Whether or not you’re seeking to wander the heritage streets or dive into an out of doors journey, you’re going to like this information to all the very best issues to do in Ipswich, Queensland!
After spending a while across the Gold Coast and southern Queensland, we made our method in direction of the Brisbane area and determined to go inland a bit to see what else we might discover.
Only a 45-minute drive from Queensland’s capital we drove into Ipswich, a spot that was once often known as a working-class city however is now rising as an up-and-coming vacationer vacation spot
Native companies and the federal government tourism board have been working arduous to develop actions and points of interest to attract folks away from Brisbane for a weekend or extra.
And the efforts are paying off.
Ipswich actually shocked us in a great way. We weren’t positive what our expertise could be like there, however we found loads of improbable locations throughout our go to.
The fantastic thing about Ipswich is that not solely is the centre of city an attraction, however the surrounding space boasts loads of unimaginable issues to do.
The High Issues to Do in Ipswich, Queensland
Whether or not you’re planning a day journey from Brisbane, making an attempt to tick off all the good Ipswich factors of curiosity over a couple of days, or making a getaway as a pair, household, pals or solo traveller, this weblog submit will enable you benefit from your time there and know that are the highest locations to go to in Ipswich.
From visiting Ipswich Artwork Gallery or Ipswich Nature Centre, to exploring Queens Park to doing dot portray and studying concerning the Aboriginal tradition, right here is our record of the greatest issues to do in Ipswich.
Take a Stroll Via Queens Park
Queens Park is positioned within the coronary heart of the Ipswich metropolis centre on the finish of Brisbane Avenue, and you may simply spend a morning or afternoon exploring the grounds.
Queens Park is likely one of the oldest parks in Queensland and has important cultural heritage values.
The park’s authentic design goes all the best way again to 1862.
When strolling by way of Queen’s Park, you’ll expertise old-world appeal with modern-day conveniences.
So seize your folks or households and share a picnic on the grass or seize a espresso and go for a stroll previous the historic buildings and landscaped gardens.
Go for a Sip’n’Dip Indigenous Class in Queens Park
NOTE – Sadly Ronald shouldn’t be doing this tour anymore however Sip’n’Dip hopes to nonetheless be capable of provide dot courses sooner or later. Do take a look at their web site for upcoming excursions and different excursions across the space.
We’re sturdy believers within the significance of studying a couple of nation’s historical past and tradition if you journey. And Australia isn’t any totally different.
One in all our favorite Ipswich actions was truly doing simply this by studying learn how to do some conventional Aboriginal dot portray.
We joined a guided expertise with native indigenous man Ronald from Sip ‘n’ Dip Ipswich, and he kindly taught us all concerning the Aboriginal tribes within the space, and learn how to do their well-known dot portray art work.
Ronald hosts an unimaginable cultural tour in Queens Park, and he was so open to us asking as many questions as we might consider about his folks, artwork and historical past.
After an extended chat, he then introduced out canvases and paint, displaying us learn how to dot the paint of their conventional type, then setting us unfastened to make our personal piece of artwork, which we bought to maintain afterwards.
This was a spotlight for us, and undoubtedly probably the greatest issues to do in Ipswich.
Go to the Animals on the Ipswich Nature Centre
If you end up in Queens Park close to the town centre, don’t miss a go to to the Ipswich Nature Centre.
The Ipswich Nature Centre has over 42 species and round 200 animals in care – dingos, bilbies, wallabies, a wombat, emus, kangaroos and extra.
The animals have been rescued from across the area, however sadly can’t return into the wild as they’d be in danger.
As a substitute, they stay a protected life right here on the park, the place carers and rangers take care of them and provide excursions to teach guests.
Amazingly, it’s free to enter or you may get a guided tour for under $8 per individual.
Should you love the place you’ll be able to go away a donation which will likely be used for the care of the animals and future enhancements to the Ipswich Nature Centre.
This is likely one of the nice free issues to do in Ipswich for all of the household.
Don’t Miss the Nerima Japanese Backyard
In case you are questioning what to do in Ipswich, simply head to the Japanese backyard to zen out for a bit earlier than determining your plans for the remainder of your journey.
This zen backyard will clear your thoughts and take you off to a peaceable place. With gorgeous paths, vegetation and ponds the backyard is a wonderful technique to begin the day or wind down from a busy one.
The Japanese gardens have been designed by Ipswich’s Japanese sister metropolis, Nerima, therefore the backyard’s title.
READ MORE: Don’t miss out on all these superior issues to do in Brisbane!
