The winter school holidays are the perfect time to explore Ipswich, the weather is perfect for being outdoors in the day time with bright sunny days.
In Ipswich you can fill in the holidays by taking to the skies in a hot air balloon, visiting the birthplace of rail, (Queensland Museum Rail Workshops) 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 Saturday 28 June until Sunday 13 July.
What’s on in Ipswich Central
Winter Sun school holiday program
Queensland Museum Rail Workshops are hosting Winter Sun these holidays.
Let the Winter Sun warm you up over the school holidays as you bask in soft sun rays to explore sunlight, image making, local history and STEM-experimentation!
This program is the perfect mix of science, imagination, and storytelling. Ideal for our youngest visitors, but everyone is welcome.
Winter Sun will run from Saturday 28 June to Sunday 13 July
Play On
Run, kick and jump! Be a sports star for a day and join in the fun at Play On. Unleash the school-holiday energy and have a go at a range of sports. There’s something for everyone to try!
This free event is the perfect way to get active, try something new and enjoy a fun day with the whole family.
Play On runs from Monday 30 June until Friday 4 July daily from 10am-2pm.
Ipswich Libraries holiday program magic shows, silent disco and breakdance workshop
These holidays Ipswich Libraries are running a program that includes a bubble show, silent disco and breakdance workshop!
The program will run in the Ipswich Children’s Library with some events in Springfield, Rosewood and Redbank also.
Catch Magic Glen’s Bubble Show at Ipswich Children’s Library on 4 July at 10am and again at 11.30am. The show will also be at Springfield Central Library on 3 July.
A Breakdance vs 90s Dance Workshop will be held at the children’s library on 10 July at 10am and 11.30am. And at Springfield Central Library on 9 July.
Silent Disco Walking tours will be held at the Children’s Library on 11 July at 9.30am, 10am and 10.30am. Rosewood Library on 11 July, Redbank Plaza Library on 10 July and Springfield Central Library on 10 July.
Registration is essential for the programs, find all the information including more events here.
Proudfoot and Friends ‘Blowin’ in the Breeze’
Proudfoot and Friends ‘Blowin’ in the Breeze’ is coming to the Ipswich Civic Centre stage on 13 July as part of their 50th Anniversary series, celebrating the rich history of performing arts across Ipswich.
See award-winning children’s performer Lucas Proudfoot on stage with his guitar, stomp box, didgeridoo and a cast of unforgettable characters on a non-stop musical adventure around Pelican Bay.
You’ll meet wise, respected elder Aunty May, cheeky best friends Ned and Sis’ and all their magical animal friends, like Hopa-tee-woo Kangaroo, Boompa-tee-moo Emu, Big-Gulp Pelican and everyone’s favourite Ruby the Frog!
But watch out for Cane Toad Bill and Fruit Bat Charlie from Smelly Mud Swamp – those shady characters are always up to no good… Catering to 3–7-year-olds, this ground-breaking 45-minute musical comedy show features state-of-the-art digital puppeteering and choreographed animated projections that delight and captivate little ones (and big ones!) as proud First Nation’s performer Lucas leads them on a hilarious interactive sing-along adventure.
Ceramic and mosaic workshops with Jane Du Rand
These school holidays kids can learn the art of ceramics with accomplished artist Jane duRand!
The workshops are targeted to different age groups including a mosaic bird workshop on Tuesday July 1 and Thursday 3 July from 9am-12pm for children aged 6-12.
There’s also a ceramic workshop where children aged 6-12 can make their favourite pet or animal on Tuesday 8 July and Thursday 10 July from 9am-12pm.
For children aged 12 and over there will be a ceramic (lidded vessel) workshop on Tuesday 1 and Thursday 3 July from 2pm-5pm and a ceramic self portrait relief workshop on Tuesday 8 and Thursday 10 July 2pm-5pm.
Art in the Park
Join us these school holidays for Art in the Park: A creative celebration of Ipswich’s natural world. All skill levels welcome!
Art in the Park is a celebration of the unique beauty of Ipswich’s natural world. This free event invites you to explore native plant and animal specimens through various art mediums. Perfect for all skill levels, come and unleash your creative side these school holidays.
Admission is free, drop by and jump in!
Art in the Park will run Wednesday to Saturday 2-5 July and Tuesday to Saturday 8-12 July.
IAG Kids: CLAY creature feature
These school holidays bring the kids to Clay Creature Feature at Ipswich Art Gallery. During the free event kids can get hands-on and bring their very own clay creature to life.
Will it be a tiny, bug-eyed monster with seven feet? A wobbly alien with spaghetti arms? A dragon with wings made for dancing?
Once you’ve brought your creature to life, it’s time to pose your character in the Creature Feature studio!
Set the scene, strike a pose, and let your creature’s personality shine. Snap a pic and take your clay creature home to keep the fun going!
Also on display during the holidays, in the main gallery will be Fantastic Forms an exhibition running until 7 September.
Winter Wonderland
Winter Wonderland is falling at Riverlink Shopping Centre!
Step through the snow tunnel to Snowtopia and enter a real snow wonderland set at a frosty -2°C. Feel the chill, hear the crunch of snow under your boots, and experience the magic of a true winter escape — right here in Ipswich!
