The Easter hoildays are a fantastic time to explore farms, pack a picnic, breath some fresh country air or take on an adventure!
In Ipswich you can fill the holidays by taking to the skies in a hot air balloon, Nerf battles or cuddling some adorable farmyard animals.
Here are a few of the top activities that need to be on your family’s holiday checklist from 3 April – 19 April.
And for the parents that need to let of some steam why not try an Easter cocktail making class or Creme Egg cocktail at The Rusty Nail (details at bottom of Ipswich Central section).
What’s on in Ipswich Central
LightPlay exhibition in the Ipswich Children’s Gallery
Ipswich Art Gallery have a new exhibition launching just before the Easter holidays!
Enter the dazzling world of LightPlay, where curiosity sparks and ideas really come to light!
Investigate and reflect with light boxes and projectors, explore kaleidoscopic patterns, and experiment with luminous construction.
Use your body to paint with light, watching colours mix and shadows stretch in unexpected ways.
Let your imagination shine at LightPlay!
LightPlay embraces the philosophies of Reggio Emilia and REmida to provide a creative environment for young children which encourages collaborative play, experimentation and discovery-based learning.
The exhibition is available upstairs in the Children’s gallery now until Sunday 5 July from 10am-5pm, except for Good Friday 3 April when the gallery will be closed.
See Bluey in Tulmur Place
Bluey and her little sister Bingo are heading to Ipswich! See Bluey and Bingo during their live interactive experience at Tulmur Place. Catch this adorable duo on stage and get ready to play Magic Asparagus, Magic Xylophone, Keepy Uppy and More!
Come along to enjoy market stalls and games in Nicholas Street Precinct on Tuesday 7 April, Wednesday 8 April, Thursday 9 April and Friday 10 April from 10am-2pm. Live interactive show times are 10.30am, 11.30am and 12.30pm.
Kids pizza classes
Vapiano’s popular kids’ pizza making classes will be held at their Nicholas Street Precinct venue during school holidays.
Kids can learn how to knead dough, how to top their pizzas and send them to the oven. The one-hour classes start at 10am, cost $25 and are suitable for children aged between 5 and 12.
Classes are available on 11, 12,18 and 19 of April.
Vapiano Springfield are also holding pizza classes, find out more here.
Ipswich libraries free holiday program
These holidays Ipswich Libraries are running a program that includes the chance to meet Bluey and Bingo, Aussie animals cartooning workshops, beat sampling workshops, Animal Academy stage shows, origami classes and more!
The program will run in the Ipswich Children’s Library with some events in Springfield, Rosewood and Redbank also.
Registration is essential for the programs, find all the information including more events here.
School holiday terrarium building workshop
Enjoy a fun workshop on Tuesday 14 April, where kids will get their hands dirty creating their own self-sustaining terrarium.
In this workshop children will each build their own terrarium to take home while learning about the water cycle, how to care for plants and how to look after their new micro-ecosystem.
Attendees design and build their own terrarium with plants of their choosing and decorate with rocks, sand and mini figurine.
The workshop is designed for school age children (5+). Confident kindy age children (4 years) can participate with parental support. The workshop is not suitable for very young children.
This is a free activity, however bookings are essential and spaces are limited. If you are no longer able to attend the event, please cancel your booking so that others on the waitlist can attend.
Note: Please only book tickets for children who are participating in the workshop not supervising adults.
The Owl’s Apprentice at Ipswich Civic Centre
Presented by Ipswich Civic Centre and Little Wing Puppets The Owl’s Apprentice is an interactive show for families combining shadow puppetry and physical comedy.
Owls aren’t born wise you know, they have to learn it from somewhere. A young owl named Poot Poot is sent to study at Owl School. On his journey he meets an Echidna, a Wombat, a Kookaburra, a Lyrebird, a Kangaroo and a Platypus who each share with him their own special kind of wisdom. But, will he pass the final test and become wise enough to save the forest?
The show is one Saturday 4 April from 10am-10.45am, after there is an optional children’s shadow puppet workshop from 11am-12pm. Spaces are strictly limited, ensure you purchase a child show and workshop ticket to secure a place. Adult supervision is required. More information here.
Free animal show
Come discover the animals of our local creeks and waterways in a free animal show at Queens Park Environmental Education Centre being held as part of WaterFest.
Wild Rangers will showcase the diverse animals that inhabit our creeks and waterways. Learn fun facts about what they eat, how they survive, and the importance of keeping our local creeks and waterways clean and healthy.
Show times are 10:00am -11:00am and 11:30am -12:30pm on Saturday 11 April, this is a free activity, however, bookings are essential and spaces are limited – please select your show time when booking your tickets, tickets are required for ALL attendees.
