Mixing business and leisure in the beef capital

Written By: Alyssah Anderson

About the author:

Driven by a passion for the region, Alyssah is a Rockhampton local who works as a marketing and communications officer, sharing her storytelling skills to enhance the profile of our exciting destination. When not writing about the wonderful discoveries you will find when you Visit Capricorn, you will find Alyssah out and about exploring every opportunity to experience the best our region has to offer.

Business travel to Rockhampton is well and truly on the rise and if you’ve had your ear to the ground lately, you may have heard the new buzz word on our streets…Bleisure.

With an elusive blend between business and leisure, bleisure intertwines the notion of taking some time out between your gruelling business meetings to soak up the atmosphere, mingle with the friendly locals and make the most of your short trip to Rockvegas.

You’ve successfully closed that crucial business deal and ticked the box you came for, so why not add a layer of experience to your trip and step out to unwind, reflect and celebrate!

Sure, it’s a business trip, but that doesn’t mean you can’t experience some of the city’s best sights, groovy sounds and colourful scenery.

Yield a quick, fun adventure in the beef capital and take full advantage of all our city has to offer. From shopping, nightlife, history and a heady blend of urban meets country culture, it is certainly worth exploring what’s on offer.

We’ve put together a list of surefire necessities that will make your quick visit to Rockhampton unforgettable.

Getting around

After touching down at Rockhampton Airport, the best part of bleisuring in Rockhampton is that everything seems like a five-minute drive! From the airport to accommodation, shopping centres to local eateries and bars, travel is minimal, and everything is easily accessible.

Whether you are booking a car from the airport through Budget Car Rental or utilising the services of Yellow Cabs, getting around won’t be a hassle.

Where to stay

Excellent accommodation is right at your fingertips and there is a variety of options sprinkled throughout town.

You won’t be disappointed when you stay at Empire Apartment Hotel – Rockhampton’s newest and largest Apartment Hotel right in the heart of the CBD Riverfront Precinct. Empire’s 120 sophisticated guest rooms offer breathtaking panoramic views. Spaciously designed Studio Hotel Rooms, one and two-bedroom apartments deliver superior comfort and impressive furnishings coupled with luxury amenities and state-of-the-art technology. Only steps away from boutique shops, restaurants, the Rockhampton Art Gallery and Pilbeam Theatre.

Korte’s Resort is perfectly located on the Bruce Highway on the north side of Rockhampton. Set amongst luxurious tropical surrounds are 54 ground level resort rooms available for your business stay. Take advantage of the free resort facilities including a gym, 26 metre swimming pool, wi-fi, Foxtel and self-service laundries. The Oasis Restaurant on site is licensed and serves breakfast and lunch daily, boasting an a-la-carte menu in the evening. This state-of-the-art venue is the perfect choice – at the right price and airport transfers are available on request.

Also check out The Edge Apartment Hotel, Best Western The Stirling, Metro Motel, Mecure Rockhampton, and Rockhampton Riverside Central Hotel.

Eat, drink and hang with the locals

You will be sure to get a true flavour of our wonderful town when you hit our local watering holes and grab a brew with the friendly locals.

Keen to catch some sport or have a flutter on the pokies? Relax and unwind at the Frenchville Sports Club or Rockhampton Leagues Club. Both classed as premier community clubs, you will find dining options, entertainment and a comfortable, stress-free atmosphere.

For a casual outing with an over-riding friendly atmosphere, drop into Hogs Breath Café – the home of Hog’spitality! Specialising in 18-hour slow cooked prime rib steaks, you won’t be disappointed when you tantalise your taste buds with an unbelievably tender steak that melts in your mouth.

Thinking a pie, sausage roll or delectable pastry for breaky? Swing by the Artizan Gluten Free Bakery for tucker that is baked with integrity, quality and passion. As a 100% Gluten Free Bakery in the heart of Rockhampton, you know you are getting the freshest gluten free products as everything is baked on site with no wheat and no worries.

Set within one of Rockhampton’s most historical buildings, Riverston Tea Rooms is home to many tasty delights and a beautiful atmosphere, along with an array of antiques. When visiting Rockhampton, make some time to visit the town’s very first tea house and treat yourself to a tea or coffee, alongside a freshly baked cake or pastry (which are baked in house using local produce).

Feel like a good steak? Check out our blog on our 6 favourite places to grab a steak!

Make some memories

Got a bit more time between meetings? Rockhampton is full of exciting things to see, do and experience.

Take a trip out to the Capricorn Caves and clear your mind on a Cathedral Cave Tour. Capricorn Caves is the premier nature-based attraction in Central Queensland. Here you can explore spectacular caves set in a limestone ridge. These magnificent caves are located north of Rockhampton and are winners of many major tourism and environment awards. For a little more adventure, book a wild caving exploration or lift your heart rate with some abseiling, or try their new Fossil tour where you can travel back in time to discover the fossils of ancient creatures and see life size reconstructions of giant prehistoric beasts.

Bring out your inner child on your next business trip and roll over to Rocky Bowl and Leisure to rack up some strikes. From bowling to mini golf, laser tag to bumper cars, you will be sure to file your business thoughts away with a little fun! Open late seven days a week, Rocky Bowl and Leisure is a licensed venue full of entertainment.

Or perhaps you would prefer to finish your day by leaving any worries on the land and sailing into the sunset? As the sun sets and the city lights up, jump on board River Cruises CQ and take in the very best of Rockhampton upon the mighty Fitzroy River. On this one-hour cruise, your guide will show you the historic landmarks and fascinating wildlife, while you kick back aboard the 30ft pontoon boat, Fitzroy 1.

Try your luck at catching dinner with RISE Environmental and Guiding Services – a premium fishing charter connecting keen anglers to Barramundi, King Threadfin and Saratoga while taking in all of the native animals and plants that inhabit the expansive Fitzroy River Delta and Aussie Outback.

Stretch your legs

Looking for a relaxing stroll first thing in the morning or late on a sunny afternoon? Let the gentle Fitzroy river breezes refresh your senses as you wander the paved walkways, taking moments to sit and enjoy the views on your heritage walk. Along the way, turn your gaze to the road and see the iconic sandstone Customs House, revealing the Classic Revival period architecture which was all the rage in Rockhampton around the turn of the century. The walkway runs alongside the Rockhampton Central Business District so there is loads of fantastic cafes and great places to grab a coffee or bite to eat.

Not only does the scenic Mount Archer provide a beautiful backdrop to Rockhampton, it is also engrained with incised valleys, dry rainforests and fleeting glimpses of delightful forest inhabitants. With walks from 500 metres to 14 kilometres, you are invited to explore as little or as much as you like. Located at the summit is Nurim Circuit Elevated Boardwalk – a 500 metre walk with impressive views of the region. Not for the light-hearted, Pilbeam Drive is a five-kilometre one-way adventure providing fun and fitness.

Looking for a little more? Take a half hour drive to the spectacular Capricorn Coast and treat yourself a treasured trip to Great Keppel Island on the Southern Great Barrier Reef.

We know you check your work emails while on a family trip to the beach and we know that you often take one or two business calls at home, so why not reverse the roles and take the opportunity to add some leisure on your next business trip to Rockhampton?

With so many things to see and do, it doesn’t just have to be all work and no play. Make sure you add plenty of leisure to your next business trip to the beef capital.

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