If you’re looking for a few ways to have fun while exploring history and heritage, here are a few ideas!
Attend Galvanized
Galvanized is the city of Ipswich’s festival of heritage, showcasing the best heritage experiences and events Ipswich has over 11 days from 29 August to 8 September 2024. There are events focusing on first nations heritage and culture, as well as workshops, social events, talks and tours.
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 and they usually run on Friday or Saturday nights.
Explore Indigenous History
Take a drive out to Hardings Paddock to explore First Nations history. Find a Kupmurri cooking area, Aboriginal Totem walk, yarning circle and bush tucker trail designed to enable cultural practice and knowledge sharing.
During Galvanized you can also attend the Indigenous Wild Food and Cultural Festival. It will feature a huge line-up of talented Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and contemporary talent, bush tucker foods and cooking demonstrations.
There will be live cultural performances and workshops, market stalls, food trucks, and tonnes of free family entertainment for the whole family including arts and crafts, games, rides, fireworks and more!
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.
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. Head to Timothy Maloney Oval to view the stunning St Mary’s Catholic Church or to the Nicholas Street Precinct to see the oldest Anglican Church in Queensland – St Paul’s – which will also host the Craft & Quilt Display during Galvanized.
Have lunch or dinner in a heritage building
There are a number of restaurants housed in historic buildings in Ipswich. Indian Mehfil is inside an old bank building, Memories of India is inside the historic Ulster Pub circa 1910, Essence of Indya is in a beautiful 1920s building, and Bakehouse Steakhouse is in a former bakery dating back to 1870.
Sit and sip in a heritage laneway at Monte Lane or Stony Creek Brewing at the old Pumpyard (a historical watering hole and once a Technical College).
The Cottage Restaurant is housed inside Darver Cottage, an 1860s house-turned restaurant. You can also take a drive to explore the historic Spicers Hidden Vale estate and eat at Homage Restaurant.
Visit the birthplace of rail in Queensland
Queensland Museum Rail Workshops 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.
During Galvanized the museum will host a range of events with everything from Steam & Smoke BBQ to Creative Glass Sandblasting and blacksmithing workshops.
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.
Visit the historic town of Marburg
Home to the beautiful Woodlands of Marburg estate, cute antiques stores and a historic pub, the country town of Marburg is full of heritage charm.
You can visit The Black Museum, Scotland Yard Antiques and Special Branch Collective for antiques and curiosities. Stop in for a drink at one of the oldest original pubs in the Ipswich Region, the Marburg Hotel, walk around the corner for a coffee at The Soul Nook Collective – housed inside an old church, now full of gorgeous homewares and gifts.
Marburg is also hosting The Baker’s Ball as part of Galvanized, where you can step back in time for a WWII victory dinner dance-inspired event!
Stay in charming heritage accommodation
Whether you’re headed to Ipswich during the Galvanized Festival or coming another time, there are some charming heritage accommodation offerings in Ipswich where you can soak up some history.
Stay at Cumquat House bed and breakfast, a 1914 Mission Revival house; or Woodlands of Marburg with executive and deluxe suites overlooking a grand 1891-built mansion; book to stay in the heritage cottages at Spicers Hidden Vale or restored heritage homes with Urban Getaway.
