What’s on: Ipswich dishing up the goods for an action-packed month of April

From food festivals and fair, markets, shows and open days there's plenty to taste, see and do in Ipswich this April...
01 Apr 2021
Ashleigh Howarth, Freelance writer

Attention all foodies! If you love to treat your tastebuds to an array of new cuisines, as well as sourcing locally grown fresh produce to fill up your esky, then Ipswich is a must visit destination this April. An array of food themed activities is sure to have you salivating this month, featuring delicious events such as Discover Ipswich Flavours of Ipswich, the Watercress Creek Olive Festival, Future Flavours food fair and the Summer Land Camel Farm market day.

But the fun doesn’t end there. Visitors can also explore the city’s many markets, take in one of the eight shows at the Ipswich Civic Centre, see an F-111 up close at the Amberley Air Base, and feel the need for speed at Queensland Raceway.

Feed your curiosity this month during Flavours of Ipswich

Chai House Nepalese Wok Noodles

Have you ever devoured a burger high tea? Or perhaps you would like to sink your teeth into a plate full of Nepalese wok noodles, parmesan and thyme gnocchi, a Philly cheese steak sandwich, or enjoy an alcohol-filled cupcake for dessert? If you were looking for a reason to visit Ipswich, here it is served up on a silver platter, with 32 specially curated lunch and dinner menus for you to try as part of the Discover Ipswich Flavours of Ipswich program.

Many of Ipswich’s top restaurants will be taking part in the event from April 7-24, giving you the opportunity to dine at a number of award-winning restaurants to enjoy either a two course lunch for $25, or a three course dinner for $35. This way, you will really get a taste of what Ipswich restaurants have to offer! Don’t delay in making your reservation – bookings are essential for dining in, with take-away available from selected participating restaurants.

Carnival to celebrate the Easter long weekend

Lots of rides, live entertainment, market stalls, a talent quest and fireworks are just a few of the attractions that will delight families over the long weekend for the Ipswich Easter Spectacular Carnival, which will be held at Evan Marginson Park in Goodna from Saturday, April 3 to Monday, April 5. Hosted by Goodna Street Life, the carnival is the perfect spot for families to gather for a weekend of fun. And the best part is, entry is free!

Jump on your bike for a full day of riding at Spicers Hidden Vale

The upcoming MERIDA Hidden Vale 24HR is a solo, team relay and kids’ mountain bike riding event starting at 12pm on Saturday, April 10 and finishing at 12pm on Sunday, April 11. Riders will have the opportunity to compete for medals as you or your team hit the track to see how many laps you can do in a 24-hour period. If 24 hours is a little intimidating but you still want to be part of the action, or take up the sport as a beginner, there is also a four-hour event that might suit. You can take it on as a sole participant or as part of a team. It promises to be fun for the whole family, and those who love the feeling of pedal power

Pack the picnic rug and enjoy a day of scrumptious and organic produce

Watercress Creek Olives & Limes

The annual Watercress Creek Olive Festival is set to return on Sunday, April 11, giving residents and visitors the opportunity to taste test and fill their esky with a range of locally grown products from farmers and producers across Ipswich and the nearby Scenic Rim.

The festival, hosted by Watercress Creek Olives and Limes in Pine Mountain, will feature a number of food stalls, live entertainment, as well as guided tours of the olive grove and lime trees. The festival is being held at 53 Bryces Road, Pine Mountain, and entry is $5 per person, or $10 per car (children are free).

Guests are asked to wear enclosed shoes, as parking will be available in a paddock, and bring their own picnic rug so they can lay down and enjoy munching on the many delectable products while enjoying the sunshine.

Take a haunted tour around Ipswich

Ipswich Cemetery Ghost Tour

Dating back to the early days of convict settlement, Ipswich is a city with many ghost tales to tell. Learn more about the many haunted sites across the city by taking part in an Ipswich Cemetery Ghost Tour on Saturday, April 3 and Saturday, April 17. In addition, visitors can also take part in a Haunted Ipswich CBD Ghost Tour, which will be held on Friday, April 9, and Friday, April 23. For more information or to book, see Ghost Tours Australia.

Enjoy a movie on the big screen

Tivoli Markets

Pack up the car, grab some movie snacks and head to the Tivoli Drive-In to see a number of Hollywood Blockbusters on the big screen. Throughout the month of April, movie goers can watch hit films such as Raya and the Last Dragon, 10 Things I Hate About You, Happy Feet and Chaos Walking..

Let the kids learn some cool circus tricks

Free circus classes will be held for children at the Ripley Town Centre from April 13-14. The 45 minute workshops will teach kids how to spin plates, hula hoop and juggle. It is free to attend but bookings are required.

Tie-dye classes at Orion Springfield Central

Kids of all ages will enjoy making their very own tie-dye pillowcase at Orion Springfield Central. Workshops will be held from April 11-13. It costs $7 per child.

