Eat Local in Rockhampton

ENJOY PADDOCK TO PLATE AT YOUR FINGERTIPS

From picking up local produce for an afternoon picnic with killer views and epic sunsets to selecting your favourite catch or slice of meat for a swanky Sunday BBQ, Rockhampton isn't short of farmers markets, seafood pop-ups, award winning butchers and boutique bakeries.

Read on for our tips on how to best taste Rockhampton while supporting local, shopping local and eating local.

THE PERFECT PICNIC PLATTER

Platter Queen or not, Rockhampton's weekly farmers markets and independent boutique local produce shops are perfect for all of your favourite platter items. 

FOR THE LOVE OF CHEESE

Archer Cottage Cheese have created a community of fellow cheese lovers who are simply obsessed with cheese. Let our favourite cheese and cured meat monger prepare the perfect platter for you with delicious local and imported cheeses, charcuterie, French butter, fresh baguettes and all of the delicious accoutrements to pair with your martini or champagne (or both)!  These provedore goods are available for pick or delivery to your hotel.

FARMERS MARKETS & LOCAL PRODUCE

On Sundays the cinema carpark at Stockland Shopping Centre is transformed into a buzzing farmers market with Rocky Sunday Markets offering local and organic produce including farm fresh fruit and veg, locally made sweets, and chutneys and preserves. Located next door to the race course, Doblo's Farmers Market is open 7 days a week and has everything from your fresh fruit and veg to local meat and an onsite nursery and florist. Located within the Parkhurst Shopping Centre, Berry Good Produce also have a fantastic range of locally sourced fruit and veg as well as stock a great range of cheeses, dips and figs. On the other side of town, you'll find Coffee Kickn, a coffee van serving up great coffee but also their own home grown produce like fresh organic local raw honey.

For a no hassle delicious ready to go picnic platter, get in touch with Gardens Tearooms for a platter box to go, pick up your favourite drop and head to one of our top spots to catch our spectacular sunsets.

Rockhampton also plays host to monthly events like Bush to Bay that bring local handcrafters, retailers and food producers together so be sure to get along to that if you're in town at the same time.

I SCREAM, YOU SCREAM, WE ALL SCREAM FOR SEAFOOD

Home to the Fitzroy River and gateway to the Southern Great Barrier Reef,  you'll find yourself surrounded by fresh fish markets and pop up seafood deli's in and around Rockhampton. 

SEAFOOD MARKETS

For fresh seafood in Rockhampton, visit Glenmore Seafood and select your catch from their delicious range of fresh fish and shellfish caught along the Central Queensland coastline. Venture further towards the Capricorn Coast and visit Rosslyn Bay Fisherman's Market for all of your favourites, sourced locally of course like Stanage Bay and Fitzroy mud crabs, Keppel Bay scallops and bugs and Keppel Island oysters.

POP UP AND KO-OP 

If you're looking for something quick to tempt the taste buds like a fresh mud crab sandwich, seafood chowder or traditional fish and chips to eat by the river, we've got that too. 

Head to Mummas Fish 'N' Chips in Rockhampton, a family owned Rockhampton cafe. With locally sourced fresh local fish, you know your lunch is going to be delish!

Found around the region at locations like the Rockhampton Jockey Club and Coorooman Creek on the Capricorn Coast, Pompano is a funky as pop-up seafood deli with with a mission to open your mind to the versatility of seafood through a changing weekly menu. Pull up a chair outside of their food truck and indulge in items like prawn rolls, crab muffins and fish stroganoff.

For a relaxed atmosphere and great vibes head to Keppel Sands Ko-Op, an exciting community initiative with a delicious cafe restaurant menu. Here you'll find events like Prawns On the Lawn with live jazz - best of all, its pet friendly!

 

FOR THE CARNIVORES

Even though we're known as the Beef Capital of Australia, we have more than just great lookin' steaks available. Whether you're wanting to stock up for the next leg of your road trip or looking for something throw on the BBQ, the local butchers around town do not disappoint.

Boodles Meats, Richo's Quality Meats, Wayne's World of Meats, Kev Brown's Butcher,  Frenchville Quality Meats and Allenstown Square Meats are all favourites amongst the locals and have all of your favourites from BBQ pork ribs to New York Ribeyes. 

AWARD WINNING

For award winning sausages, a visit to the 'sausage king' is a must. Head to Parkhurst Quality Meats and give their traditional yet delicious beef sausages a go or try something a little different like Chinese dumpling duck sausages. 

Looking for award winning steaks at affordable prices? Look no further than Dawson Road Butchery. They have a fantastic range of meat packs, platters and meat trays, perfect if you need to stock up.

BOUTIQUE BAKERIES

Is there really anything better than a loaf of fresh hot bread or good ol' country pie for lunch? We didn't think so either.

There's a number of boutique bakeries across town supplying the locals with delicious bakery goods. In Mount Morgan, head to the Mount Morgan Hot Bread Shop and in Rockhampton Dean Street Bakery, Wandal Hot Bread Shop, Gracemere Bakery and Walker's Hot Bread Shop have everything from fresh breads to locally produced preserves.  

TRAVELLING WITH DIETARIES? FEAR NOT!

If you're gluten and or dairy intolerant, all of your bakery dreams are about to come true. Locally owned and operated Artizan Gluten Free Bakery pride themselves on supplying the best fresh gluten free and dairy free products without fear of contamination. In addition to their bakery cabinet full of freshly made slices, cakes and sausage rolls, they also have a freezer of home made family pies and pizza bases ready to take away.

 

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Written by Explore Rockhampton
@explorerockhampton