Congratulations, you’re having a baby!
Before you hear the pitter patty of tiny feet, you deserve to treat yourself to a well-deserved break away from your doctor’s appointments, washing onesies and stocking up on baby essentials at the supermarket.
Just like a honeymoon, a babymoon is the perfect excuse for you and your significant other to get away for a few days to indulge in one last adult escapade before your little one arrives.
Here is everything you need to know to help you plan a relaxing babymoon in Ipswich.
Stay
A babymoon is all about relaxing, so you should expect lazy morning sleep-ins, peaceful afternoon naps, and tucking up in bed with a good book or movie in the evening.
Ipswich has an abundance of comfy accommodation options where you can rest your head and catch up on some rest before the sleepless nights begin.
Spicers Hidden Vale
With its elegant guest rooms and enticing modern restaurants, Spicers Hidden Vale is where sophisticated style affectionately embraces country charm.
Featuring a mixture of beautifully-restored Queenslander-style cottages, each room has been designed with opulence in mind, such as king and queen size beds, fireplaces and stunning views overlooking the property.
Guests can choose to stay in a luxury timber cabin or luxury suite, as well as the heritage suite, valley view room or Chinese Cottage.
Spicers Hidden Vale is also home to the award-winning Homage Restaurant – where top chefs plate up mouth-watering meals using the freshest local ingredients – as well as The Barn Restaurant, featuring casual dining at its finest.
*Also we hear there are parents retreat options at Spicers – just ask about it when booking.
Springfield Lakes Hotel
This boutique hotel located in the heart of Springfield Lakes offers the perfect combination of excitement and calm tranquillity, ensuring your stay is effortless and memorable.
With two room types available, guests can choose between the executive queen suite or executive king room, both of which offer ultimate style and comfort.
The executive queen suite features a tastefully decorated master bedroom, a separate lounge room and lavish ensuite, where as the executive king room features a small table with guest chairs, as well as an office desk.
There is also a swimming pool so you can indulge in a morning swim before breakfast or catch some rays on the sundeck in the afternoon.
Springfield Lakes Hotel is also home to DStar Cafe, Bar and Grill restaurant – serving up breakfast and dinner Tuesday to Sunday.
Quest Apartment Hotels Springfield Central
Each room at Quest Springfield Central is designed to be your home-away-from-home.
The studio apartment provides a stylish and open-plan space with a king bed, kitchenette with cooktop and appliances, as well as an ensuite bathroom.
If you’re looking for a little more space, the one-bedroom apartment and two-bedroom executive apartment features more square footage, and comes complete with a fully equipped kitchen with full size fridge and a dining table, meaning you don’t have to leave the room if you don’t want to.
If you do feel like adventuring out, there are a number of great eateries within walking distance where you can grab a coffee and a bite to eat.
Quest Apartment Hotels Ipswich
Quest also has a second accommodation option for visitors who are staying in the heart of Ipswich – conveniently located roughly 1km from the CBD.
The same room configurations outlined at Quest Springfield can be found here at Quest Ipswich, providing the perfect alternative to a hotel room.
There is also an onsite swimming pool so you can dip your toes into the cool and refreshing water all year round.
Oaks Ipswich Aspire Suites
Ideally located in the centre of Ipswich, Oaks Ipswich Aspire Suites combines contemporary style with spectacular views of the parklands and the river.
Featuring studio rooms, as well as one, two and three bedroom apartments, you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing a room that is right for you during your babymoon.
The self-contained apartments come complete with either kitchenettes and a bar fridge, or a full kitchen with stainless steel appliances and a laundry.
There’s also an onsite pool where you can cool off while overlooking many of Ipswich’s beautiful landmarks.
Cumquat House B&B
For a traditional bed and breakfast experience, look no further than Cumquat House – a 1914 heritage listed building featuring six charming rooms.
Each room has been uniquely designed with gorgeous colour palettes and furniture to match.
You will find queen size beds in five of the rooms, with the Emsworth Room being the only room to offer a king size bed. It also features a private ensuite bathroom with rain shower and a sitting room with French doors that open onto your private balcony.
Breakfast is served in a relaxed dining area, so you can say hello to the other guests who are also staying.
Other amenities include a shared kitchen, lounge and barbecue grills.
For more accommodation options, including the heritage Woodlands of Marburg Estate see our accommodation page.
*If you book into Woodlands, then check out The Soul Nook Collective for a gourmet styled picnics and shopping while you’re in Marburg.
Eat
Ipswich is a foodie’s paradise, so during your babymoon you won’t want to miss out on the opportunity to eat out at whatever café or restaurant your heart and stomach desires.
This is your chance to eat out often and eat well before the time comes when you’re cleaning up spaghetti that has been thrown everywhere and sipping on a cold cup of forgotten coffee.
Here are some of Ipswich’s best eateries to try on your babymoon.
Rafter and Rose
Rafter and Rose is a popular spot in Ipswich and well known for its delicious menu.
Everything is freshly made in-store, so whether you’re craving a croissant, doughnuts, brownies, cakes or slices, you are sure to find plenty of little temptations in their display cabinet.
