Accessible travel guide to Rockhampton and the Capricorn Coast

Looking for a taste of the tropics, or a taste of the beef capital? Central Queensland is calling.

Everyone deserves a break, and Rockhampton has made serious strides over the years in improving accessibility, ensuring hotels, tourist sites and dining options cater to travellers of all abilities. 

Whether you’re here for a weekend or a while, this accessible guide to Rockhampton and the Capricorn Coast will show you the easiest ways to experience the region's biggest attractions, natural wonders and hidden gems.

Stay

Accessible accommodation in Rockhampton

Basing yourself in Rocky? Empire Apartment Hotel redefines the travel experience for guests requiring extra accessibility and assistance, down to the smallest details. The self-contained apartments were purpose-built with wider doorways, lower kitchen benches, open plan bathrooms, and spacious balconies that overlook the river or city and pool deck. There’s four designated accessible car parks directly adjacent to accessible lifts fitted with audience alerts and braille buttons; as well as wheelchair access to the rooftop pool, gym and all three restaurants.

Escape to a tropical oasis at Korte’s Resort, where four spacious ground-floor resort rooms have been designed especially for wheelchairs and mobility scooters. Expect disability friendly bathrooms with a roll-in shower, chiropractor-approved beds, wheelchair-accessible paths throughout the venue, and access to the pool and on-site restaurant.

Accessible accommodation in Yeppoon and the Capricorn Coast

Gaze out over shimmering Rosslyn Bay and Great Keppel Island from Salt Apartments in Yeppoon, based right on Main Beach. In the heart of town, you’ll find beachside activities, the pedestrian boulevard, kid’s water park and lagoon right on your doorstep. These luxury apartments are rivalled only by the ocean views at nearby Oshen Apartments, which also offers a range of disability access rooms.

A little further south, nestled between Yeppoon and popular beach spot Lammermoor is the affordable Coast Motel.

If you’re looking for a destination to curl up in, Rosslyn Bay Resort can’t be beat. Spend your days soaking up sun by the shores of Kemp Beach, relaxing in the accessible holiday units and kicking back in the accessible swimming pool and manicured gardens. You’ll also have easy access to Beaches Restaurant. It’s just steps from the sand, but Beaches' food philosophy is even more impressive that the views. Focused on community education and fresh, picked daily produce; ingredients are sourced from their own organic permaculture farm, while meat and seafood is locally, ethically and sustainably sourced.

Play: accessible activities in Rockhampton & Capricorn Coast

Explore deep underground

Venturing beneath the surface and into a tropical limestone cave network is another accessible adventure in Rockhampton. Welcome to Capricorn Caves, one of the region’s biggest attractions. Take a tour with experienced guides through large, well-lit caverns covered in rare ferns and tree roots, as you learn about how the caves formed over millions of years. Accessible walkways and ramps allow visitors with mobility restrictions to experience the breathtaking acoustics in Cathedral Cave on a 45-minute tour that departs regularly throughout the day (pre-booking tickets is recommended).

Hit the trails

There’s plenty of wheelchair accessible walking trails in Queensland’s national parks, but few offer the huge views of Mount Archer, on the north-eastern outskirts of Rockhampton. The park is accessible via two sealed road entrances, and there’s a 500metre long wheelchair accessible circuit that will lead you past two breathtaking lookouts. Make an afternoon of it, with accessible facilities and picnic tables provided.

Over on the coast, there are plenty of all-access trails that give a front row seat to the best ocean views. Soak up 360-degree views of the Capricorn Coast and Keppel Bay at Wreck Point Lookout in Cooee Bay. There are wheelchair friendly pathways, along with a disabled car parking space right beside the lookout, and Wreck Point‘s level cement platform makes it perfect for anyone with a mobility device.

Follow the timeline of World War One’s major battles along the reflective memorial boardwalk; Centenary of ANZAC Memorial Walk at Emu Park. Nearby, the Singing Ship monument is set against a spectacular coastal vista, so stay a while and listen to the sounds the breeze creates in its concealed organ pipes. There’s also the expansive Capricorn Coast shared pathway, which has created recreational opportunities for cyclists, tourists and pedestrians travelling along the Scenic Highway.

