Yeppoon and the Capricorn Coast 40 minutes from Rockhampton Yeppoon and Emu Park are two coastal towns, 30-40 minutes from Rockhampton. Enjoy the warm waters and island views from one of the many spacious beaches or hop on a ferry and head out to Great Keppel Island, a tropical paradise you can easily access living in Rockhampton.
Byfield State Forest 1 hour from Rockhampton If you love camping or four-wheel-driving, Byfield State Forest will quickly become a weekend favourite. A haven of crystal-clear creeks, sandy tracks, and dense forest, you’ll leave the troubles of the world behind every time you visit. There are plenty of camping spots to be discovered, and rewarding off-road tracks will lead you to some of the region’s best beaches.
The Caves 30 minutes from Rockhampton The Caves is a small town north of Rockhampton that’s home to—you guessed it—caves! Take a tour underground at Capricorn Caves and discover limestone formations, underground tunnels, and native wildlife. A number of walks at Mount Etna Caves National Park allow you to take in views of the surrounding area—and maybe stumble across endangered ghost bats.
National and State Parks Pack the swags and hit the road to explore one of the many national parks locals love to visit for a weekend away. From the gorges and cliffs of the Blackdown Tablelands, to the fascinating Indigenous history and geology of Carnarvon National Park, or the tracks and trails of Kroombit Tops—there’s always something new to explore from your base in Rockhampton. You can find a list of parks within the Capricorn area on the Queensland Parks website.
The Gemfields 3.5 hours from Rockhampton Journey beyond Emerald and you’ll arrive at Queensland’s Gemfields—a place to try you luck fossicking for sapphires and rubies. You’ll find tour operators, camping spots and accommodation scattered throughout the region around the townships of Rubyvale, Sapphire Central and Anakie Siding.