Experience the region's finest flavours 

Welcome to the Capricorn region, where the country meets the coast. Straddling the Tropic of Capricorn, this district stretches from the southern tip of the Great Barrier Reef through to Australia’s beef capital Rockhampton in the state’s centre. To call this produce-rich area diverse would be an understatement.  

Within arm’s reach of the country’s best beef, and most famous Reef, the Capricorn region is an expert when it comes to surf and turf. Savouring a taste of some of Australia’s best steak is a non-negotiable when visiting these parts – after all, Rockhampton has long been considered a cattle capital. There’s no shortage of carnivorous venues to explore, but The Great Western Hotel has firmly established itself as the town’s go-to restaurant for all things beef. Established in 1862, the steak-favouring space is an award-winning eatery and indoor rodeo in one.

But you’ll find so much more than steak on the menu when exploring your options for restaurants in Rockhampton, from Thai and Vietnamese offerings like Thai Tanee to contemporary Australian at Blue Heeler Restaurant and Bar. And as a thriving regional city, there are no end of watering holes either, with Rockhampton’s pub scene in full swing. Check out the Criterion Hotel on the corner of Quay and Fitzroy streets, a pub that’s firmly established itself as a local favourite since its establishment in 1857.  

Seafood is just as abundant in these parts, with mud crab and barramundi bountiful in Rockhampton’s Fitzroy River. Though the rest of the region is just as affluent in seafood— drop by the region’s premier beachside destination and take your pick of the top restaurants in Yeppoon where you’ll find Keppel Bay Marina with its myriad seafood-focused eateries that are rightly considered a town speciality. There are as many options for coffee as there are swimming in Yeppoon, with a variety of cafes lining its bustling, art-lined streets. Heading to the beach or back to your digs and looking for takeaway? Yeppoon doesn’t disappoint, with a wide range of options to ensure even the fussiest of eaters will have their work cut out for them deciding what to eat.