If you’re looking for a few ways to have fun while exploring history and heritage, here are a few ideas!
Take a ghost tour
Hear about Ipswich’s haunted history on a ghost tour run by historian Jack Sim’s knowledgeable team. There are three tours to choose from, a CBD ghost tour, an Ipswich Cemetery tour and a Goodna Cemetery tour.
You can also join a local guide on a Haunted Mansion Tour at Woodlands of Marburg on Friday and Saturday nights.
View historic buildings
At the Cooneana Heritage Centre you can find a restored homestead built from timber cut and milled on site. You can also see coal mining displays and a school room where children can experience an olden day’s classroom complete with wooden desks and slate boards.
On Sundays you can take a heritage tour around the plantation-style Woodlands of Marburg mansion built in 1889.
Stroll around the Top of Town to see the Old Flour Mill building, the Old Courthouse and 88 Limestone which used to be a technical college.
Attend Galvanized
Galvanized is the city of Ipswich’s festival of heritage, showcasing the best heritage experiences and events Ipswich has over 11 days at the end of August. There are events focusing on first nations heritage and culture, as well as workshops, social events, talks and tours.
Visit the birthplace of rail in Queensland
The Workshops Rail Museum is an award-winning museum located at the birthplace of rail in Queensland. The first train to run in Queensland was steamed from the original rail workshops to Bigges Camp in Grandchester. In 2002 a museum opened at the site featuring 15 large exhibition spaces showcasing the social, technical and cultural impacts of rail transport.
Once a year the museum hosts Planes Trains and Autos over the May long weekend. The event includes military and car displays as well as historic plane fly overs.
Take a ride on a historic train
The Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway (QPSR) runs restored historic locomotives once a month, alternating between Saturday and Sunday trips. You can book a ticket to ride in heritage carriages along old mining routes and explore the historic station.
Also on the first Sunday of each month the Grandchester Model Steam Railway is open to visitors. Here you can ride scaled down versions of steam locomotives, through model stations and over a bridge. The trains are located at the end of the first railway in Queensland, Bigges Camp.
Explore military history
The RAAF Amberley Aviation Heritage Centre has a large collection of military aircraft from years gone by, as well as vehicles, equipment, and other military memorabilia to explore. It is open to the public one Sunday a month, and groups can book in during the week.
You can also view a collection of military memorabilia at the Ipswich Soldiers’ Memorial Hall Museum. The museum is open to the public on the last Sunday of the month from 9am to 3pm and for special tours during Galvanized.
