Things to Do in Ipswich: Best Attractions, Activities and Family Experiences

Looking for the best things to do in Ipswich? Whether you’re planning a family day trip from Brisbane, a weekend getaway or you’re a local searching for something new, Ipswich has far more to offer than many people realise.

From cuddling farm animals and walking llamas to hot air balloon flights, museums, playgrounds and free parks, there are plenty of attractions suitable for toddlers, teenagers and adults alike.

Below you’ll find our favourite things to do in Ipswich, including free activities, indoor attractions and unforgettable family experiences.

Last updated: July 2026. We’ve revisited this guide to ensure all attractions, experiences and recommendations are current.

How we chose these things to do in Ipswich

Every attraction in this guide has been personally visited and experienced by our family over several trips to the Ipswich region. Many of these visits took place while attending hosted media familiarisation tours, giving us the opportunity to explore a wide variety of attractions across the city and surrounding countryside.

We haven’t included places simply because they’re popular. Instead, we chose experiences that genuinely stand out for families, whether that’s because they’re unique, great value, educational or simply a lot of fun.

To create this guide, we looked for attractions that:

• Offer memorable experiences for families with children of different ages.
• Showcase the diversity of Ipswich, from wildlife encounters and outdoor adventures to unique local businesses.
• Cater to a range of budgets, including several excellent free things to do in Ipswich.
• Are experiences we’d happily recommend to our own family and friends.

Rage Cage Smash Rooms

Located less than a 10-minute drive from the Ipswich CBD, Rage Cage Smash Rooms is one of the most unique things to do in Ipswich, especially if you’re visiting with teenagers or older kids.

Need a cheaper alternative to therapy that’s way more fun? Rage Cage lets you suit up in protective gear before handing you a crate of breakable items and the tools to smash them to pieces. We recommend upgrading your session with one of the coloured powder or paint-filled bottles – it makes for fantastic photos and adds to the experience.

If you’re looking for something completely different from the usual family attractions, this is one of our favourite activities for older children and teens.

Good for: Teenagers, adults and families with older kids

Allow: 30-60 minutes

Cost: Paid experience

Bookings: Essential

Rampage Axe Throwing

Also located near Ipswich CBD (in the same building as Rage Cage Smash Rooms), Rampage Axe Throwing offers a fun indoor activity for families with older children, teenagers and adults.

Think darts – but with axes. After a safety briefing, instructors teach you the correct throwing technique before you compete against friends or family. It’s surprisingly addictive and a fantastic way to spend an hour, particularly on wet weather days.

If you’re travelling with teenagers, this is another attraction they’ll likely remember long after the trip.

Good for: Teenagers and adults

Allow: Around 1 hour

Cost: Paid experience

Bookings: Recommended

Floating Images Hot Air Balloons

Launching from Ipswich, Floating Images offers one of the most unforgettable ways to experience the region.

Owner and Chief Pilot Graeme Day has more than 30 years of ballooning experience, and the sunrise flights provide spectacular views across Ipswich, the Scenic Rim, the Great Dividing Range and even the Brisbane skyline on a clear morning.

After the flight, you’ll enjoy breakfast before heading home, making this one of the most memorable experiences in South East Queensland.

We’ve also written a detailed review explaining exactly what to expect before your flight.

Good for: Couples, families with older children and special occasions

Allow: Half a day

Cost: Premium experience

Bookings: Essential

Haigslea Ewe Nique Hobby Farm

Located in Haigslea, around 20 minutes west of Ipswich, Ewe Nique Hobby Farm is perfect for younger children who love getting hands-on with animals.

Farmer Dave and Penny welcome visitors onto their family farm where you’ll meet alpacas, sheep, lambs, goats, chickens and geese. After a short introduction, families are free to wander the farm feeding and patting the animals.

Don’t forget to grab a coffee, morning tea and a few buckets of feed before heading in – we found the alpacas particularly enthusiastic!

Good for: Toddlers, younger children and animal lovers

Allow: Around 2 hours

Cost: Paid experience

Bookings: Essential

Hidden Vale Koala Safari

Located at Spicers Hidden Vale near Grandchester, around 40 minutes from Ipswich, this is one of Australia’s most unique wildlife experiences.

The tour begins at the Hidden Vale Wildlife Centre before heading into the bush with researchers from the University of Queensland to help locate wild koalas using radio tracking equipment.

Rather than simply viewing wildlife, you’re assisting genuine conservation research, making this one of the most meaningful experiences in the region.

