The April school holidays are a fantastic time to explore the Ipswich region, the temperature is finally dropping – though it’s not too cold.
Here you can take to the skies in a hot air balloon, visit the birthplace of rail, (Queensland Museum Rail Workshops), cuddle some adorable farmyard animals or catch a live show.
Here are a few of the top activities that need to be on your family’s holiday checklist from March 29 to April 14.
What’s on in Ipswich Central
See the Magical World of Crazy Science
The Magical World of Crazy Science is a wild ride, with a unique mix of science, magic and the arts, hosted by Richard Scholes.
Witness giant columns of elephant toothpaste, rockets zooming, massive smoke rings, toilet paper flying, giant bubbles and billowing concoctions.
Add to this a hilarious mix of comedy and interactive ‘Scientrific’ magic from a Multi-Award Winning Entertainer and you have one very engaging Science Show.
See the show on Sunday 7 April from 2pm to 3pm.
Bring the kids to Pattern Play
Discover the magic of shape and design with Pattern Play at the Ipswich Art Gallery. Through engaging hands-on activities, Pattern Play offers a fun-filled exploration of pattern-making, fostering artistic expression and cognitive skills for all ages.
Be inspired by contemporary artworks, and experiment with repetition and symmetry to create your own. Pattern Play inspires a love for art, one delightful pattern at a time!
At the gallery until April 14 (except Good Friday), open from 10am to 5pm daily.
Join the Science Squad
Kids can join the science squad these school holidays! Observe fire and ice shows, clouds, coloured fire and much more in the stage shows at 10am and 1pm. Then get hands-on and experiment with one of three engaging science workshops (snow, lava lamp or slime) – which can be taken home as a souvenir.
The science squad will be in Tulmur Place from Monday 8 April to Friday 12 April.
Watch The Big One-Oh
Presented by Fusion Arts Inc and Ipswich Civic Centre, The Big One-Oh Junior is coming to the stage these school holidays.
Charley Maplewood has never been one for parties – that would require friends, which he doesn’t have. Well, unless you count his monster friends, but they’re only imaginary. But now that he’s turning ten—the big one-oh—he decides to throw a birthday party for himself, complete with a “House of Horrors” theme. Of course, things don’t work out as he plans. Will Charley be able to pull it together before the big one-oh . . . becomes the big OH-NO!?
Based on the beloved book, The Big One-Oh! JR. features lyrics by Academy Award-winner (Fame, Footloose) Dean Pitchford, the author of the novel; music by three-time Tony-winner Doug Besterman (The Producers, Fosse, Elf, Young Frankenstein), and a book by iTheatric’s award-winning playwright Timothy Allen McDonald (Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka, James and the Giant Peach).
Get hands on at a pizza making class
Bring the kids to Sourdough Crust Co Little Crusts Pizza Making Masterclasses on 2, 3, 9 and 10 April from 10am to 11.30am. The cost is $45 per child and includes a soft drink, kids pizza and ice cream, book online.
Also their DIY pizza kits are a fun school holiday activity. The kits come with everything needed to make two margherita pizzas at home, including dough balls, and can be cooked with just a fry pan and a grill. They even supply boxes for kids birthday pizza parties. Kids eat free is for under 12s only.
And if you bring the kids to eat in at Sourdough Crust Co on Tuesday and Wednesday nights and they’ll get a free pizza or pasta from the kids menu with a paying adult!
Enjoy family fun at the movies
These holidays head to Limelight Cinemas on Sunday 24 March for the release of Kung Fu Panda 4 at a family fun day. Arrive early for kids’ activities and join in on the family fun before the 10am screening.
There will also be a Ghostbusters double feature on Sunday 24 March at 2.30pm. Relive the timeless magic of the 1984 original then watch the thrilling new instalment Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.
See an Easter screening of Passion of the Christ on Friday 29 and Sunday 31 March at 2.30pm. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the history making film by Academy Award-winning director Mel Gibson.
Watch the classic movie The NeverEnding Story at 2.30pm on Sunday 7 April for it’s 40th anniversary.
There will be an overnight movie marathon of The Lord of the Rings on Saturday April 13 from 8.15pm.
Have fun at rail through time
Embark on an exciting journey through the past and present with school holiday fun at Queensland Museum Rail Workshops. Rail Through Time: A Kids Adventure is the ultimate destination for young explorers 13 years and under.
Get ready to dive into the fascinating world of railways, transport, communication, jobs, and fashion through the eras of the 20th century. Rail Through Time: A Kids Adventure will run from Saturday 30 March to Sunday 14 April from 9.30am – 4pm.
