Rockhampton (pop. 63,151), situated on the Tropic of Capricorn in Australia, is the chief commercial and government center of central Queensland. It stands on the Fitzroy River, about 40 miles (65 kilometers) from its estuary and more than 300 miles (483 kilometers) north of Brisbane.
Rockhampton is the outlet for the products of a rich cattle area and is sometimes called the beef capital of Australia. It is also the main center for the extensive coal-mining and grain areas to the west. Its industries include the manufacture of cement, bricks, precast concrete, flour, and salt, and the processing of meat for export.
Rockhampton’s tourist attractions include historic buildings, botanical gardens, and caves, as well as the Capricorn Coast resorts of Yeppoon, Emu Park, and Great Keppel Island.