Have a Conventional Japanese Tea Ceremony
Once we visited Japan we didn’t get the possibility to do a Japanese tea ceremony, and we have been unhappy we missed out on one.
However right here in Ipswich, we took a wonderful stroll by way of the Japanese gardens and got here throughout a conventional Japanese tea home.
And fortunately for us, we had the possibility to lastly do a ceremony!
The tea ceremony is a wonderful expertise. It’s about concord, respect, purity and tranquillity.
You don’t simply drink tea however study concerning the ceremony and why issues are performed the best way they’re.
These are held on the final Saturday of each month, and you will need to e-book forward by way of the Uncover Ipswich web site.
Costs are $45 per individual.
Go on a Historic Tour of the High of City
In case you are a historical past buff and wish to learn about Ipswich’s ‘High of City’ historical past, then pop into the Vacationer Centre and e-book your tour.
Our information taught us all concerning the historical past of Ipswich, why the homes are constructed on stilts, how the road artwork scene has been developed and lots extra.
There are such a lot of historic buildings and museums within the Ipswich area, just like the City Corridor, the Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway and Rail Museum, and extra. Getting a guided tour concerning the tales behind all of it is fairly fascinating.
Try a Hidden Artwork Exhibition on the Ipswich Artwork Gallery
The Ipswich Artwork Gallery is likely one of the most visited regional museums in Australia.
So after all you must head to the museum to take a look at the newest artwork exhibitions on show.
The Ipswich Artwork Gallery is a visible artwork and social historical past museum presenting a dynamic program of exhibitions and heritage shows with free workshops, performances and an intensive program for kids and households.
This place is certainly price seeing when you love artwork and are curious about historical past as nicely.
- Deal with: D’Arcy Doyle Place, Ipswich QLD 4305
- Cellphone: (07) 3810 7222
Go to a Native Market
In case you are searching for extra native issues to do in Ipswich, head to a farmer’s market within the space
There are a couple of to select from so it depends upon what you might be searching for and if you find yourself on the town.
- Springfield Markets are held on the primary Friday of the month from 3pm – 8pm at Robelle Area. This market has native arts and craft stalls, native produce, multicultural meals vehicles and stay music.
- Peak Natural Markets is held at Ivory’s Rock in Peak Crossing each Saturday. This small, NAASA licensed natural farm opens to the general public from 9am – 2pm providing a variety of nice contemporary fruit and greens.
- Handmade Expo Market is held on the Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway month-to-month on Saturdays from 8am -1pm on the Ipswich Turf Membership. It affords candy treats, handmade homewares and native produce. A number of actions for the children.
- Museum Twilight Markets on the Workshops Rail Museum are held twice a 12 months. In case you are fortunate sufficient to be on the town throughout this time the market will entertain you with stay music, a lot of meals vehicles and native goodies. Get involved with the native tourism centre to see when the dates are. And take a look at the Workshops Rail Museum when you’re at it!
- Twilight Flicks Out of doors Market positioned at Cameron Park, will likely be held each second Saturday of the month and have nice flicks, market stalls, stay music and meals vehicles.
- Meals Honest within the Sq. positioned at Ipswich Metropolis Mall within the CBD. An ideal collection of dishes with many meals vehicles to select from totally different international locations world wide.
- Ipswich Showplace Markets are held each Sunday at Ipswich Showgrounds from 6am -11.30am and entry is a coin donation. These markets are for severe bargain-shoppers. You can find new and secondhand toys, garments, books, arts and crafts to DVD’s, {hardware}, scorching meals and native produce.
Sink a Pint on the Pumpyard
Whether or not it’s for a day session or a couple of drinks within the night, heading to the Pumpyard for a craft beer must be in your Ipswich itinerary.
The 4 Hearts Brewing Firm has developed a status for themselves for making a scrumptious array of boutique beers.
Should you’re feeling overwhelmed about what to decide on, begin off with a tasting paddle to pattern all their totally different beers.
The enterprise has refurbished an outdated constructing that was as soon as Ipswich’s first supply of water earlier than being changed into a Technical School, and now a brewery.
This makes the venue ooze with ambiance and industrial type.
Jarryd cherished the Purple IPA and my favorite was the Porter.
- Deal with: 88 Limestone St, Ipswich QLD 4305
- Cellphone: (07) 3282 9076
READ MORE: Right here’s our detailed weblog submit on all the highest issues to do in Noosa on the Sunshine Coast!
