These school holidays book a trip to the Heritage City for some family fun!
There’s markets, art classes, circus shows and more.
Plus now is a great time to book a bucket list experience like a hot air balloon flight as the grass is green and the crisp morning weather leads into spectacular sunrises.
Visit On the Move
Planes, trains and automobiles – all manner of transport is the theme of On the Move, a new interactive children’s exhibition at the Ipswich Art Gallery which is running all through the Easter holidays.
On the Move, is a free family friendly exhibition that explores transport in all its forms. Created by Sydney Living Museums in collaboration with illustrator James Gulliver Hancock, On the Move takes visitors on a journey around Australia, discovering fascinating facts about different modes of transport and vehicles along the way.
Designed specially for children and families, On the Move is a highly engaging exhibition that offers hands-on discovery of incredible journeys, unique inventions, amazing vehicles and intrepid explorers across the county.
Discover how transportation works in busy cities and how fuel choices you make can have a positive impact on the environment. See how transport modes have evolved over time – the trials, the failures and the successes. Develop your fantasy trip, fuel up at the servo, craft your dream machine and build a vehicle for the future from Lego® and test it on a futuristic city track.
See on the move until July 18.
See the Circus Train
Roll up! Roll up! Come to The Workshops Rail Museum these April school holidays! Grab the kids, your tickets and get onboard for the chance to see some of Queensland’s circus train history, have fun in action alley and see our real life steam trains, diesel locomotives and more.
First stop: Circus Train:
- Have fun in Action Alley playing circus games and show off your skills like hula hoops and stilt walking.
- Circus entertainment daily at 10:30am, 11:30am and 12:30pm.
- Wander the Circus Train display with 20 historical photos of the circus trains in Queensland including an historic film from the 1940s with the “greatest show on earth” rolling into Queensland, Wirth’s Circus.
- Get creative in the craft area and make your own clown hat.
Next stop: Hands on, interactive. Who doesn’t love hands on fun?
- Put your little ones in the driver’s seat of our diesel train simulator
- Interact with our 20 Sciencentre stations.
- Let loose in the indoor adventure playground Nippers Railway.
- And set your eyes on our model railway.
Tips to help with your visit
- We recommend a visit of 3 hours + because there’s so much to see and do.
- Opening hours are 9.30am – 4pm daily. Closed Good Friday.
- All exhibitions, events and activities are included in the price of your ticket.
- Trackside Cafe is open daily serving delicious hot and cold food and beverages.
The Circus Train runs from Saturday 3 April 2021 – Sunday 18 April 2021 from 9:30am – 4pm daily.
Kids cooking classes at the Retro Diner
Book in for kids cooking classes at The Retro Diner on Monday April 5, Tuesday April 6 or Wednesday April 7 at 10am, 12pm and 1.30pm. Classes go for an hour and include two flower cupcakes, two bunny ears cupcakes plus a drink and snack for $15 per child.
Another lot of classes will be run on Thursday April 8 at 10am, 12pm and 1.30pm. This time kids get to make two chocolate and vanilla crackle baskets and receive a drink and snack.
Call 3143 9623 to book a spot.
Family friendly ghost tours
While the idea of a Ghost Tour sounds scary, and these haunted history tours certainly get the heart racing, they really are great for kids aged 10 and over.
Just don’t tell them but they’re in for a history lesson while exploring graves and sites on foot.
These school holidays there’s a few to choose from including a tour at the Ipswich Cemetery on April 3 and a brand new CBD walking tour which is being launched on April 9.
The Haunted Ipswich CBD tour is a family friendly two hour walking journey through the Ipswich CBD from 7.30pm-9.30pm. Kids from 10 years and older will enjoy learning about some of Ipswich’s darker past.
Then on April 10 a new Goodna Cemetery walking tour will take you through some of the stories of the people buried at the cemetery and stories from the asylum near by.
Another Ipswich Cemetery tour is scheduled for April 17, followed by another Haunted Ipswich CBD tour on April 23 and a Goodna Cemetery tour on April 24.
Kids art classes at Sip ‘n’ Dip
Sip ‘n’ dip Australia are running kids art classes in the school holidays at Marburg, Goodna, and Springfield.
Classes range from learn to clay, learn to paint, learning resin and egg decorating. There’s even a teen Sip ‘n’ Paint class being held at The Coffee Club at Orion Springfield Central on Wednesday April 14 from 3pm-5pm.
The first school holidays class to book is Learn to make a resin trinket tray, being run on April 3 at The Soul Nook Collective in Marburg. The class is $35 and is suitable for ages 7-17 and runs for two hours from 9am.
