If you are yet to venture out to the bustling city of Ipswich, then what are you waiting for?
This beautiful city offers a blend of history and modernisation, bustling city meets country charm, and the perfect blend of indoor and outdoor activities.
Every month Ipswich delivers a smorgasbord of events and tourist attractions you simply won’t find anywhere else, including history tours, arts, culture, live entertainment, kids’ activities, animal adventures, nature experiences and much more.
Whatever you’re interested in, Ipswich has got it going on!
Find out what you can discover this month!
Three headline acts to appear at the Civic Centre
It’s set to be a big month of entertainment at the Ipswich Civic Centre this month, with the curtain opening on four big shows. The fun begins with ABC’s Jenny Woodward, who will be bringing her one-woman show to the stage on February 5. This is followed by singer/songwriter Carole Williams and her show The Velvet Lounge on February 12 and the comedic stylings of Aussie favourite Carl Barron on February 22 and 23.
Trivia, comedy and live tunes to feature at Studio 188
Grab your friends and head down to Studio 188 for some laughter and toe-tapping fun. If you consider yourself quite the whizz with facts, book at a table at the Studio 188 trivia night on February 18.
Or if you dream of becoming a stand-up comedian, sign up to take part in the Ipswich Has Comic Talent workshop on February 19, where comic facilitator Anthony Lamond will help you with your act. Then later that night you will perform your routine in front of a live audience. If you prefer to sit back and listen to some tunes, check out the aspiring artists who will be performing at Ipswich Unearthed on February 26. The show will feature Tyrah Read, Ethan Hill, Chloe and Caleb and Way Past Expiry.
Cocktails with the camels
Once a month Summer Land Camels host a special sunset Cocktails with the Camels event, where you can enjoy an evening of fine food and beverages while watching the camels meander in the fading sunlight.
For $18.50 per person, guests will taste test a delicious grazing platter showcasing a selection of the farm’s award-winning camel milk cheese and charcuterie. Cocktails, mocktails and other drinks are available to purchase on the night, as well as a farmhouse special meal selected by their chef (only one dish will be available on the night), and camel milk gelato.
This is an after-hours event and for people aged over 18. The next Cocktails with the Camels event will be held on February 26, starting at 4pm.
If your kids would like to tour Summer Land Camels, head on down any day from 9am-3pm. It is free to enter, but if you would really like to know more about the working camel farm, book a farm tour for $25. The farm’s friendly staff will guide you on an hour long behind-the-scenes tour through every day operations of the farm, including their camel milk processing and production facilities. Additionally, you can book a farm tour and picnic for $40, or a 15-minute camel ride for $30.
Raise a glass and money for cancer research
Comedian Kat Davidson will be appearing at the Orion Hotel on February 26 for the annual Bubbles for Boobs fundraiser, which raises money for breast cancer research. Tickets are $59 per person or $550 for a table of 10. All tickets include a long lunch and a drink on arrival. All donations go to Ipswich Breast Screen and Mummy’s Wish. To book, click here.
Go on an adventure through the Ipswich Nature Centre
Follow the trail through the Ipswich Nature Centre by using The Little Queenslander’s Alphabet Book as your guide. Kids will have a ball learning about unique places around Queensland and the different animals. There’s also a special Nature Play Passport you can use, which can be picked up at the Queens Park Environmental Education Centre or any Ipswich Library branch. Find out more here.
Kevin Bloody Wilson returns
He’s known for his comical tongue-in-cheek songs and pushing back against political correctness, and now Kevin Bloody Wilson is returning to entertain Ipswich audiences when he appears at the Racehorse Hotel on February 15.
Explore the Amberley Aviation Heritage Centre
Plane and military enthusiasts can head down to the RAAF Amberley Aviation Heritage Centre to see a number of military aircraft up close, including the beloved F-111, at an upcoming open day on February 20 from 8.30am-1.15pm. As the heritage centre is located on an active military base, visitors must fill out a form with all their details prior to the open day for security reasons.
Dive into the cool, refreshing water at Orion Lagoon
Located opposite Orion Springfield Central, the lagoon is the perfect place to unwind and splash around with the kids. The lagoon features a number of interconnected pools with different depths, perfect for swimmers of all ages and abilities. There is also an aquativity section which features squirting spots and stepping stones, areas which replicate a walk-in beach, and shade sales to protect against the summer sun. Lifeguards patrol the lagoon for everyone’s safety from 5am-9pm. Children under 13 must be actively supervised by persons 18 years or older at all times.
