The Beef Capital is a truly wonderful place to holiday, filled with history and contemporary modern appeal. However, if you have a disability or other specific needs, finding the right information on accessibility can be a challenge.
Everyone deserves a holiday, and Rockhampton has made strides over the years in improving accessibility, ensuring several all-inclusive hotels, tourist sites and dining options.
Your mobility challenges and unique abilities are yours and we know that planning is the key to your relaxing getaway.
Stay
Empire Apartment Hotel
From arrival to departure, the Empire Apartment Hotel is proud to offer a world-class experience for guests requiring extra accessibility and assistance. This goes far beyond their self-contained apartments that have been purpose-built with wider doorways, lower kitchen benches and open plan bathrooms on levels two and three complete with balconies that overlook the river or city and pool deck.
There are four designated accessible car parks in their secure underground car park, directly adjacent to the three lifts. The lifts are 1.5m wide and 2m deep allowing a guest in a wheelchair or mobility scooter to enter the lift and perform a 180 degree turn inside. Each lift is fitted with audible alerts and braille buttons.
Both the tropically landscaped rooftop pool and gymnasium are accessible by wheelchair, with an accessible bathroom and shower on the Pool Deck. All three onsite restaurants are wheelchair accessible from the hotel foyer with ease and without stairs.
Play
Capricorn Caves
Capricorn Caves is a multi-generational family owned attraction located 23km north of Rockhampton and just minutes off the Pacific Coast Way. Accessible walkways and ramps allow you to experience the breathtaking acoustics in the Cathedral Cave on the hourly tour.
These amazing tropical limestone caves offer a beauty different to that of deep underground caves. Daily tours are conducted by experienced guides through large, well-lit caverns with beautiful decorations, rare ferns and massive tree roots and occasionally small insectivorous bats. The huge domed Cathedral Cave is renowned for its acoustics and is a popular wedding venue. A fun option at the end of the tour is a walk through the pioneer passage on to a swinging bridge in the dry rainforest. This tour is suitable for all ages as it is easy walking with wheelchair access.
Rockhampton Riverside
Located on the shores of the Fitzroy River and just a stone’s throw from Rockhampton’s commercial heart, the riverbank is a vital part of Rockhampton’s lifestyle, and the site of regular events and festivals. With playground areas, river lookouts, shaded walkways and gathering spots, the precinct is completely accessible to all ages and abilities. The recent addition of an all abilities ramp and current construction of wheelchair accessible amenities near the playground make the Rockhampton Riverbank the perfect place to explore.
2nd World War Memorial Aquatic Centre (South Side Pool)
The 2nd World War Memorial Swimming Pool (affectionately known as the “South Rocky Pool”) in Rockhampton boasts one of the most impressive regional aquatic venues in Australia. Owned by the Rockhampton Regional Council and managed by BlueFit, this iconic facility provides high quality programs and services for the wider community. There are accessible facilities available in the aquatic area including disabled amenities and ramp access.
Archer Park Rail Museum
Located on Denison Street between Archer and Cambridge Streets, Archer Park Rail Museum features a restored Purrey Steam Tram, incorporating parts of one of the original nine tramcars and six trailers that operated in Rockhampton (1909 to 1939).
Built in the 1890’s, the museum can boast its true heritage with its renovated classic trains. With its state-of-the-art digital soundscape and life-like mannequins to take you back to World War II times. It is wheelchair accessible, has a tearoom and plenty of parking (including buses).
Mount Archer National Park
Mount Archer National Park lies on Rockhampton’s north-eastern outskirts. It has two entrances, and both are accessible via sealed roads suitable for conventional vehicles. There is a 500-metre wheelchair-accessible circuit past two lookouts. Wheelchair-accessible toilets and picnic tables are also provided.
Rockhampton Museum of Art
The Rockhampton Museum of Art provides a safe, welcoming and enjoyable environment for all visitors. All public areas of the Museum, including the shop and adjoining Cafe, are accessible via street access and ramps. A hearing loop system is installed to assist those with hearing aids. Quiet Space is a dedicated low sensory experience across the Rockhampton Museum of Art building, designed to help make visiting the gallery accessible and inclusive for all.
