 The locals are friendly, the beer is cold and there are rambunctious bulls to ride at the Great Western Hotel.  Midway down the historic and heritage listed Quay Street, the Customs House dates from 1901. Straddle the imaginary Topic of Capricorn which ‘slices’ through the Capricorn Tourist Information Centre. (Above right) |
You’ll never be the same if you take up a rocking and rolling challenge made in Rockhampton, the acknowledged ‘Beef Cattle Capital of Australia’ and the uncrowned elder ‘statesman’ of central Queensland.
The Great Western Hotel - one of the few pubs in Australia with an indoor rodeo area - is the setting while the star is you if you are either courageous or foolhardy enough to climb on the back of an unrestrained Big Mac!
Set smack in the middle of 68,000-strong Rockhampton, an elegant city fringing the state’s sun-splashed Capricorn Coast and set on the  imaginary Tropic of Capricorn, the Great Western offers bull riding in its own backyard bullring.
The 3000 seat undercover venue that draws champion riders from all over Australia and the occasional visitor is the dirt carpeted location for rousing competitions. Organised once or twice a month these bucking bouts separate cowboys from wannabes. (During other times the Great Western is a lively country pub with lots of character … and characters.)
An illustrated feature on Rockhampton can be written on assignment from 1000 to 2000 words depending upon editorial requirements. A ‘sidebar’ on the golf scene in Rockhampton can also be provided.
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