Places to Visit

A family looks out over Rockhampton from the Mount Archer Nurim Circuit elevated boardwalk
Rise about it all and enjoy your weekend in Rockhampton

Once you’ve settled into your routine in the Rockhampton Region, you won’t want to miss visiting our top tourism destinations. These iconic and much-loved locations are bound to be a hit with your family and visitors, and won’t break the bank either.

Rockhampton’s official tourism body Explore Rockhampton has all the information and resources you’ll need to fill your weekend with family-friendly activities.

We’ve included some of the most popular free and low-cost activities around Rockhampton below.

A young chimpanzee hangs from a rope inside a zoo enclosure

Rockhampton Zoo

100 Spencer Street, Rockhampton 4700
Opening Hours: 7 days, 9:00am to 4:30pm

The free Rockhampton Zoo is home to a host of beloved furry, feathered and scaly residents. Rockhampton Zoo could well be the most popular place to visit in the entire region, with more than 30 species of animals housed inside the Rockhampton Botanic Gardens. Say g’day to our chimpanzee troop or get up close and personal with the meerkats and otters. A visit to the gibbon is of course a given. These animals are joined by native Australian species including crocodiles, a cassowary, dingoes, emus, eagles and more.

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A man leans against the railing of an elevated boardwalk, looking over the tops of trees withe Rockhampton visible in the distance

Mount Archer

Pilbeam Drive, Mount Archer 4701
Opening Hours: 24 hours

Mount Archer offers activities for the whole family. Spend time having a picnic at the ampitheatre overlooking the city, taking photos, hiking, mountain biking, learning about Indigenous history, or exploring the summit playground. Synonymous with Rockhampton, the Nurim Circuit boardwalk offers spectacular elevated views of the city, perched over the very edge of Mount Archer.

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A small strip of historic buildings line the main street of Mount Morgan

Mount Morgan

Mount Morgan 4714
Opening Hours: 24 hours

A historic gold rush town, around 40 minutes from Rockhampton’s CBD, a visit to Mount Morgan should be at the top of your list if you love learning about history. A giant brick chimney greets you as you travel up the picturesque Mount Morgan Range, a relic left behind by what was once one of Australia’s richest gold mines. Once you arrive, marvel at heritage buildings in the town centre, visit the Mount Morgan Railway Museum, enjoy a natural escape at Number 7 Dam, or take it all in from one of the local lookouts.

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A young couple looks past the camera at artwork inside a large, white, modern art gallery. Groups of people behind them look at framed paintings on the adjacent walls.

Rockhampton Museum of Art

220 Quay Street, Rockhampton 4700
Opening Hours: 7 days, 9:00am to 4:00pm

The Rockhampton Museum of Art is the largest art gallery in regional Queensland, and houses more than 3,000 incredible pieces including paintings, ceramics, and sculptures. The museum hosts travelling exhibitions, educational sessions, and First Nations programs, and entry is always free.

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A young couple walks under the verandah of a small, historic wooden shop with 'Arnolds' written on its frontage. The shop is surrounded by green trees and is beside a red telephone box

Rockhampton Heritage Village

296 Boundary Road, Parkhurst 4702
Opening Hours: 7 days, 9:00am to 3:00pm

Rockhampton may be part of your future, but make sure you discover our city’s past at Rockhampton Heritage Village. Explore original buildings dating back to the early days of Rockhampton, old shearing sheds, the historic Rosewood Homestead, a one-hundred-year-old shop and more. Self-guided tours and tram rides will help you make the most of your visit.

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The curved frontage of Rockhampton's Pilbeam theatre and palm trees are lit up by metallic street lights. A blue and pink sunset is in the background

Pilbeam Theatre

Corner Victoria Parade and Cambridge Street, Rockhampton 4700
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:30pm and 90 minutes prior to performances

The Pilbeam Theatre is Rockhampton’s home of music, comedy, theatre and live performances. Sitting on the riverfront, the Pilbeam hosts touring acts from across the globe – right through to local community theatre productions. See It Live is the place to go for tickets and event listings, or to secure a seat at other art and cultural performances held across the region.

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A mother, father and their two children watch on as a man plays the didgeridoo inside an artificial cave structure

Dreamtime Cultural Centre

703-751 Yaamba Road, Parkhurst 4702
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 3:00pm

A visit to the much-loved Dreamtime Cultural Centre will help you learn more about the region’s Indigenous people and their deep and rich connection to the land, including the Darumbal people who are one of the traditional custodians. The centre houses huts, native plants, replica burial sites, rock art, and traditional ceremonial sites.

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