Why Capricorn Coast
Why Capricorn Coast
What makes the Capricorn Coast unique?
This vibrant community, which boasts an assortment of urban life, leafy suburbs, country acreage and quaint seaside villages, offers a warm and friendly vibe with a multitude of opportunities for a diverse selection of neighbours.
Whether you plan to spend your weekends visiting stretches of beautiful beaches, exploring crowd-free islands, national parks and stunning natural landscapes, or farmers markets, colourful streetscapes and world-class, unique attractions, the Capricorn Coast and Rockhampton region offers an inclusive and safe community where businesses, residents and their families can enjoy superior services.
Our dynamic way of life on the Capricorn Coast or in the hinterland appreciates a passion for homegrown, sustainable, and community-orientated innovation.
For more information on things to do and see, read the Yeppoon & Capricorn Coast Insider's Guide.
Locations
Townships along the Capricorn Coast are surrounded by beautiful stretches of coastline where warm waters lap the sands of secluded beaches.
Stretching 95km from Stanage Bay to the mouth of the Fitzroy River, the coast is speckled with small townships, beautiful beaches, fantastic fishing and much more. The coastal life would not be complete without the amazing Keppel Bay Islands, just 30 minutes off the coast of Yeppoon. Snorkel, trek and dive your way around the islands and explore what the Capricorn Coast has to offer. For dramatically coloured reef, Queensland’s most northerly surf beaches and an affordable, rejuvenating coastal lifestyle, you just can’t miss the Capricorn Coast.
Rockhampton is the business hub of the Capricorn region and is both a gateway to the Queensland Outback and within a stone’s throw of some of Australia’s most unspoiled beaches. Situated on the banks of the mighty Fitzroy River, Rockhampton is renowned for its elegant streetscapes with majestic sandstone buildings. The iconic life-sized bull statues represent the country roots of Rockhampton and its status as the ‘Beef Capital of Australia’. Rockhampton is the best of both city and country life, offering authentic and easy-going country hospitality, as well as city-standard shopping, dining and a wide range of entertainment options.
Based on the Tropic of Capricorn, the sub‐tropical climate provides abundant clear skies, with annual average temperatures of 18.7 to 25.9 degrees Celsius on the coast and 16.8 to 28.5 degrees in the hinterland. Rainfall ranges from 815mm annually inland to 967mm on the coast.
Population
Ideally positioned between the mining and agricultural growth of the Central Highlands and the world‐famous Southern Great Barrier Reef, the region offers a diversity of experiences, opportunities and events, with a resident population of around 123,000 and over 2,100,000 visitors per annum (2021).
Families
A snapshot of the Capricorn Coast and Rockhampton region shows a diverse range of household types from one family to multiple family, group and lone person households. One family household continue to make up the majority of households (69.8%) and couple families with children are the dominant family type. There are many opportunities for sporting, recreational and leisure activities for families across the region with development in culture, community and identity supporting economic growth.
Population projections to 2046 paint a strong future across the region with the Queensland Government Statistician’s Office forecasting that the region is projected to grow at an average annual rate of 1.0%.
Opportunities for property owners, investors, the building industry, businesses and families have been further enhanced by major infrastructure projects underway. These are scheduled to commence or proposed for future development, making the Capricorn Coast and Rockhampton region a great place to live, work, play and invest.
Learn more about Real EstateEmployment opportunities
Prior to the impacts of COVID-19, unemployment rates across Central Queensland were steady. Industry diversity, with strong employment in health and education, agriculture and mining as well as retail and construction, ensures that the region presents a strong and sustainable foundation for nationally significant developments. Visit Work in Central Queensland to find the latest job opportunities.
The wider Capricorn Coast and Rockhampton region has a total labour force of 67,921 persons with an annual growth rate of 2.0%, but an unemployment rate of 3.5% as at March 2023.
Learn more about employment
Unemployment rates were lower on the Capricorn Coast (3.0%) although more businesses were registered in Rockhampton (5,483). The suburb of Glenlee – Rockyview had the lowest unemployment rate across the region (1.2%).
Infrastructure projects
Infrastructure projects valued at more than $4 billion are generating unprecedented opportunities for regional business and local workforce across the region encompassing Livingstone and Rockhampton Council areas. Local industry participation commitments (ranging from 65% up to 80% local content) on many of these projects have been made.
Major investment is also occurring in Central Queensland in the areas of coal, energy, mineral, port, rail, community, education and tourism. This region has become one Australia’s economic powerhouses and the Capricorn Region is the service centre hub, positioned at the heart of major industry and residential growth.
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Transport
The Capricorn Coast and Rockhampton region is highly accessible through airport, road and rail infrastructure ensuring that business is able to access human and other resources easily. Connectivity with local, regional, national and global interests has never been easier and being based in a liveable and highly-connected community benefits the workforce.
Local connections also support environmentally friendly communities with bike trails and walkable areas.
Air
Rockhampton Airport is the major air transport facility servicing the region. Rockhampton Airport is used by both domestic and international airlines including Qantas and Virgin Australia using a mix of wide-bodied aircraft including the B747 to B777 and A340 types. Travel time to Brisbane is approximately 1 hour.
International Capacity
The Airport runway is able to accommodate unrestricted wide-bodied operations. The airport is also equipped with the security, baggage handling and customs facilities that are required for international arrivals without the need for any new technology or further major investment.
International visitations include:
- B747 Jumbo (Air NZ, Qantas)
- B77 (Singapore Airlines)
- AN-124 (VDA)
- A330 (Air Luxor)
- MD-11 (Fedex)
- B757 (ATA)
Military Capacity
Rockhampton Airport accepts international and military flights annually as part of exercises at Shoalwater Bay, such as the Singapore Armed Forces Exercise Wallaby, the New Zealand Defence Force and joint Australian and US military training exercise, Talisman Sabre.
Rail
Rail commuter travel to the region is via the main south/north rail line servicing Queensland between the state capital Brisbane and Cairns. Queensland Rail’s Traveltrain operates train services daily to Rockhampton from Brisbane and Cairns and west to Longreach. Services include the high speed ‘Tilt-Train’, ‘The Sunlander’ and ‘Spirit of the Outback’.
Road
Rockhampton is at the crossroads of two major highways servicing Queensland’s north/south corridors (National Highway No 1 – Bruce Highway) and the east/west corridor (Capricorn Highway).
Major highways link the region with all parts of Queensland and the Southern States, including:
- Pacific Coast Touring Route (Bruce Highway, A1)
- Capricorn Highway (A4)
- Leichhardt Highway (A5)
- Great Inland Way (A7)
- Australia’s Country Way
Marine
Located just north of the Tropic of Capricorn, the Keppel Bay Marina offers a safe all‐weather harbour, with wide channels and up to 500 widely spaced floating berths. Keppel Bay Marina is the gateway to the 17 magnificent Keppel Islands, catering for vessels up to 35 metres in length. The marina also has access to bus connections to Yeppoon and Rockhampton, including the airport and Traveltrain station.
Keppel Bay Marina moors a number of privately owned recreational boats and provides service of charter boats to the nearby Keppel Islands.