There’s no time to be bored when there’s so many fun, exciting and adventurous things to do in Ipswich this month.
Here are 40 ideas to make the most of your visit to our beautiful city.
Indulge in a five-course degustation
It’s a double celebration for the owners of The Cottage Restaurant, who are celebrating 160 years of the cottage proudly overlooking the city of Ipswich, and five years as a fine dining restaurant. This charming heritage Queenslander was built on Limestone Street in 1861, but today its converted bedrooms with fireplaces now serve as thoughtfully appointed dining spaces. Prices for the five-course degustation are $79.95 per person. Bookings are essential.
Help raise much-needed funds for cancer research
Grab your friends, lace up your joggers and start training for the upcoming Ipswich Relay for Life, which will be held at Ipswich Girls Grammar School and Ipswich Junior Girls Grammar School ovals on Saturday, October 23 from 2-10pm. So far 16 teams have registered for this worthy event, which aims to raise money for the Cancer Council’s research, prevention, information and support services. It’s an easy and fun way to help save somebody’s life!
Club Services Ipswich is also hosting a Go Pink fundraiser luncheon on Wednesday October 13. They have partnered with The Ipswich hospital foundation to raise funds for specialised equipment for breast cancer care at West Moreton Health.
Trick or treat your family to a spooktacular movie night
Movie lovers of all ages will enjoy watching Dracula, Mavis, Jonathon, Dennis, Frankenstein and the many other lovable characters from the movie Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation at a special screening at the Nicholas Street Precinct on Saturday, October 30 from 6-8pm. Everyone is encouraged to dress up for the Halloween festivities as your favourite character.
Test your knowledge at trivia
Do you know lots of random facts that nobody else knows? If you answered yes, book a table for you and your mates for a night of trivia at Studio 188 on Friday, October 22 from 8-10pm. It costs $30 for a team of six.
Admire classic cars at Cardi Gras
If you’re a car aficionado, head down to Riverlink Shopping Centre on the first Saturday of every month from 4-8pm for Cardi Gras. Car owners will proudly be showing off their wheels, as well as games and competitions.
Ride a camel in Harrisville
Located just a short drive from Ipswich is the Summer Land Camel Farm in Harrisville, where you can go and tour the farm, ride and feed the camels, taste test camel milk products, and browse their shop which is stocked with beauty products and more. The farm is open every day from 9am-3pm and it is free to attend.
Feed adorable baby goats every Sunday
Naughty Little Kids in Peak Crossing is a goat dairy farm that welcomes visitors for tours every Sunday afternoon. While on a tour you can pat and feed a baby goat, milk a goat by hand, watch a cheese making demonstration, learn all about goats, and taste some of their gelato and cheese. Gates open at 12.40pm and farm tours run at 1:05pm, 2:15pm, and 3:25pm. They go for around an hour and are a fantastic family event for all ages. Tickets must be purchased online in advance.
Grab the girls for an evening of sipping and dipping
Making crafts while enjoying a drink (or two) has quickly become a popular way to spend an evening, and lucky for us, Sip ‘n’ Dip Australia have plenty of events happening in and around Ipswich to participate in. Why not try your hand at making a dual end wave board, an alcohol ink tea tray or your own Christmas platter. Like Sip ‘n’ Dip Australia on Facebook for a full list of events.
Hear fascinating tales about Ipswich’s resident ghosts
Do you believe in ghosts? If you’re feeling brave, join renowned historian and ghost hunter Jack Sim on one of his many haunted ghost tours across the city. Guests can choose to visit the Ipswich Cemetery, Goodna Cemetery or join a night time walking tour through the Ipswich CBD. To book, see Ghost Tours Australia.
Spend a night dancing with the Queens
Enjoy an evening of live entertainment and a fully serviced buffet dinner on the first Saturday of every month at Casa Mia Ipswich when they present Dancing with the Queens. Guests of all ages will be in awe of their glitzy costumes, incredible hair and makeup, as well as their awesome singing and dancing skills. Tickets are $45 for adults, $25 for children aged 7-14, and free for children aged six and under.
Put on your detective hat and hunt for clues
Do you consider yourself quite the detective? Put your skills to the test by booking an adventure at Seraphim Escape Rooms in Ipswich, where you have to beat the clock to open the lock.
Eat and shop at Ipswich’s Twilight Markets
You will have a hard time choosing what to have for dinner with an array of food trucks all setting up shop at the Ipswich Twilight Markets at Tulmur Place on Friday, November 12 from 3-8pm. But wait there’s more, as the Twilight Markets also feature market stalls, live music and activities to entertain the kids.
$3 Disney movies and Twilight marathon at Limelight
Limelight Cinemas will be showing $3 Disney movies for the rest of October. Get in to see your family favourites.
