In Ipswich you can play with trains, learn about nature and meet some cute furry friends as well as take the kids on once in a lifetime adventures…
For the train fans
Take the kids for an exciting day out at The Workshops Rail Museum with displays of restored locomotives and carriages, a train simulator and a Sciencentre with more than 20 interactive stations. Kids will love the huge model train display and little nippers area. When the tummy starts to rumble, stop by the trackside café for a refuel.
Ride the rails
Step back in time on the Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway with picnic train trips running with either steam or diesel engines and beautifully restored carriages. The recently refurbished Swanbank Station also hosts food trucks for a bite to eat, and is a great place to play down a picnic rug under a shady tree. This train trip, which features heritage timber carriages is a one hour journey that winds its way through the old coal mining sites, lush bushland and along the base of Castle Hill.
Tick off a bucket list item
Tick a hot air balloon ride off the bucket list these holidays with a spectacular one hour Floating Images Hot Air Balloon Flight over the Ipswich and Scenic Rim countryside, followed by breakfast at Fourthchild Café.
Immerse the family in nature
Surround yourself in nature with a camping trip to Ivory’s Rock. Go wallaby and koala spotting amongst the walking tracks on the property with spectacular mountain views. Enjoy great amenities including private bathrooms with flushing toilets and hot showers.
Or for something a bit more rustic check out Hardings Paddock down the road. Surrounded by natural bushland the campgrounds guarantee serene experiences with only eight sites available. There’s no drinking water, so bring your own, but there is a holding yard and trails for horse riding. From the campground you can access the Flinders-Goolman Conservation Estate.
Another great camping option is Keira Farm at Mutdapilly. Enjoy beautiful views of the Flinder’s Ranges from the 500 acre working cattle farm. Checkout the local wildlife, farm animals and great sunrises and sunsets.
See the animals
Spend a day checking out the cute and cuddly residents in the Heritage City. Stop off at The Llama Farm where you can book a farm tour or a llama walking tour and learn about these curious animals. Also see camels, donkeys and giant Flemish rabbits!
Head to the Haigslea Ewe Nique Hobby Farm where the kids can feed the farm animals including goats, sheep, alpacas and chickens, and mum and dad can relax at the onsite café with a delicious coffee. The café also stocks freshly baked goodies…
Another way to see the animals is a trip to the Ipswich Nature Centre with the kids. Entry is a gold coin donation to see the native animals, or you can book an Animal Encounters Tour from $10 to learn a bit more about the animals and how they are cared for by the rangers at the centre.
Water play fun
Take the kids for dip at the Orion Lagoon or the nearby zero depth water play park at Robelle Domain. Next door is Orion Springfield Central shopping centre and a mega playground with merry-go-round, climbing nets, trampolines and giant slide.
Stop at the Ripley Splash ‘n’ Play water park with giant twisty slides and an elevated rope skywalk, flying fox and more.
Check out Bob Gamble Park’s zero depth water play area with spurting jets of water, climbing spider, flying fox and a Discovery Forest.
The newest water play park in Ipswich is located at Tulmur Place in the Nicholas St Precinct in Ipswich Central, with water spouts and a simulated rain fall area, take the kids to cool down and enjoy a light show at night.
