Mark Sunday September 3 in the calendar, it’s a day to honour the dad in your life!
And if you’re thinking of getting him a special gift, check out these great experiences on offer around the Ipswich region.
Take dad for a Hardcore Blasters session
If you’re dad likes action and adventure then a session at Hardcore Blasters this Father’s Day might be a winner.
Book in with your dad for the Hardcore Blasters Father’s Day Session, and use the code “COOLDAD” to save $10 off your booking!
Engage in intense combat scenarios, navigate through rooms, take cover behind vehicles, and blast your way through game modes like Team Death Match, Search & Destroy, Domination and more!
Beginners are welcome and all skill levels can play aged 13 and older. You can either BYO gel blaster and balls and pay $35 for the public session or hire a blaster with unlimited balls and a mask for $60 (includes entry).
The Father’s Day session runs from 2-5pm on Sunday 3 September, book online.
Book dad in for a walking tour of Ipswich pubs!
Take a journey through the heart of Ipswich Central, exploring cherished establishments that have withstood the test of time – the iconic pubs of Ipswich!
Join us for the Galvanized Rubbidy Dubs to Pubs Walking Tour on Sunday, 10th September 2023 delving into the rich history of these cherished “pubs,” “shanties,” and “boozer” spots.
The tour will take you to five locations, includes a drink at each and lunch mid-way.
Indulge in BBQ, beer and burgers
Tackle an epic burger and wash it down with a craft beer on tap at the Pumpyard Bar and Brewery, Ballistic Springfield Brewery, Bar and Kitchen or the PA Hotel which has 72 craft beers on tap.
Gift vouchers for each venue are available.
Put dad in the driver’s seat of a supercar
Put dad in the driver’s seat of a V8 Race car with the V8 Race Experience at Queensland Raceway. There is also a new drifting experience and go karts on offer!
Gift vouchers available.
Float sky high in a hot air balloon
Spoil dad with a Floating Images Hot Air Balloon Flight. See the sun come up over the rolling hills and valleys of the Ipswich and Scenic Rim regions then tuck into a hot breakfast at Fourthchild Café.
Father’s Day themed gift vouchers available.
Explore some haunted buildings
Book dad in for an unforgettable experience hearing tales from beyond the grave at some of Ipswich’s most haunted places. There are a few spine tingling tours to choose from, either a tour in the Haunted Mansion at Woodlands of Marburg or a ghost tour with Ipswich Ghost Tours in the CBD or cemetery.
Gift vouchers available.
Take dad to Bikes, Beards and BBQs
Celebrate Dad with a mouth-watering selection of foods and smoked meats from food vans, a display of heritage motorcycle and retro era cars and music.
Get him involved in Ipswich’s own Beard and ‘Stache competition or BBQ demonstrations and the motorbike photobooth.
The Bikes, Beards and BBQs event is running on Father’s Day (Sunday September 3) from 10am-2pm at Tulmur Place and is free to attend!
Father’s Day Cruising at Queensland Raceway
A Father’s Day Cruising event is being held at Queensland Raceway on Sunday September 3. You can book dad in for VIP Entry which includes entry, two 30 minute cruises and a pitlane carport or paddock garage. There’s no restrictions on the make and model of your car.
You can also book him into a Father’s Day Luncheon being held on the day, and there will also be seven general cruises sold on the day at $20 per cruise, a show ‘n’ shine, trade stalls and kids’ entertainment.
Book dad in for a red wine tasting night
A red wine tasting event with paired cheeses is being held on Sunday September 10, the perfect gift for dads who love wine!
Take dad for the tasting and stick around to try and amazing tapas on offer at The Rusty Nail.
Steak dinner or paddock to plate at award winning venues
There’s a special Father’s Day three-course lunch menu on offer and whisky tasting at Homage Restaurant and you can stay as the restaurant is onsite at the luxury country retreat Spicers Hidden Vale.
Or take dad for a steak at the award-winning Bakehouse Steakhouse or seared sirlion and 72hr brisket at The Cottage Restaurant.
Gift vouchers are also available for each restaurant.
Book an epic picnic
The Soul Nook Collective will be open for private picnic bookings for Father’s Day weekend and are offering discounts.
Gift vouchers are also available.
Get dad tickets to a show
Book dad tickets to see The Phantom of the Opera (9-17 September), Agro Up Late (22 September) or the monthly Stitch in the ‘Swich comedy show (30 September) at the Ipswich Civic Centre
Find out what’s on at the Ipswich Civic Centre here.
