Rockhampton City, Queensland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rockhampton CityRockhampton, Queensland |
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Empire Apartments (Left), The Edge Apartments (Right)
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 Rockhampton City
Location in Queensland
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| Population | 2,059 (2021 census) | ||||||||||||||
| • Density | 824/km2 (2,130/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 4700 | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 2.5 km2 (1.0 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Time zone | AEST (UTC+10:00) | ||||||||||||||
| Location | 619 km (385 mi) NNW of Brisbane | ||||||||||||||
| LGA(s) | Rockhampton Region | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Rockhampton | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Capricornia | ||||||||||||||
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Rockhampton City is the main part of the city of Rockhampton in Queensland, Australia. People often call it the Rockhampton CBD, which stands for Central Business District. In 2021, about 2,059 people lived here.
Contents
Exploring Rockhampton City's Location
Rockhampton City is shaped like a rectangle. It is bordered by the Fitzroy River to the north-east. North Street is to the north-west, Murray Street to the south-west, and South Street to the south-east.
The part of the Fitzroy River next to the suburb is called Town Reach (23°22′55″S 150°31′10″E / 23.3819°S 150.5194°E).
A Look Back at Rockhampton City's Past
Rockhampton City has a long history, with many important buildings and schools opening in the 1800s.
In 1862, the Rockhampton Congregational Church opened. It could fit 250 people. A new, bigger church was built in 1876. It was the first church in Rockhampton made of brick and stone.
Catholic schools also started early. In 1863, a school for girls and infants opened. Later, in 1873, the Sisters of Mercy took over this school, calling it St Patrick's School. A new St Patrick's school building opened in 1908.
Other churches, like the Anglican and Methodist churches, also opened in the 1860s. The Rockhampton Wesleyan Church opened in 1864. A new, larger Wesleyan church was built in 1881 on Campbell Street. This building is now the Campbell Street Uniting Church.
A Baptist Church opened in 1864. Later, in 1917, the Baptist Tabernacle moved to a new spot on Campbell and Fitzroy streets. Today, the building from 1977 is a child care centre.
Rockhampton Special School opened in 1955 as the Rockhampton North Opportunity School. It helps students with special needs.
Since 2005, Rockhampton City has grown a lot. Many new apartment buildings have been built along the Fitzroy River. These include The Edge and Empire. The Edge, built in 2009, was once the tallest building in Central Queensland. Empire, finished in 2014, is even taller at 14 stories.
In 2019, work began on the new Rockhampton Museum of Art. It opened in February 2022 and replaced the old art gallery.
Learning in Rockhampton City
Rockhampton Special School is located at 91–115 William Street (23°22′58″S 150°30′42″E / 23.3827°S 150.5116°E). This school teaches students from Prep to Year 12. In 2018, it had 63 students.
There are no regular primary or secondary schools right in Rockhampton City. Students usually go to schools in nearby suburbs like Wandal, Allenstown, or Depot Hill.
Shopping and Fun in East Street
East Street is the main shopping area in Rockhampton City. People sometimes call it "The Mall." It used to be a pedestrian-only area from 1987 to 2003. Now, cars can drive through it again.
East Street has many different shops, including places to buy food, clothes, shoes, and things for your home. It also has chemists and banks.
Even though East Street was updated in 2003, it has faced challenges. Newer, larger shopping centres like Stockland Rockhampton and City Centre Plaza offer more shops and easy parking.
Important old buildings on East Street include the former Rockhampton Post Office and the historic Rockhampton Courthouses. From 1909 to 1939, steam trams used to run through the city, making it easy to get around.
The Beautiful Riverbank
One of the most famous parts of Rockhampton City is the Fitzroy Riverbank. Along Quay Street, you can see many old buildings from the late 1800s, like Customs House.
In 2015, a big plan was started to make the riverbank even better. The new riverbank area opened in 2018. It now has a water play area, better walkways, and seating. There's also a new restaurant that extends over the river and the Fitzroy Adventure Playground.
A part of Quay Street was changed to be a shared space for cars and people.
Important Services and Media
Rockhampton City is a central hub for many important services in Central Queensland.
The Rockhampton Regional Council has its main office at City Hall on Bolsover Street. This is where local government services are managed. State and federal politicians also have offices here.
The main offices for the Queensland Police Service, the Queensland Ambulance Service, and the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service are all in Rockhampton City.
Many local media companies are also based here. ABC Capricornia, 4RO, and Triple M broadcast from studios in Quay Street or Victoria Parade. Local news teams for TV channels like WIN Television, Seven Queensland, and Southern Cross 10 are also in the CBD.
The local newspaper, The Morning Bulletin, has its office in Bolsover Street.
Places to Visit and Relax
Rockhampton City has several churches and parks.
Rockhampton South Uniting Church is at 300–316 Cambell Street (23°23′04″S 150°30′34″E / 23.38434°S 150.50936°E).
St Nektarios' Greek Orthodox Church is at 111 Kent Street (23°22′43″S 150°30′27″E / 23.3787°S 150.5076°E).
Parks for Play and Relaxation
There are many parks in Rockhampton City, including:
- Brown Park Rugby League Ground (23°22′36″S 150°30′06″E / 23.3767°S 150.5018°E)
- Central Park (23°23′01″S 150°30′25″E / 23.3836°S 150.5069°E)
- Col Brown Park (23°22′12″S 150°30′28″E / 23.3701°S 150.5079°E)
- Goss Park (23°23′07″S 150°30′30″E / 23.3853°S 150.5083°E)
- Jeffries Park (23°22′21″S 150°30′20″E / 23.3726°S 150.5056°E)
- Kingel Park (23°22′43″S 150°30′29″E / 23.3787°S 150.5081°E)
- Leichhardt Park (23°22′33″S 150°30′15″E / 23.3758°S 150.5043°E)
- Quay Street Park (23°23′04″S 150°31′12″E / 23.3845°S 150.5201°E)
- Toonooba Park (23°22′56″S 150°31′05″E / 23.3821°S 150.5180°E)
Central Park has a special Rainbow Fountain that lights up at night.
Exciting Events in the City Centre
Many annual events now take place in Rockhampton City.
The CBD Christmas Fair started in 2013 and happens every year around late November or early December. It's famous for lighting up the City Christmas Tree, which is now usually in front of Customs House on Quay Street.
The Rockhampton River Festival, an arts and culture event, began in 2015. It's held every July along the riverbank.
In 2019, the Rockhampton Emergency Services Day and the Rockhampton Cultural Festival moved to the CBD. The Rocky River Run also moved to the riverside in 2017.
The annual Anzac Day march now finishes with a morning service at Rod Laver Plaza.
The Famous Big Bulls
Rockhampton City is home to one of the seven Big Bulls statues that you can find around Rockhampton. The city is known as the "Beef Capital of Australia."
The "Under the Hammer" bull statue at the Rockhampton Art Gallery is different from the others. While most bull statues look like real cattle, this one is a special piece of art. The Big Bulls are part of Australia's big things, which are large roadside attractions.
