[1] The Criterion Hotel is a three-storeyed masonry building situated on the corner of Quay and Fitzroy Streets in Rockhampton.

[1] In 1855 (prior to the separation of Queensland in 1859) the New South Wales Government had requested that William Henry Wiseman the Commissioner for Leichardt, locate a suitable place on the Fitzroy River for a settlement.

[1] Curtis was to become a prominent member of the powerful Rockhampton Chamber of Commerce, and also was to become in the 1890s the leading advocate of the separation movement in central Queensland.

[1] One of the licensees of the Criterion Hotel in the period of 1880-3 was Frederick Augustus Morgan who arrived in Rockhampton in 1879, from Bathurst in New South Wales.

His two brothers Tom and Ned in July 1882 were to credit themselves as locating the ore body on top of Ironstone Mountain in the Dee Range, that became the Mount Morgan Mine.

Dorinda Curtis is credited with being responsible for the decision to construct the grand new three storeyed building at the corner of Quay and Fitzroy Street in 1889.

Jessica Bloxsom attributes:[1]The Inn had been reconstructed twice up to then, when Mrs Curtis decided she would erect a fine hotel of stone, brick and marble, making it without doubt the finest hotel in Central Queensland.It is unsure how much influence that George Curtis had in the business decision to construct the new building.

In the rebuilding of the Criterion hotel the local press said that he also had an eye for improving the physical appearance of the town of Rockhampton.

This was an ongoing process, with new construction work a physical manifestation of the wealth of Mount Morgan gold and its contribution to the town.

In the booming economy of Rockhampton and Mount Morgan he designed several notable buildings, including Pinehurst, at Athelstane Range (1893-4), the Walter Reid and Co. Stores (1889) and the Criterion Hotel (1888-9).

[1] On 30 August 1890 when the finishing touches were being put on the building the Capricornian newspaper described the Criterion as being one of the sights of the town:[1] People competent to judge declare that north of Sydney there is no better hotel to be found and the least that can be said is that there are few that excel it in the colonies.

It has also hosted many distinguished visitors during its existence including Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester (when Governor-General), his wife Princess Alice, the former Prime Minister of Australia Sir Robert Menzies, Dame Nellie Melba, Sir Donald Bradman, and Charles Kingsford Smith.

The ornate ...grand staircase of red cedar, the stained glass windows on each landing allowing light ...to flow through.

Enter here by two sets of cedar doors, brass handles and plates with frosted glass inset saying dining room.

From 1960 until 1981 under the ownership of the Smith family alterations were made to the building have including the construction of a motel unit complex on the southern side of the hotel, facing Quay Street.

[1] The Criterion was remodelled to give it a French theme similar to the Bonaparte's Hotel and restaurant in Brisbane owned by the Balkin's.

The new structure abuts the rear wall of the hotel and in keeping with the historical development of the location was called the Bush Inn.

[1] The Criterion Hotel is a substantial three storeyed rendered brick building, situated prominently on the corner of Quay and Fitzroy Streets, Rockhampton.

The symmetrically arranged end bays feature a pair of arched window openings on each floor shaded by convex corrugated iron awnings.

Surmounting the facade of the building is a parapet concealing the roof on which are placed blocks and vases on each corner of the end bays.

Above the window and formed by a shelf over the ground floor opening is a small rectangular Juliet balcony with Italianate balustrading.

[1] Access is provided to the building from Quay Street, through the ground floor verandah to a grand entrance doorway with sidelights and a large framed semi-circular fanlight.

Chimney pieces survive intact with timber surrounds and mantle, tiled or marble panels and cast iron fittings.

[1] The stair hall, centrally located on the south west end of the building, in a semi circular recess, has a fine bi-furcating stair, turning 180 degrees and dividing at the landing between the floors and arriving at the next floor in two sections on either side of the central larger section.

[1] Lightly attached to the south east of the building, with an overpass over a narrow lane is a two storeyed motel extension of brick veneer construction and very shallow gabled roof.

To the rear of this is a timber framed and corrugated iron clad storage shed, in the centre of which is a large deteriorated brick chimney shaft and oven.

The Criterion Hotel building illustrates the growth of Rockhampton in the late 1880s as result of the wealth generated by the Mount Morgan Mine.

The Criterion Hotel forms an integral part of the historical development of the City of Rockhampton being located near the site of the first public inn established in the embryonic settlement.

The Criterion Hotel is a substantial building which makes a strong contribution to the Rockhampton townscape and to Quay Street.

The building has many well crafted internal features including high quality joinery, a fine stair, plaster work, stained glass panels and chimney pieces.