Every year we get one day to celebrate love, whether it’s love for your friends, your partner or someone you’ve just started seeing. This February 14, if you want to impress here’s more than 20 ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day around the Heritage City…
Romantic picnics
The Soul Nook Collective are holding their very first Valentine’s Day picnic event on Sunday February 14 from 5pm-7.30pm.
Snuggle up with your loved one listening to the beautiful soothing tones of Taylor Wilton as the sun sets on your beautifully styled picnic space.
There are four loved up packages to choose from starting at $159 for two to $299.
The Chill’d Picnic Space comes with rugs, cushions and a low line table with a beautiful bunch of fresh flowers for you to take home! Enjoy a grazing box full of gourmet delights as well as coffee/tea/iced tea/soda of your choice. You can BYO wine and beer. Finish off the experience with a delightful ice cream from their cute ice cream cart.
The styled setting includes beautiful cane chair seating, rugs, cushions, a low line table with the same inclusions as the chilled space.
You can upgrade your experience to a beautifully styled bell tent picnic or try out the new pod picnic spaces (pictured).
The new pod picnics are a divine experience. Arrive to a glamourous styled tipi pod, filled with rugs, cushions and fairy lights! Indulge in a gourmet grazing platter for two with coffee/tea/iced tea/soda of your choice and a bunch of fresh flowers to take home! BYO wine and beer and finish off the evening with a gorgeous ice cream.
To book your spot, get in touch with The Soul Nook Collective today and spoil the one you love this Valentine’s Day.
Fine dining: 5 course degustation with wine pairing
Treat your loved one to a romantic dinner at the gorgeous historic restaurant The Cottage.
They have designed a five-course degustation for Valentine’s Day which will be available at 11am and 5pm for $99 or $155 with wine.
Start with Hervey Bay whiting, barramundi brandard and red pepper coulis, paired with Arras Blanc de Blanc from Tasmania.
Then taste the restaurant’s signature Brisbane Valley quail with spaetzle, corn, peach and gastrique, paired with Cave de Turckheim Pinot Gris from France.
Refresh your palate with sorbet before dining on venison, polenta, olive tapenade, onion fluid gel and parmesan snow – gorgeously paired with De Grendel Pintotage from South Africa.
Then indulge in baked chocolate ganache, creme fraiche sorbet and berries. Finish with a Hardy’s Rare Tawny from South Africa.
Bookings are essential phone 3143 2644 to secure your seat.
Candle light dinner
Memories of India will host a special candle light dinner for Valentine’s Day. The simple two course banquet includes your choice of any main for $35. There will also be live music by Helen Coleman from 6pm. The restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner from 11.30am-2.30pm and 5pm-9.30pm.
Celebrate with 4 Hearts Brewing Company
While over at The Pumpyard – galentines, bromances, puppy love, self love it’s all about celebrating the love! Celebrate Valentine’s Day in Pumpyard’s Lovers Lane this year, featuring great food specials, Cupids Cocktails and live music. Bookings highly recommended.
Paint your lover
Looking for a way to express your love? Why not paint your lover Picasso Style for Valentine’s Day? This special Sip ‘n’ Dip event is being held on Saturday February 13 from 6pm-9pm at the Orion Springfield Central Coffee Club and includes a three course dinner.
For $130 per couple learn to paint your lover Picasso style and enjoy a shared entree, main meal and dessert plus a glass of wine each.
To book head to the Sip ‘n’ Dip website and search Valentine’s Event.
Romantic meal at historic mansion
Book a special Valentine’s Night dinner on Sunday 14th February at Tommy Smith Cafe set in the grounds of the timeless and romantic Woodlands of Marburg.
The cafe will be open from 5pm-9pm and outside the Moonshine Theatre will be screening The Notebook from 8.30pm. Tickets cost $10pp call 07 5464 4777 to book your ticket.
Or maybe a romantic breakfast date is more to your liking? Tommy Smith Cafe will be open Saturday and Sunday from 8.30am for breakfast.
If you’re after a date night that’s a little different, Woodlands’ new Haunted Mansion Tour will run on Friday 12th February.
Make the fun last longer with an over night stay in one of Woodlands of Marburg’s Deluxe or Executive suites, from $180 per night.
Dinner and breakfast reservations can be made by calling 1800 TOMMYS.
Bucket list present
If you really want to impress your date, a voucher for a tranquil one hour Floating Images Hot Air Balloon Flight will do the trick.
Spoil your loved one with a scenic flight over Ipswich and surrounding regions followed by a delicious breakfast at Fourthchild Cafe!