Go Subsequent Door and Dine at Dovetails Restaurant
*Observe: Dovetails Restaurant has apparently closed. We’ll replace this text after our subsequent go to to let our new suggestion.
After your pint head over to the Dovetails Restaurant, the place you’ll be able to have some tasty meals.
That is in the identical complicated because the brewery so you’ll be able to admire the place outdated meets new with their fashionable design.
The meals was very scrumptious with loads of meat and vegetarian choices.
Cease Off for Icecream at Ungermann Brothers
After a lot of yummy beer and meals, you must end off the night time with ice cream at Ungermann Brothers Ice-Cream Parlour, which can also be in the identical constructing.
The flavours have been loopy like ‘Salted Caramel, Chocolate and Potato Chips’, and ‘Blue Cheese and Fig’, together with extra normal flavours.
All their substances are domestically sourced too.
Take a Street Journey to a Nation City
After exploring the centre of Ipswich, head out of city for a drive to see the countryside.
That is the place you actually get to know and benefit from the space.
Earlier than you go, pop into the vacationer centre and so they gives you some concepts and a street journey itinerary to observe.
Hit Up the Cafe Scene
It’s no secret that Aussies love their espresso, and we don’t accept a mediocre brew.
Fortunately when you’re a espresso lover like us, you’ll discover loads of good choices to seize a drink across the downtown space.
Our favorite was Dancing Bean Espresso tucked away off the principle road, the place they specialize in boutique roasted blends.
- Deal with: 164 Brisbane St, Ipswich QLD 4305
Say Hello to the Native Llamas on the Llama Farm
Take a little bit drive out to The Llama Farm. This place has Queensland’s largest herd of llamas, so it will likely be an expertise like no different.
You’ll be able to even decide a llama to stroll on a lead down considered one of their trails. Cute!
A whole lot of the llamas right here have been born on the farm so they’re used to people. They’re very pleasant and each has their very own title.
There aren’t simply llamas on The Llama Farm – you too can go to the donkeys, miniature ponies, peacocks, geese, turkeys and their 2 stunning canines. This is likely one of the enjoyable issues to do in Ipswich with children.
- Deal with: 563 Riverside Dr, Pine Mountain QLD 4306
- Cellphone: 0403 284 665
Cease Off for a Picnic at Watercress Creek Olives and Limes Farm
Drop into the Watercress Creek Olives and Limes and go to Bernie and Loraine.
They provide limes and olives to all of the native bars and eating places in Larger Brisbane.
In the course of the pandemic, Bernie and Loraine determined to open up a retailer to promote their merchandise to the general public. The concept took off.
Many locals and vacationers cease at this attraction now and drop in for produce or to have picnics on the farm.
You’ll be able to simply spend the afternoon on their farm with a tour, adopted by an olive platter to observe the sundown over the olive and lime bushes.
Bernie additionally will spill his secrets and techniques and fill you in on learn how to know a terrific lime or decide the correct olives.
Scorching tip that we learnt from Bernie – Should you see a yellow lime, it’s not unhealthy. The truth is it’s truly nice for cooking or your cocktail drinks as they’re ripe, juicier and have extra favour.
- Deal with: 53 Bryces Rd, Pine Mountain QLD 4306
- Cellphone: 0416 201 640
Cease Off for a Espresso and Store on the Soul Nook Collective
In your Ipswich street journey, do pop into the city of Marburg. Taryn from The Soul Nook Collective is predicated right here and has created one thing distinctive for the realm.
She leased the tremendous cute church on the town, put in some bell tents across the property and turned it right into a bohemian venue.
You’ll be able to head right here for a espresso and flick thru the store (all native merchandise too) or get a bunch of pals collectively and have a picnic within the bell tents.
I actually cherished what Taryn has performed and the way she has thought exterior of the field to create a singular cellular enterprise.
- Deal with: 89-93 Queen St, Marburg QLD 4346
- Cellphone: 0409 543 512
Deal with Your self to a ‘Farm to Desk’ Meal at Spicers Hidden Vale
For a really wonderful thought on this record of issues to do close to Ipswich, head out to the legendary Spicers Hidden Vale for lunch.
Right here you’ll be able to look out over the valley with a shocking view of the encompassing hills.
However extra than simply the views, the meals is delectable! The award-winning head chef right here cooks up essentially the most unimaginable meals with an actual ardour for his craft.
He actually believes within the farm to desk idea, providing impressed dishes with the greens from their backyard and meat from the native farmers within the space.
Be sure you make a reservation earlier than popping out as a result of it will get booked rapidly.
