The best things to do in Ipswich
We officially tested the best things to do in Ipswich for families and came up with this ultimate list.
Located just 40 kilometres west of Brisbane in the heart of South East Queensland, Ipswich is a seriously underrated city offering the perfect blend of rural charm and urban convenience. We’re not here to sell you on Ipswich, though. In this article, we’re going to talk about the best things to do in Ipswich. And in case you’re wondering, yes, we have officially tested out each and every one of these. It’s a hard job, but someone’s got to do it, right?
Unleash your frustration at Rage Cage Smash Rooms
Need a cheaper alternative to therapy that’s way more fun? Rage Cage is here for you! Whether you love the sound of shattering glass or just need to vent, we’re not here to judge, and neither is Matthew, the owner. When you book a session, he’ll arm you with a crate full of breakables and all the tools you need to let it all out. We recommend levelling it up by purchasing an additional bottle to break full of either coloured powder or liquid. If you’ve got teenagers, this will be one of their favourite things to do in Ipswich.
Hurl an axe at Rampage Axe Throwing
Axe throwing is a booming sport where you hurl axes at wooden targets. Think of it like darts…but for vikings and way more fun. With competitive leagues popping up everywhere, it’s a fantastic way to blow off some steam, or enjoy quality time with friends and family.
Go up in a hot air balloon with Floating Images
Trust us, this early morning adventure is totally worth it. Every flight with Floating Images Hot Air Balloons is led by owner and Chief Pilot, Graeme Day, who brings over 30 years of ballooning experience to the table.
From up in the air, you’ll get a spectacular bird’s eye view of the historic city of Ipswich, the Great Dividing Range, the Brisbane skyline, and the Scenic Rim in QLD. The one-hour flight wraps up with a delicious breakfast at a restaurant. So, get ready for an unforgettable experience and a meal to match.
This is, by far, one of the most memorable things to do in Ipswich.
Feed adorable farm animals at Haigslea Ewe Nique Hobby Farm
Dave and Penny operate the family-friendly Ewe Nique Hobby Farm. Kids and adults can feed and pet adorable alpacas, lambs, sheep, goats, chicken and geese. I loved this just as much as the kids!
Here what to do … book in first. Numbers are limited to ensure that every family can have a great time. When you arrive, order yourself a cuppa and morning tea on the way in but don’t forget to grab a few mini-buckets of carrots and grain for the farm animals.
Farmer Dave will give you a quick run-down in a shaded area with tables and hay bale seats. You will then be let loose to feed and pet the animals. When looking for things to do in Ipswich with younger kids, this is a great option.
Escape the Family-Friendly room at Seraphim Escape Rooms
Escape rooms don’t have to be scary! We had a great time at the Seraphim Escape Rooms in the family-friendly Santa-themed room. We had to solve a series of clues to get ourselves off Santa’s naughty list and escape the room. Of course, teenagers will probably prefer the scary rooms though.
Don’t worry, there is a hint buzzer if you need it and it’s a great opportunity for the kids to work together. We finished with only nine minutes to spare. Can you do better?
This was one of the kids’ favourite things to do in Ipswich. Bookings are essential.
Assist researchers to track Koalas at Hidden Vale
Head out to the award-winning Homage Restaurant at Spicers Hidden Vale for lunch and afterwards, join in the Koala Safari Tour.
The Koala Safari tour begins with a tour of the Hidden Vale Wildlife Centre, a partnership between the University of Queensland and The Turner Family Foundation. You will then jump into a troop carrier and head out to the first ”koala hotspot”. This is where you will help Dr Tribe and his team of researchers locate the resident koala community.
This is a genuine eco-experience not to be missed. Numbers are limited and bookings are essential. If you’re looking for things to do in Ipswich with a side of luxury, consider booking into Spicers Hidden Vale for the whole weekend.
Relax with a Bell Tent Picnic at Soul Nook Collective
Soul Nook Collective creates magical picnic experiences on the old church grounds in Marburg. This was one of my favourite things to do in Ipswich.
Picnics are available Wednesdays to Saturdays and can be as simple as a picnic rug set up under the trees to the full Bell Tent experience. Check out our previous article on the Bell Tent Picnics for more information on this great family-friendly experience.
Meet Hemu the Emu at the Ipswich Nature Centre
The Ipswich Nature Centre is a great option for families when looking for things to do in Ipswich. Located in Queens Park, admission is free but a gold coin donation would be appreciated.
You are free to wander the Nature Centre’s shaded walkways yourself (they’re stroller friendly) but consider booking in for the VIP guided tour. This will give you the opportunity to learn more about the animals. We met Hemu the Emu on the VIP guided tour and fell in love with his quirkiness.
The Centre is open between 9:30 am and 4 pm Tuesday to Sunday, and daily during school holidays.
Browse antique stores in Marburg
Marburg is home to two of the most wonderful antique stores I’ve ever visited, Scotland Yard Antiques and The Black Museum. The kids, who had only ever seen mobile phones, were fascinated with the collection of old telephones and really enjoyed (in their words) .. ”finding the olden day stuff.”