Easter Monday Races
Spend your Easter Monday trackside at Ipswich Turf Club. Gates open from 12pm for an afternoon of live horse racing, fresh air and family fun. Best of all entry is free!
Bring the kids along and let them join the Easter egg hunt, held at the Grange Garden.
Round up your friends, pack the family and enjoy a relaxed afternoon at the races this Easter Monday.
Nerf battles at Spec Ops Paintball
Spec Ops Paintball offers Nerf battles, paintball and gel ball sessions from their purpose-built arena on the river across from River Heart Parklands. During the Easter holidays there will be additional gel ball for ages 12 and over and Nerf battle sessions for ages 6ix and over running.
The fast-paced, fully supervised sessions are designed to keep kids active and engaged during the school holidays. As a fully indoor venue, it’s a great option in any weather. Bookings are essential.
Free ice cream at UB’s Milk Bar
Treat yourself these school holidays! Buy two ice creams at UB’s Milk Bar and enjoy a third one free.
Terms and conditions apply.
Meet some of Ipswich’s cutest residents
Animal lovers are spoilt for choice when it comes to an array of wildlife and farmyard experiences that can only be found in and around Ipswich.
The Ipswich Nature Centre in Queens Park is an unmissable experience for any visitor, as it is home to many animals including bilbies, dingoes, wallabies, a wombat, and also features a walk-through bird aviary.
The Ipswich Nature Centre is the only free zoo in south east Queensland, so you and your family can stay as long as you like, or come back whenever you feel like seeing those cute little faces again. They are open seven days a week during the school holidays.
Something just for the adults…
The Rusty Nail will be featuring bespoke cocktails like The Creme Egg (pictured) and a Bluey inspired creation with or without alcohol when Bluey comes to the Nicholas Street Precinct (7-10 April). There’s also Easter cocktail making classes! One on Saturday 4 April and one one Sunday 5 April! Bookings for the classes are essential.
What’s on further afield
Heritage train trips
Families can enjoy not one but two heritage train adventures these school holidays, with Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway running special experiences on 11–12 April. On Saturday, the Heritage Circuit departs from historic Swanbank Station and combines a diesel train ride, a vintage bus trip and a visit to Cooneana Heritage Centre, complete with heritage displays and complimentary refreshments. Then on Sunday, the Swanbank Collier takes passengers on a scenic steam‑hauled journey aboard 100‑year‑old engine Kilrie, travelling through bushland, historic mines and open paddocks, with food trucks and lawn games waiting at the station. Bookings are essential.
Easter Sunday fun at Walloon Hotel
Enjoy a laid-back, family‑focused Easter Sunday in the beer garden at Walloon Hotel with live music, a petting zoo, great food, kids games, and an Easter egg hunt. With all‑day dining and a playground on site, there’s something for everyone from 1–4pm.
Kids smash session deal and Easter eggs at Rage Cage
Rage Cage is offering free Easter eggs on arrival during the Easter weekend and school holiday kids’ smash sessions.
The kids sessions are great for teenage angst and include a free printer to smash making the session $29.
If you have a child who needs to let off some steam in a safe environment this might be just the thing!
The Easter egg offer applies to bookings for Rampage Axe Throwing on the Easter weekend also.
Saboteurs: Crewmates and Imposters
Enter the world of Saboteurs, a live AmongUs-style game where crew members complete tasks and impostors secretly eliminate them. Compete with up to 14 players in a fast-paced live action environment. Games go for 40 minutes and can be joined at 1 Main Street Springfield Central, outside Timezone. The experience is available until August including on the school holidays, except for Good Friday.
Family fun day at Orion Hotel
Bring the family down for some family fun on Sunday April 5 from 12pm to 2pm. The kids will love the face painting and balloon twisting while you relax and enjoy a great day out together. The Easter Bunny will also be paying a very special visit! Round up the family and come join the fun! More information here.
Kids rave at Orion Hotel
The Orion Hotel is hosting a kids rave on Sunday 19 April. The free event runs from 10am-12pm and includes music, a fun party vibe, bubbles and glow sticks.
While tickets are free registrations are encouraged, register here.
Easter in the country at Spicers
The perfect Easter long weekend activity for families awaits at the beautiful Spicers Hidden Vale. Experience the grand reopening of The Barn with a new concept featuring slow-cooked meats, housemade bread, and vegetables finished over coals. Savour a rotisserie feast on a long table featuring dishes like slow-roasted lamb shoulder, duck fat potatoes, and hot cross bun & butter pudding (a kids’ menu is also available).
The fun doesn’t end there; there is also have an exciting egg hunt for the little ones throughout the scenic retreat and rustic nooks, the opportunity to meet and feed our friendly farm animals at the nursery, as well as live acoustic sessions. Learn more here.
