ROCKHAMPTON Rockhampton is the really first major centre when traveling north. The big four being, Rocky, Mackay, Townsville and Cairns. All substantial centres of commerce and all very different. Rockhampton is an old city that grew fast in the early days before Rail. Rocky was a shipping/river city. And owes its early growth to shipping and trade. A stroll on the river front is testimony to what must have been a magic era for this city. You can sense and feel the vibrancy. The Customs House in itself is a remarkable building and now well over 100 years old. The buildings to Rockhampton's credit are heritage protected. The Catholic Church is another real class act. And also the Criterion Hotel, which is old and protected, but inside has one of the best collections of memorabilia yet encountered. It is all there. The photo from the Gallipoli campaign being the writer’s favorite. The European history of the area began in 1853, when the area that would become Rockhampton was visited by the Archer brothers Charles and William, who were seeking grazing lands. They were acting on information from earlier expeditions by Ludwig Leichhardt and Thomas Mitchell, who had explored the area in 1844 and 1846 and noted suitable land for grazing then. Rockhampton's fortunes were assured with the discovery of gold, in this case at Canoona to the north. Later, the significant gold deposit at Mount Morgan to the southwest was discovered, and Rockhampton became a service town for the local area. To this day Rockhampton continues to service the mining Industry. The Gardens The Churches The Museums The Hotels The Buildings And the War Memorials are all worth your closest attention. Allow up to a week to delight in this great city. Heritage diary