Food trucks to feed the masses at popular food fair

If you are a person that likes to try a little bit of everything, especially when it comes to food, be sure to mark the upcoming Future Flavours food fair event into your phone, with an alert! The event is hosted on the third Saturday of every month and features food trucks in the Nicholas St precinct, as well as a licenced bar and bands to dance along to. 

Join in the fun of Tamil and Indian New Year Celebrations

A sea of colour, live music, authentic Indian cuisines, as well as a number of fun multicultural activities is set to overtake Springfield’s Robelle Domain Parklands as part of the upcoming Tamil and Indian New Year Celebrations on Saturday, April 17. The day will feature rides, multicultural performances, food and market stalls, fireworks and much more. Everybody is invited to head down to Springfield to take part in the celebrations.

Meet the camels at Australia’s largest camel farm

Summer Land Camel Farm, located just a short drive away from Ipswich in the small town of Harrisville, will be hosting a market day on Saturday, April 17. Come and support local Scenic Rim producers and businesses while you eat food made from locally sourced ingredients, meet the camels, tour the farm and relax to the sounds of a local entertainer. The event will be held from 8.30am-3pm.

See the powerful F-111 Aircraft up close and learn more about the Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF Amberley Aviation Heritage Centre | Ipswich

The RAAF Amberley Aviation Heritage Centre will be having an open day on Sunday, April 18, allowing military and plane buffs the opportunity to learn more about the history of the base. Luckily, the heritage centre is open on the third Sunday of each month, so visitors can get the chance to see an F-111 up close, plus many other aircraft. Opening hours are 9am-3pm. As the centre is located on an active military base, those wishing to visit must fill out a form prior to the open day for security reasons. More information, including the form, can be found here.

Pay your respects to soldiers past and present this Anzac Day

Anzac Day

Ipswich has a long and proud military history, which is why it is the perfect place to commemorate Anzac Day this year. The Ipswich RSL play a vital part in the city’s Anzac Day Services and Marches, and therefore will be posting more information on their website closer to the date.  

Ladies and gentleman, start your engines at Queensland Raceway

Kenda Radial

If you feel the need for speed, there are plenty of events being held at Queensland Raceway and Willowbank Raceway this month to satisfy you.

The 2021 Street Series on Saturday, April 10 is your opportunity to take part in one of the most popular racing series in Queensland.  Get yourself into the series and compete in seven rounds (plus the finals). With the inception of Real Street to the IHRA Australia brackets this year, they have decided to revamp the Street Series. There will be four championships available in 2021, including OldSkool, NewSkool, Powder Puff and Street Bike.

The hugely popular Queensland Drag Racing Championships will again return on Saturday, April 17.

With more than 130 racers per round, there is no shortage of thrilling action. And finally, the Kenda Tires 660 Drag Radial series is sure to have the blood of both competitors and spectators pumping on April 22-24. The Kenda Tires 660 Drag Radial series is home to Australia’s quickest and fastest drag radial cars over the 1/8th mile.

Eight big shows take to the stage at the Ipswich Civic Centre

If you love getting dressed up and spending a night out at the theatre, then you are in for a treat this month. Featuring an impressive line-up of eight productions this month, the Ipswich Civic Centre has a show for every age and every taste, ranging from comedies, musical tributes, live renditions of popular children’s poems and dance spectaculars.

First up, the spotlight will shine down on the talented young actors from a local theatre group called Fusion Arts Inc for its live stage adaptation of The Little Mermaid. The stars of the show will take audiences on a journey back to their childhood to relive many of the movie’s iconic scenes and  much-loved Disney songs including Part of Your World and Under the Sea. Show times are 11am and 6pm on Wednesday, April 7. All tickets are $17.50 each.

The following evening, the centre’s main stage will be transformed into a sweet and musical world that celebrates the life of an Aussie culinary legend who forever changed the way we look at food. Margaret Fulton the Musical is full of Tupperware and toe tapping songs that highlights the brilliant way in which she gave women the confidence to move on from the usual dishes of meat and three veggies to more adventurous and flavoursome meals such as nasi goreng, sweet and sour pork and chocolate self-saucing pudding. If you can feel your tastebuds tingling now, be sure to reserve your seat now. Tickets are $45 each or $40 for groups of four people. The show begins at 7.30pm on Thursday, April 8.

For more than five decades, Australian singer John Williamson has encapsulated the beauty, wonder and, sometimes, heartbreak of what life is like Down Under. Fans will be able to hear many of John’s world-famous tunes when he appears live on stage on Friday, April 9 for his new show titled John Williamson: Celebrating 50 years. Tickets are $64 for adults, $59 for pensioners and $35 for children aged 3-15. The show starts at 8pm.

The big names keep coming at the Ipswich Civic Centre, with artists Normie Rowe, Dinah Lee and Jade Hurley set to gather for their upcoming show, 3 Legends on Concert, which will be performed on Saturday, April 10 at 8pm. Tickets start at $64.50 for adults.

