Looking for ways to keep the kids entertained? Switch up your Queensland holiday or weekend away with a day trip to Ipswich. Only 35 minutes from Brisbane, the heritage city is brimming with animal encounters, stunning parks, escape rooms and more. Check out our list of top things to do as a family in Ipswich:
Animal encounters
Get up close to llamas at The Llama Farm in Pine Mountain, take one for a walk or book into one of their Little Llama Farmer school holiday programs. You can feed and pet a range of cute animals at the Haigslea Ewe Nique Hobby Farm. Grab a coffee or morning tea while you’re there and see some of the 20 newborn lambs they’re expecting this season. Check out Animal Encounters at the Ipswich Nature Centre, with native Australian animals and some friendly farm animals. Head over to the Summer Land Camel Farm to see the friendly camels, you can even book a camel ride while you’re there and pick up some camel milk produce.
Take a drive or flight out to the country
Book a Floating Images Hot Air Balloon Flight and float majestically over the Ipswich countryside. Bookings are being taken for family groups and individuals with up to 8 allowed in the balloon.
Take a drive out to the country town of Marburg. Stop in at Woodlands of Marburg for a historic mansion tour and lunch package or book a picnic on the sprawling manicured lawns. Stop by The Soul Nook Collective, a new eclectic shop set inside an old church. Don’t miss Scotland Yard Antiques, The Black Museum and Special Branch Collective coffee shop while you’re in town.
Keep driving a little further to Tallavalley Farm B&B for the night, it’s a farm stay where you can meet the resident cows and chooks and dogs are welcome! Another farm stay option is available in Mutdapilly – Keira Farm is a working cattle and sheep farm with a two bedroom cottage available for rent and ample space. The drawcard is an outdoor spa and plenty of wildlife.
Outdoor adventures
Explore over 100km of hiking and biking trails at Hidden Vale Adventure Park. The park is located at Grandchester right near Spicers Hidden Vale. There are bikes for hire and a shuttle service to help you get farther out into the property.
If you’re after something more low key pack a picnic and enjoy it at the beautiful Queens Park, on the green lawns at Kholo Gardens or by the river at Colleges Crossing.
Explore history and heritage
The Workshops Rail Museum is perfect for family adventures! The museum is located at the birthplace of rail in Queensland and while there’s a lot of history on offer, there’s also a Sciencentre with plenty of exhibits for busy hands and minds to tackle. There’s also an onsite café with great coffee and good food.
Take a self-guided walk down the Top of Town to see many beautifully preserved heritage buildings that are now home to restaurants and boutique shops. There’s also heritage trails for the many churches in Ipswich and historic pubs! Pick up a brochure from the Ipswich Visitor Information Centre.
Other things to do
The Christmas themed room at Seraphim Escape Rooms is perfect for kids. This non-threatening escape room is great for a family adventure. They also have two scary rooms available, for older kids and horror fans.
You could also take in a movie at Limelight Cinemas which is open for private bookings up to 20 people.
The Ipswich Art Gallery and the Children’s Gallery space is also open for pre-booked visits Monday to Friday.
And get creative with kids art classes thanks to Sip ‘n’ Dip Ipswich and Jules Art studio in Dinmore.
Family friendly places to stay
Make the fun last longer with an overnight stay at Quest Ipswich, bookings are being taken now enjoy a complimentary upgrade and early check in (12pm) and late check out (12pm).
Spicers Hidden Vale is taking bookings for their Birthversary deal which includes a two night stay for two, breakfast, meals at Homage restaurant, Wildlife centre tour, two hour bike hire at Hidden Vale Adventure Park and more for $1178 for two people.
Quest Springfield are offering a 20% discount with two night minimum stays.
Springfield Lakes Hotel are offering a reduced rate for $199 per night.
Oaks have special discount deals on their website.
For more to see and do visit discoveripswich.com.au
Opening times will vary with Covid-19 restrictions please contact operators to discuss operating hours.
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