Rockhampton

In the words of the Rockhampton City Council "Rockhampton – on the Tropic of Capricorn, just 40 kilometres inland from the Pacific Ocean – sits astride Queensland’s largest river, the Fitzroy. Queensland’s favourite tropical city, Rockhampton is bounded by the magnificent Berserker Ranges and Mount Archer (607 metres high) which provide an imposing backdrop to a busy, growing city that is both friendly and vibrant." Founded in 1855, Rockhampton is about 625 kilometres north of Brisbane, the State Capital.

The most striking features of Rockhampton to me were historic Quay Street, where many of the wonderful colonial-era buildings are heritage listed and, in many cases, fully restored to their former glory. The city is also home to a beautiful and grand Roman Catholic cathedral and very extensive tropical Botanical Gradens and a zoo. For more information on the town and environs, visit the Rockhampton City Web Site.

Thanks to Ken from Canberra who has provided some great historical anecdotes about Rockhampton.

• "The Criterion Hotel in Rockhampton is said to occupy the same site as the first pub in the community, built in the 1850s. It is supposed to be haunted, the small room just to the right of the main entrance is the spot where a female "ghost" has been spotted. Its other claim to fame is that it accommodated General Douglas Macarthur and other high-ranking US officers during the Second World War."
• "Central Rockhampton was laid out to the same plan as central Melbourne - Steet, lane, Street, lane etc running parallel but without cross lanes. What is now the Rees R and Sydney Jones building in Quay Street was once the Queensland National Bank, managed by another wealthy shareholder in Mt. Morgan, Thomas Hall, the brother of Walter."
• "At one time Rockhampton was the second city of Queensland, so they say, but has long been outstripped by Toowoomba and Townsville and more recently by Cairns."
• "Glenmore Homestead was built of adobe by Birkbeck, an Englishman who had spent time in Mexico and California, and was one of the first residents of the area. His wife was a Mexican lady of Spanish extraction. His daughter was D'Arcy's first wife. The first settlers were the Archers, a Scots - Norwegian family who are still a force in the district. As are the Birkbecks."
• "Much of the heritage listed building in Rockhampton's Quay Street came from money generated by the Mt. Morgan mine, though some of the old buildings pre-date the glory days of Mt. Morgan. The most notable millionare generated by that mine was (William?) Knox D'Arcy, a Rockhampton solicitor who gained control of most of the shares. He was the main financier of the oil wells in present day Iran which led to the eventual formation of British Petroleum. These wells are still called the D'Arcy Wells. Another millionaire was Walter Hall, the manager of the mine. After his passing, Eliza Hall left or gave money for the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research."

Beautiful colonial era historic building, now fully restored, on historic Quay Street, Rockhampton.	Another fine colonial era historic building, now fully restored, on historic Quay Street in Rockhampton. This one is in use by the local ABC Radio office.	The landmark Commerial Hotel in Rockhampton is an excellent example of the best in Australian historic hotels (pubs). It is now being restored to its former glory and I'll be back for a beer and a meal here!
The Criterion Hotel is on historic Quay Street, with one of the major north-south highways passing right by. If you're in Rockhampton you must visit this one. The entry foyer with is staircase is reminiscent of grand hotels in capital cities and the bars do a roaring trade.	Another view of the Criterion Hotel, Rockhampton.	A magnificent former terrace residence on Quay Street, Rockhampton, now used as professional offices.
The famous, heritage-listed Old Customs House building on Quay Street, Rockhampton.	The lovely colonial-style Rockhampton Post Office.	Some of the restored historic buildings on Quay Street, Rockhampton.
The imposing St Joseph's Roman Catholic Cathedral, Rockhampton. It is as beautiful inside as it is outside. See the cathedral web-site for full details.	The stained glass window in the latest addition behind the main altar of St Joseph's Roman Catholic Cathedral, Rockhampton.	The panoramic view of Rockhampton looking west from nearby Mt Archer, elevation 600m. We were nearly carried away by some of the most aggressive mosquitos I have ever encountered here. On the other side of mountain, the coastal resort of Yeppoon can be seen when looking east.

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Last Updated: 19 Dec 2010

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