If you’re after something a little more wholesome, there are plenty of main meal options to curb those hunger pains. Why not munch on a frittata, an old school ham, cheese and tomato toastie, or a mouth-watering beef or chicken burger.
Oh, and don’t forget the all-important coffee and tea options. As soon as you walk through the door, the aroma of the fresh coffee beans is sure to put a spring in your step.
Bakehouse Steakhouse
Built inside a historic bakery dating back to 1875, Bakehouse Steakhouse is one of Ipswich’s premier dining experiences.
The succulent steaks are the signature dishes on the menu, and all come with endless fries, soft leaves and your choice of sauce.
Alternatively, the chefs can also whip up exquisite burgers, pork cutlets, salads, fresh vegetables and Instagram-worthy desserts.
There’s also a large outdoor area at the back, perfect for kicking back on sunny afternoons with a mocktail.
Indian Mehfil
If you’re looking to spice up your babymoon, you can’t go past Indian Mehfil – one of Ipswich’s most popular restaurants.
Conveniently located in the Ipswich CBD, Indian Mehfil prides itself on serving up delicious food in a warm and welcoming environment.
The chefs here have won plenty of accolades for their dishes, so whether you are craving a traditional butter chicken, Lamb Rogan Josh, Tandoori Prawns, samosas or naan bread, you are sure to get a tasty and flavoursome meal each and every time.
Ruby Chews Burgers and Shakes
Sometimes you can’t go past a good old-fashioned burger, and where better to satisfy your craving than Ruby Chews, which has been voted the Best Burger in Ipswich multiple times.
Ruby Chews puts a twist on the classic American burger bar by using loads of fresh ingredients on their burgers and hot dogs.
Other awesome menu items include loaded potato gems, fried chicken, sundaes, churros and shakes, making this a fulfilling meal out without too much fuss.
*Ruby Chews is also located right next to Limelight Cinemas – the perfect opportunity to indulge in an uninterrupted movie date before the little one arrives.
Moselles Cafe and Restaurant
Fancy breakfast, lunch or dinner with a spectacular view? At Moselles Cafe and Restaurant in Springfield Lakes, you can choose a table beside the water overlooking the pristine and shimmering lake.
The all-day cafe menu features plenty of treats such as banana bread to muffins, croissants and toasted sandwiches.
For a healthy start to your day, why not order their special pancakes and crepes, eggs benedict, granola, or try the smashed avo with haloumi, poached eggs, roasted tomatoes, beetroot hummus, dukkah and sourdough.
Lunch and dinner options also include classic fish and chips, burgers, fries and pasta.
Raw Energy Springfield
If you’re trying to nourish your body with lots of healthy food before bub arrives, Raw Energy Springfield serves up an array of fresh and tasty food and drinks that your body will thank you for.
On the menu you will find brekkie burritos, acai bowls, poke bowls, healthy burgers and wraps filled with salad, as well as fresh juices and smoothies.
Ungermann Brothers Milk Bar
You will feel like you have travelled back in time to the 1950s as soon as you walk through the doors of Ungermann Brothers Milk Bar, which gives off some serious Happy Days vibes with their American-style booths and checker board floors.
If you love ice cream, you’re in the right place, as this is the home of gourmet ice cream with lots of weird and wonderful flavours that somehow combine to give you a lip-smacking experience. Have you ever tried lavender and honeycomb ice cream? What about salted caramel, bacon and pecan? Well, you can here!
Ungermann’s also dish up tasty burgers, fries, waffles and more!
The Cottage Restaurant
Located inside a charming heritage Queenslander style house built in 1861, The Cottage Restaurant is a small and intimate restaurant that is the epitome of fine dining.
All of the former bedrooms have been converted into dining spaces which offers a touch of seclusion. There is also plenty of seating available on the verandah.
This fine-dining restaurant serves up an array of delightful meals such as smoked Brisbane Valley Quail, seared sirloin and 72-hour brisket, Peking inspired duck and for dessert, lavender brulee and mixed berry tart.
For more places to eat and drink visit our Eat and Drink page.
Indulge
You can’t go on a babymoon and not indulge in a few pamper sessions!
All parents-to-be deserve to take some time out and treat their bodies to a relaxing massage or sensual facial, which will leave you feeling more relaxed than you have in months.
Prenatal massages are available at Ipswich Massage and Herbal Spa to help alleviate and reduce body aches and stress, as well as ease muscle tension in areas such as your lower back, hips, and legs.
During the massage, you’ll either lie on your side or on a specially designed table with a cut-out for your belly.
A couples massage is also a great way to spend some time with your significant other, and although you won’t be talking to one another, it’s comforting to have them close by and feeling what you’re feeling from the qualified masseuses.
A facial will also help you feel rejuvenated and feel like a million bucks!
*After your visit to Ipswich Massage and Herbal Spa take some time to stop in at the boutique children’s shop just down the street (called Cute to Boot) and independent retailers like Embers and Twine for relaxing teas, Soul Sista, Oh! JoJo and Obsession Shoes for clothes, homewares and footwear.
**If you’re staying in Springfield, head to Orion Springfield Central for shopping and pampering.
