The charming and eclectic shops of Ipswich’s Top of Town

Ipswich's Top of Town precinct boasts a charming mix, from a 140-year-old hobby shop to contemporary boutiques and artisan showcases.
02 Apr 2025
Discover Ipswich, Staff Writer

Christmas shopping

Ipswich’s eclectic Top of Town shops

For that old-world charm of shopping in independent stores in a traditional streetscape, head to Ipswich’s historic Top of Town precinct.

art time

This Brisbane Street stretch oozes character and originality as well as the city’s trademark heritage charm. And even better – there are fabulous restaurants and cafes woven into the mix. Here are some of the retailers you’ll find in the Top of Town, Ipswich.

The Old Flour Mill

embers & Twine

The historic Old Flour Mill Building is home to a range of business’s including  completely charming and original boutique shops – Embers & Twine, The Soul Cauldron, Nhuralama Shop and The Mill Coffee Shop. Here you’ll find handmade gift items and scented candles, Indigenous Art all things mystical and enchanting from books on spirituality to crystals. There’s also a plant and aquatic shop, beauty services and photography located here!

Soul Cauldron

Obsession Shoes

Obsession Shoes new stock

Handbags, jewellery and luxury aromatic products are also part of the mix at this lovely shoe shop. They feature hard-to-find brands from around the globe. Obsession Shoes – 197 Brisbane St.  Phone 3143 1285.

Oh Jo Jo Boutique

There are many dazzling labels and accessories lining the racks here at Oh Jo Jo. Another Ipswich gem loved by locals and those who travel to shop here. Oh Jo Jo Boutique – 193 Brisbane St. Phone 3143 2981.

Arttime Gallery and Fine Art Supplies

The Gallery space at Arttime Gallery and Fine Art Supplies

It might claim to be an art supplies shop but Arttime is all this and much more. Also home to a doll and collectable shop, art gallery and workshop space!

Brad Kearton Jewellers

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Jewel in the crown of the Top of Town might have to go to this family business. Here you can browse exquisite jewellery and watches or have a bespoke piece custom-designed and created. Brad Kearton Jewellers – 191 Brisbane St. 3281 6800.

CJ Vogler & Son – 140 years on!

Voglers

Few can match this history! Voglers celebrates 140 years in business this year and is the longest running hobby shop in Australia. Specialising in everything from old-school model trains and planes to the very latest drones. That’s Danielle Vogler-Smith in the picture – she’s the sixth generation in the business! CJ Vogler & Son, 134-140 Brisbane St, Phone 3281 1440.

Would you like coffee with that? 

Of course, we can’t mention Top of Town without giving a special mention to the many cafes and restaurants in this part of the city – including Rafter & Rose, Fourthchild, Heisenberg Haus, Lucky Cat Cafe and St Shoebill.

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 showing tourists around, blogging or hanging out with his cute and fluffy mates at the Nature Centre, he likes to hit the gym for a leg session, graze on quinoa salad and ponder the possibilities of the universe.

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