Explore the host city of CapriCon

TICK OFF THESE ROCKY EXPERIENCES

CapriCon may be the biggest pop culture party of the year, but if you take the time to explore the event’s host city you’ll find there’s a lot more on offer.

From trophy Barramundi to be caught in the heart of town, world-class mountain bike trails, full-bull adventures, treetop boardwalks, breweries, bars and eateries all over town, exploring all that Rockhampton has to offer is a must while you’re in town.

Download the 'Explore Rockhampton' app from the Apple app store or Google Play store to tour the Rockhampton region at your own pace and check out our ‘CapriCon Bucket List’ below to tick off while you’re in town. 

BUCKET LIST

We’ve compiled a list of must-see experiences in and around Rockhampton that will guarantee to get you smiling.

  • Rockhampton Zoo - home to almost 100 animals spanning more than 30 species of native and exotic animals, Rockhampton Zoo is set on 10 acres within the stunning Rockhampton Botanic Gardens, located in the leady suburb of The Range. Make your visit even more memorable and book a meerkat encounter, which will have you up close with the mob of 6 and includes a feeding session.
  • Mount Archer Nurim Circuit - Mount Archer Nurim Circuit is a walk not to be missed when you’re visiting Rockhampton. Extending 25 metres off the side of Mount Archer, the 500 metre treetop boardwalk offers stunning views of Rockhampton and the ranges beyond. At sunrise and sunset, the views are amplified with spectacular pink, orange and purple hues along the skyline. 
  • Rockhampton Museum of Art - Located on Darumbal country in the heart of Rockhampton’s Riverside Precinct on Quay Street, Rockhampton Museum of Art is the largest gallery in regional Queensland and home to a nationally significant art collection. With six exhibition spaces there’s something for everyone!
  • Capricorn Caves - Do you want to marvel at geological forces forming breathtakingly beautiful scenes? Are you ready to explore the ancient chambers of Rockhampton’s oldest playground, 390 million years in the making? Capricorn Caves intimate tours have been designed to take guests into some of the caves’ best kept hidden secrets. 
  • Bull Statue Tour - No trip to the beef capital is complete without a selfie with one of the seven life-size bull statues around town, each representing an iconic breed. Snap a bull selfie at Frank Forde Park and take a drive to see all of Rockhampton’s bull statues on the “Where’s the Beef” bull statue tour. 

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    capricorn caves tour

     

FOR THE GRAM

As a lover of cosplay, anime or steampunk, we know you’re looking for some top spots to snap a selfie in your costume.

Check out our insider’s guide to Rocky’s top insta shots, pop culture style. 

  • Archer Park Rail Museum
    • Right here in Rockhampton, at Archer Park Rail Museum, stands the Harry Potter Hogwarts Express ready to steam into fantasy land! No.988 is one of Queensland’s highly successful C17 class 4-8-0 locomotives constructed between 1920-1953, which is the same train as No.5972 Hogwarts Castle of Harry Potter fame.
  • Rockhampton CBD
    • Riverside Precinct: With the Fitzroy River (Tunuba) in the background and the patterned concrete in the foreground, the Riverside Precinct can make for a perfect picture no matter what type of costume you are in.

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      capricon costume riverside precinct

       

    • Customs House: Some say it looks like a castle and some say it looks like a building taken straight from the history books. Take advantage of the sandstone stairs and the beautiful architecture and get that dream royal picture.

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      capricon costume customs house

       

    • Walter Reid Cultural Centre: Wanting that perfect Grunge picture? Head to the concrete jungle surrounding the back of the heritage-listed buildings in the Rockhampton CBD.
    • Fitzroy Bridge: Looking for a place even Akira would call home? Under the Fitzroy Bridge is the perfect place for that post-apocalyptic look we all know and love from sci-fi movies .
  • Rockhampton Botanic Gardens
    • Japanese Gardens: Featuring an awesome waterfall and surrounding lush greenery you can transform your images into the beautiful scenery only know to the world of a studio Ghibli.
    • The Bamboo Forest: Don’t be fooled, you are not in a scene from Demon Slayer, this location is perfect for a couple of posed snaps to show of that spectacular costume that you spent way too long getting into .
    • Banyan Fig Trees: You would never expect to see something like this in Rockhampton, however these gorgeous 150-year-old fig trees make for the perfect image if Tarzan is the vibe you are looking for.
  • Mount Archer Nurim Circuit
    • Flower, gleam and glow, let your powers shine! Mount Archer’s treetop boardwalk at both sunrise and sunset can give you the most magical glow in the background of your images! Perfectly fit for anyone, especially a magical girl or a princess.
  • St Joseph’s Cathedral
    • The exterior of the heritage-listed St Joseph’s Cathedral can take you back in time somewhere in-between Beauty and the Beast and the Hunchback of Notre Dame, making it ideal for a plethora of costume choices. 

 

capricon costume st josephs cathedral

 

ENJOY A COLD ONE WITH THE MATES

With almost a pub on every corner there’s no shortage of cold beers and chicken parmy’s in Rockhampton. We’ve put together our top picks of pubs (and a local micro-brewery) that are either a short walk from the event precinct or centrally located in the CBD and Riverside Precinct. 

CapriCon Event Precinct

There’s two pubs within walking distance to the CapriCon Event Precinct at the Rockhampton Showgrounds. Rocky Sports Club has a restaurant, bar and gaming facilities available promising a great night out with the mates. For traditional pub-grub, head along to The Lionleigh. Both are family friendly, so if the kids are in tow you’re sorted.

Rockhampton CBD

If you’re looking for a cold brew in a historic country pub then ‘the Cri’ (as the locals call it) is the place to be. Featuring an internal beer garden, the Heritage Hotel is also a good option for traditional pub grub. Fancy yourself a beer connoisseur? Head over to Headricks Lane micro-brewery and taste locally crafted beer with a side of tapas.

You can find a full list of pubs, bars, and restaurants on our website that are just a short drive away.  

Top 5 Must-Do’s with the mates in Rockhampton_Headricks.jpg

 

GET YOUR DAILY CAFFEINE FIX

Whether your coffee is served from a shipping container, on the deck with panoramic views of the Fitzroy River, or in a fancy pottery coffee mug, Rockhampton has some of the best brews in Queensland.

To help you find your daily grind when in town, we’ve put together a list of some of Rockhampton’s best boutique brews as voted by the locals.

Plan the ultimate mates trip to Rockhampton_Dingles.jpg

 

For a full list of top things to do while you’re in town for CapriCon, read up on all of Rockhampton’s travel inspiration here.  

#explorerockhampton

Written by Explore Rockhampton
@explorerockhampton

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