Rockhampton, Queensland

Rockhampton Queensland
Rockhampton, as seen from Mount Archer
Rockhampton
Coordinates	23°22.5′S 150°30.7′E / 23.3750°S 150.5117°E / -23.3750; 150.5117Coordinates: 23°22.5′S 150°30.7′E / 23.3750°S 150.5117°E / -23.3750; 150.5117
Population	80,665 (2015) (22nd)
• Density	139.1/km2 (360.2/sq mi)
Established	1858
Postcode(s)	4700, 4701, 4702
Elevation	11.3 m (37 ft)
Area	580 km2 (223.9 sq mi) (2011 urban)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10)
Location	636 km (395 mi) NW of Brisbane
LGA(s)	Rockhampton Region
Region	Central Queensland
State electorate(s)	Rockhampton Keppel
Federal Division(s)	Capricornia
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall 28.3 °C 83 °F 16.6 °C 62 °F 795.0 mm 31.3 in

Rockhampton is a city in the Rockhampton Region, Queensland, Australia. The estimated urban population of Rockhampton in June 2015 was 80,665, making it the fourth largest regional city in the state outside of the cities of South East Queensland. Rockhampton hosts a significant number of governmental, community and major business administrative offices for the central, coastal part of the state.

Rockhampton experiences over 300 days of sunshine each year, which lends itself to tourism activities all year round and an abundance of outdoor activities. Popular attractions include Riverbank Parklands, a riverfront parkland attraction located on the banks of Fitzroy River; the Capricorn Coast, the coastal strip between Yeppoon, Emu Park and Great Keppel Island, a large neighbouring island off the Capricorn Coast, the vast majority of which is national park.

The town lies on the Fitzroy River, approximately 45 kilometres (28 mi) from the river mouth, and some 600 kilometres (370 mi) north of the state capital, Brisbane. Rockhampton has a north and south side with three bridges connecting both sides, one for trains and two for vehicles and people.

Rockhampton lies just north of the Tropic of Capricorn in Central Queensland. A sculpture originally marking the latitude was later moved into town to be more accessible to tourists. Although the Tropic of Capricorn is represented on maps as a "dotted line" that lies at 23° 26' 22", there is actually a bio-geographical overlap of Tropical and Temperate zones more than 500 kilometres (310 mi) wide; Rockhampton is roughly at its centre on the East Coast of Australia.

The city is located on the banks of the Fitzroy River, approximately 40 kilometres (25 mi) from the river mouth. The Berserker Range lies on the eastern side of the city, with the Athelstane Range to the west. The coastal area to the east of the city is known as the Capricorn Coast, with the rapidly growing town of Yeppoon its major centre.