Discover all the fun of the museum and Sciencentre as well as a scavenger hunt; run wild in the Makerspace; ride the land train; and enjoy games like stilt walking, hula hoop, hopscotch and more.
Attend a puppet avatar drop-in workshop
Drop in and transform yourself into a paper puppet avatar with visual artist Sue Loveday on Wednesday 10 April. Learn the simple process of adding a moving mouth to your hand made paper puppet then film your creation performing on the puppet stage!
This workshop is suitable for children aged 7 to 17 and will be available from 10am to 1pm. No bookings required.
The same workshop will be held at the Rosewood Library on Tuesday 9 April, Springfield Central Library on Thursday 11 April and Redbank Plains Library on Friday 12 April.
Meet Peter Rabbit
You can meet Peter Rabbit at Riverlink Shopping Centre these holidays. Peter will be doing 20 minute appearances outside Wallace Bishop from 10am to 1pm on Thursday 28 March, Saturday 30 March, Sunday 31 March.
There will also be special screenings of Peter Rabbit at Limelight Cinemas at 9.30am on the same days.
These holidays there’s also a chance to score free movie tickets and iPlay games. Get them by spending $25 in participating retailers and presenting your receipts to the ticket booth near Mr Toys from 8-14 April (10am-2pm).
See Proudfoot and Friends Live at the Library
Enjoy a hilarious, sing-along story time with award winning First Nations performer Lucas Proudfoot on Friday 5 April from 10am to 11am, at 1 Nicholas St. Be entertained by Lucas, his guitar, stomp-box and didgeridoo during this rib-tickling, toe-tapping performance.
Please book for every person attending regardless of age – including babies. Suitable for children aged 3-7 years. Book here.
You can also see Proudfoot and his friends at the Springfield Central Library on Thursday 4 April.
Let the kids eat free at CSI
During the school holidays kids can eat for free at Club Services Ipswich on Sundays and Mondays with the purchase of a full priced main meal.
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.
Put your heads together to solve the clues
If your children love solving puzzles, then why not let them unleash their inner detective at Seraphim Escape Rooms. Working together as part of a team, the kids will enter a specially designed themed room where they will need to put their heads together to find the clues, solve the puzzles, and unlock the door in a certain time frame. This activity is perfect for children that are a little older and love a good challenge.
Kids eat free at Memories of India
At Memories of India kids get to eat free these school holidays. When dining in with a paying adult, kids can choose an item from the kids menu for free.
What’s on further afield…
Attend a historical open day
The Ipswich Historical Society will be holding a Pioneer Family Day and Bush Poets Breakfast on Sunday 14 April – the last day of the school holidays.
Peter Fraser, President of the Toowoomba Bush Poets Society and author of Beyond the Boundary Gate, will recite some of his work and anyone who has a poem of their own, or wants to read one will be invited to take the stage.
On the day there will also be live music and Mr Magic will perform some excellent tricks after the poets have finished. Games and fun activities will take place until 2pm with breakfast, lunch, soft drinks, coffee and tea available for sale.
Entry will be available at the gate, at the link or through the Ipswich Visitor Information Centre, $10 for adults (and those over 12 years) with children under 12 years free. Gates open at 8am and the bush poets will be on stage from 9am to 11am.
See a Big Bang Science workshop or show
These holidays you can learn about Science in a fun way with the Big Bang Science Workshop. This workshop will dive into the kitchen and explore the science of food and you can enjoy making your very own edible science treat then watch as a real life scientist makes liquid nitrogen ice cream for you to taste.
There’s also shows where you can witness mind-blowing chemical reactions, ignite your passion for combustion and enjoy the unbelievable properties of dry ice.
Workshops will run at the Rosewood Library on Monday 8 April from 11.30am to 12.30pm and the Springfield Central Library on Wednesday 10 April from 11.30am to 12.30pm. Bookings are essential for these free events.
Shows will run at the Rosewood Library on on Monday 8 April from 9.30am to 10.30am and the Springfield Central Library on Wednesday 10 April from 9.30am to 10.30am. Bookings are essential for these free events.
Visit the school holiday fun day at The Soul Nook Collective
These holidays, The Soul Nook Collective are celebrating with a School Holiday Fun Day on Thursday 4 April from 9am-2pm. On the day there will be fun craft activities, a mini pancakes food truck and a cupcake decorating classes – as well as specials in the coffee shop!