A night with Ipswich’s Queens
Be dazzled by professional Drag Queens as they bring you an outrageous, highly entertaining and over-the-top musical theatre dining experience at Casa Mia. Held on the first Saturday of the month, Dancing With The Queens is a premiere Drag Cabaret Dinner Show which is fun for the whole family. Tickets are $55 for adults and $30 for children aged 7-13.
Learn more about your future
Find out what the future has in store for you from fifth generation clairvoyant and cartomancer Anne Maree when she visits The Soul Nook Collective. Anne Maree will be doing tarot readings onsite on February 4, 11 and 18.
Create something unique
When you attend one of the many workshops hosted by Sip ‘n’ Dip Australia, you will get to take something beautiful home with you. Choose from a variety of workshops including painting, making your own resin entertainment board, jewellery making and more. Workshops are held at various locations across the city.
Explore The Workshops Railway Museum
With more than 15 larger-than-life exhibitions to explore, it’s easy to lose track of time during a visit to The Workshops Railway Museum.
Visitors young and old will feel like they have stepped into a bygone era as they make their way through the heritage-listed buildings that were once the centre of rail construction, maintenance and technology for Queensland’s burgeoning rail industry. Today, it houses exhibitions such as Diesel Revolution, Might and Muscle, Model Railway, Nippers Railway, a Sciencentre, and more.
For little ones, there is also a fun and interactive activity called Little Nippers, which encourages fun and discovery learning around a museum object. After all that exploring, families can grab a tasty treat from the Trackside Café. The Workshops Rail Museum is open 9.30am-4pm daily. Entry is $14.50 for adults, $12.50 for concession, $11.50 for children aged 3-15, and free for children under the age of three.
Experience some country charm
For a decadent taste of country charm, stop in for a visit at Woodlands of Marburg, a restored plantation-style mansion which was built in 1889. Woodlands is a very special place with an intriguing history, with much to do, see and experience. It offers a range of accommodation options ranging from two room family rooms, right through to five star deluxe and executive suites ideal for short breaks or weekend getaways. If you’re after a bite to eat, drop by the Tommy Smith Café on weekends or book into The Sugarmill Restaurant.
Take a journey back in time
Tour the many exhibitions and experience what life was like before your time at the Cooneana Heritage Centre. It’s open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10am-2pm, as well as the second and fourth Sunday of the month from 10am-2pm (from March until November). Find them at 1041 Redbank Plains Road, New Chum.
Cheer on the jockeys
Enjoy a day trackside at the Ipswich Turf Club as you cheer on the jockeys and their horses. Races will be held on February 2, 9, 17 and 24. Now boasting new horse race day stalls, a refurbished track and renovated facilities, the venue has something for everyone.
Indulge in a luxury escape
If you’re looking for a weekend escape, stop and take in the fresh air at Spicers Hidden Vale at Grandchester. Featuring a mix of beautifully restored Queenslander style cottages dating back to the 1800s, some fondly named after Australian cattle breeds, Spicers Hidden Vale is perfectly positioned to capture breathtaking views of the sweeping countryside. The newly rebuilt Homage Restaurant also offers a mouth-watering paddock to plate dining experience.
Join a free Didgeridoo Jam session
Learn more about local Indigenous cultures by joining in a Didgeridoo Jam in Augustine Heights on Friday, February 4. Have a jam or bring a blanket and kick back by the fire pit and listen to a mix of instruments combined with the Didgeridoo. The event is held from 7-10pm at the Didgeridoo Festival’s headquarters, which is surrounded by gum trees and friendly wildlife.
Live entertainment at Banshees
Located in the Ipswich CBD, Banshees Bar and Artspace is a popular venue for music lovers to gather and hear alternative music by local bands and visiting artists. This month, there will be an open mic night on February 2, as well as a live gig on February 18 featuring PhD! who are celebrating the release of their latest single ‘Tie Dye’ with friends Hanoi Traffic and Lunchtime.
Admire classic cars
Car collectors and motoring clubs will be showing off their pride and joy at Cardi Gras, a monthly car show held at Riverlink Shopping Centre. Visitors can chat with other motoring enthusiasts as they check out the array of wheels on display. There is also the chance for participants to win some prizes, with trophies handed out for the best-looking cars on the night. The next event will be held on February 5 from 4-8pm on the mezzanine level of the shopping centre.
