Rockhampton Property Market Trends 4700 & City Highlights

Rockhampton is one of the most attractive regional centres in Australia. Rocky, as locals often and affectionally call it, seems to have that perfect balance between a thriving farming community and a medium-size city, with a lot of services and amenities that more remote farming regions may not enjoy. 

With such a balanced lifestyle, it’s no surprise that Rockhampton often attracts farmers and city dwellers alike. 

Check out how our mortgage brokers in Rockhampton can help you secure a property in the local market.

Other city highlights of Rocky are the sophisticated and well-preserved streetscapes. The area has vintage, beautiful colonial buildings, tree-lined streets, and the gentle Fitzroy river or Toonooba (in the local Darumbal language) to bring out the beauty of the city. This makes it the perfect area to consider building a home.

Property Trends in Rockhampton

Property trends* are ever-changing, and the same goes for Rockhampton. Back in 2018, the median price to buy a house was $432,754. This was based on 32 sales. The area has been increasing in demand and now has a median price of $500,000 from March 2022 to February 2023.

In this median price of $500,000, you could pick up a traditional four-bedroom, two-bathroom with a pool and be within a short distance of the city. It’s no wonder that professionals from big cities such as Brisbane or Sydney find the Rocky real estate market so attractive. 

If you’re not ready to buy just yet, rental property is also available, with an average median rent of $480 per week from March 2022 to February 2023.

Based on 5 years of sales, Rockhampton has seen a compound growth rate of 11.7% for units and 7.1% for houses.

General Information, background, history of Rocky

The Capricorn district is the traditional home of the Darumbal People. 

The English name Rockhampton comes from the combination of ‘rock’ since it is located where a rock barrier was by the Fitzroy River (Toonooba). The suffix ‘Hampton’ means a place that is near water. Put these two words together, and you get a name that means a ‘place near the rocks in the river!’

Rockhampton is located on the Tropic of Capricorn, 617 km north of Brisbane and 40km upstream from the mouth of the Fitzroy River. The city is noted for its amazing Queenslander architecture, especially in the Range and areas of Allenstown.

It is a large tourist destination for its rich culture and history, supporting institutions such as the Rockhampton Art Gallery, one of Australia’s most exclusive galleries. Rockhampton also has the Heritage Village and Dreamtime Cultural Centre.

Rockhampton is home to Rod Laver, one of the best tennis players in history. The city is served by the Rockhampton Airport and is a gateway for local tourist locations, including the Mount Archer National Park, Capricorn Caves, and other regional tourist areas such as Mount Morgan and Yeppoon. There are also island chains offshore, such as the Great Keppel Island, with scenery that cannot be matched.

As a medium-size town, Rocky enjoys a large number of public and private schools and is also the home of what is considered the largest hospital in Central Queensland. Having access to these kinds of services can bring peace of mind to local families who don’t need to travel far. 

Farming activities in Rockhampton

Rockhampton is famously known as a cattle county – and there are good reasons for it! It is the official stud capital of Australia, with 3 million head of cattle who reside in the region.

Some farms are open to the public. 

Farming activities are a unique and fun way to experience what it’s like to have and live on a farm. This is a great way to see if you’re ready to have a farm of your own and the responsibilities that come with the farm. Whether you want to interact with the animals, see how produce is grown, or just want to see the ins and outs of a farm, Rockhampton has what you need.

High Valley Dawn Permaculture Farm in Yeppoon

This is a self-sufficient community with an education centre that showcases a wide range of farming practices. The farm has a market garden and food forest, with pumps, bores, gravity-fed irrigation systems, and solar-powered facilities.

The farm owners want to fuel positive change with their ethical farming practices. They offer tours for all ages every Sunday at 9 am. You can also stay and work on the farm as a volunteer.

Henderson Park Farm Retreat in Barmoya

This farm is a commercial cow property that offers private cabins. The owners are passionate about providing their guests with the farm beauty and experience they have every day. You can experience beautiful moments as you explore the farm.

You will get to see the realities of the Australian beef cattle industry, the lifestyle that comes with it, and everything else. Activities offered on the farm are guided educational property tours, swimming, birdwatching, bushwalking, and canoeing. The farm caters to wheelchairs and pets and can accommodate couples, families, and groups.  

Things to do in Rockhampton

Rockhampton is not just for aspiring farmers or those who love the farm life. The region has much to offer you, from photo opportunities along the sceneries to grabbing a hearty meal at a renowned hotel.

Here are some of the things you can do when you’re in Rockhampton:

• Visit the rock pools in Blackdown Tableland National Park. Rockhampton comes through with natural beauty, with many national parks to explore. Blackdown Tableland is a favourite and is 2 hours away from the centre of town. The park has scenic lookouts, waterfalls, gorges, and Indigenous rock art. You can follow the 2km path to find the rock pools.
• Fishing on the Fitzroy River. This river is famous for barramundi and is one of the best spots to catch the best fish. You can join the recreational fishermen who cast a line close to town or rent a boat to head out on your own.
• Look at art. Rockhampton’s art is not only limited to the cow statues. You can visit the finest art gallery, Rockhampton Museum of Art, which is found in the heart of the Riverside Precinct. It has a collection of artworks from various creatives.
• Visit some gardens. The Rockhampton Botanic Gardens is a 130-year-old oasis that is still breathtaking. It is considered to be one of the best gardens in the country. You can plan to picnic here and lounge in the tropical sunshine. If you want to go to a garden with a playground for the little ones, you should visit Kershaw Gardens.
• Visit the Capricorn Caves. This is a leading natural attraction and is north of Rockhampton. Walking through these caves, you would see the beautiful formations and a blossoming bat population that lives among them. You can choose to be adventurous and abseil. 

What is the population of Rockhampton

The discovery of gold at Canoona in 1858 led to a sudden increase of people and miners in hopes of getting gold. While this rush was short-lived, it showed a significant increase in the Rockhampton population at the time.

The city has seen steady population growth since the 1930s. There was a decline between 1996 and 2001, but Rockhampton effortlessly bounced back and experienced increasing numbers from 2006.

This is because of the favourable weather, activities, retail therapy, natural attractions, and business opportunities. This ensures that the city is likely to continue to see growth.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the population of Rockhampton was 79,987 in June 2021, making it the 4th largest city outside South East Queensland. 

How far is Rockhampton from Brisbane

If you’re planning to travel from Rockhampton, here are the distances between other cities you might visit:

• Brisbane- 635,8 km (approximately 7 hours and 32 minutes driving time)
• Yeppoon-40,6 km (about 33 minutes driving time)
• Mackay- 336 km (approximately 3 hours and 41 minutes driving time)
• Gladstone- 107,8 km (approximately 1 hour and 14 minutes driving time)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Rockhampton a nice place to live?

Yes. Rockhampton has various career and lifestyle opportunities and is loaded with lots of diversity. The city has a family-friendly environment with a thriving economy. The city provides a good anchor to call your home. 

Why is Rockhampton a popular tourist destination?

Rockhampton is best known for the statues of cows along the streets and the welcome-to-the-city roundabout. The city definitely makes it known that you are in the Beef Capital of Australia! Apart from this, the city provides breathtaking spots to visit and favourable properties to rent/buy.