Rockhampton
City in Queensland, Australia / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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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]
Rockhampton Queensland | |||||||||
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Overlooking the northern end of Quay street with the Criterion Hotel Street art in Allenstown War Memorial within the historic North Rockhampton Cemetery | |||||||||
Coordinates | 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 | |||||||||
LGA(s) | Rockhampton Region | ||||||||
Region | Central Queensland | ||||||||
State electorate(s) | |||||||||
Federal division(s) | Capricornia | ||||||||
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Rockhampton is one of the oldest cities in Queensland and in Northern Australia. In 1853, Charles and William Archer came across the Toonooba River (which is now also known as the Fitzroy River), which they claimed in-honour of Sir Charles FitzRoy. 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 by William Henry Standish, Arthur F. Wood and Francis Clarke; their chosen street layout closely resembled the Hoddle Grid of Melbourne, consisting of a grid of wide boulevards and laneways, something which was uncommon, at the time, in Queensland. 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 who quickly transformed Rockhampton into the second-largest port in the state; during this period, Rockhampton was nicknamed the "City of the Three S's"—"sin, sweat, and sorrow". Subsequent gold discoveries at 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.
The city is noted for its Queenslander architecture, especially in the areas of Allenstown and the Range. Rockhampton is also a popular tourist destination, known for its history and culture, supporting such institutions as the Rockhampton Art Gallery (one of the most extensive regional galleries in Australia) and Central Queensland University, with campuses across five states. There is also the Rockhampton Heritage Village and the Dreamtime Cultural Centre. It is also famous as the hometown of Rod Laver – one of the best tennis players in history.[5] The city, served by the Rockhampton Airport, acts as a gateway to local tourist hotspots such as the Capricorn Caves and Mount Archer National Park, as well as regional tourist attractions including the historic town of Mount Morgan; other notable sites include Yeppoon and the Capricorn Coast, alongside the offshore island chains that include Great Keppel Island.