Take a dip 

An infinity pool with Keppel Island views? No need to spend big on a luxury hotel; the Yeppoon Lagoon is the jewel in the crown of Yeppoon's foreshore precinct. This 2500 square-metre resort style lagoon pool has an enviable beachfront location, with a shallow children’s play area, informal lap swimming area and a swim-up infinity edge. And there’s an aquatic wheelchair on hand, allowing everyone to enjoy the freedom of water. Perfect for picnics, the fully accessible parklands include BBQs, an all-abilities playground and plenty of shady spots to spend the day. Entry to the Lagoon is free and is patrolled by lifeguards seven days a week.

Want to clock up some beach time? Emu Park Main Beach offers 24/7 accessible beach matting all the way to the hard sand, wide footpaths, and a Sandcruiser beach wheelchair available for free hire. There's also accessible bathroom, shower, change room to make beach visits stress-free - and a cafe at the surf club when you need a break from the sun and a bite to eat. 

If you’re in Rockhampton, cool off at South Rocky Pool. It’s regarded as one of the best regional aquatic venues in Australia, and features disabled amenities and ramp access.

Have a wild encounter

Get up close and personal with koalas, kangaroos, crocodiles, snakes and lizards at Cooberrie Park Wildlife Sanctuary. Under 30 minutes from Rockhampton and 15 minutes from Yeppoon, Cooberrie Park offers disabled access, ensuring a fun-filled day for all ages and abilities. There’s a downloadable illustrated map on their website that’s helpful for kids who like to be prepared, and you can book private encounters with wildlife too.

If that’s not enough time with the crocs, make your way to Koorana Crocodile Farm; a commercially operated farm and restaurant. Take a guided tour; as most of the farm is wheelchair accessible.

Get arty

Queensland's largest regional art space, Rockhampton Museum of Art offers an exciting program of exhibitions, workshops, talks and more - with something for all ages and abilities. 

The museum is equipped for wheelchairs, mobility scooters and devices thanks to wide, level pathways, ramps and lift access. Wheelchairs can also be borrowed from reception (it's best to book this ahead of time), and there are accessible all-gender bathrooms and parents facilities too. Families should check out the museum's Messy Mondays and school holidays activities for hands-on, creative classes for kids.

A hearing loop system is installed in Rockhampton Museum of Art to assist those using hearing aids. 

Take a sunset cruise

One of the best ways to enjoy an afternoon in Rockhampton is on a sunset cruise along the Fitzroy River. River Cruises CQ is your way to see the sights, from the town's heritage-listed buildings to local wildlife - sundowner and nibbles in hand. 

Then vessel offers disabled access, and it's recommended to call before booking to ensure the tour is right for you. 

Eat & Drink

Soak up panoramic waterfront views from Rockhampton’s revitalised riverfront precinct when you dine at Boathouse. Fresh local catch and regional produce is the focus of the menu, if you can pull your eyes away from the Fitzroy River location long enough to peruse it.

Dine beneath the chandeliers or people-watch from the verandah at Riverston Tea Rooms. Offering great disability access, it’s open for breakfast, lunch and private functions. And if you have a sweet tooth: all goodies are baked onsite by the patisserie chef. Still got room left? Make tracks for tranquil Rockhampton Botanic Gardens where you can graze on high tea, Devonshire tea and platters at Gardens Tea Room.

The Capricorn Coast takes waterfront dining to the next level, with the area’s most awarded restaurants catering to customers with accessibility needs. The name says it all at The Waterline Restaurant in Rosslyn Bay. Perched on the edge of Keppel Bay Marina, it showcases local Banana Station beef, seafood and produce, creating fans among locals and tourists (and judges too; winning the 2018 Queensland Tourism Restaurant of the Year). Nearby, The Spinnaker’s beachfront location, kid’s playground, indoor and outdoor seating make it the perfect spot for a family meal.

Prefer an intimate wine bar? Yeppoon’s cosy and contemporary Vue Wine Bar and Restaurant is our pick; and you’ll be taking your pick of seared scallops on pork belly, local seafood platters, and twice cooked duck leg, with everything chef-made in house. Call ahead to reserve an accessible space that suits your needs. 

Where to next? Discover these things to do around Queensland.