Rockhampton

Rockhampton Queensland
View over Frenchville and the Fitzroy river, with Mount Archer and the Berserker Range Quay street historic district Customs House The RMOA St Joseph's Cathedral Allenstown street art French Purrey tram along Denison street
Rockhampton
Coordinates	23°22′41″S 150°30′49″E / 23.3781°S 150.5136°E / -23.3781; 150.5136 (Rockhampton (city centre))
Population	81,021 (2022)[1] (23rd)
• Density	139.7/km2 (361.8/sq mi)
Established	1858
Postcode(s)	4700, 4701, 4702
Elevation	11.3 m (37 ft)
Area	580 km2 (223.9 sq mi)[2] (2011 urban)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10)
Location	636 km (395 mi) NW of Brisbane 365 km (227 mi) SSE of Mackay
LGA(s)	Rockhampton Region
Region	Central Queensland
State electorate(s)	Rockhampton Keppel
Federal division(s)	Capricornia
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall 28.3 °C 83 °F 16.6 °C 62 °F 795.0 mm 31.3 in

Rockhampton is a city in the Rockhampton Region of Central Queensland, Australia.^[3] In the 2021 census, the population of Rockhampton was 79,293.^[4] A common nickname for Rockhampton is 'Rocky', and the demonym of Rockhampton is Rockhamptonite.

The Scottish-Norwegian explorers Charles and William Archer came across the Toonooba River in 1853 and named it in-honour of Sir Charles FitzRoy; they also named many local landmarks after figures in Norse mythology, including the Berserker Range named after the Norse warrior "Baresark". The Archer brothers took-up a run near Gracemere in 1855, and more settlers arrived soon thereafter, enticed by the fertile valleys. The town of Rockhampton was proclaimed in 1858, and surveyed to a design that closely resembled the Hoddle Grid of Melbourne, and consisted of a grid of wide boulevards and laneways, which was uncommon for Queensland cities. Within a year, gold was found at Canoona, and led to the first North Australian gold rush. The Canoona gold rush led to an influx of migrants that transformed Rockhampton into the second-largest port in the state; during this period, Rockhampton was described by the then visiting English novelist, Anthony Trollope as the "City of the Three S's"—"sin, sweat, and sorrow".^[5] Subsequent gold discoveries at the Mount Morgan Mine, which was at that time one of the most-productive gold mines in the world, laid the foundations for much of the city's Victorian architecture, and recast Rockhampton into a grand northern city.^[6]

The economy of Rockhampton has strengths in tourism, health, and agriculture, with a GRP of $5.7 billion as of 2023.^[7] The Central Queensland University founded in 1967, has its main campus at Norman Gardens, and is the only Australian university with a campus presence in every mainland state.^[8] The city is served by Rockhampton Airport, and Port Alma, located at the south end of the Fitzroy river delta.

Rockhampton is renowned for its history and heritage and has been sometimes referred to as the “Melbourne of the North”;^[9] in reference to the city's tree-lined boulevards and laneways. The city's historic quarter is one of Australia's most significant 19th century streetscapes and is listed on the National Trust; the quarter comprises three city blocks along Quay street, from Fitzroy to Derby street, and is known for its neoclassical architecture, dining and nightlife.^[10] The Rockhampton Botanic Gardens are one of the oldest public gardens in the country, being founded in 1869 and is also the location of the monumental Rockhampton War Memorial, as well as the Rockhampton Zoo.^[11] Rockhampton has nationally prominent cultural institutions, including; the Rockhampton Museum of Art (RMOA), one of the most extensive regional galleries in Australia, and the Dreamtime Cultural Centre.