On Monday April 5 from 10am-11am at the Sip ‘n’ Dip Goodna studio you can book in to learn to make three soap Easter eggs for $25, suits ages 7-12 years. From 12pm-1pm at the studio you can also learn to make three dyed decorative eggs, suits ages 7-15 years. Then from 2pm-4pm learn to draw a skate deck with alcohol ink makers, suits ages 12-17 years. Classes include a chocolate milk and cupcake and runs for one hour.
On Tuesday April 6 at the Goodna studio book the kids in for a learn to make four pigmented ink coasters class from 10am-11am (suitable for ages 7-17), a learn to make egg printed rainbow from 12pm-1pm (suitable for ages 4-7) and a learn to make three resin bamboo coasters from 2pm-3pm (suitable for ages 10-17 years). All classes include a chocolate milk and cupcake.
On April 7 at the Goodna studio the kids can make yarn eggs from 10am-11am (ages 7-17), decorative Easter candles from 12pm-1pm (ages 7-15), and learn to paint pour from 2pm-3pm (ages 7-15). All classes include a chocolate milk and cupcake.
On Thursday April 8 the kids can learn to tape paint at The Soul Nook Collective in Marburg from 9am-10am. This fun all ages class walks you through how to make a beautiful 40x50cm canvas to take home.
Also on Thursday April 8 there will be a learn to make water colour lamps class at the Goodna studio from 12pm-1pm, a learn to make Easter bunny decorations class from 12pm-1pm, and a learn to make resin sandwich board class from 2pm-3pm.
Friday April 9, at the Goodna studio there will be an alcohol ink planter class from 10am-11am, and a learn to decorate Easter cookies class from 12pm-1pm.
Monday April 12, at the Goodna studio learn to pour resin galaxy coasters from 10am-11am, learn to make Picasso trays from 12pm-1pm and learn to roll two candles at 3pm-4pm.
Also on Monday April 12 there will be a learn to paint cactus skate deck class at the Orion Springfield Central Coffee Club from 3pm-5pm. Ticket includes meal, drink, class and full size skate deck to paint and take home. Tickets are $35 and the class is suitable for high schoolers and primary schoolers that can follow instructions easily.
Then on Tuesday April 13 at the Goodna studio learn to paint and make one set of earrings from 10am-11am, learn to make polymer clay bag tag from 12pm-1pm and learn to make an air dry clay trinket holder from 3pm-4pm.
At the Coffee Club in Springfield an all ages tape ‘n’ paint class will be held on April 13 from 3pm-4pm, class includes a meal and a drink.
On April 15 an all ages learn to clay class is being held at The Soul Nook Collective in Marburg at 9am. During the class learn to make two clay pots.
Also on the 15th another all ages Tape ‘n’ Paint class is being held at Orion Springfield Central Coffee Club from 3pm-4.30pm.
Little Mermaid on stage
The Little Mermaid will come to live on the Ipswich Civic Centre Stage on Wednesday April 7 at 11am and again at 6pm. See Aerial and her under the sea friends in this stage show adapted from Disney’s 2008 Broadway production. Disney’s The Little Mermaid JR. features the hit songs such as Part of Your World, She’s in Love, and the Oscar-winning Under the Sea.
Head to the Watercress Creek Olive Festival
The Watercress Creek Olive Festival is back on April 11. This is a unique farm experience with 25 stalls from nearby producers. You can find local olive and lime products as well as wines, cheeses and honey!
You can even buy a picnic pack with tapenades, dukkha and olives to enjoy in the olive grove.
Ride the Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway
On Sunday April 11, book in to take a ride on the Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway picnic train. There’s three sessions from 9am, 11am and 1pm that you can book.
You will get to see the newly refurbished Swanbank station and enjoy market stalls selling yummy treats for your picnic!
The Diesel 1616 loco will be pulling the carriages for this train trip featuring heritage timber carriages. It is a one hour journey which winds its way back in towards suburbia through the old coal mining sites, lush bushland and along the base of Castle Hill.
There is a quick turn around of the locomotive at Racecourse and we trundle back to Swanbank, through paddocks of horses and past quaint miners cottages.
Riverlink Market Zone
Enjoy a selection of unique crafts, market stalls and live music every second Sunday of the month at the Riverlink Market Zone. You’ll find something there for everyone, plus the Centre is open from 9am, during the holidays the markets will be on Sunday April 11 from 8am-1pm.
Back in time family fun day
Head to Cooneana Heritage Centre on April 11 for a Back in Time Family Fun Day from 9am-2pm. Lots of games and old-time activities for families to enjoy.
