Rockhampton is once again on the radar for Japanese university students keen to study English while enjoying a starkly different lifestyle and environment.

About 50 language-tourism students have arrived from Japanese universities including Kanazawa Seiryo University (Aug 18-Sept 14); Meikai University  (Aug 19-Sept 7), and Kwassui Woman's University (Aug 26-Sept 15).

A previous group from Kwassui Woman's University on Rockhampton Campus

Apart from the region's status as being 'where the Outback meets the Reef', a common magnet for all groups is the reputation of the English Language Centre at CQUniversity's Rockhampton Campus.

The English Language Centre has a fine tradition of arranging local homestay families to host the visiting students, so they get to experience normal life as an honorary Aussie for a few weeks. The Centre also has plenty of experience at running adventure tourism activities and other specialised events. Many of the education students get the chance to sit in on local school classes to experience Australia's lesson format.

From Rockhampton they are able to go on overnight excursions to Great Keppel Island and Myella Farmstay working cattle station, visit a golf driving range and other sports facilities, and experience Capricorn Coast beaches, Koorana Crocodile Farm, Cooberrie Park Wildlife Sanctuary, the Dreamtime Cultural Centre, Mt Archer summit and the Heritage Village.