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Rockhampton school holidays: what to do with the kids

The summer break is the long one, and a Rockhampton summer means heat, humidity and the odd storm. Water play and shade in the morning, somewhere indoors and air conditioned by early afternoon, and a plan B for the wet days.

Holiday programs and events

Dated events running during the break. Always confirm with the organiser before you drive over.

🕯️ Christmas in the Caves carols concert, Capricorn Caves
The Caves · Sat 19 Dec 7pm and Sun 20 Dec 5pm, about 90 minutes plus interval · Ticketed, prices on the booking page
☕ 90m to coffee

🎄 Everything on for Christmas around Rockhampton: pageants, carols, Santa photos and lights.

Water play, for the hot days

Splash pads, pumps and creeks. Free, and the most reliable way to make a hot day work.

🛝 Cedric Archer Park water play and Smart Play Fort, Gracemere
Gracemere · Park open all day; water play 9am to 8pm daily · Free
FreeToiletsShadeParkingBBQPicnic area☕ 890m to coffee
🛝 Kershaw Gardens playground and water play, Rockhampton
Park Avenue · Open all day; water play 7:30am to 7:30pm daily · Free
FreeToiletsShadeParkingBBQPicnic area☕ 900m to coffee
🛝 Fitzroy Adventure Playground and Riverside pop jets, Rockhampton
Rockhampton City · Open all day; pop jets water play 7:30am to midnight daily · Free
FreeToiletsShadeBBQPicnic areaWater play☕ 400m to coffee
🛝 Keppel Kraken water play, Yeppoon foreshore
Yeppoon · Summer (Sep to Apr) 7:30am to 8pm; closed Tuesdays except school holidays · Free
FreeWater play☕ 590m to coffee
🎡 Yeppoon Lagoon (free patrolled swimming lagoon)
Yeppoon · Summer (Sep to Apr) daily 5am to 9pm; winter 6am to 6pm · Free entry, paid parking nearby
FreeShadeBBQPicnic areaWater play☕ 590m to coffee

Playgrounds with real shade

An unshaded playground is unusable from mid morning in summer. These have shade sails or mature trees over the equipment.

🛝 Cedric Archer Park water play and Smart Play Fort, Gracemere
Gracemere · Park open all day; water play 9am to 8pm daily · Free
FreeToiletsShadeParkingBBQPicnic area☕ 890m to coffee
🛝 Kershaw Gardens playground and water play, Rockhampton
Park Avenue · Open all day; water play 7:30am to 7:30pm daily · Free
FreeToiletsShadeParkingBBQPicnic area☕ 900m to coffee
🛝 Fitzroy Adventure Playground and Riverside pop jets, Rockhampton
Rockhampton City · Open all day; pop jets water play 7:30am to midnight daily · Free
FreeToiletsShadeBBQPicnic areaWater play☕ 400m to coffee
🛝 Dinosaur Park (Alf Kele Memorial Park), Rockhampton
Wandal · Open all day · Free
FreeToiletsShadeBBQPicnic areaSkate park☕ 320m to coffee

Indoors, for the wet days and the hottest ones

Air conditioning and somewhere to burn energy. Play centres are spread across the suburbs, and the free museums and libraries are the cheapest cool room in town.

🎡 Rockhampton Museum of Art
Rockhampton City · Daily 9am to 4pm, closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day and Good Friday · Free
FreeCoffee nearby☕ 220m to coffee
🎡 Rockhampton Zoo (free entry)
The Range · Daily 9am to 4:15pm, closed Christmas Day · Free
FreeToiletsParkingCoffee nearbyPicnic areaChange table☕ 120m to coffee
🎡 Yeppoon Lagoon (free patrolled swimming lagoon)
Yeppoon · Summer (Sep to Apr) daily 5am to 9pm; winter 6am to 6pm · Free entry, paid parking nearby
FreeShadeBBQPicnic areaWater play☕ 590m to coffee

Big days out

When you need one proper outing to break the week up. Book ahead for the ticketed ones.

🎡 Rockhampton Heritage Village
Parkhurst · Daily 9am to 3pm, except public holidays and special event days · Entry fee applies, see the website
Parking☕ 80m to coffee
🎡 Archer Park Rail Museum and Purrey steam tram, Rockhampton
Rockhampton City · Mon to Thu 10am to 3pm, Sun 9am to 1pm. Closed 1pm Wed 23 Dec to 10am Mon 4 Jan, and public holidays · Adults $10, kids 3 to 14 $6, family (2+2) $30, extra child $4.50
Parking☕ 500m to coffee
🎡 Rockhampton Museum of Art
Rockhampton City · Daily 9am to 4pm, closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day and Good Friday · Free
FreeCoffee nearby☕ 220m to coffee
🎡 Capricorn Caves tours
The Caves · Daily guided tours, times vary by day, book online · Paid tours, prices on the booking page; online is cheaper than at the kiosk
☕ 90m to coffee
🎡 Rockhampton Zoo (free entry)
The Range · Daily 9am to 4:15pm, closed Christmas Day · Free
FreeToiletsParkingCoffee nearbyPicnic areaChange table☕ 120m to coffee
🎡 Yeppoon Lagoon (free patrolled swimming lagoon)
Yeppoon · Summer (Sep to Apr) daily 5am to 9pm; winter 6am to 6pm · Free entry, paid parking nearby
FreeShadeBBQPicnic areaWater play☕ 590m to coffee

More ways to choose

💸 Free things to do🎡 Everything on this week

Common questions

When are the Rockhampton school holidays?
The summer school holidays run Sat 12 December to Tue 26 January 2027. The autumn school holidays run Fri 26 March to Sun 11 April 2027. The winter school holidays run Sat 26 June to Sun 11 July 2027. The spring school holidays run Sat 18 September to Mon 4 October 2027. These are Queensland government school dates. Catholic and independent schools set their own, and government schools add their own pupil free days, so check with your school.
What is there to do in the Rockhampton school holidays that is free?
A great deal. Every council playground is free, as are the water play areas, the library holiday programs and most of the community events on the what's on page.
What can you do with kids in Rockhampton when it is raining?
Indoor play centres, the free museums and galleries, the library, and the indoor pools. On a warm wet day a splash pad still works: they are already wet.