Pet and feed the animals
The Ewe Nique Hobby Farm will be open Mondays and Wednesday to Sunday during the school holidays (closed Good Friday) for you to feed and pet the farm animals and have a coffee in the Baa Baa Cafe. Enjoy two sessions each day, either 9am or 10.30am and meet the gorgeous mini goats. On Easter Sunday there will be free eggs for the little ones and one large family sized egg will be raffled in each session.
Bookings are essential.
Go to the Easter Monday races
Bring the kids to the Ipswich Turf Club for a day of racing, including an animal farm and Easter egg hunt. Entry to the Easter Monday Races is free.
Have an Easter egg hunt at Woodlands of Marburg
Woodlands of Marburg will have an egg hunt followed by kids activities and lawn games from 10am on Sunday 31 March.
Bookings are essential. More information here.
Go to the olive festival
The annual Watercress Creek Olive and Lime Farm Olive Festival is on Sunday April 14. It’s a great opportunity to explore the grounds, taste the produce grown on site and browse market stalls. You can even book a picnic in the olive grove!
Compete in a fishing competition
You could be in the running to win up to $2400 worth of prizes including a kayak, just by dropping a line at Ipswich waterways these school holidays. It’s free to enter, you just have to register online.
This is a land-based fishing competition and you just have to catch, snap a photo and submit to win!
The competition is being held as part of Water Fest.
The festival will also have learn to fish classes on 2 and 7 April at Joseph Brady Park, nature play at Small Creek on 11 April and Puggles Play Time at the Queens Park Environmental Education Centre (Fridays) from 9.30am-11.30am.
Celebrate India
Drop in to the Springfield Library on Saturday 13 April to explore the diversity of Indian culture through traditional music, dance and drumming, Bollywood dancing, kids yoga and meditation and a taste of Indian foods.
No bookings required as this is a drop-in event running from 10am to 2pm.
Try the splat room
Ever wanted to get messy and throw some paint around? Now you can, without wrecking your house. Sip ‘n’ Dip has splat, spin and swing rooms at Orion Springfield Central for the school holidays. Sessions are $35 for 30 minutes per person and include paint bombs, paint pots and equipment to create your masterpiece.
No experience is necessary, just blast some tunes, put on some old clothes and chuck on one of their disposable aprons – because you’re guaranteed to get paint on your shoes, clothes and in your hair!
Kids eat free at Brothers
These school holidays kids eat for free Mondays to Thursdays for lunch and dinner at Brothers with the purchase of a full priced adult main meal! So enjoy some time off cooking and dishes and treat the family for lunch or dinner.
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.
Visit The Llama Farm
You can visit Queensland’s largest herd of llamas these hoildays.
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 day will be held on Thursday 11 April from 9am. It’s a chance for kids to learn about llamas and the other farm animals, help with chores and take home some llama goodies.
Bookings are essential, book online.
See the alpacas
Mysteria Alpacas will be open Saturday and Sunday for the first weekend of school holidays. And Sundays during the holidays.
Go gold panning and see farm animals at Spicers Hidden Vale
Spicers Hidden Vale awaits to make your family break unforgettable. Here, you and your kids can dive into a plethora of exciting activities. Whether it’s feeding the friendly farm animals, taking a tour of the market garden, or conquering the giant jungle gym outside The Barn, the options are endless.
For those seeking adventure, the world-class bike trails of Hidden Vale Adventure Park are at the Spicers doorstep. Plus, there is also gold-panning experiences and half-day 4WD tours across the extensive 12,000-acre property, ensuring that there’s never a dull moment in sight.
Have a camel rides, take a tours 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, 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 farm tour and taste 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.
The farm is holding a market day on Saturday 6 April. The markets run from 8.30am to 2pm and are free to enter. There will be market stalls, food trucks, live music, vodka and gin tasting, face painting and more!
A Little Farmer Humpty Day will be held on 10 April from 9am to 2pm. Kids are encouraged to come dressed as a farmer. Tickets are $10 and include a 30 minute farm tour, chance to pat and cuddle the camels, activities and miniature goats.
Visit the farm’s booking page to secure your place. Note the camel farm will be closed on Good Friday.
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. Upon sign in, everyone will be issued a map to ensure they stay on the right track.
There’s also a holiday offer with $20 off early morning shuttles. While the private shuttles will be running every Monday to Friday at 7.30am and 10am and usually cost $300, fitting in up to five riders, if you book in and use the code DISCOVERIPSWICH20 you can get $20 off the 7.30am shuttle. The offer is valid until the end of January, 2024. Book in here.
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!
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 The Workshops Rail Museum 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.
For more options see our Accommodation Page.
