Whether you’re a foodie, love going to the theatre, fossicking for bargains, or an adrenaline seeker, there are plenty of activities for the young and old to enjoy this month in Ipswich.
Treat your tastebuds at the Olive Festival
Calling all foodies! The annual Watercress Creek Olive Festival returns to Pine Mountain on April 14. This is your chance to tour the farm, try an array of yummy foods, purchase some of their handmade olive, fig and lime products, wander through the local craft and produce stalls, plus enjoy a picnic in the groves.
Spoil your mum
In honour of Mother’s Day, the team from Soul Nook Collective will be hosting their annual Mother’s Day Market on April 27. There will be lots of unique market stalls where you can spoil your mum, mother-in-law, grandmother and other special “mums” in your life with the perfect handmade gift, as well live music, food trucks and more.
Catch a show with friends
Whether you’re into musicals, comedy or drama, there are plenty of shows coming to the Ipswich Civic Centre and Studio 188 this month. You won’t want to miss The World of Musicals in Concert; the Magical World of Crazy Science; singer-songwriter Mark Wilkinson; Eric Clapton’s Unplugged Hits by Matt Arthur and the Lazybones; and standup comedian Anh Do and his show The Happiest Refugee.
Bloomin’ day out for green thumbs
Whether you are wanting to peruse the beautiful display of flowers or purchase something special to take home, you won’t be disappointed at the annual Ipswich Garden Spectacular, which will be held at the Silkstone State School Hall on April 6-7. There will be hundreds of orchids and bromeliads for sale as well as vendors selling gardening accessories, talks on how to grow your own orchids at home, raffles and more. Bus groups are welcome.
Queensland Knife Show returns to Ipswich
Known as the biggest celebration of all things sharp, the Queensland Knife Show returns to Ipswich featuring an array of knives, tools and supplies from manufactures, plus knife makers, collectors and dealers. It will be held at the Ipswich Events Centre, inside the Ipswich Showgrounds, on April 13-14.
Activities galore for rev heads
Ipswich is home to one of the best race tracks in the world, meaning there are plenty of events for rev heads at Queensland Raceway. This month you can catch the Queensland Racing Drivers’ Championship, an adrenaline-fueled evening of roll racing for bikes, the Superbike Pavilion-Ride Experience, Australian Super Bike Championships, or test your drifting skills.
Take a journey back in time
A very special Pioneer Day complete with Bush Poetry will be held at Cooneana Heritage Centre on April 14, with well-known poets Peter Frazer and Tony Caswell in attendance. Visitors can also tour the centre and meet members of the various historical groups including the Spinners and Weavers and the Ipswich Genealogical Society. There will also be a magician and games to entertain the kids.
Enjoy an Arvo on the Green
Experience the best of local entertainment, barefoot bowls, markets, food and more at the family-friendly event, Arvo on the Green. This new community event will be held on the first Sunday of every month at the United Sports Club in East Ipswich.
Participate in an authentic Japanese tea ceremony
Get a taste of Japan without jumping on a plane at Ipswich’s Nerima Gardens. Explore the garden and admire the beautiful design elements before attending the traditional tea ceremony in the Tea House. The next tour is on April 27. Sessions are held at 9am and 11am.
Unwind and indulge at Limelight Cinemas
With eight cinemas, including two premium theatres, you can sit back, unwind and indulge while watching your favourite movie stars at Limelight Cinemas. Lord of the Rings fans will be excited to know there is an overnight marathon on this month, as well as a number of other classic movies including the original Footloose, Legally Blonde, and The Never Ending Story.
Jump behind the wheel of a V8 racing car
For an intense, exhilarating and heart racing driving or passenger experience, book a V8 racing car experience at Queensland Raceway where you can choose between a Chevrolet Camaro or Ford Mustang. The next V8 experience will be held on April 13.
Explore Ipswich’s art scene
If you’re looking to learn more about the region’s talented artists, the Ipswich Art Gallery is your one-stop shop for art and culture. There are currently five exhibitions on display, including Intertwined featuring local artists Donna Davis and Sean Williams; Pattern Play, which is a fun and hands-on exhibition for all ages; And As Seen on TV, which explores the contrast between old and new technology. Be quick though, they are only here for a few more weeks.
Roll in to the Drive-in
For a night of good old-fashioned fun filled with choc tops, lollies and popcorn, roll into the Tivoli Drive-in. This old-school theatre screens movies every weekend. This month you can see The Super Mario Bros. Movie; Pokémon Detective Pikachu; Force of Nature; The Dry 2; Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse; Migration; Despicable Me 3; Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire; and Madam Web.
Bargains galore at the markets
If you’re someone who loves a good bargain, you will find plenty of amazing finds at the local markets. Check out the Springfield Markets; Ripley Markets; Riverlink Market Zone; Handmade Expo Markets, Quibble Market.
Build your own teddy bear
A beary special school holiday workshop will be held at Redbank Plaza from April 2-14, where kids can build their own cuddly teddy bear to keep. The workshops will be held daily on level 1 from 10am-2pm and are completely free. Only 200 bears will be made each day, so make sure you arrive early.
Bust a move on the dance floor
Relive your favourite hits from the 70s through to the early 2000s at the Orion Hotel every Friday night with Throwback Fridays. From 4pm, there will be a rotating lineup of tribute acts, live musicians and vinyl DJs so you can bust a move with your mates.
Cooking classes your kids can tuck into
If you have little ones who love helping out in the kitchen, head on down to the Ripley Town Centre for the Foost Kids Cooking Classes. Here, they can challenge their senses with a fun ingredients game, plus make their own healthy Easter Bunny crackers and layered fruit salad to take home. Multiple sessions will be held on April 9 between 10am-2pm.
Enjoy a day out at the Ipswich Nature Centre
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.
Revitalise yourself at Trevallan Lifestyle Centre
If you’re wanting to find new ways to recharge your battery and connect with your inner self, head to the Trevallan Lifestyle Centre for a Harmony Renewed: Energy ReSet Massage, or take part in an Intuitive Energy Healing session. Multiple sessions will be held throughout the month.
Live and Local at Banshees
Spend your Sunday arvo listening to musicians while enjoying a cool beverage at Banshees Bar and Art Space on April 21, and again on May 19, as part of their Live and Local Sunday Series. Entry is free and the acts start at 6pm.
To see more fun events and activities happening in and around Ipswich, be sure to check out the What’s On page.
