Beefy Rockhampton city

Rockhampton proudly declares itself the 'Beef Cattle Capital of Australia'.

And you won't easily forget the city's wealth is largely based on the cattle industry. At both ends of town visitors are greeted by large sculptures of the region's prized bull breeds on the median strip with another reminder atop the local shopping complex.

Around Rockhampton, more than three million cattle roam among the gum trees, and at local pubs, steak sandwiches and barbecued snags are a local speciality.

In the centre of town, the famous Great Western Hotel offers bull riding in its own backyard bullring. The huge 3000-seat undercover rodeo draws champion riders from all over Australia and plays host to national competitions and rodeos almost every weekend.

Visitors to the region can also enjoy an authentic taste of outback life on any number of cattle stations and host farms. Rodeos, camp drafts and mustering are all a part of life in the Capricorn region.

For slightly more sedate pursuits, just 40 kilometres east of Rocky is Yeppoon, a peaceful holiday resort surrounded by attractive beaches and great swimming. It's also an easy access point for the Keppel Islands, another unspoiled paradise. Great Keppel Island, just north of the Tropic of Capricorn is the largest of the Keppel islands. Mostly natural bushland it boasts 28 kilometres of beaches, small secluded bays and a wealth of activities for the active - from sailing, diving and surfing to horse riding and bushwalking.