And they are hosting a Twilight marathon on October 9.
They have also come up with three Twilight themed cocktails for their triple feature marathon, head in to try Meadow in the Moonlight, Vampire Venom and Vampire Floats (non-alcoholic). See Twilight, New Moon and Eclipse on the big screen from 6pm
Five acts to headline at the Ipswich Civic Centre
It’s a big month of entertainment at the Ipswich Civic Centre this month, if you’re looking for a great night out, why not book tickets to see:
TenorUS – Featuring Two of Australia’s beloved tenors, Roger Davey and Adam Bartlett on Saturday, October 9 at 11am. Tickets are $20 each.
2021 WestMAC Dance Concert – Saturday, October 16 at 2pm and 7pm. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for children and concession.
The Lion King JR – Tuesday Ocotber 19 at 6.30pm. Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 consession and $15 primary school age children.
Sasta 2021 – An exciting and dynamic Irish band. The show will be held on Friday, October 22 at 8pm. Tickets are $25.
tick, tick … BOOM! – Book, music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson. Multiple shows will be held from Thursday, October 28 to Saturday, October 30. Tickets are $50 each.
Watch a Hollywood blockbuster at the drive in
Pile the family into the car with plenty of snacks and enjoy a Hollywood blockbuster on the big screen at the Tivoli Drive-In. Movies screening this month include Zootopia, Free Guy, Big Hero 6, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the 10 Rings, Aladdin, Frozen, Frozen 2, Paw Patrol: The Movie and Rango.
Participate in an authentic Japanese tea ceremony
Get a taste of Japan without jumping on a plane at Ipswich’s Nerima Gardens. Guests can enjoy a tour of the gardens before taking part in a traditional tea ceremony in the Tea House. The next ceremony will be held on October 30, and costs $40 for adults, $35 for concession/students and $30 for a child up to 12 years old. Bookings are essential. To reserve you place, click here.
View miniature versions of Ipswich’s many iconic buildings
Art and craft enthusiasts only have a few weeks left to see miniature versions of Ipswich’s iconic heritage buildings, which are currently on display at The Workshops Rail Museum. The mini buildings were proudly made by artists from Ipswich Mini Crafters. Afterwards, visitors can view the historical photographs from the Picture Ipswich Collection. Be quick though, as the Ipswich in Miniature exhibition is only sticking around until Sunday, October 17.
Enjoy a show at Ipswich’s historic Incinerator Theatre
Seats are still available for Ipswich Little Theatres latest production, Ladies Day, which is a warm-hearted comedy about fun, untold secrets, optimism and the joy of friendships. Tickets start at $16 and can be purchased online or at the Ipswich Visitor Centre.
Meet Ipswich’s cutest and residents
Dingoes, kangaroos, bilbies, spotted quolls, birds, an emu and even a shy little wombat are just a few of the cute faces you can see up close at the Ipswich Nature Centre, located inside Queens Park. Families can drop by anytime of the day as it is free to enter, so you can come back as often as you like. Get to know who’s who in the zoo here.
See one of the Air Force’s powerful flying machines up close, the F-111
Plane and military enthusiasts can head down to the RAAF Amberley Aviation Heritage Centre to see a number of military aircraft up close, including the beloved F-111 at the upcoming open day. As the heritage centre is located on an active military base, visitors must fill out a form with all their details prior to the open day for security reasons. The next open day will be held on Sunday, October 17 from 9am-3pm. More information, including the form, can be found here.
Jump on your bike for a day of fun in the sun
If you are a keen mountain bike rider and looking for new adventures, head to Hidden Vale Adventure Park, where there are more than 110km of World Class trails just waiting to be explored.
Test out your car and driving skills at the raceway
Racing enthusiasts of all ages are encouraged to head down to Queensland Raceway on October 29 to attend Friday Night Drift Night. Drivers can test their driving skills and the performance of their car on the track, with two drift circuits running simultaneously, as well as the skid pan next to the control tower. All the fun is held from 6-10pm.
Enjoy a ride on a historic steam train
The Queensland Pioneer Railway will be taking its steam engine for a run throughout Ipswich on Sunday, October 10 and Sunday, October 17. Tickets are $24 for adults and $13 for concession and children.
Let out your inner race car champion
If you have ever dreamt of being crowned Australia’s next racing car champion, head down to Queensland Raceway in Willowbank where you can live out your fantasy* by taking a spin in a real V8 racecar. Your next opportunity to be the next Craig Lowndes or Mark Winterbottom will be on Saturday, October 30 from 7-11.30am. More information can be found here.
*Disclaimer – Sorry to disappoint, but no rewards or trophies will be handed out on the day, and no champagne sprays will be held. That part must remain a fantasy.