- Deal with: 617 Grandchester Mount Mort Rd, Grandchester QLD 4340
- Cellphone: 1300 179 340
Take a Tour of the Wildlife Animal Centre on the Spicers Hidden Vale Property
After lunch, organise a tour of their wildlife centre, which is inside strolling distance from the restaurant.
Right here you’ll study what researchers are doing to guard the animals of the realm.
It’s truthfully considered one of Queensland’s greatest native wildlife centres.
It is a partnership between the College of Queensland and the resort, and it’s nice to see this has been established close to Ipswich.
They home native wildlife the place college students from the college come and have hands-on coaching on wildlife administration and conservation strategies.
Contained in the centre is quite a lot of reptiles and fat-tail dunnarts (look them up, they’re so cute!), with the objective being to look after them and get them again to good well being to be launched.
They’ve additionally discovered many koalas within the space the place they’ve put trackers on them and monitor their progress.
Go Mountain Biking at Hidden Vale Journey Park
On the identical property, there’s a world-class mountain bike path community, and if love two-wheeled adventures, you’re doing to be in heaven right here!
Hidden Vale Journey Park is a 40-minute drive from Ipswich and affords an enormous number of terrain for riders of all talent ranges.
There’s over 110kms to select from newbie runs or superior, relying in your potential.
Head to the Skies in a Scorching Air Balloon
Scorching air ballooning is likely one of the most stunning and fulfilling methods you’ll be able to expertise a brand new place, and probably the greatest locations to do that close to Brisbane is correct right here in Ipswich.
Nothing beats watching the dawn from the air, so get in contact with the fellows at Floating Photos for a morning you’ll always remember.
That is undoubtedly probably the greatest issues to do round Ipswich.
The proprietor and Chief Pilot Graeme guides you thru the skies and teaches you all about The Larger Brisbane Area.
There is just one flight a day so make your reserving early and don’t miss out.
- Deal with: 259 Junction Rd, Karalee QLD 4306
- Cellphone: (07) 3294 8770
Escape into Nature for Some Climbing
A number of the greatest Ipswich vacationer points of interest are literally the close by mountain climbing trails that may get you into nature and allow you to admire the fantastic thing about the Larger Brisbane area.
Try the Spring Mountain Conservation Property which is positioned 20 minutes from the Ipswich CBD for all of your mountain climbing wants.
With over 2,500 hectares, the realm affords distinctive rocky outcrops of White Rock and Spring Mountain, intensive forested ridges, escarpments and valleys and naturally an enormous number of vegetation and wildlife.
For the bushwalker, there’s every part from a straightforward 200m stroll to a more difficult 19km round-trip path.
The entry to Spring Mountain Conservation Property is the Paperbark Flats Picnic Space, on the finish of Faculty Street in Redbank Plains.
One other nice Property to take a look at for mountain climbing is Flinders-Goolman Conservation Property.
This place has 2,200 hectares and affords intensive forests and rugged volcanic peaks and slopes together with Flinders Peak, Mt Blaine, Mt Catherine and Mt Goolman.
The world has totally different walks from straightforward to tougher for all of the household. You might simply spend the day trip right here.
The place to Keep in Ipswich
Should you’re doing greater than only a day journey from Brisbane and wish to spend the night time right here, these are a few of our suggestions for the place to remain in Ipswich when visiting South East Queensland.
Ivory’s Rock Campground
If you wish to get out of the town and do some tenting whereas listening to the wildlife within the early morning or late night, then go tenting at Ivory’s Rock Campground.
The beauty of this camp is you might be out of city and in nature, however you continue to have the posh of a rest room and scorching bathe.
The children, hubby or spouse can mild a fireplace and roast marshmallows over it.
Or you’ll be able to stroll across the property and if you’re fortunate it’s possible you’ll even see a koala.
This campground shouldn’t be too removed from the Flinders Peak Conservation Property for all of your mountain climbing wants.
- Deal with: 310 Mount Flinders Rd, Peak Crossing QLD 4306
- Cellphone: 07 3077 9668
Quest Lodge
These apartment-style rooms are nice for households or individuals who wish to be self-sufficient.
The Quest Lodge in Ipswich is positioned inside strolling distance from the centre of city with loads of on-site parking as nicely.
- Deal with: 57-63 Warwick Rd, Ipswich QLD 4305
- Cellphone: (07) 3813 6000
DISCLAIMER: Our go to to Ipswich was made potential due to Uncover Ipswich. All ideas, opinions and Purple IPAs consumed are, as at all times, our personal.
