We Officially Tested The Best Things to do in Ipswich

We officially tested the best family-friendly things to do in Ipswich and came up with this ultimate list!

Located only 45 minutes drive south-west of Brisbane CBD, Ipswich is an ideal getaway for a long weekend to escape the hustle of the larger city. Here are the best family-friendly experiences in Ipswich that both kids and parents will enjoy!

Feed Adorable Farm Animals at Ewe-Nique Hobby Farm

Dave and Penny operate the family-friendly Ewe Nique Hobby Farm. Kids and adults can feed and pet adorable alpacas, lambs, sheep, goats, chicken and geese. I loved this just as much as the kids!

Here what to do … book in first. Numbers are limited to ensure that every family can have a great time and practise social distancing. When you arrive, order yourself a cuppa on the way in and grab a few mini-buckets of carrots and grain for the animals.

Farmer Dave will give you a quick run-down in a shaded area with tables and hay bale seats. You will then be let loose to feed and pet the animals!

When looking for things to do in Ipswich with younger kids, this is a great option!

Ewe Nique Hobby Farm

Credit - Jesssica Palmer

Escape the Room at Seraphim Escape rooms

Escape rooms don’t have to be scary! We had a great time at the Seraphim Escape Rooms in the familyfriendly Santa themed room.

A series of clues must be solved to get yourself off Santa’s naughty list and escape the room. Of course, older kids may like to experience one of the scarier options.

Don’t worry, there is a hint buzzer if you need it and it’s a great opportunity for the kids to work together. We finished with only nine minutes to spare and used the hint button a few times. Can you do better?

This was one of the kids favourite things to do in Ipswich and I loved watching them work together as a team! Bookings are essential.

Assist Researchers to Track Koalas at Hidden Vale

Enjoy lunch at the award-winning Homage Restaurant at Spicers Hidden Vale and head out on a Koala Safari Tour afterwards.

The Koala Safari tour begins with a tour of the Hidden Vale Wildlife Centre, a partnership between the University of Queensland and The Turner Family Foundation. You will then jump into a troop carrier and head out to the first ”koala hotspot”. This is where you will help Dr Tribe and his team of researchers locate the resident koala community.

This is a genuine eco-experience not to be missed! Numbers are limited and bookings are essential.

If you’re looking for things to do with a hand of luxury, consider booking into Spicers Hidden Vale for the whole weekend.

Koalas on the Hidden Vale Koala Safari

Credit - Tourism & Events QLD

Relax With a Bell Tent Picnic at The Soul Nook Collective

The Soul Nook Collective creates magical picnic experiences on the old church grounds in Marburg.

This was one of my favourite things to do in Ipswich!

Picnics are available Wednesdays to Saturdays and can be as simple as a picnic rug set up under the trees to the full Bell Tent experience. There is a package to suit every budget!

Enjoying our Bell Tent Picnic at The Soul Nook Collective

Credit - Jessica Palmer

Meet Hemu the Emu at the Ipswich Nature Centre

The Ipswich Nature Centre is a great option for families when looking for cheap things to do in Ipswich! Located in Queens Park, admission is free but a gold coin donation would be appreciated.

Wander the nature centre’s shaded walkways yourself or book in for the VIP guided tour. This will give you the opportunity to learn more about the animals.

We met Hemu the Emu on the VIP guided tour and fell in love with his quirkiness. Hemu didn’t cope well with Covid-19 restriction, falling into depression with no visitors. He is very pleased to be able to talk to people again!

The Centre is open between 9:30am – 4pm Tue to Sun and daily during school holidays.

Browse Antique Stores in Marburg

Marburg is home to two of the most wonderful antique stores I’ve ever visited, Scotland Yard Antiques and The Black Museum.

The kids, who have only ever seen mobile phones, were fascinated with the collection of old telephones and really enjoyed (in their words), ”finding the olden day stuff.”

The Special Branch Collective is right next door and all three stores are owned by members of the same family. This is where you go between browsing to grab a coffee and snack.

There is a little playground nearby for the kids and less than 2 minutes walk away is the Soul Nook Collective, one of my favourite places to visit in Ipswich.

Explore the Workshop Rail Museum

Even if you’re not a die-hard rail fan, parents and kids of all ages will enjoy the Workshop Rail Museum.

I personally loved the historic steam engines and various displays of antique parts. The kids were enthralled by the interactive exhibits, particularly the ”How Cities Work” exhibition where they got to build things with pool noodles and connectors.

There is also a science centre exhibit and a Nippers’ Railway play zone that’s designed for younger kids.

