Car & Van Hire - Rockhampton

Rockhampton is popular for its rich heritage and how close it is to many scenic destinations. Visitors can explore historic buildings such as the old Customs House and Supreme Court buildings. There are also various museums and art galleries, such as the Archer Park Rail Museum and Rockhampton Museum of Art.

For those that want to immerse themselves in the past, Rockhampton Heritage Village offers visitors a glimpse into life in Rockhampton from 1850 to 1950. Just a short distance from Rockhampton Heritage Village, the Dreamtime Cultural Centre offers visitors a chance to experience the local Indigenous culture dating back over 60,000 years.

The region surrounding Rockhampton is home to many beautiful national parks and other scenic attractions. Just a two-hour drive from the town centre lies the Blacktown Tableland National Park, which is home to scenic waterfalls, rockpools, gorges and rock art that dates back thousands of years.

For some beautiful views of the region, head to Mount Archer and maybe take a scenic walk along the 14 km Zamia Trail or bike ride in the First Turkey Mountain Bike Reserve. Head north of Rockhampton to explore the vast cave systems known collectively as the Capricorn Caves and take in the view at the nearby Mount Etna National Park.

The Riverside Precinct is one of Rockhampton's most popular districts, featuring several historic buildings along with cafes, modern art pieces and boutique stores. Visitors and locals alike come here to shop, dine or take a stroll along the Fitzroy River.

Other popular attractions within the heart of Rockhampton are the various public gardens within the city centre. The Rockhampton Botanic Gardens has been a favourite spot for relaxing and picnicking for over a century and is close to the popular Rockhampton Zoo. At the same time, the Kershaw Gardens are perfect for families, with an adventure playground for children and even a stunning man-made waterfall.

Rockhampton plays host to a number of local events and festivals throughout the year. One of the most popular events is the Rockhampton River Festival, which takes place in late July and sees the Riverside Precinct come alive with a mix of arts, music and cultural displays.

Rockynats takes place over the Easter long weekend and is Rockhampton's answer to the Summernats annual car festival. In June, there's the Rockhampton show with fun and activities for the whole family. CapriCon is Rockhampton's annual pop culture convention in September, while the same month sees the annual Capricorn Food & Wine Festival, which hosts a range of culinary events as well as music and entertainment.

Hiring a car is the best way to explore the city and surrounding region. Rockhampton serves as the central hub for Central Queensland, and several transport routes run through or close to the city, including Leichhardt Highway, Capricorn Highway, Bruce Highway and Burnett Highway. Many of the national parks that surround Rockhampton are easy to reach by road and are no more than a couple of hours' drive from the city centre.

Driving around Rockhampton is easy, and there are plenty of options for parking within the city and the surrounding area. If you are looking at a van rental in Rockhampton, there are plenty of options when it comes to caravan parks. There is also a free campsite available at Kershaw Gardens if you prefer to keep within a strict budget. For those looking at car rentals in Rockhampton, there are plenty of accommodation options available, from luxury resorts to budget hotels.

Rockhampton sits on both the M1 motorway and A1 carriageway routes of the Bruce Highway, which runs from Brisbane in the south to Cairns in Far North Queensland. The highway itself forms part of the National Highway 1, which circumnavigates the Australian continent, running through each capital city in Australia except Canberra.

Hiring a car in Rockhampton also allows visitors to explore some of Australia's most popular scenic drives. Australia's Country Way is the name given to the route from Rockhampton down to Sydney and takes in many sights along the Great Dividing Range, including gorgeous country towns like Tamworth, Glen Innes and Toowoomba. Rockhampton is also one of the stops along the iconic Pacific Coast Way, which runs from tropical Cairns in the north to the glitz and glamour of the Gold Coast in the south.

Visiting from overseas? You will need to be aware of local traffic laws. Remember that vehicles in Australia drive on the left-hand side and that speed limits are strictly enforced using radar cameras. In addition, all occupants must wear seatbelts when driving unless a valid exemption can be proven.