Activities & Things to Do

A young family looks in on a meerkat enclosure speaking to a zoo-keeper along a tree-lined path
Discover native and exotic animals at Rockhampton's free zoo

With an abundance of outdoor spaces and activities, you’ll never be bored in and around Rockhampton. Whether it’s taking your dog for a walk, fishing on the Fitzroy River, or spending quality time with family and friends, you’ll discover your new “special place” just around the corner.

Be sure to include Rockhampton’s top tourist spots on your to-do list as well.

Two young men are standing on a rocky shore with fishing lines cast into a blue river. An arched metal rail bridge and rows of green trees sit in the background.
Catch a barra from the heart of the CBD

Fishing

Rockhampton is gaining a reputation as a barramundi fishing capital, offering the unique opportunity to catch trophy fish in the CBD (you can even wet a line from a carpark). You’ll find a handful of boat ramps in Rockhampton’s CBD, along with jetties and pontoons. Catching barramundi, king threadfin, grunter, and crabs right on your doorstep couldn’t be easier.

Just 30 minutes from Rockhampton, Port Alma is the best place to launch your boat to access offshore and estuarine fishing, fly fishing, and mangroves for crabbing.

Mount Morgan No 7 Dam is only 35 minutes from Rockhampton, and is stocked with yellowbelly perch, saratoga, and redclaw.

Fishing the Fitzroy is your complete guide to recreational fishing across the Rockhampton Region.

To maintain Rockhampton’s reputation as an ultimate fishing location, consider signing the Rockhampton Recreational Fishing Voluntary Code of Practice. The voluntary code works alongside Queensland’s fishing regulations and protects fish populations through bag and catch limits, closed seasons, responsible fish handling, the reporting of illegal fishing activity, and respect for our local waterways.

Visit the Fishing the Fitzroy website

Walks and Hikes

A family looks out over Rockhampton from the Mount Archer Nurim Circuit elevated boardwalk

Mount Archer National Park

Pilbeam Drive, Mount Archer 4701

Mount Archer National Park (or Nurim as its traditionally known) provides the opportunity for people of every fitness level to take in spectacular views overlooking Rockhampton and the Capricorn Coast. From the 500m long Nurim Circuit taking you to the elevated boardwalk, to the 14km long Zamia Walk from the base to the summit, a day exploring Mount Archer is a must for anyone new to Rockhampton.

Visit the website

A man walks across the metallatic Alexandra Railway Bridge crossing the Fitzroy River

Rockhampton Riverside Precinct

Quay Street and Victoria Parade, Rockhampton 4700

Start or finish your day with a relaxing stroll through the Rockhampton Riverside precinct and along the mighty Fitzroy River. You can begin and end your journey at a location which suits you, whether that’s by crossing one of Rockhampton’s three bridges, strolling along Quay Street, past our iconic waterfront apartments, or taking in views of the river.

Visit the website

A woman and man are standing on a wooden platform, happily looking at each other, overlooking a lake surrounded by green trees and vegetation.

Kershaw Gardens

Moores Creek Road, Park Avenue 4701

Kershaw Gardens offers a variety of family and pet-friendly walking tracks, including a 2.5 kilometre circuit loop. Criss-cross your way through rainforests, over boardwalks or past waterfalls—stopping to let your dog enjoy one of the park’s designated off-leash areas.

Visit the website

A man rides his mountain bike along a dirt track surrounded by dense shrubs
Hit the track or head off the beaten track

Cycling and Mountain-biking

Follow in the pedals of local legends Anna Meares, Kerrie Meares, Kenrick Tucker, and David Nicholas by experiencing Rockhampton on your bicycle.

Here in Queensland, it’s legal to ride on footpaths and shared pathways, so there’s always a safe and easy way to get around on two wheels. Cruise along the riverfront or through Kershaw Gardens, or challenge yourself against the best at Kenrick Tucker Velodrome. Rockhampton is home to a number of cycling organisations including the Rockhampton BMX Club, Rockhampton Cycling Club, and Rockhampton Mountain Bike Club.

If you enjoy biking off-road, our region has you covered. Take your pick from 33 different trails at First Turkey—the hub of mountain biking action in Rocky, located just 9km from the CBD. Climb to the top and then choose your adventure coming back down!

Share your ride using the #riderocky hashtag.

Visit the Ride Rocky website

A group of actors dressed in costume pose around a red car, lit from spotlights above during a performance of 'Grease'
Country living with culture

Art and Culture

As well as being home to the Rockhampton Museum of Art, one of the finest collections in regional Australia, the city hosts a range of major events and theatre productions throughout the year.

The Pilbeam Theatre hosts major productions supported by Rockhampton Regional Council and a range of touring musicals, concerts, comedians, ballets and cabaret performances. Keep an eye on Council’s Facebook page to be notified when acting auditions and behind-the-scenes opportunities become available.

Rockhampton Little Theatre offers the chance for anyone to ‘tread the boards’ and meet like-minded community members. The groups produces a handful of shows each year out of the historic Walter Reid Cultural Centre.

The Walter Reid Cultural Centre itself is home to a range of theatre, music, art and craft groups—many of which offers lessons or sell hand-made products which make ideal gifts.

Back to top