Living in Rockhampton – or affectionately known as “Rocky” – is the perfect choice for those who like being a part of a community in a big country town.
Regardless of whether you are a recently qualified doctor or have many years of experience already under your belt, sometimes we all just crave a sea change to spice things up. The good news is that building a life in Rockhampton is well within reach – but exactly why would you want to?
It’s no secret that Queensland is experiencing an interstate migration boom. The global pandemic has changed the way we work, live and play, and when compared to our southern neighbours, Queenslanders have had it relatively lax in terms of lockdowns and social distancing restrictions. Interestingly, Brisbane’s biggest employer is the healthcare industry, with over 12.5% of the city’s population working within this field. With a wealth of career opportunities, this same demand is spreading further north to Rockhampton, with the healthcare industry serving as the region’s second largest employer.
Although living in Rockhampton isn’t exactly what a lot of Australians have in mind when considering a sea or tree change, the “capital of Central Queensland” comes with it’s fair share of stereotypes, assumptions and pleasant surprises. As the state’s eight most populous region, experts say that the population of Rockhampton is set to reach 83, 127 by June 2021 – perhaps not such a small country town after all, right?
Looking back on the data of the last eight years, the growth rate of Rockhampton has seen it’s fair shares of ups and downs, with 1200 to 1600 people moving to the region each year. The growth rate is often directly linked to employment opportunities, which can fluctuate according to how the nation’s overall economy is performing. While construction and agriculture have long been the primary industries in Rockhampton, a shift towards tourism, mining, manufacturing and even healthcare has helped to diversify the demographics in “Rocky” in recent years – but is it viable to actually live there?
Five Things To Know About Living In Rockhampton
Despite popular stereotypes, there’s much more to know about living in Rockhampton than beef barons and cowboy boots. In fact, the median age of residents in the region is just 38 years old, and is becoming an increasingly favourite place to live thanks to what can only be referred to as an enviable lifestyle.
As an axial hub for all major roads throughout the State, Rockhampton is uniquely situated as both a highly accessible and extremely vital regional service centre. With Brisbane just a one hour flight away and within a half-hour drive of the Southern Great Barrier Reef, Rockhampton is even home to some of Queensland’s best beaches. With a surprising average of three hundred days of sunshine a year, Rockhampton is all about enjoying the great outdoors. The region experiences comfortable temperatures all year round – warm enough to swim yet cool enough to explore, play and adventure.
As the capital of the Capricorn region, Rockhampton has a surprisingly in depth history when it comes to its contribution to Queensland as we know it. As the traditional home of the Indigenous Darambul people, Rockhampton was arguably one of the most multicultural places in Australia thanks to its status as one of the biggest gold rushes in the nation. This same diversity has carried over to the 21st century, largely thanks to the presence of CQ University, numerous farm work opportunities for those seeking to extend their working holiday visas, and reasonably high income opportunities for unskilled labourers in a wide variety of industries.
Needless to say, this is a part of the world where there’s undeniably something for everyone – so why would you want to commit to living in Rockhampton as a full time resident?
Enviable Weather – Rockhampton experiences a humid subtropical climate. Although it’s been exposed to cyclones in the past, it’s generally too far south to experience regular northwest monsoonal influence, and too far north to receive cold fronts sweeping in from the south.
Seaside Living – While living in Rockhampton is all about embracing that country charm, residents are just thirty minutes away from the glorious twenty three kilometre sandy stretch between Yeppoon and Emu Park.
Sporting Mecca – Despite its position in what can only be called “the Bible Belt of Rugby League”, there’s still plenty to do in Rockhampton for sports lovers. The city is home to teams and clubs that include AFL, basketball, soccer, mountain biking and even roller derby.
Events Galore – Did you know that Rocky is home to many concerts, events and festivals every year? Just a handful of the big ticket items include the annual Rockhampton Show, Beef Australia Expo, Rockhampton Cultural Festival, and the Capricorn Food and Wine Festival.
Go Bush – While access to the Southern Great Barrier Reef is just a stone’s throw away, head inland from Rockhampton if you want a true taste of what living in Central Queensland is all about – think national parks, the Capricorn Caves, and numerous state forests.
Living In Rockhampton As A Medical Professional
If you’re on the hunt for medical roles in Rockhampton, there’s a chance that you’ll either want to work a little, a lot – or something in between. Rockhampton based doctor and GP jobs with House Call Doctor offer flexibility, with shifts that fit around your current workload, personal commitments, or even just lifestyle preferences.
Whether you’re looking to travel, increase your earning potential, gain experience, or even just a desire for greater job satisfaction, living in Rockhampton paired with a career with House Call Doctor could be the just answer that you’ve been looking for.
Are you –
- An Australian or Internationally Trained Medical Graduate
- Have full registration with the Medical Board of Australia
- Have two years post graduate experience, including experience in paediatrics, accident and emergency, general medicine and surgery
If you can answer yes to all of the above, then why not consider registering your interest for our doctor jobs with House Call Doctor today, and be a part of the medical revolution.