Edward Lear’s beloved childhood poem, The Owl and the Pussycat, will be brought to life for audiences of all ages to enjoy on Wednesday, April 15 and Thursday, April 16. This interactive journey inspires, educates and enthralls by inviting children, alongside their families, carers and teachers, to participate in musical and multi-sensory ways to help the lovable couple reach their destination. Tickets are $17.50 each, or $15 for groups of four or more.

Musician Chris Cook, who wrote three songs for Australian country music star Slim Dusty, will be playing a number of respectable renditions of Slim’s repertoire of chart toppers for the Dustier than Ever show on Wednesday, April 21 at 10am. Book your tickets now for only $20 per person.

Experience a night of beautiful Irish dancing and Celtic culture without getting out your passport by attending A Taste of Ireland on Friday, April 23. Starring dancers from the West End’s Lord of the Dance, Riverdance, and Gaelforce Dance alongside a treasure trove of Irish Dancing World Champions, A Taste of Ireland delivers the very best talent in the nation. Tickets are $74.90 for adults, $69.90 for concession card holders and $59.90 for children aged 3-13.

Last but not least, Liza Meets Bassey starring Monique Montez, is the final act rounding up a big month of entertainment at the Ipswich Civic Centre. Liza meets Bassey is a sensational show consisting of the iconic tunes of two living legends Dame Shirley Bassey and the incomparable Liza Minnelli. Tickets are $70 for adults and $65 for concession holders, but also includes a two course meal.

Studio 188 follows suit with three big events to entertain crowds this month

Ipswich’s intimate performing arts development and live music venue, Studio 188, also has a stellar booking schedule for the month of April.

The Beamish Brothers, a rising duo of multitalented siblings, are just one of three acts that will be appearing at the next instalment of Live! At the Baptist, which will be held on Saturday, April 10 from 8-10pm. Also appearing on the night will be songwriter and DIY girl Rebecca Callander (Also known as Beks) and Brooke Austen, a singer-songwriter who writes to understand the world around her. Tickets are $15 per person.

Studio 188 has also introduced a new trivia series which will allow residents and guests to put their thinking caps on and battle each other to be crowned the smartest on the night. The event is hosted by an Ipswich local and features two hours of general trivia questions. Tickets are $30 per team, with a maximum of six people. The first trivia night be held on Friday, April 16 from 8-10pm.

Finally, after a year long hiatus due to Covid, Ipswich Unearthed returns to Studio 188 on Saturday, April 24. Ipswich Unearthed shines the spotlight on emerging talent from the Ipswich region and allows opportunity for the next up-and-coming artists to grace the stage in a laid-back and supportive environment. This month’s event stars Connor Pollard, Elly Rowbotham, Billie Wild and Lydia Romaguera Martinez.

Steam into fun at The Workshops Rail Museum

One of Ipswich’s most well-known and loved tourist attractions, The Workshops Rail Museum, is always full of laughter and squeals of joy from youngsters. It is a popular stop for families who visit the region as it has so much to see and do. Train enthusiasts can explore the 15 larger-then-life exhibitions, as well as test their skills in the Sciencentre. The Trackside Café is also the perfect spot for a coffee, morning tea or lunch. Bookings are essential to visit the museum in accordance with COVID-19 safety regulations.

Marvel at the number of classic cars that will be on display at the Riverlink Shopping Centre

Calling all car aficionados, this one is for you. A number of beautifully restored classic cars, as well as many other people’s pride and joy rides, will be on show at Riverlink Shopping Centre on Saturday, April 17 from 4pm for the Cardi Gras Dinner with the Cars event. It is here you can enjoy a bite to eat while also meeting the many people who have spent countless hours and energy working on their wheels.

Let your creativity flow with workshops hosted by Sip ‘n’ Dip Australia

SipnDip

Whether you are a beginner or experienced artist, there are plenty of activities and craft workshops for you to choose from within the Ipswich region. Sip ‘n’ Dip Australia host classes right across the city, meaning there are always events happening near you. This month, why not try your hand at making your own resin trinket tray, pigmented ink coasters, learn to paint workshops and more – The choice is yours! For a full list of workshops, visit Sip ‘n’ Dip’s Facebook page.

Browse through the city’s many markets

Bargain hunters and foodies are never short of markets in Ipswich, with the city home to hundreds of stall holders that love to sell their products, as well as many vendors dishing up tasty meals. Be sure to add these great markets to your monthly calendar:

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.

The Walloon Markets are 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.

Bring out your cultural side at the Ipswich Art Gallery

You don’t need to travel overseas to get a glimpse of quality art pieces. The hugely popular Ipswich Art Gallery has four exciting new exhibitions for art lovers to discover this month. These include works from the gallery’s collection, as well as local artists, and even an interactive exhibition based on transport.

Ashleigh Howarth Freelance writer
Ashleigh Howarth is a journalist with more than 12 years experience in the media industry. Her passions include travelling, dessert bars, cocktails and attending music concerts. She aims to inspire others to unlock their own sense of wanderlust to explore this beautiful big world, whether that be on a local or more global scale. You can keep up to date with her stories by following @journo_ash_ on Instagram.

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