Discover Ipswich Magazine 2023

ADVENTURE

Tulmur Place

Ipswich Art Gallery

QPSR

to an active day out Treat the kids

Brisbane Valley Rail Trail

Sutton Park

Ipswich doesn’t disappoint when it comes to family-friendly

Take a ride on the Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway (QPSR) . The train ride takes you past old coal mining sites and run once a month on weekends. It is a Best of Queensland Experience and gives you the chance to ride in a heritage carriage which leaves from the restored Swanbank Station. Spend the afternoon at the Ipswich Art Gallery , wander the exhibitions and if you’re there on school holidays there’s usually an interactive kids’ event to take part in, in the past there’s been Tapescape and Wind Tubes. Take some time to explore Ipswich’s water parks. There are free water play areas at Bob Gamble Park , Ripley Splash ‘n’ Play , Tulmur Place , Orion Lagoon and Robelle Domain . Explore heritage at one of Cooneana Heritage Centre’s open days. These special days feature old timey games like sack racing, feature lost arts like blacksmithing and include heritage bus rides. Put aside a few hours to explore the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail . Start at the Wulkuraka Trail

activities. Here’s a few options to help you plan your next adventure…

Head or the Brassall Bikeway and either walk or ride the trail to see native flora and fauna and historical markers along the way. Book the kids in for a Sip ‘n’ Dip kids art class. These classes are the perfect opportunity to get creative together making alcohol ink art, resin works or simply learning to paint! For something a little different, book the kids in for an Animal Encounters Tour . The tour goes behind the scenes at the Ipswich Nature Centre with a tour guide to learn all about the resident native animals. After your tour, stop for lunch at The Prince Alfred Hotel for a family-friendly dining experience. Hit one of Ipswich’s family friendly parks. Sutton Park includes a skate ramp and a track for bikes with stop and go signs, it is also close to The Workshops Rail Museum . Lobley Park features a faux plane kids can explore, and Denmark Hill has walking tracks and a recently constructed play area.

Start with breakfast at Dancing Bean Cafe . This hidden gem serves up locally roasted coffee and epic breakfasts. It features a little kids’ nook with games and a blackboard. Take in a movie at Limelight Cinemas . On school holidays look out for kids movie deals. If you’re looking to splurge, book a session in the lounge and get delicious food served while you watch. The cinema picked up a Best of Queensland Experience badge last year and shows the latest blockbusters as well as old favourites. Head to Elderflower Cafe in North Ipswich for lunch. Next door there is a nursery so parents can pick up a few things for the garden. The cafe is small but packs a mighty punch when it comes to flavours and seasonal menu items.

PA Hotel

Ipswich Nature Centre

Denmark Hill

Elderflower Cafe

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