The best bird watching locations around Rockhampton

Published on 29 November 2022

Take Flight: A Twitcher's Guide to Rockhampton's Bird-Watching Hotspots

Whether you're a casual bird watcher or a dedicated "twitcher" (a passionate birder who travels to specific locations to spot rare species), Rockhampton is a paradise waiting to be discovered. With over 300 species calling our region home, thanks to the life-giving Fitzroy River (Tunuba) and its network of lagoons and wetlands, you're in for some spectacular sightings. Here are six prime locations that will get any bird enthusiast's heart racing.

Rockhampton Botanic Gardens, Murray Lagoon

4km from Rockhampton CBD | Directions

A twitcher's dream, Murray Lagoon at the bottom of our heritage-listed Botanic Gardens hosts more than 100 species of birds. This tranquil spot offers comfortable shaded viewing areas where you can set up your scope to observe Pink-eared Ducks performing their distinctive spinning feeding dance, or watch Cotton-pygmy Geese gliding gracefully across the water. Keep your eyes peeled for Australasian Shovelers, Great-crested Grebes, and the chattering colonies of Little Corellas.

Pro tip: Pick up a free "Birds of the Murray Lagoon" guide from the Gardens Office to help with identification or find out more on the Birding Places website.

Two black cockatoos sitting on a branch — Black Cockatoos at Rockhampton Botanic Gardens | Image by Sean Scott Photography

Twelve Mile Creek, Stanage Peninsula and Curtis Island

172km from Rockhampton CBD | Directions

With a wild population of less than 250 individuals, Capricorn Yellow Chats are elusive to find. Making its home in the grasses, samphire and reeds of Twelve Mile Creek just south of Rockhampton, on Stanage Peninsula to Rockhampton’s north, and on Curtis Island near Gladstone, a bright flash of yellow is typically all people ever see of this sparrow-sized bird. Find out more about what they eat, where they live and why they’re special here.

Lakes Creek Road birdwatching — Pelicans, Magpie Geese and a Cormorant. *Image Courtesy of Pam Garven*.

Lakes Creek Road Waste Management Facility

3km from Rockhampton CBD | Directions

The Lakes Creek Road Waste Management Facility offers a purpose-built bird watching platform providing uninterrupted views over the lagoon where you can see large numbers of Magpie Geese, Cormorants, Pelican, Ibis and Raptors such as Whistling and Black Kites.

Springers Lagoon bird — Springers Lagoon. *Image Courtesy of Pam Garven*.

Springers Lagoon, Gracemere

14.5km from Rockhampton CBD | Directions

A deep water lagoon that is accessible from Sullivan Road. Home to diving birds such as Cormorants and Hardheads with Fairy Wrens and finches also to be found in the grassy verges.

Yeppen Lagoon bird — Yeppen Lagoon. *Image Courtesy of Pam Garven*.

Yeppen Lagoon, Allenstown

5km from Rockhampton CBD | Directions

Accessed from the eastern end of Blackall Street or via the Botanic Gardens. Yeppen is a long, narrow and deep lagoon which is good for Cormorants, diving ducks and seabirds such as Caspian, Gull-Billed and Whiskered Terns. The pathway’s fringing woodland is good for bush birds.

Crested Pigeon Queens Park. *Image Courtesy of Pam Garven*.

Queens Park, Park Avenue

2km from Rockhampton CBD | Directions

Running beside Glenmore Road, this parkland has large eucalyptus trees lining the river bank with grassy areas below. Get the binoculars out to see raptors such as Whistling Kite and grass birds such as Double-barred Finch and Red-backed Fairy Wren.

Written by Explore Rockhampton #ExploreRockhampton @explorerockhampton