ROCKHAMPTON
Rockhampton
is the
commercial
and
administrative
headquarters
of the
state's
central
region
and
the
beef
capital
of Australia.
Statues
of Santa
Gertrudes,
Brahman
and
Braford
bulls
on the
Bruce
Hwy
at the
entrance
and
exit
to town
are
reminders
of Rockhampton's
main
industry.
Rockhampton
is
located
inland
on
the
Fitzroy
River
and
has
more
than
50
buildings
classified
by
the
National
Trust
lining
the
streets
which
come
to
life
in
summer
with
the
mauve
blossoms
of
hundreds
of
Bauhinia
trees.
Heritage
Drive
or,
for
the
more
energetic,
the
Heritage
Walk
take
in
the
grand
old
architecture
which
have
been
lovingly
preserved
and
restored.
The
towns
botanic
gardens
have
been
lauded
for
containing
some
of
the
most
extensive
examples
of
indigenous
flora
and
fauna
in
Australia.
The
Fitzroy
is
a
favorite
for
many
water
activities
including
water
skiing,
boating,
fishing
or
holidaying
on
a
houseboat
and
some
excellent
bushwalking
tracks
lead
to
the
Mount
Archer
Lookout
with
stunning
views
over
Rockhampton
Yeppoon
This
pretty
resort
town
is
the
main
town
on
the
coast
of
the
Capricorn
region.
Enveloped
by
hills
and
with
streets
lined
pines
and
palms,
the
town
is
a
great
base
to
explore
the
coastal
wonders.
Close
by
are
the
tiny
holiday
resorts
of
Cooee
Bay,
Mulambin
and
Causeway
with
quiet
tree-lined
beaches
and
Byfield
State
Forest
(see
national
parks)
with
excellent
examples
of
Australian
flora
and
Fauna
including
the
rare
Byfield
Fern.
Rosslyn
Bay
Boat
Harbour
is
hopping-off
point
for
Keppel
bunker
group
of
islands
and
the
Great
Barrier
Reef.
Emerald
Emerald
is
located
263km
west
of
Rockhampton
and
is
the
hub
of
the
central
highlands.
The
largest
sapphire
fields
in
the
country
are
found
in
this
area
and
fossicking
licences
are
available.
The
town
has
a
splendid
railway
station
which
is
adorned
with
lace
and
iron
columns
and
a
headstone
near
Lake
Maraboon
marks
the
mass
grave
of
19
white
settlers
killed
by
aboriginals
in
1961
at
Cullin-La-Ringo
station.
The
area
is
now
irrigated
by
the
lake
which
is
the
largest
in
Queensland.
