the sunset over Rockhampton while having a picnic or explore the summit on one of the walks.

Byfield National Park is a forested recreation area stretched along the coastline with a view out to the Keppel Islands group. Enormous sand dunes and a picturesque coastal scenery dominate the southern part of the park, while in the north you can hike through rainforest and take a bath in Stony Creek, one of the best local fresh-water swimming holes in the area. The park is perfectly suited for a host of outdoor activities like camping, picnicking, walking, four-wheel driving, boating and fishing, cycling, and even horse riding.

Go for a stroll along Quay Street with its heritage-listed sandstone Victorian-era buildings alongside Fitzroy River. You can pick up leaflets that map out walking trails around Rockhampton from the visitor centres.

The Post Office was built in 1895 during the era of the gold rush. The interior has been modified, but the outside still features the originally constructed street frontages with colonnades on both levels and a central clock tower.

This museum is definitely worth a visit if you are interested in war history. The museum displays a comprehensive collection ranging from the 1900s to the present. It includes artefacts from the military history of Rockhampton and surroundings like American Army uniforms from World War II, badges and medals, personal collections from Vietnam veterans, diaries and war photographs.

In the city of Beef, bulls are displayed proudly in all their glory. Six bull statues that represent the main cattle breeds of the area can be found throughout Rockhampton. They have been set up as a part of the Beef Expo Competition taking place in Rockhampton.

Play a few balls at the Rockhampton Golf Course with a great scenery looking over lagoons next to the zoo. The course is designed with wide and forgiving fairways. The club is open to the general public. Equipment rental, as well as private lessons, are available.