Supporting Rocky's Small Businesses

Published on 28 April 2026

Two women sit at a restaurant at nigh, drinking from wine glasses and eating flat breads from a basket on the table

Small businesses are the backbone of the Rockhampton Region's economy, and there's no better time to support them than Small Business Month.

When you’re a tourist, your goal is simple – relax, explore, unwind and enjoy time with those important to you – but your impact goes far beyond that. For every coffee you purchase, every boutique shop you visit and every night you stay in a hotel, you’re keeping doors open, locals employed and helping create a vibrant community.

May marks Small Business Month and serves as a reminder that you don’t have to wait for out-of-town visitors to make that impact. Instead, it’s the perfect time to step out and see the Rockhampton Region through the eyes of a visitor and support the small, family-owned businesses which form the backbone of our community.

How you can support small businesses

A cafe manager takes notes as she talks on the phone — There are more than 5,500 small businesses in our community

Take dining out for example – while supporting your favourite coffee shop or restaurant will always matter, Small Business Month is a chance to spread the love a little further. That could mean trying a new cafe you’ve walked past but never visited for your morning brew or trying that new lunch spot around the corner from your office. For small businesses, every new customer counts and as they say, ‘change is as good as a holiday.’

Looking for an easy way to support small businesses? Exploring the streets of Rockhampton’s CBD, Mount Morgan’s main drag or a suburban strip closer to home can turn a simple outing into a show of local support. Our main centres are packed with independent retailers stocking things like clothes, antiques, gifts, books, homewares and locally made goods.

Why is it important to support small businesses?

Mount Morgan's historic main street, lined with old buildings — Connect with small businesses by exploring our main streets

So why is it so important to support small businesses? In the Rockhampton Region, there are more than 5,500 small businesses – that’s 95% of our entire business count. Behind every one of those is a story of a person who took a leap, followed their passion and chose to invest in the future of our community.

Small business support

Four people sit around a wooden table having a discussion inside a conference room, with notebooks open in front of them — Advance Rockhampton is here to help

Small businesses are blessed to have the support of Rockhampton Regional Council’s economic development arm, Advance Rockhampton, which is delivering a range of events to help owners start or grow their business. The annual CQ Small Business Expo is the centrepiece of Small Business Month, providing free access to experts in areas such as finance, law, marketing and more at Rockhampton Showground’s James Lawrence Pavilion on May 7. In partnership with Business Chamber Queensland, a Business Planning and Onboarding Workshop will be held the following morning on May 8. Both of these business events are free.

Small Business Month is an invitation and an opportunity – an invitation to support those who’ve taken the leap and started their own businesses, and an opportunity for anyone with an idea, passion or dream to take their first step.

Every time you choose small business, you’re investing in a shared vision for a brighter future for your friends, neighbours and community.