Fitzroy River (Queensland) - Settlement

Settlement

The city of Rockhampton is situated 40 kilometres from the coast on the river. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, the city was a major port, however rocky bars in the river prevented the Fitzroy from being used for navigation any further inland. As ships became larger, the lower reaches became less viable for commercial traffic, and today only pleasure craft and small commercial fishing boats use the river. Wharves which once lined the town reach at Rockhampton have now almost all disintegrated or been removed. Predominant industries in the catchment are coal mining, grazing and cotton.

Nowadays, the river has a number of dams and weirs along its length. The Fitzroy Barrage at Rockhampton which can hold 61,000 ML when full, provides fresh water to city and surrounds, while the Fairbairn Dam, on the Nogoa River (a tributary) and several weirs downstream on the Mackenzie River, provide water for irrigating a wide range of crops including cotton, peanuts, chickpea, corn and horticulture (citrus, table grapes, melons), supplying water for coal mines and domestic use for the town of Emerald.

Glenmore Homestead was built at a property on the northern bank of the river seven kilometres northwest of Rockhampton. It was originally settled in 1858, is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register and operates as a tourist attraction today.