Enjoy a variety of winter theme crafts and activities all through the school holidays! Warm up but making yourself a cup of hot chocolate and a s’more in the Chocolate Lab or challenge a friend to a winter themed game in the Yeti Yard!
From June 30th until July 13th, experience a white winter at Riverlink Shopping Centre.
Snowtopia will run form 30th June until 13th July from 10am – 2pm.
Chocolate Lab and Yeti Yard will run from 30 June until 11th July from 10am – 2pm.
For more information, visit Riverlink online.
Teddy Bears’ Picnic
The Teddy Bears’ Picnic is returning to Queensland Museum Rail Workshops for SPARK Ipswich!
Pack your picnic, dress up Teddy, and join us as we welcome back this fun event for the whole family.
Sing along to your favourite nursery rhymes, make a colourful kite or build a teddy bear puppet, chase giant bubbles, go on a bear hunt with prizes and much more.
Join in the fun on Saturday 12 July 9.30am-11.30am.
School Holidays Fun Pack General Public
It’s time to level up your holidays with General Public’s School Holidays Fun Pack, loaded with double the fun for an unbeatable price!
From 28 June until 13 July, for $29 per person, enjoy a game of bowling, and get a $25 arcade card to keep the good times rolling.
That’s two awesome activities in one epic package! Whether you’re a pro at gaming or just looking for a new adventure, this pack is the perfect way to make the most of your school holidays.
Family tickets at Hoyts
Hoyts Ipswich are offering family ticket deals these holidays. If you book a G or PG movie for a family of three or more you can unlock $12 tickets!
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.
What’s on further afield…
Orion Minis: Boomerang painting workshop with Kylie Hill
You can do a 45 minute boomerang painting workshop with artist Kylie Hill at Orion Springfield Central these holidays. The workshops will run on Monday 30 June, Wednesday 2 July and Friday 4 July at 10am, 11am, 1pm and 2pm.
Koala safaris, 4WD tours and animal feeding 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 (every day at 2pm complimentary), taking a tour of the market garden (at 3pm complimentary), 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.
Yamanto Central Cosmodome
Step inside the Cosmodome and explore distant worlds these school holidays at Yamanto Central! This immersive space-themed dome experience will take young explorers on a journey through the stars, planets and beyond from Monday 30 June until Friday 4 July.
This free, family-friendly event is the perfect way to keep the kids entertained and inspired during the school break. Register for tickets here.
Kids boogie bash
Bring the kids to a Boogie Bash at Favley’s Hotel Yamanto these school holidays! Under 12s can enjoy a kids DJ, games, cotton candy, pop corn, face paint, bubbles, a meal and drink for $13.50.
The Kids Boogie Bash is being held on Friday 11 July from 12pm-2pm.
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) 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 weekend tour days or book in for a llama walk at 3pm on weekends.
Bookings are essential, book online.
Kids eat free and shows at Mihi Tavern
The Mihi Tavern has a calendar full of fun things to do for the school holidays including superheroes and animal visits! Also kids can eat for free during lunch or dinner at the Mihi Tavern when you purchase an adult main meal during school holidays!
While the little ones are busy with exciting activities, you can relax and soak up the good vibes.
Tuesday 1 July from 5pm bring the kids to see Spiderman, on Thursday 3 July from 5pm there will be a koala visiting, on Tuesday 8 July from 5pm meet Elsa from Frozen. and on Thursday 10 July from 5pm there will be a Petting Zoo.
Shows and $5 kids meals at Springlake Hotel
Kids can eat for $5 at the Springlake Hotel during their special school holidays event days, 1, 2, 3, 8,9,11 and 12 July.
On Tuesday 1 July from 12pm there will be a Disney princess show, Wednesday 2 July from 12pm there will be a koala visit, Thursday 3 July at 12pm watch a Magic Show, Tuesday 8 July at 2pm see a Dinosaur Show, Wednesday 9 July at 12pm there will be a superhero visit and Friday 11 July at 12pm enjoy a reptile show.
Half-price tours and camel rides
During the school holidays, Summer Land Camels will be running camel rides every day and 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.
Kids can also visit Summer Land Camels during school holidays and get a half price Tour, Taste & Camel Encounter! 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.
A little farmer humpty day will be held on Wednesday 9 July from 9am-2pm. Kids are encouraged to come dressed as a farmer and will enjoy a 30 minute farm tour, a chance to pat and cuddle the camels, kids’ activities (face painting and crafts also) and miniature goats. Just remember closed in shoes are a must for visiting the farm!
Camel rides will also be discounted on the day to $20 for the kids. Tickets are $10pp, with under 4s free.
See the alpacas
Mysteria Alpacas will be open Sundays from 10am-3pm and Saturdays by appointment during the school holidays.
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.
Book a Naughty Little Kids tour
The Naughty Little Kids Goat Dairy will be running extra tours during the school holidays.
Tours will be held on weekends and Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 1pm and 2.30pm. The dairy will also be open for produce purchases on tour days.
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.
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 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.
For more options see our Accommodation Page.
