Fitzroy
This region includes the resort area of the Capricorn Coast that stretches along the coast for 47km. The area is serviced by the city of Rockhampton, and holiday destinations include Yeppon, Cooee Bay, Rosslyn Bay, Causeway Lake and Emu Park. Water transport leaves from this area for Great Kepple Island, just 13km off the coast.
Anakie
Banana
Biloela
Biloela is the principal town of the Callide Valley, 592km north of Brisbane. It's name comes from an Aboriginal word for 'white cockatoo'.
Blackwater
Blackwater is the centre of a beef cattle grazing region, and is 190km inland from Rockhampton. Coal is also mined in the area - and visitors can view the huge drag-lines and loading facilities.
Calliope
Comet
Dingo
If you travel north to Rockhampton then turn left toward Blackwater and Emerald, you'll eventually get to Dingo. Nearby is the Blackdown Tableland National Park and the Blackwater Coal Mines.
Emerald
Emeral is located in the central highland on the Nogoa River some 265km west of Rockhampton. The town is the junction of the Rockhampton to Winton train line. The area was developed for irrigation in the 1970s and is now a cotton and grain growing area. The area is rich in gemstone deposits and local fileds such as Sapphire, and Rubyvale attract visitors searching for stones. Emerald holds a large Country Msuic Festival each September.
Gladstone
Situated 135km South of Rockhampton, Gladstone overlooks a beautiful harbour and naturally enough it is the major port in the region. Coal is brought into the port by rail and then shipped to other areas of the world.
A yacht race is held each year from Sydney to Gladstone. Access to Heron Island is through Gladstone.
Mount Morgan
Massive amounts of gold, silver, and copper have been extracted from Mt Morgan, to the point where there is not that much of the mountain left. The Mt Morgan mine is claimed to be one of the largest open cut mines in Australia. The mine has been in operation since 1882, and has caused extensive pollution of local waterways during that time. Today gold is only extracted from the tailings of former mining operations.
The history of Mt Morgan has been preserved and can be experienced at the Mount Morgan Historical Museum, a folk and mining museum that reflects the mining history of the town and district. The old railway station operates as a visitor centre and the departure point for steam train tours.
Rockhampton
Rockhampton is known as the "Beef Capital" of Australia and is located on the Fitzroy River and the Tropic of Capricorn. The city porvides a full range of facilities for the surrounding beef grazing area, including fine educational and medical services.
Many grand historic buildings grace the streets of Rockhampton and a beautiful tree lined Mall enhances the heart of the city.
Rolleston
Situated at the crossroads of the Dawson Highway and the road to the famous Carnarvon Gorge, Rolleston makes the perfect starting point for a trip to the rugged national park where the Carnarvon Creek runs through spectacular limestone cliffs.
The explorer Ludwig Leichhardt first camped on the banks of the Comet River in 1844 and in 1854 the first pastoral settlement took place in the area.