Head out on a trail run
They say those that run together stay together, well that’s what the guys at Hidden Vale Adventure Park say anyway! If you want to test out the theory, round two of the Ipswich Trail Run series is being held on February 14.
Valentine’s cocktails, seafood platters and more…
The Retro Diner are offering a special menu available all weekend for Valentine’s Day.
Head in from 5pm for dinner on Friday night to try out the Valentine’s Day dinner, dessert and cocktails! The dinner, dessert and cocktail menu will also be available on Saturday night along with a special breakfast menu on Saturday and Sunday. Lunch will also be available on Saturday and Sunday with some great fresh seafood on the menu.
For dinner tuck into shared platters! The seafood one has fresh prawns, oysters, grilled scallops, grilled Moreton Bay bug, sand crab, crumbed fish, salad and fries.
There’s also an Italian option with meatballs, garlic bread, crab and prawn pasta and salad. Other dinner options are curry prawn cakes, Caesar salad, outback fritters, lasagna, Cuban steak and rice and chicken parmis done three ways! Entrees include Thai curry patties, Italian meatballs, seared scallops and onion rings.
Decadent desserts on offer are cheesecake, tiramasu, Black Forest cake and Valentine’s cupcakes made by The Cake Mobb.
There will also be mimosas, Valentino daiquiris, and Prince Charming’s red apple cocktails available!
For breakfast enjoy, croissants with ham, cheese and tomato or grilled capsicum and mushroom with spinach; bacon and eggs; waffles with berries, ice cream and maple syrup; vegetable fritters; eggs Bene; and grills with eggs, bacon, sausages, mushroom and tomatoes, bakes beans, hashbrown and toast.
Fine dining and escape
Start your night at Dovetails for relaxed modern Australian dining at it’s best. Enjoy an amazing dinner for two, including your choice of two mains, two desserts, and a glass of wine, schooner of beer, or soft drink each.
After dinner it’s time to get a shot of adrenalin at Seraphim Escape Rooms, as you work as a team to find clues, solve puzzles, unlock locks, and try to escape before your time runs out!
With three great games to choose from, get your heart racing for an experience you’ll never forget, and a date night like no other.
Cost is $200 for two people, including dinner, dessert, a drink each and your escape room game.
To book, call 0433 948 338.
Dinner and a show
Casa Mia are holding a special Valentine’s event with a set menu, live music and free bubbles on arrival. For $35 per head enjoy three courses.
To start choose from pumpkin soup, calamari or carbonara, served with garlic pizza bread.
For mains choose chicken or pork with king prawns and crab meat in creamy white wine sauce; spinach and ricotta ravioli; pan-fried chicken breast topped with grilled bacon and mozzarella and covered in sherry cream mango sauce; or choose any small pizza on the menu served with salad.
And for dessert choose from baked ricotta cheese cake, warm chocolate mud cake or two scoops of gelati/sorbet.
Seafood and a show!
This Valentine’s Day celebrate with delicious seafood and a show at Brothers Leagues Club.
You can enjoy a seafood board for two with panko crumbed calamari and prawns, beer battered flathead and fresh tiger prawns, with complimentary bubbles on arrival and profiteroles for dessert!
Cost is $40 for members and the seafood boards are available for lunch or dinner.
Then from 5.30pm see singer Nicky Steel live. The suave, sassy and sophisticated singer is the perfect ingredient to spice up your Valentine’s Day.
Four course Valentine’s menu at Mehfil
Make it a date at Indian Mehfil with a special four course Valentine’s menu for $42 per person with a complimentary glass of red or white wine.
Dine on pappadums with raita, mango chutney and mixed pickles, an assortment of Samosa, Chicken Tikka and Lamb Chops with mint and tamarind sauce for your shared starter. For mains select any two classic curries, add $3 for a seafood option, served with steamed basmati rice and assorted freshly baked naan breads. For dessert enjoy gulab jamun with French vanilla ice cream.
Reservations recommended.
Couples massage
A great way to relax with your partner is a couples massage at Ipswich Massage and Herbal Spa.
They’re celebrating the month of love and offering free chocolates with every couples massage in February!
There’s also a free Beautiful Eyes package with every Environ Facial booked in February too, a great way to treat yourself.
A night away
Quest Ipswich are running a Valentine’s Day promo that includes 15% off the Quest best flexible rate for a studio apartment. The deal allows for cancellations or modifications up to 2pm on the day of arrival, late checkout (12pm) the next day and a complimentary box of chocolates on arrival.
To book enter the word VALENTINES into the promo code box on the Quest Ipswich website, call the reception team on 3813 6000, or email [email protected] and quote Valentine’s to receive your discounted stay with perks. Valid for stays on the 12th, 13th and 14th of February. Availability is limited so book now!
