Rockhampton

Rockhampton is lies on the Fitzroy River approximately 45 kilometres from the river mouth, and some 600 kilometres north of Brisbane. Rockhampton has a population of almost 62,000 with over 300 days of sunshine each year, which lends itself to tourism activities all year round and an abundance of outdoor activities. The Capricorn district is the traditional home of the Darumbal Aboriginal people. The European history of the area began in 1853, when the area that would become Rockhampton was visited by the Archer brothers, Charles and William, who were seeking grazing lands. In January 1854, the New South Wales Government proclaimed two new districts: Port Curtis and Leichhardt (roughly today's Fitzroy Region), and settlement began in earnest in 1855.
The Fitzroy River provided a convenient waterway for shipping of supplies for those who followed them, and a settlement grew on the riverbanks just downstream of a bar of rocks which prevented further upstream navigation from the coast. These rocks were incorporated with the traditional English term for a village, and the name "Rockhampton" was first used.
The City of Rockhampton was proclaimed in 1902.
After breakfast, we headed north to Rocky. We stopped at the CQLX saleyards at Gracemere to have a look around as they are the biggest stockyards in the Southern Hemisphere. It was quite impressive and they had a little sale of sheep and weaners  at the back. Nancy chatted with a guy selling 3 tiny motherless lambs and learned a bit about the sheep business. Did you know some sheep shed their wool? Lots of pictures later, we headed into Rockhampton and found our caravan park. Nowhere near as nice as the 1770 Retreat, but it sufficed for the following days.  Nancy and Susie found the Needlework Cottage downtown and  spend some money (and time) there. Picked up groceries for dinner and had an evening of cross-stitching and visiting.
On Tuesday we dropped by the tourist center and took pictures of ourselves at the marker for the Tropic of Capricorn and then visited the Dreamtime Center (Aboriginal Culture Center) and had a good tour. We learned about the Torres Strait Islanders culture - very similar to Vanuatu - listened to the guide Wayne play the digeridoo and learned to throw a boomerang. Lunch at Maccas to use the internet, then out to the Capricorn Caves for the afternoon. These are above ground caves carved into the mountains by water, erosion, tree roots, etc. The tour was very good and in the Cathedral (the biggest cavern) they turned out the lights and played Leonard Cohen's Hallejuia. It was very nice.
Susie took us out to the Criterion Restaurant for a delicious Australian steak dinner.
By in large Wednesday was a lazy day. We slept late, then went to the local zoo to see the koalas, etc. and Nancy and I looked around the botanic gardens. Then we went to Maccas to use the internet again! We drove up the mountains nearby to Archer's lookout overlooking both the city and the coast. Groceries, then home for naps, dinner and some cards and rum drinks.

Central Queensland Livestock Exchange

Central Queensland Livestock Exchange

 

 

 

Central Queensland Livestock Exchange

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Central Queensland Livestock Exchange

 

 

Central Queensland Livestock Exchange

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CBD

Fiztroy River

Fiztroy River

Fiztroy River