The Special Branch Collective is right next door, and all three stores are owned by members of the same family. This is where you go between browsing to grab a coffee and snack.
There is a little playground nearby for the kids and less than two minutes walk away is the Soul Nook Collective mentioned earlier, one of my favourite things to do in Ipswich.
Explore the Workshop Rail Museum
Even if you’re not a die-hard rail fan, parents and kids of all ages will enjoy the Workshop Rail Museum. I personally loved the historic steam engines and various displays of antique parts. The kids were enthralled by the interactive exhibits, particularly the ”How Cities Work” exhibition, where they got to build things with pool noodles and connectors.
There is also a science centre exhibit and a Nippers’ Railway play zone that’s designed for younger kids. This Nippers’ play zone was unfortunately closed when we visited, but I could see that out of all the things to do in Ipswich, it would have been hard to tear the kids away from this.
Visit Queens Park and play on the playground
The large playground at Queens Park is conveniently located right near the Queens Park Cafe. Convenient, right? In addition, the cafe is chock full of both healthy options, treats and coffee. You won’t be disappointed here.
The playground is fantastic with multi-levels of equipment that include a flying fox, large slides and various other climbing and swinging things that kids love. Nearby are the beautiful Nerima Japanese Gardens. Designed in consultation with Ipswich’s Japanese sister city, Nerima, you can stroll over an ornamental lake in this picture-perfect setting.
If you’re looking for wallet-friendly things to do in Ipswich, this is a great option.
Race through the Orchards at Watercress Creek Olives and Limes
Ok, I didn’t actually do any racing here. But the kids did, and they loved it. I thoroughly enjoyed my casual stroll through the olive grove and lime orchards with the owner, Bernard Mahon, a fourth-generation farmer in the area.
Bernard and his wife, Lorraine have operated Watercress Creek Olive and Limes since 1998 and are happy to let you taste test their products and show you around the property. Parents can enjoy a relaxing visit and stroll, and kids can enjoy a game of chasey in the Tahitian Lime Orchard. This is a nice, relaxing thing to do in Ipswich in sunny weather.
Set up camp or rent-a-tent at Ivory’s Rock
Ivory’s Rock Caravan and Camping Ground is one of the most spacious we have ever visited. Combine this with the option of a private bathroom in the toilet block, and social distancing has become easy. If you don’t have the camping gear or just can’t be bothered, Ivory’s Rock does a hassle-free Rent-A-Tent experience where you arrive at a fully set-up tent complete with a gazebo, tables and chairs. There is even WiFi.
Ivory’s Rock is a top weekend escape with family and friends involving freedom, fresh air, campfires, the outdoors, and the night sky. The kids loved the cute wallabies around the campsite and the novelty of the rent-a-tent. Combining this with a visit to nearby Summerland Camels makes for a great weekend in Ipswich.
Visit Summer Land Camels
Book into the Camel Farm Experience Tour at Summerland Camel Farm and learn all about their ”smart tech farming” operations, why camel milk is the ultimate ingredient for skin-care, and why it’s ideal for those who are lactose intolerant.
Both the kids and myself loved feeding the camels before the tour and spotting the baby camels throughout the tour. At the end, you will have the opportunity to try delicious smelling skin products made from camel’s milk, fetta cheese and the camel milk itself.
However, if you’re not keen on a tour, it’s still worth a visit just to feed the camels and take brunch at the Homestead Cafe. I recommend the avocado smash with camel milk feta on artisan sourdough or the sunrise waffles topped with camel milk gelato.
Take a Llama for a walk at The Llama Farm
The Llama Farm is 80 acres of glorious rural land containing Queensland’s largest herd of Llamas. Visiting the farm is an experience like no other. Not only are there friendly Llamas, there are also adorable donkeys, miniature ponies, stunning peacocks, lively maremmas and a giant Flemish rabbit.
Shane from The Llama Farm offers two different experiences for guests by way of a farm visit or a guided llama walk, in which you can choose your own llama to walk on a lead along a purpose-built trail on the farm.
The Llama Farm doesn’t have set opening hours so both experiences are by appointment only. If looking for a new experience or thing to do in Ipswich, walking a llama is a great option.
Take a picnic by a lily-pond at Kholo Gardens
Kholo Gardens are a beautiful place to take a simple family picnic! Here you can just sit down and relax while the kids kick a ball around on the grass. There is an established lily pond, defined walkways, wide-open spaces, bush walking tracks and beautiful giant Hoop Pines and Kauri Trees.
The gardens are located within a short distance from The Llama Farm, so it’s a great opportunity to visit the farm first and follow it up with a picnic lunch at Kholo Gardens. This is a fantastic free thing to do in Ipswich.
Attend a festival or event
You’re in luck. Ipswich is buzzing with events year-round. We attended the CMC Rocks QLD festival, but also of note in the Ipswich region are the Galvanised Festival of Heritage, the TAB Ipswich Cup, the Festival of Horsepower, the Cycle and Trail Run Epic, and Spark Ipswich, just to name a few.
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