This outer borough of Brisbane is a city in its own right these days, and has invested heavily in the renewal and reinvention of its town in recent years – and it shows. From a wide range of well designed public amenities to a local calendar of events that puts many larger areas to shame this is a place that knows what it takes to attract and keep visitors coming back for more. One of the unsung heroes of the area, you’re sure to be pleasantly surprised by the modernity and vibrancy of Ipswich.
Head to the Heartland
The River Heart Parklands entices visitors to the edge of the Bremer River with a beautiful park, with some gorgeous water features, viewing platforms and plenty of interesting walking paths to stroll or ride along. Each night there is a light and water display, so make a plan to enjoy the sunset and stick around for the show. There’s electric barbeques and lots of picnic tables so you can enjoy lunch or dinner here with ease. These parklands have been thoughtfully designed for maximum enjoyment, so all you need do is take advantage of the amenities on offer and enjoy the relaxation that only a beautiful park can provide.
Ride on the Rails
The Workshops Rail Museum is the very best place to bring any train enthusiasts in the family, but even those with only a passing interest in all things rail will find much to entertain themselves with here. There’s regular steam train expeditions here, but they book out fast, so some forward planning will be needed to avoid disappointment if a ride on a steam engine is one of your must-dos. The museum itself is full of interesting displays including a number of trains and trams for the kids to clamber on. During the warmer months the Museum Twilight Markets give the place a festive atmosphere with stalls to explore and food trucks to feed you in fine style. The Sciencenter is co-located here as well, so your little explorers can get stuck into the interactive exhibits and expand their education while having a wonderful time.
Nerima Dreams
Wander your way to Nerrima Gardens in Queens Park through the walled entry gates, and you might think you’ve somehow travelled to Japan – the Japanese gardens here are expansive and very beautiful, having been expanded and beautified painstakingly by diligent caretakers over the last twenty years. With lakes, waterfalls, and a carefully curated walking path that sedately winds you through all the best views of the garden you will feel the serenity of this place seep into your bones, leaving you calm and refreshed. The gardens are named for Ipswich’s sister city in Japan.
Nature Discoveries
The Ipswich Nature Centre is a delightful hobby farm right in the middle of historical Queens Park, making it easily accessible. There are wombats, quolls, emus and wallabies here to get to know, and there’s even a special exhibit designed to allow you to get a glimpse of the nocturnal bilbies. A rainforest bird aviary is also a highlight, and there’s a baby farm animal area here as well.
