Rocklea is a vibrant suburb of Brisbane that offers plenty of attractions and activities of its own. The Rocklea Showgrounds hosts an annual Spring Carnival and several equestrian shows, car shows and farmer's fairs over weekends throughout the year. Then, there's the annual Briz-Chilli Fest, a Halloween-themed chilli festival every October with food, drinks and costumes.
Rocklea's local football (soccer) team, Brisbane Knights Football Club, plays at the Croatian Sports Centre. They are a League 3 team in the Brisbane Premier League. Visitors can catch a game or pursue activities of their own at events spaces like the Somerville House Sports and Recreational Fields.
While Rocklea itself doesn't hold any museums, it is close to many of Brisbane's suburban cultural spaces. These include the fascinating Art Museum of the University of Queensland, the second-largest public collection in Brisbane. The Wacol Military Museum, open Tuesday to Saturday, houses militaria in Wacol, 7 km south of Rocklea.
For film fans, Rocklea is within easy reach of Regal Graceville and Event Cinemas Indooroopilly, excellent cinemas for mainstream and arthouse flicks. There's also the fun Backyard Cinema Experience on Stones Corner for outdoor film showings. One of Rocklea's most eye-catching cultural spaces is its Russian Orthodox Church, built by Russian immigrants fleeing the USSR.
The Saturday Fresh Market is one of Brisbane's best. You'll find fresh produce across the weekend, as well as tasty food stalls selling Vietnamese baguettes, grills, and more. It's a popular spot for those based across Brisbane. Other foodie highlights include the cosy Evolve Organics Cafe and Sundays Cafe opposite the rail station. You can also discover the local craft brewers, Helios Brewing Company and Slipstream Brewing Company, in neighbouring Yeerongpilly.
Rocklea benefits from open green spaces that are perfect for walks and day trips with little ones. Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary provides an educational space to learn about koalas, while Oxley Common provides a scenic expanse of fields for picnics and water bird-watching. For sprawling city views, head to Mount Coot-Tha, 12 km north of Rocklea.
One of Rocklea's most popular leisure events is golf. Several noted golfing courses are situated throughout the area, including Oxley Golf Club, Corinda Golf Course and the Brisbane Golf Course. For something different, enjoy a day out at Iceworld Olympic Ice Rinks and Mortimer Road Park.