Dinner or lunch at Fourthchild
A special Valentine’s Day menu has been created for dinner from Friday February 12 to lunch on Sunday February 14 at Fourthchild Cafe, Restaurant and Lounge Bar.
Indulge in three courses for $66 per person. Share a tasting plate with your date that includes Thai chicken spring rolls with banana mayo; tomato and basil bruschetta; and Szechuan calamari salad.
Choose a main course each, either roasted chicken supreme – chicken stuffed with mango, camembert and macadamia with potato gratin, spinach and honey mustard sauce; local crispy skinned salmon; slow cooked pork belly; or pumpkin and feta ravioli.
For dessert choose vanilla pannacotta, choc fudge brownie, or baked cheesecake.
Fourthchild will also be mixing up a special Valeninte’s Day cocktail with brandy, cherry brandy, triple sec, lemon juice and grenadine.
Bookings are essential!
Summer Land Camels gifts
Summer Land Camels have a Valentine’s Day skincare pack available online and at their farm shop with award winning Camel Milk body cream, hand cream and two beautiful cleansing bars. They have discounted the farmgate price and are offering a 14% discount in the online shop.
They are also holding Sunset at Summer Land events throughout February and continuing into March. The events are held Saturday evenings from 4:30pm-6:30pm allowing guests to enjoy stunning views with a glass of their favourite beverage in hand along with a delicious grazing platter showcasing award-winning Camel Milk Cheese and local charcuterie. Bookings are highly recommended, email [email protected].
You could gift a camel ride or farm tour and taste experience with gift vouchers available at the farm and online. Camel ride gift vouchers are $60 and include a 15 minute garden ride for two people and a photo opportunity with a handsome riding camel. The Farm Tour and Taste gift vouchers are $50 and cover a behind the scenes tour of the farm for two with a visit to the dairy, production facility and the maternity and nursery paddocks and the chance to learn about the history of camels in Australia and taste their award-winning dairy range.
A Sunrise Ride is the perfect way to get up close and personal with Summer Land’s riding camels and is available seven days a week.
Meet the beautiful riding camels and help cameleers brush and saddle them before enjoying an hour-and-a-half ride through stunning property on camel back followed by breakfast on the verandah of the Homestead Cafe. Online bookings essential.
Valentine’s hamper and picnic
The Ipswich Showplace Markets are teaming up with Queensland Events and Hire to offer you something extra special this Valentine’s Day. Treat yourselves to a pre-ordered picnic hamper or if you really want to impress, a complete picnic experience in a COVID safe setting.
On offer is a Valentine’s hamper for two with heart-shaped sandwiches, cookies, cake pops and croissants for $30, or have a complete picnic experience with everything included from picnic tables, styling and food for $160 for two people. You can choose to celebrate with friends at $15 per head for up to two additional people.
There will be two sittings available, early risers can picnic from 7.30am and for those that enjoy a little sleep in, from 9.30am, 90 minutes per sitting to allow for a COVID clean.
Pre-order directly through Queensland Events and Hire, message through Instagram, Facebook or call Maddie on 0423 626 372.
Then all you have to do is come along to the Ipswich Showplace Markets on Sunday 14th February to either pick-up your pre-ordered Valentine’s hamper or take a seat and enjoy the luxury of a complete Valentine’s Day picnic experience. Not planning, no fuss, no clean-up!
Llama walk experience
This Valentine’s Day book in to walk a Llama at The Llama Farm. A great experience for couples and friends the Llama Walk will see you take one of the farm’s curious llamas for an afternoon walk, you will also learn about the beautiful creatures from the farm’s owners.
Rafter and Rose re-opens weekends in celebration of Valentine’s Day
Popular cafe Rafter and Rose will resume weekend trading on February 13 to celebrate the Valentine’s Day weekend! Look out for homemade croissants, cheesecakes, pumpkin pie, maple cream pies and fresh donuts as well as coffee!
Picnic in the olive grove
Watercress Creek Olives and limes will be open on Valentine’s Day for singles, couples and groups to picnic in the olive grove!
Pre-order a picnic hamper filled with fresh olive produce including tapenades, dukkha and olive oil the day before Valentine’s Day.
Two course dinner offer at Jets
Book in now for a two course dinner for two for only $50 including a drink each, at Jets Leagues Club on Valentine’s Day.
Choose from a chicken mignon – stuffed with bacon, cream cheese, spinach served with sweet potatoes mash, broccoli and camembert sauce….or a miso sesame seed salmon with rice, watercress, lemon and cucumber and mango salad. Then for dessert choose from either chocolate mousse with chocolate waffle filled with lemon curd and cream…or house made crème caramel.