For the ultimate weekend escape, pair the safari with lunch at Homage Restaurant or an overnight stay at Spicers Hidden Vale.

Good for: Wildlife lovers and older children

Allow: 2-3 hours

Cost: Premium experience

Bookings: Essential

Soul Nook Collective

Located in the historic town of Marburg, Soul Nook Collective transforms an ordinary picnic into something truly special.

Whether you choose a simple picnic rug beneath the trees or a beautifully styled bell tent, all the hard work is done for you. We simply turned up and relaxed.

It’s a lovely option for families celebrating a birthday, couples or anyone wanting something a little different.

Good for: Families, couples and celebrations

Allow: 2-3 hours

Cost: Paid experience

Bookings: Essential

Ipswich Nature Centre

Located within Queens Park in central Ipswich, the Ipswich Nature Centre is one of the city’s best free family attractions.

Shaded, stroller-friendly pathways wind through native animal enclosures where you’ll meet wombats, kangaroos, birds, reptiles and, if you’re lucky, Hemu the famous emu.

Entry is free, although donations are encouraged, and families can upgrade their visit by booking one of the behind-the-scenes VIP tours.

Good for: Families with younger children

Allow: 1-2 hours

Cost: Free (donation appreciated)

Bookings: Optional for VIP tours

Marburg antique stores

Around 20 minutes west of Ipswich, the historic township of Marburg is well worth exploring.

Our favourite stops are Scotland Yard Antiques, The Black Museum and Special Branch Collective. The kids loved discovering “olden day” telephones and household items they’d never seen before.

Grab a coffee, browse the stores and then wander across to nearby Soul Nook Collective or the local playground.

Good for: Families, history lovers and rainy days

Allow: 1-2 hours

Cost: Free to browse

Bookings: Not required

Queensland Museum Rail Workshop

Located in North Ipswich, the Queensland Museum Rail Workshop is one of the state’s best interactive museums for families.

Parents will appreciate the beautifully restored locomotives and railway history, while children can explore interactive exhibits, science displays and hands-on play areas.

Even if trains aren’t normally your thing, we found ourselves spending far longer here than expected.

Good for: Families of all ages

Allow: 2-4 hours

Cost: Paid admission

Bookings: Not essential

Queens Park and Nerima Gardens

Located in the heart of Ipswich, Queens Park is one of the city’s best free attractions.

The enormous playground keeps children entertained for hours, while parents can grab a coffee from Queens Park Café. Afterwards, take a stroll through the beautiful Nerima Japanese Gardens, designed in partnership with Ipswich’s sister city in Japan.

It’s an easy half-day outing and one of our favourite free things to do in Ipswich.

Good for: Everyone

Allow: 2-3 hours

Cost: Free

Bookings: None

Watercress Creek Olives & Limes

Located near Marburg, Watercress Creek Olives & Limes offers a relaxing change of pace.

Owner Bernard Mahon happily shares the story behind the family farm while visitors stroll through the olive groves and lime orchards, sampling a selection of locally made products.

The kids loved running between the perfectly spaced rows of lime trees while I enjoyed the tastings.

Good for: Families and food lovers

Allow: Around 1 hour

Cost: Free or low cost depending on purchases

Bookings: Recommended

Ivory’s Rock

Located at Peak Crossing, around 30 minutes south of Ipswich, Ivory’s Rock is one of the region’s most spacious camping destinations.

Whether you bring your own caravan or choose the fully set-up Rent-a-Tent option, it’s a fantastic base for exploring the Scenic Rim and surrounding countryside.

We particularly loved the resident wallabies wandering through the campground. You can even get your own private bathroom (subject to availability) here!

Good for: Camping families

Allow: Overnight or weekend

Cost: Paid accommodation

Bookings: Recommended, especially in holidays

Summer Land Camels

Located at Harrisville, around 40 minutes south-west of Ipswich, Summer Land Camels combines a working camel farm with excellent food and unique family experiences.

Join a guided farm tour, feed the camels, sample camel milk products and enjoy breakfast or lunch overlooking the property. Even if you don’t book a tour, the café alone is worth the drive.

Don’t leave without trying the camel milk feta.

Good for: Families, foodies and animal lovers

Allow: 2-3 hours

Cost: Free entry, tours extra

Bookings: Recommended for tours

Llama Farm

Located near Pine Mountain, north of Ipswich, The Llama Farm is home to Queensland’s largest herd of llamas.