Watch a Hollywood blockbuster
Movie lovers of all ages will enjoy a night at the Tivoli Drive-In, complete with Hollywood stars and tasty popcorn. Movie screenings this month include Ghostbusters: Afterlife; Venom: Let There Be Carnage; Clifford the Big Red Dog; Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins; and Bumblebee.
Test your skills at these epic mountain bike tracks
Enjoy the sunshine, the fresh air, and keeping fit by hitting the mountain bike trails at Hidden Vale Adventure Park, where there are more than 110km of world class trails just waiting to be explored. The tracks are suitable for beginners right up to experienced riders.
V8 race experience
Strap yourself in and feel the power as you experience the thrill of a lifetime taking a spin around the famous Queensland Raceway in a Holden or Ford V8 race car. These are almost identical to the ones racing in the championship and offer an exhilarating and heart racing driver or passenger experience. This year two new cars will be making their debut around the circuit, including a brand-new Chevrolet Camaro and a Ford Mustang. To book, click here.
Beat the clock to open the lock
Grab your friends and head to Seraphim Escape Rooms, where you are locked inside a room and must solve a series of puzzles within a one-hour timeframe. The puzzles have been designed to test your brain, making you think outside the box, ironically while you are locked in one. Good luck!
Spend your Friday night drifting legally
Get your car off the streets and head to Queensland Raceway where you can legally and safely spin the wheels at Friday Night Drift. This event provides top drivers a chance to test out their new gear and setups, while also allowing newcomers and social drivers an opportunity to see how their driving stacks up. Two drift circuits are run simultaneously. The next event will be held on February 18 from 6-10pm.
Hear spine-chilling stories about Ipswich’s resident ghosts
Are you brave enough to walk through a cemetery at night? Join renowned historian and ghost hunter Jack Sim on one of his many haunted ghost tours across the city. Guests can choose to visit the Ipswich Cemetery, Goodna Cemetery or join a night time walking tour through the Ipswich CBD. To book, see Ghost Tours Australia.
Get rolling onto the circuit
Roll Racing is about street racing in a fun and safe environment without the risk of getting in trouble! Held at Queensland Raceway, this event has been designed to give you as much track time as possible. Numbers are strictly limited to make sure you get value for money. The next Roll Racing event will be held on February 19 from 3-10pm.
Feed adorable baby goats every Sunday
Pat and feed the baby goats, watch a cheese making demonstration and taste some of the farm’s gelato and cheese when you visit Naughty Little Kids in Peak Crossing. The farm welcomes visitors for tours every Sunday afternoon. Gates open at 12.40pm and farm tours run at 1:05pm, 2:15pm, and 3:25pm. They go for around an hour and are a fantastic family event for all ages. Tickets must be purchased online in advance.
Let the race begin
Cheer on the drivers who will be taking to the track in a bid to be crowned the winner at round one of the Queensland Racing Drivers’ Championship on February 26. Round one will see crowd favourites such as Track Attack Excel Cup, Queensland Touring Car Championship, the Italian Challenge, Historic Touring Cars – Group N, DSS Law QLD Sportscar Championship and QR Sports and Sedans hitting the track for their season openers. The flat layout of the course and spectator mounds make for great viewing.
Fill your bags at these great markets
Whether you’re after fresh produce direct from the farm, plants, homemade goodies, clothing or jewellery, you are sure to find those and many more at one of Ipswich’s great markets.
The Springfield Markets is held on the first Sunday of every month from 8am-1pm at Robelle Parklands in Springfield Central, and the third Sunday of the Month from 9am-4pm at Orion Springfield Central Shopping Centre.
The Ripley Markets are a great way to shop and explore. This dog-friendly market is held on the second Saturday of the month from 3-8pm at Providence, Ripley Valley.
The Ipswich Showplace Markets are held every Sunday from 6-11.30am at the Ipswich Showgrounds on Warwick Road. The markets have long been a popular destination for early risers on a weekend. Entry is a gold coin donation.
My Local Market is held on the first Sunday of the month on Parkland Drive, Walloon, from 8-11am.
The Riverlink Market Zone is held on the second Sunday of every month from 8am-1pm at Riverlink Shopping Centre, corner Downs St and The Terrace, Ipswich.
The Handmade Expo Markets are held on the second Saturday of the month at the Nicholas Street Precinct.
The Ipswich Twilight Markets are held on the first Friday of the month from 3-8pm, at the Nicholas Street Precinct.
