Art and Culture

The Rockhampton Region proves you don’t need to be in a capital city to experience a thriving arts and cultural scene. Rockhampton is a place where creativity flourishes, sparks conversations and celebrates our cultural community and history.

Our community is rich with galleries, live music and theatre, culturally-driven events and Indigenous history – and you’ll never know what creative surprise awaits you around the next corner.

Art

Rockhampton Museum of Art

220 Quay Street, Rockhampton 4700

Overlooking the Fitzroy River and in the tree-lined surrounds of Quay Street’s historic buildings, the Rockhampton Museum of Art (RMOA) is home to one of the finest collections in regional Australia. RMOA’s 3,000-piece collection includes paintings, ceramics, sculptures and more.

In addition to world-class touring exhibitions, the gallery hosts a regular program of talks, events, workshops, First Nations programs and children's activities – and best of all, entry to the gallery is free.

Visit the website

Walter Reid Cultural Centre

Corner East and Derby Streets, Rockhampton 4700

Based in a heritage listed building dating back to the 1800s, the Walter Reid Cultural Centre is the region’s premier hub for everything arts and culture.

Inside these historic walls you’ll find pottery, printmakers, fibre and clothing artists, embroiders, jewellery makers, performing arts and even model train displays.

The best way to stay informed is to connect with the resident groups via the Walter Reid Cultural Artists Facebook page or tenant directory.

Visit the website

Public Art

As you begin to explore your new home, take a closer look down some of the streets and laneways – you’ll be amazed by the variety and creativity of the region’s public art. Murals and sculptures celebrate our Indigenous history, origins as a city, wildlife, agricultural connections and local talent.

Rockhampton CBD

• East Street link connects our CBD shopping strip with RMOA and includes a range of vivid murals from local artists, as well as art created by our community.
• Rockhampton’s Public Art Trail runs along the Fitzroy River and Quay Street, incorporating illuminated Indigenous murals, placemaking sculptures, and statues commemorating the city’s establishment.
• To get into the spirit of Beef2024, the region’s globally recognised celebration of its cattle industry, a series of quirky and colourful murals were painted around William Street and East Street in the CBD.

Nurim Circuit

Towering above Rockhampton at the summit of Mount Archer, Nurim Circuit is an elevated boardwalk presenting endless views of the surrounding area. Along the accessible 500m walk, you’ll discover interpretive signage and public art exploring the connection to the land through the eyes of the Darumbal people.

Mount Morgan

Our public art extends beyond Rockhampton’s main centre and continues in Mount Morgan where you’ll find the Running the Cutter Statue. A tradition in the early days of this historic gold-mining town, ‘running the cutter’ apparently involved young locals collecting beer in billycans to deliver to workers coming off shift.

Performing Arts

Theatre and Music

The Pilbeam Theatre hosts major productions supported by Rockhampton Regional Council and a range of national and international 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.

If you can carry a tune, you may consider joining the Rockhampton Symphony Orchestra, Rockhampton Youth Orchestra and Unisong Choir, Rockhampton Musical Union Choir or the Rockhampton Musical Union Youth Choice who all deliver toe-tapping performances throughout the year.

Events

An extensive calendar of cultural events is delivered across the Rockhampton Region each year, including concerts during Australia Day and Rockynats, Artisan markets, the Taste of the World Cultural Festival, the CapriCon Pop Culture Convention, Heritage Village markets and Carols by Candlelight.

Keep up-to-date with what’s coming up through the Explore Rockhampton website.

Culture

Indigenous Connections

Want to explore the region’s Indigenous heritage and culture in a more in-depth and interactive way?

Acting on behalf of the Traditional Custodians of much of what is now the Rockhampton Region, Darumbal Enterprises offer a range of immersive programs and experiences to teach and create cultural awareness. These include sessions on Darumbal Language, cultural tours visiting significant sites and exploring traditional medicines and foods and dance workshops.

Taking a guided tour of the Dreamtime Culture Centre is a great way to learn about the culture and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Straight islanders, including didgeridoo performances, information on traditional lifestyles and beliefs, dancers, boomerang throwing and native plants.

Museums

Taking a stroll through Rockhampton’s CBD can feel like an open-air museum, thanks to is historic and heritage-listed buildings – but there is plenty of history to be found at our local museums.

Mount Morgan is already a treat for history buffs as the site of what was once one of the richest gold mines in the world. The Mount Morgan Railway Museum allows you to step back in time and experience old rolling stock and railway equipment, while the Mount Morgan Historical Museum houses an extensive collection of mining equipment, photographs and relics from the past.

Finally, there’s the Rockhampton Heritage Village in Parkhurst which is made up of original and reproduced buildings giving you insight into life in the region from the 1850s to 1950s. Among the 11.4 hectares, you’ll discover homesteads, vintage cars, tractors, a printing press and blacksmith shop.