History comes alive, make and do together. Children challenge parents and parents challenge children.
See the olde worlde schoolroom with school ma’am to keep you on your toes. Play hoops, skipping, tug-of-war, stilt walking and more.
Can you croquet? Watch the blacksmiths. See the displays. Learn to spin and weave. Sit on an old-fashioned motorbike. Do the washing by hand. Help the cook in the old kitchen and take a ride on the Heritage Bus to see the historic sights of Blackstone.
Cooneana Heritage Bus Tour
Cooneana Heritage Centre is proud to be the starting point for a Heritage Bus Tour around the historic Blackstone area. The bus, used in Ipswich in the 1960s, takes 30 passengers allowing for Covid Safe seating arrangements.
Their wonderful driver, Donald, stops at a number of historical sites on the tour and provides a great commentary. He really knows his history. Blackstone Hill was the site of The Coal King’Lewis Thomas’s Castle – Brynhyfryd. A park has been developed at the base of the hill with artworks relating to the now-demolished castle and its owners. You will also see one of the last small shops with a petrol bowser still in use.
The United Welsh Church has been the centre of Welsh culture in Ipswich for generations. Donald will take you there and has much more for you to enjoy. The tour takes approximately one and a half to two hours, depending on passengers’ interest in the places visited.
Jump on the bus on April 11 at 11am.
See the Owl and the Pussycat
Take the kids to a show just for them as the Owl and the Pussycat comes to life on stage on Wednesday April 14 at 6pm and Thursday April 15 at 9am and 11am.
Seraphim Escape Rooms
Seraphim Escape Rooms will be open from 10am-9pm Wednesday to Friday during the school holidays, escape rooms are a fun family activity, or good to do with a group of friends.
For the older kids try out one of the scary horror-themed rooms and for the smaller kids test out Santa’s Cottage.
Seraphim will be closed public holidays, and bookings are recommended.
Take a hot air balloon flight
Floating Images Hot Air Balloon Flights will be operating over the Easter Holiday period! They hope to see the Easter Bunny doing some egg drop offs from the air along with his Aussie cousins the bilbies and kangaroos.
Book in now to see a stunning sunrise with Australia’s only balloon pilot called “Gday” with nearly 30 years of commercial ballooning experience on three continents.
Pilot Graeme Day said he will be doing family experiences during the school holidays with limited numbers.
Kids eat free at Memories of India
These Easter holidays kids are welcome at Memories of India.
Kids can eat for free with a choice of kids butter chicken, kids nuggets and chips, kids fish and chips, chocolate naan and butter paneer.
Choose a free meal from the children’s menu with with a full priced main meal purchase, does not apply to lunch specials.
Enjoy coffee and cake while the kids feed the animals!
Book in for a visit to the Haigslea Ewe Nique Hobby Farm these Easter holidays and enjoy a slice of cake and tranquility with a cuppa overlooking the kids feeding and petting the cute farm animals.
They’ve got sheep, goats, alpacas, chicken, geese and more and it’s coming into lambing season so expect a bunch of cute babies running around soon!
To book ring or send them a message through their Facebook page.
Movies and kids crafts at Limelight Cinemas
Limelight Cinemas are back in full swing with Easter, with great kids movies premiering including Peter Rabbit 2; Raya and The Last Dragon; Tom and Jerry: The Movie, Two By Two Overboard, and The Cranston Academy all showing soon!
For the big kids they’ll be showing Nobody, Godzilla vs Kong, and the Ascendant.
There’ll also be Cottontail Cookie Classes running on selected days (bookings required) and kids activity stations in the upper foyer from 10am daily.
Summer Land Camels kids deals
During the school holidays, Summer Land Camels will be open, except for Good Friday and Easter Monday.
Feed the camels, go for a camel ride or visit the Homestead Cafe and enjoy a $2 camel milk gelato.
All through the school holidays kids get 50% off the Farm Tour and Picnic Lunch with the code EASTER2021- book online through their website.
There will also be a country market on Saturday April 17 with handmade items, produce and more.
Visit the Llama Farm
If you haven’t been yet, do yourself a favour and book in for a visit to The Llama Farm over the Easter school holidays.
The farm is not only home to Queensland’s largest herd of llamas they have giant Flemish rabbits that you can cuddle, donkeys – some with babies, camels and more!
They are also set to release a day where you can go and take photos with their rabbits, the first one sold out in a day, so follow their Facebook page to find out more information.
Flavours of Ipswich
During the school holidays the inaugural Flavours of Ipswich promotion will kick off. From April 7-24 book in for $25 two course lunches and $35 three course dinners.
