An art-lover’s guide to Rocky

Where to eat, drink and stay on a weekend away.

EAT AND DRINK

For a pre-museum caffeine fix, Rockhampton Museum of Art’s Bianca Acimovic recommends Coffee Society (126 East Street; 0408 335 908). “You have to line up but it’s worth it.” Come lunchtime, grab a double cheeseburger with two 110-gram patties of prime local beef from hometown favourite Take Eat Easy Burgers (143 Musgrave Street; 0426 865 875) and devour it by the river. Around the corner from the Museum of Art, in a century-old building with a graceful cast-iron verandah, the Heritage Hotel Rockhampton (228 Quay Street; 07 4927 6996) serves up 300-gram rump steaks and oysters by the half dozen.

STAY

Empire Apartment Hotel (empire rockhampton.com.au) is a 4.5-star riverside property a five-minute stroll from the museum. All 115 self-contained apartments and suites have balconies (the three-bedroom penthouse on the 12th floor has views of the Fitzroy River and Mount Archer) and there’s an outdoor pool pavilion, fitness centre and three dining venues. For a fresh take on dinner, book a river fishing charter, hook a barra or king threadfin then bring it back to the hotel, where a chef will cook it up in your apartment.

GETTING THERE

Rockhampton Airport, located just five kilometres from the CBD, is the most convenient point to kick off your Central Queensland arts adventure. Qantas flies direct to Rockhampton Airport (ROK). Search and book flights at qantas.com. Start planning your visit to the Rockhampton region by scanning the QR code below.