Note offer is members’ pricing. Call 3202 1887 or book online.
Plants and gifts from Trevallan Lifestyle Centre
With Valentine’s Day around the corner Trevallan Lifestyle Centre has some beautiful hand carved stone lovers and lovers knots as well as red flowering plants all wrapped and ready to go.
Trevallan’s owner Chelsea Allan says while traditionally Red Roses are the first choice for Valentine’s Day, the Agapanthus flower stands for secret love and Caladiums mean joy and delight. A white camellia means you are adorable and an Orchid flower can mean love, beauty and charm.
And for the boys – any camellia given to a man symbolizes good luck.
Maiden hair Ferns symbolize a bond of love and the orange tree flowers symbolize eternal Love; marriage and fruitfulness.
Soap Stone Love Knots, made in Zimbabwe, are regarded as a symbol of the constancy of two lovers. Legends have the knots symbolizing the connection between a couple in love. Many examples feature sailors separated from their beloved – it was once common for sailors’ wedding rings, where gold wire was wrought to incorporate the lovers knot such that resultant ring would comprise two tori: each flexible to move about the other; yet nevertheless inseparable.
If that’s still not the right gift, a quirky and fun piece of jewellery might be the way to go? Trevallan stocks Little Dream Collection Earrings and Dimensional Chakras Crystal Jewellery. Both brands create affordable, distinctive and fun pieces that inspire confidence and joyful energy into whoever wears them.
Or perhaps a little gift box, Chelsea suggests the Soap Stone Lovers Entwined statue coupled with some Perfect Potion products.
The garden centre is also fully stocked with a wide range of indoor, general and speciality plants, vegetable and flower seedlings, fruit trees, natives and exotics.
Picnic packs and last minute gifts available at the Visitor Information Centre
For last minute gift ideas including Watercress Olive and Limes picnic packs head down to the Visitor Information Centre.
The Visitor Information Centre also stocks locally made gift lines, including art, packs and produce that support local businesses.
Head in and grab a gift for your sweet Valentine!
Cupid’s weekend at CSI
Celebrate Valentine’s Day all weekend with a great special at Club Services Ipswich. Enjoy a two course set menu that includes entrée and main dish, plus a complimentary glass of beer, wine or soft drink for $34.90pp. Offer available from February 12-14.
Valentine’s Dinner at the Boulevard
The Boulevard Restaurant, which has now found a new home at the Brookwater Golf and Country Club will host a Valentine’s Dinner on Saturday February 13. And this time kids are welcome too!
Arrive at 5pm to enjoy a four course dinner with cocktail on arrival and their famous sand crab lasagne!
Dinner starts with a wine spritzer, warm house-marinated olives with herbs and confit garlic; and Brookwater sourdough.
For entree dine on porchini arancini with truffle salt and baby rocket with EVO and citrus dressing; and twice-cooked pork belly with leek and cauliflower puree and pickled fennel.
Main dishes are sand crab lasagne with Queensland sand crab and abalone cream sauce or 200g eye fillet with crispy potato rosti, baby beans and red wine jus.
Desserts are tiramisu with mascarpone and kahlua with whipped cappuccino sauce; and Boulevard signature warm chocolate brownie with chocolate ganache sauce and vanilla bean ice cream.
There is also a vegetarian or vegan menu available upon request!
You can add on an additional fifth course: caffe and digestivo which is coffee of your liking and limoncello for $8.
Cost for the four course menu is $89pp and $15 for the kids menu.
The Boulevard will also host a Valentine’s Sunday Sesh with local wine and cheese tasting on Sunday February 14 from 1pm!
To book call 3814 5500 or text 0431 011 151.
Share the love at Orion with free movie tickets
At Orion Springfield Central customers can Share the Love all February with the chance to redeem a free movie ticket every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
Why celebrate LOVE on just one day when you can celebrate for the whole month! Simply show your same day restaurant receipt at Event Cinemas to receive a free same day movie ticket. Offer available as part of our Share The Love promotion.
Free concert!
Enjoy a free Valentine’s Day Concert with the Ipswich City Orchestras on Sunday 14 February from 5pm!
The event is being held in the Nicholas St Precinct in the Ipswich CBD.
Bring a picnic and a rug, enjoy an icy cold drink from the 4Hearts Brewing Company Deck Bar and celebrate this global day of love in style with romantic tunes from the ICO and a local DJ.
The first 500 concert goers will also receive a free long stem rose and a yummy chocolate.
