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The Capricorn Region, so called because it straddles the tropic of Capricorn, has so much to offer as well as the truly tropical climate. An ideal base to explore the region is Rockhampton. The regions principal town is the centre of the Australian Beef industry and close to the coastal towns of Yeppoon and Rosslyn Bay and the intriguing Great Keppel Island. The Great Barrier Reef and Whitsunday Islands are also accessible from here. The Capricorn Region is also famous for its former precious stone production which included sapphires and emeralds. Clues to this past lie in some of the regional town names such as Emerald and Sapphire. Although large scale operations have long gone it is still possible to tour walk in mines or indulge in 'fossicking', for example at Rubyvale, with the hope of discovering a hidden gem. There are many beautiful National Parks in the region with lush rainforests, tranquil pools, gorges, streams, waterfalls and age-old rock paintings. Rockhampton is 400 miles north of Brisbane.