2024 Discover Ipswich Visitor Guide

With more than 6,000 heritage-listed sites, it’s easy to see why Ipswich is called the heritage city.

Here lovingly restored homes and buildings create beautiful pockets of history around the city, but for the owners of these properties it’s often a labour of love to keep them ageing gracefully. Craig and Esther Trapp embarked on their own heritage restoration back in 2020. Now the couple own Urban Getaway a short-term accommodation business with three heritage houses in Ipswich. They started with a Californian bungalow-style property that was once home to Urban Day Spa, which Mrs Trapp ran. The skin spa can still be found in a boutique studio space at the rear of the property. However, the main use is short- term accommodation by tourists and sporting teams including motorsport royalty coming to compete in the city. The transformation from day spa to accommodation came during Covid lockdowns, when the once thriving business needed a new direction. In addition to being a day spa, the property had a previous life as a bed and breakfast and armed with this knowledge the Trapps took on the task of renovating the five- bedroom, five-bathroom property, built in 1926, into a place to stay once again. Mr Trapp said the property had undergone several renovations over the years including adding a front deck, an ensuite in every bedroom, and the addition of a first-floor apartment.

‘While steeped in history, 17 Brisbane Road, Newtown boasts modern luxuries, including a rejuvenating sauna. This harmonious blend of past and present offers guests a truly immersive and enriching experience,’ Mr Trapp said. ‘It’s a style that seamlessly marries character and comfort.' Their successful venture into accommodation providing has now seen them partner with two further owners with similar heritage properties in recent years. The Urban Getaway property portfolio now includes a six-bedroom, three-bathroom 1910 colonial-style home with a claw foot bath, picket fence and detailed fretwork. There is also a four-bedroom, two-bathroom Queenslander, built around 1914, with wrap around decks, and detailed fretwork inside. Taking the time to renovate the properties to include all the modern luxuries tourists could want, the owners transformed the houses into beautiful homes travellers can stay in, and connect with heritage, in Ipswich's historic inner suburbs. While they love Ipswich, the Trapps (pictured) embarked on a journey around Australia with their two kids, fully running the short-term accommodation business on the road beginning in 2022. They employ a local team who care for the properties and keep them in top shape for travellers to enjoy. ‘We are thrilled to offer beautiful heritage homes for people to enjoy when they travel to Ipswich with family or friends, to attend events, work and enjoy everything that this great city has to offer. We recommend travellers stop into St. Shoebill , Fourthchild Café & Restaurant , Bakehouse Steakhouse and The Cottage Restaurant when visiting Ipswich to experience the best dining available in Ipswich.’

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