Things to do
Holiday ideas
Discover Ipswich, Staff Writer
There’s plenty to do during the school holidays in Ipswich. Days out with the kids don’t have to be difficult or expensive either! Check out the free water parks or nature areas and enjoy exhibitions at museum spots for an affordable price. Here’s a list of the Ipswich attractions that keep parents coming back.
Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway
Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway is a preserved railway experience, allowing younger ones to marvel at the bygone era with a steam train ride. Hop on board an immaculate vintage wooden carriage during the weekend services and learn more about the city’s mining history. The kids will love it!
Paintball
Paintball is available at Tactical Op Paintball in Ipswich. Paintball makes a great family outing for those with teenagers, especially if they haven’t done the dishes!
Ipswich Art Gallery
Ipswich Art Gallery is well known for programs and interactive exhibitions for kids. These school holidays will be no exception. There’s heaps of programs on at the Gallery, including TapeScape. TapeScape is a two-storey creative play space made entirely from 56,000 metres of packing tape, designed and created by artist Eric Lennartson direct from the US! It’s the first time this exhibition will come to Australia and exclusive to Ipswich Art Gallery. The Gallery is one of the most visited regional art galleries in Australia and has constantly changing exhibitions.
Queens Park precinct
Queens Park will not disappoint you and you may return for more than one day! The area has so much to do. Enjoy the historic Queens Park and bring along some picnic rugs to make the most of the shady trees and warm weather while you watch the kids play. Check out the Ipswich Nature Centre for a view of some of the cutest native animals you will ever see. Stroll at your own pace along the walkways and view the gorgeous animals in their space. Entry is free but a gold coin donation is much appreciated.
While you’re in the precinct, catch a view of the city from Lions Lookout, glimpse the historical Incinerator Theatre and spend more time relaxing in the Japanese designed Nerima Gardens.
River Heart Parklands
The paths and boardwalks of River Heart Parklands will make you feel carefree! Take a stroll along the 1.2km walking area, which overlooks the Bremer River, and pass bridges, nature spots and play areas. The parklands feature Bob Gamble Park, with its shade sails, has all you need for a cooling day out.
It has a zero-depth water park and play equipment including a climbing spider. There’s a 25-metre flying fox and swings suitable for toddlers. Add to that the thriving Discovery Forest with balance beams, forts, wooden totem poles and a bridge across a dry creek bed, and you won’t be able to drag yourself or the kids away.
Discover Ipswich
Staff Writer
Rocky the Rock Wallaby is a Sagittarius who lives at the Ipswich Nature Centre and often contributes to Discover Ipswich in his spare time. When he's not busy blogging or hanging out with his bestie Windora the Bilby, he likes to hit the gym for a leg session, graze on quinoa salad and ponder the possibilities of the universe.