Visitors can choose between a farm visit or a guided llama walk, where you’ll lead your own llama around the purpose-built trail before meeting donkeys, miniature ponies and other friendly animals.

Walking a llama is every bit as entertaining as it sounds.

Good for: Families and animal lovers

Allow: 1-2 hours

Cost: Paid experience

Bookings: Essential

Kholo Gardens

Located near Muirlea on the outskirts of Ipswich, Kholo Gardens is one of the area’s most peaceful picnic spots.

Wide open lawns, walking trails, towering hoop pines and a beautiful lily pond make it ideal for a relaxing afternoon after visiting nearby attractions like The Llama Farm.

Bring a picnic and let the kids run around while you enjoy the gardens.

Good for: Families and picnics

Allow: 1-2 hours

Cost: Free

Bookings: None

Festivals & events

Ipswich hosts a packed calendar of festivals throughout the year, making it worth checking what’s on before your visit.

Some of the biggest annual events include CMC Rocks QLD, Spark Ipswich, the TAB Ipswich Cup, the Galvanized Festival of Heritage, Festival of Horsepower and the Ipswich Cycle and Trail Run Epic.

If your travel dates are flexible, planning your visit around one of these events can add even more to your Ipswich itinerary.

Good for: Everyone

Allow: Varies

Cost: Free and paid events

Bookings: Depends on the event

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Free things to do in Ipswich

One of the best things about visiting Ipswich is that you don’t need to spend a fortune to have a great day out. The region offers plenty of family-friendly attractions that are completely free, making it easy to put together a budget-friendly itinerary.

Our favourite free things to do in Ipswich include:

• Queens Park and Nerima Gardens – Let the kids burn off some energy on one of the city’s best playgrounds before wandering through the peaceful Japanese gardens.
• Ipswich Nature Centre – Meet native Australian animals including kangaroos, wombats, birds and reptiles. Entry is free, although donations are appreciated.
• Kholo Gardens – Pack a picnic and enjoy the wide-open lawns, walking paths and picturesque lily pond.
• Browse the antique stores in Marburg – It’s free to wander through the fascinating collections, and children often enjoy spotting “olden day” objects they’ve never seen before.
• Attend a local festival – Many of Ipswich’s annual events include free entertainment, markets and family activities.

If you’re travelling on a budget, you can easily combine Queens Park, the Ipswich Nature Centre and a picnic at Kholo Gardens for a fantastic low-cost family day out.

Things to do in Ipswich with kids

Ipswich is one of South East Queensland’s best destinations for families, with attractions suited to toddlers, primary school-aged children and teenagers alike. Whether your kids love animals, playgrounds, museums or hands-on adventures, there’s something here to keep everyone entertained.

Some of our favourite family-friendly things to do in Ipswich include:

• Meet and feed the animals at Haigslea Ewe Nique Hobby Farm.
• Walk a llama at The Llama Farm.
• Feed friendly camels at Summer Land Camels.
• Explore the interactive exhibits at The Workshops Rail Museum.
• Visit the free Ipswich Nature Centre.
• Spend a few hours at Queens Park and its fantastic playground.
• Help researchers locate wild koalas on the Hidden Vale Koala Safari.
• Take to the skies on a Floating Images hot air balloon flight (best suited to older children who meet the minimum age requirements).
• Older kids and teenagers will also enjoy Rage Cage Smash Rooms and Rampage Axe Throwing for something a little different.

Whether you’re planning a weekend escape or simply looking for a family-friendly day trip from Brisbane, Ipswich offers an impressive mix of outdoor adventures, wildlife encounters and unique experiences that the whole family can enjoy.

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Why Ipswich is worth adding to your QLD itinerary

Ipswich may not always be the first destination that comes to mind when planning a South East Queensland getaway, but that’s exactly what makes it such a rewarding place to explore. From feeding friendly farm animals and walking llamas to soaring above the countryside in a hot air balloon or discovering fascinating museums and heritage towns, there’s far more to do here than many visitors expect.

What we love most about Ipswich is its variety. You can spend the morning spotting koalas with researchers, enjoy lunch at a country café, browse antique stores in Marburg and finish the day relaxing in Queens Park – all within easy reach of Brisbane.

Whether you’re planning a family day trip, a weekend escape or simply looking for somewhere new to explore, Ipswich offers memorable experiences for every age and budget. We’ve genuinely enjoyed every attraction featured in this guide and hope it helps you discover a few new favourites of your own.

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