See the dinos, pet and feed the animals
The Ewe Nique Hobby Farm will be open every day during the school holidays (except for Tuesdays and Christmas Day) for you to feed and pet the farm animals and have a coffee in the Baa Baa Cafe. Their new dinosaur experience is also open full of replica dinosaurs, birds and fish!
Enjoy two sessions each day, either 9am or 10.30am and meet the gorgeous baby lambs and goats!
Visit The Llama Farm
You can visit Queensland’s largest herd of llamas these holidays.
The Llama Farm is not only home to llamas, but also giant rabbits, donkeys, goats, chickens, peacocks, ponies and camels.
Meet the animals on a Faces of the Farm tour at 9am on tour days or book in for a llama walk at 3pm on tour days.
A Little Llama Farmers Children’s Workshop will be held on Friday 10 April at 9am. Your child will learn about llamas and other farm animals, help do the chores, and take home some llama goodies. It’s a hands-on children’s workshop that will bring a smile to your child’s face.
Have a camel ride, take a tour and enjoy a discount
During the school holidays, Summer Land Camels will be running camel rides every day. The farm will open 9am to 3pm daily except for Good Friday when they will close. There is no entry fee and visitors can pat and feed the camels for just a few dollars per bag of feed.
If you’re visiting during the holidays you can get a half price Tour, Taste and Camel Encounter for the kids. Use the code HOLIDAYS when booking online! After your tour enjoy a delicious lunch, brunch, camelcino or award-winning camel milk Gelato at the cafe.
Take to the skies in a big balloon
If you’re looking to take your school holiday fun to new heights, why not take a hot air balloon flight over the city of Ipswich with Floating Images Hot Air Balloon Flights? Granted, you do have to get up super early, but once you are in that basket and watching the sunrise, it will be a holiday memory you will treasure always.
Hit the bike trails over the holidays
If you like to stay active, grab your bike and explore more than 110km of world class trails at Hidden Vale Adventure Park. Operating out of the luxurious Spicers Hidden Vale getaway, the various tracks are suitable for beginners right up to experienced riders. The property is open from 7am-3pm daily and can be accessed for $20 a day for adults and $10 for kids.
The park is holding Rides N Vibes Days on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 December with free entry for those two days, special activities including a free slip and slide and deals on e-bike hire and annual memberships. Reserve your place now.
Let the kids run wild at one of Ipswich’s great parks
Sometimes all you need for a great family day out is the sun shining and a good playground to entertain the little ones.
Lucky for you, Ipswich has lots of great parks, playgrounds and open spaces where you can easily spend a full day! Why not check out or revisit Queens Park in the middle of Ipswich, Lobley Park in Churchill, Robelle Domain in Springfield, Joseph Brady Park at Barallen Point, Sutton Park in Brassall, Rotary Bicentennial Park in Redbank Plains, Discovery Park in Springfield Lakes and Spring Lake Park, also in Springfield Lakes.
There’s lots of fun climbing apparatuses, swings, slides and space to throw out a picnic rug or kick a ball around – the choice is yours!
Cool off at the water park
If you’re kids are keen to cool off after a few hours of running around, you can visit the water play area at Robelle Domain which has tipping buckets and jet sprays. There is also lots of fun to be had at the Splash ‘n’ Play water park at Providence Ripley, which features two aqua play zones, the Bob Gamble water park, or you can head to the Bundamba Swim Centre, which has a small water park for little kids, plus a 50m and 25m pool. There’s also a free water play area at Tulmur Place.
Ride the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail
Take a leisurely bike ride with the whole family from Ipswich to Fernvale along the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail. The trail traces the old Brisbane Valley rail line that commenced at Wulkuraka and continued to Yarraman, west of Kilcoy.
The 20km trail from bustling Ipswich out to the rural township of Fernvale is suitable for all riders, taking you on a fun family adventure through farmland, forest and picturesque settings away from the busy traffic.
The trail features various surfaces, including sand, grass, gravel and rough stretches of rocky ballast.
By using the Brassall Bikeway, riders can easily connect to Queensland Museum Rail Workshops in North Ipswich, and then travel via the road network to the historic Ipswich Central precinct, which is full of eateries, quirky shops and attractions like Queens Park and the Ipswich Art Gallery.
Where to stay
Stay in the heart of town with Urban Getaway, or book a family-friendly farm stay at Pocket Retreats, or Tallavalley Farm B&B. Stay in Ipswich Central with Quest Ipswich and Oaks Ipswich Aspire Suites. Stay in Springfield at Quest Springfield and the Springfield Lakes Hotel. If you’re looking for somewhere to stay near Summerland Camels or Queensland Raceways then Willowbank Caravan Park and Motel or Ivorys Rock are your closest places.
For more options see our Accommodation Page.