Bookings are essential and visits are timed for two hours to allow lower visitor numbers and cleaning between sessions.

Explore Queens Park and Play on the Playground

The large playground at Queens Park is located right near the Queens Park Cafe. Convenient, right? The cafe is chock full of both healthy options, treats and coffee. You won’t be disappointed!

The playground is awesome with multi-levels of equipment that include a flying fox, large slides and various other climbing and swinging things that kids love.

Nearby are the beautiful Nerima Japanese Gardens. Designed in consultation with Ipswich’s Japanese sister city, Nerima, you can stroll over an ornamental lake in this picture-perfect setting.

If you’re looking for wallet-friendly things to do in Ipswich, this is a great option!

Race Through the Orchards at Watercress Creek Olives and Limes

Ok, I didn’t actually do any racing here. But the kids did and they loved it! I thoroughly enjoyed my casual stroll through the Olive Grove and Lime Orchards with the owner, Bernard Mahon, a fourth-generation farmer in the area.

Bernard and his wife, Lorraine have operated Watercress Creek Olive and Limes since 1998 and are happy to let you taste test their products and show you around the property.

Parents can enjoy a relaxing visit and stroll and kids can enjoy a game of chasey among the Tahitian Lime Orchard. This is a great sunny weather activitiy!

Some of the products for sale in the Farm Gate Shop at Watercress Creek Olives and Limes

Credit - Jessica Palmer

Set Up Camp or Rent-A-Tent at Ivory’s Rock

Ivory’s Rock Caravan and Camping ground is one of the most spacious we have ever visited. Combine this with the option of a private bathroom in the toilet block, and social distancing has become easy!

If you don’t have the gear, or just can’t be bothered, Ivory’s Rock do a hassle-free Rent-A-Tent experience where you arrive to a fully set up tent complete with gazebo, tables and chairs. There is even WiFi!

Ivory’s Rock is a great weekend escape with family and friends involving freedom, fresh air, campfires, the outdoors, and the nightime sky.

The kids loved the cute wallabies around the campsite and the novelty of the rent-a-tent. Combining this with a visit to nearby Summerland Camels makes for a great weekend escape.

Sunset at Ivory's Rock Camping Ground

Credit - Jessica Palmer

Visit Summerland Camels and try out the camel milk skin products

Book into the Camel Farm Experience Tour at Summerland Camel Farm and learn all about their ”smart tech farming” operations and why camel milk is the ultimate ingredient for skin care.

Both the kids and myself loved feeding the camels before the tour and spotting the baby camels throughout the tour. At the end, you will have the opportunity to try delicious smelling skin products made from camel’s milk, fetta cheese and the camel milk itself.

You can also book in for a camel ride and visit the onsite cafe and retail store to try out their cheese, gelato, chocolate and famous “camelccino” … all made from camel milk!

Feeding the camels before our tour at Summerland Camels

Credit - Jessica Palmer

Take a Llama for a Walk at The Llama Farm

The Llama Farm is 80 acres of glorious rural land containing Queensland’s largest herd of Llamas. Visiting the farm is an experience like no other.

Not only are there friendly Llamas, there are also adorable donkeys, miniature ponies, stunning peacocks, lively maremmas and a giant Flemish rabbit.

Shane from The Llama farm offers two different experiences to guests in either a farm visit or a guided llama walk, in which you can choose your own llama to walk on a lead along a purpose-built trail on the farm.

The Llama Farm doesn’t have set opening hours so both experiences are by appointment only. If looking for a new experience or things to do in Ipswich, walking a llama at The Llama Farm is a great choice!

Feeding the Llamas at The Llama Farm

Credit - Jessica Palmer

HOW TO GET THERE

Ipswich is located just 45 minutes drive south-west of Brisbane CBD, 45 minutes from the Brisbane airport and an hours drive from the Gold Coast.

WHERE TO STAY

Quest Ipswich are clean, serviced apartment located in Ipswich City. They are comfortable and have plenty of room with free unlimited WiFi.

Tallavalley Farm B&B is located in the beautiful rural area of Tallegalla and is ideally located to explore Marburg and surrounding attractions. The verandah has amazing sunset views of the rolling countryside and you can even bring your dog!

Spicers Hidden Vale is where you stay for a luxury experience in a beautiful rural setting. The heritage cottages feature sweeping mountain views.

Ivory’s Rock is set on the entrance to the stunning Scenic Rim area and is where to stay for caravanning, camping and a visit to nearby Summerland Camels.

Views from the verandah at Tallavalley Farm B&B

Credit - Jessica Palmer

The writer visited Ipswich in partnership with Discover Ipswich.