The Rockhampton Region has a decades-long relationship with Australian and international Defence forces, and regularly hosts troops during multi-national exercises at Shoalwater Bay Training Area.
Rockhampton Airport acts as a critical gateway for Defence activities at Shoalwater Bay and accepts international charter flights and military aircraft movements during these exercises.
Among recent highlights for the Rockhampton Region is Exercise Diamond Run, which saw around 1,500 ADF personnel in the city for a major training exercise. Officers were based out of centrally located sites including the Rockhampton Railyards, Rockhampton Showgrounds and the Lakes Creek Hotel where they supported units engaging a fictitious enemy at Shoalwater Bay.
The Region has a long-standing relationship with the Singapore Armed Forces, hosting soldiers and their vehicles for the annual Exercise Wallaby which marks its 35th anniversary in 2025.
Rockhampton is also a central focus of the multi-national Exercise Talisman Sabre - the largest military exercise conducted in Australia, centred around Shoalwater Bay.
Defence Facilities in Rockhampton