Let your kids get funky with weekly Hip-Hop dance classes
If your little one’s love to dance, be sure to head down to Redbank Plaza every Thursday morning for their free Tiny Tot Hip-Hop dance class, hosted by the crew from Eight8 Dance Co. The classes are held from 10-11am. Like Redbank Plaza on Facebook for more information.
Test your knowledge of the fantasy world against other gamers
If you can conquer the fantasy world, you won’t want to miss out on the Age of Sigmar Campaign, which is being held on the third Sunday of every month in Goleby’s Basement. Scenarios and missions will be posted on the Dark Magician Pop Culture Superstore Facebook page.
Put your pedal to the metal in a safe and controlled environment
Roll Racing is all about taking the racing off the streets and onto the circuit where you can’t get in trouble. Organisers have designed this event to give you as much track time as possible and they strictly limit numbers to make sure you get value for money as an entrant.
Tour the exhibitions at the Ipswich Art Gallery
Visitors to the city will enjoy walking through the halls of the Ipswich Art Gallery to browse the four exhibits which are currently on offer. Art lovers will enjoy looking at the selection of artworks and objects from the Ipswich Art Gallery Collection, as well as be amazed by the display of Australian Heritage Quilts. There are also activities for the little ones to enjoy, with LightPlay for Kids and LightPlay for Babies and Toddlers. Children can explore their artistic potential in an interactive space created especially for them and play with overhead projectors and illuminated light boxes and discover what happens when light is cast on different materials. Visit the Ipswich Art Gallery website for more information.
Discover Ipswich’s rich locomotive history
Family members both young and old will enjoy a trip to The Workshops Rail Museum in North Ipswich, where you can learn more about the railway and tour the 15 exhibitions currently on display. Choose from Diesel Revolution, Might and Muscle, the Model Railway, Nippers Railway, Sciencentre and more. The Workshops Rail Museum is open 9.30am-4pm daily. Entry is $14.50 for adults, $12.50 for concession, $11.50 for children aged 3-15, and free for children under the age of three.
Make your own crystal wall hanging
The Soul Nook Collective in Marburg will be hosting a craft workshop on Saturday, October 9 from 10am-noon where guests can make their own crystal wall hanging using raw crystals, feathers and twine. The cost is $55 per person and includes all materials.
Jam along to live music at Banshees Bar and Artspace
There will be lots of music, dancing and singing at Banshees Bar and Artspace this month, with the venue hosting six gigs, including album launches, acoustic jam sessions, banjo workshops and more including Blue Savannah Underworld and Alpha Omega, Cadence and L.R. Marsh and Shane Fell.
Journey back in time with the Ipswich Historical Society
Join other history buffs and take a journey on a bus from the 1960s as you are chauffeured around the historic Blackstone area. The Heritage Bus leaves Cooneana Heritage Centre approximately 10am, with the tour taking two hours. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children occupying a seat. Tickets include entry to the Cooneana Heritage Centre after the tour. Bookings are essential, and can be made here. If you wish to see the many exhibits and memorabilia on display, you can head to the Cooneana Heritage Centre on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10am-2pm, as well as the second and fourth Sunday of the month from 10am-2pm from now until November. Find them at 1041 Redbank Plains Road, New Chum.
Fossick through the many markets across the city
Markets are a great way to pick up fresh local produce, as well as clothing, collectables, plants, jams, honey, bric-a-brac and more. Whatever you feel like filling up your goodie bag with, you are sure to find what you are looking for at these markets:
The Springfield Markets is held on the first Sunday of every month from 8am-1pm at Robelle Parklands in Springfield Central, and the third Sunday of the Month from 9am-4pm at Orion Springfield Central Shopping Centre.
The Ripley Markets are a great way to shop and explore. This dog-friendly market is held on the second Saturday of the month from 3-8pm at Providence, Ripley Valley.
The Ipswich Showplace Markets are held every Sunday from 6-11.30am at the Ipswich Showgrounds on Warwick Road. The markets have long been a popular destination for early risers on a weekend. Entry is a gold coin donation.
My Local Market is held on the first Sunday of the month on Parkland Drive, Walloon, from 8-11am.
The Riverlink Market Zone is held on the second Saturday of every month from 8am-1pm at Riverlink Shopping Centre, corner Downs St and The Terrace, Ipswich.
The Handmade Expo Markets are held on the second Saturday of the month at the Nicholas Street Precinct.
Stay at Ivory’s Rock to win this Jacaranda season
The team at Ivory’s Rock are celebrating Jacaranda season with a bit of fun. If you stay in October and share your purple experience on their Facebook page you can go into the draw to win a free weekend away for a family of four at one of their powered camping sites.
To enter you must stay onsite, either dress up in purple, cook something purple, create a purple drink or convert your setup into a purple palace. The winner will be announced on Tuesday November 2.
