Rockhampton is a wonderful destination for families to get out and explore. With a variety of activities that appeal to all ages there is no doubt you are spoilt for choice. Here’s our Top 7 places to see:
Day trip to Yeppoon
Yeppoon is situated 38 kilometres north east of Rockhampton and is the gateway to the Capricorn Coast and the wonders of the Southern Great Barrier Reef and Keppel Bay Islands.
Wander along the town’s picturesque esplanade with its backdrop of offshore islands. Gaze at the sparkling azure sea and soak up the relaxed and welcoming atmosphere as you let the kids play in the amazing free lagoon pool. If you love art, check out the vibrant street art that you can find throughout the community.
Capricorn Caves
These magnificent caves are located just 30 minutes north of Rockhampton and are another attraction that appeals to all ages.
The Cathedral Cave Tour is the most popular and is also wheelchair accessible. It showcases the stunning formation and amazing natural acoustics within the Cathedral Chamber. As a popular venue for weddings and even underground Opera, it’s definitely a scene to behold.
For the adventurous there are ‘Adventure Caving Tours’ which had us getting down and dirty crawling through all kinds of tiny rock formations. The newly added Fossil tour was also a big hit for our family. We travelled back in time to discover the fossils of ancient creatures, met giant prehistoric beasts and even tried our hand at finding tiny fossils in their dig pit.
The onsite visitor centre/cafe provides fascinating information about the local geology, the native bats, as well as a live display of lizards, frogs and crawly creatures.
The Capricorn Caves are open every day 8am – 6pm.
You can enjoy a day trip from Rockhampton or choose to stay in the onsite cabins or camp in the caravan park.
Check out more about The Blonde Nomads ‘Cave-raving fun‘ day at the Capricorn Caves.
Rocky Bowl and Leisure
Get ready for some good old family fun with a game of bowling, laser tag or glow in the dark mini golf. Treating ourselves to some tasty nachos and hot chips from the cafe, we had a wonderful afternoon of family fun here. We battled it out for the ‘Nomads Cup’ in the bowling alley, allowing the kids to use bumpers for their turns.
We then finished off the day with a glowing round of mini golf in the under water themed fluro room. It was a feast for the eyes as you enter the special room and the kids loved looking at all the difference sea creatures as they played golf.
Rocky Bowl & Leisure are open daily 9.30am – 11.30pm
Mt Hay Thunder Eggs
A short 40 minute drive from Rockhampton takes you to Mt Hay Gemstone Tourist Park. This is a wonderful place for families to try their hand at fossicking and learn the wonders of the ‘Thunder Egg’.
Thunder eggs or ‘volcanic birthstones’ are crystalline formations that occur when gas bubbles in molten lava solidify on cooling. They look like normal rocks but once cut in half they reveal beautiful patterns of semi-precious minerals inside that can be made up of quartz, amethyst, agate and jasper.
We loved our time here and couldn’t get enough of it. To find a 120 million year old rock bubble with your own hands then have it cut open right before your eyes is pretty special. This is a great science lesson for the whole family and you will love discovering all the different fossils, crystals and rock types on display in the gardens and souvenir shop.
Mt Hay is open daily from 8.30am – 4.30pm. Enclosed footwear must be worn. BBQ picnic and Camping facilities also available.
Rockhampton FREE Zoo and Botanical Gardens.
With more than 60 species of native and exotic animals, Rockhampton Zoo is a great day out for young and old. A highlight of our visit was meeting the newest member of the chimpanzee family, baby Capri. She is full of spunk and very entertaining as she climbs about causing mischief like all toddlers do! The kids also loved seeing ‘The Colonel’ a 4.5 meter salt water Crocodile, Henry the friendly Emu and the playful pair of Otters.
Just across the road you will find the gorgeous Botanic Gardens which is the perfect spot to enjoy a picnic lunch or a meal from the garden cafe.
The Zoo is open from 8am – 4:30pm everyday, with keeper talks held in the afternoon. Entry is free (with small donations appreciated). The Botanical Gardens are open 6am – 6.30pm. Entry is free.
Mt Archer Sky Walk
Take in the views along the gorgeous 500 meter elevated boardwalk in Mt Archer National Park. Just an easy 25min drive from the centre of town, it offers breathtaking sights over Rockhampton and the Berserker Ranges, it’s easily accessible by a sealed road to its summit. Take a moment to read the interpretive signage that provides an insight to the local Darumbal peoples culture.
Kershaw Gardens Play Park and Water Fun
This is the place to go to tire out those energy-filled kids. Built for families, parties, small events and outdoor activities, the central section of the Kershaw Gardens is a must do. Our favourite was of course the huge play park that includes five levels of play for kids and adults too.
Standing at nine metres high, you can adventure through various obstacles including climbing ropes, ladders, tunnels, three slides and swinging hammocks. We also loved peddling on the monorail, watching the big kids fly by on the flying fox and getting dizzy in the huge hamster wheel.
Right next to the play park is the water play area, which is perfect to cool down after all that crazy playing. If you have packed the bikes or scooters you can also take a cruise up the bike path to the magnificent waterfall.