Get groovy in the grove
The day before Father’s Day, Saturday September 2, you can take dad to Groovin’ in the Grove at Watercress Creek Olive and Limes. It will be a night of tunes as local artists perform in the grove as you sample some of the local produce with a picnic platter. It’s a BYO alcohol event so grab your fav bottle and enjoy some good vibes.
Or on Father’s Day you can book in for a picnic in the grove, simply book a picnic pack, bring the blanket and enjoy a day in the shade of the olive and lime trees.
Free gift at Haigslea Ewe Nique
Take dad to the Haigslea Ewe Nique Hobby Farm for a great family friendly activity feeding the cute farm animals and a delicious morning tea! Dads will also receive a small gift on the day.
Camel tour and taste packages
This Father’s Day Summer Land Camels are offering a tour and meal deal for Father’s Day.
On Sunday September 3 book dad in for breakfast and a farm tour for $35 or lunch and a farm tour for $40. Bookings are essential and spaces are limited.
You can also create unforgettable memories with dad at the camel farm when you meet and feed the lovely camels, visit the licensed cafe and farm shop, or take a camel ride.
A great gift idea is the Summer Land Camels world-first camel milk vodka, triple distilled locally from camel milk whey produced on-farm. Imparting a smooth and delicate character, this treasured whey gives our vodka its award-winning taste and prevents food waste at the same time.
Gin tasting
The tasting room at Imbibis Craft Distillery is open every Friday and some selected weekends or by appointment. Book dad in for a tasting and then grab him a Father’s Day gift pack.
Free gift with tea bookings
Get dad a gift voucher for a high tea or tea tasting for Father’s Day with Tranquil Tea and dad will receive a small gift for free! Gift vouchers for Father’s Day are $70 for two for high tea or $35 for one.
The high tea and tastings are held on the grounds at Watercress Creek Olives and Limes.
Gift dad theatre tickets
Book dad in to see the Ipswich Little Theatre’s new production 12 Angry Jurors or purchase a gift voucher.
The PG-rated play, with adult themes, is set in a hot New York City courthouse where12 jurors deliberate in a capital murder case of an 18-year-old African American man accused of stabbing his father. If the guilty verdict is reached, it will be an automatic death sentence.
The case at first appears to be open and shut to 11 of the jurors. However, juror number eight casts a not-guilty vote. The 12 jurors bring their own histories, prejudices, and biases to the jury room as they work through this life-or-death decision.
12 Angry Jurors is an adaptation of Reginald Rose’s Emmy Award Winning television movie, 12 Angry Men.
Ipswich Little Theatre’s directors Aaron Evans and Dave Dunkerley have an excellent cast and together they bring the characters to life. The play will be performed in the round to better suit the atmosphere of the 12 jurors, trapped in a room and trapped in deliberation. Audiences will see a different perspective – almost being part of the action.
Bookings are open for the third season of the 2023 program, online, in person or through the Ipswich Visitor Information Centre on 3281 0555. Public performances are nightly on 9, 15, 16, 22, 23 September and Sunday matinees on 10 and 17 September. Take in dinner before the show at The Sourdough Crust Co. and receive 25% off your meal by showing your theatre tickets.
All performances are at the Incinerator Theatre, Burley Griffin Drive, Queens Park, Ipswich. There is plenty of off-street parking and the theatre has a licensed courtyard bar, free Wi-Fi, EFTPOS and is wheelchair friendly. Please ring the box office on 0403 175 702 to book your ticket to accommodate this.
If you’d prefer to get dad a present…
The Ipswich Visitor Information Centre has gift packs of locally produced items for sale. You can get dad matching socks and a stubby cooler with a beautiful Indigenous design for $15 and for $20 you can get packs with BBQ spice rubs or Byron Bay chocolates with local peanut brittle and honeycomb or locally made lavender products, or Chilli Willies hot sauce products. They also have bullet biros and local tea and coffee for sale.
The Soul Nook Collective are selling puzzles, and socks that raise money for constructing houses as well as Barebones camping sets!
Other places to get gifts include The Soul Cauldron and Embers and Twine for artisan and handmade products, Trevallan Lifestyle Centre for plants and gifts, 4 Hearts Brewing for beer and beer merchandise, Ballistic Springfield for beer and merchandise and Watercress Creek Olives and Limes for local olive oil, jams and tapenades. For antiques and collectables check out The Vintage Advantage, Ipswich Antique Centre, Scotland Yard Antiques and The Black Museum.
Alternatively you can book dad in for an epic meal with restaurants offering Father’s Day sittings. Read more here.
