Located just 30 minutes’ drive from Brisbane CBD, Ipswich is a booming urban region with a rich cultural heritage and impressive modern attractions. With a huge array of options on offer for kids and families, it’s the perfect place for locals and visitors alike. From steam trains to modern art, baby goats to mega parks, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in Ipswich!
Queens Park
Perhaps the most famous family destination in Ipswich, Queens Park is so much more than your average city parkland. It boasts not only an amazing kids’ playground complete with flying fox, water play and liberty swing, but also formal gardens such as the Japanese-themed Nerima Gardens, a Bush House, Bush Chapel, Croquet Hall, Environmental Education Centre, cafe and, most-loved of all, the Ipswich Nature Centre. This free-to-enter wildlife park is home to an assortment of Australian wildlife and barn animals, including kangaroos, wombats, bilbies, goats, snakes, and a selection of beautiful birds in a large, walk-through aviary. Queens Park is definitely a venue where you come for a play, stay for the day!
Naughty Little Kids
Every Sunday, the Naughty Little Kids working dairy farm opens its doors to you and your hopefully not-so-naughty little kids! Farm tours are offered at three set times and begin with bottle feeding the super cute and charmingly cheeky baby goats. After that, it’s on to the adult goats’ enclosure for goat milking, where everyone gets to have a try! Then it’s time for a cheese making demonstration, followed by sampling the farm’s delicious, award-winning gelato and cheeses. Along the way, the family owners share their knowledge and passion for goats and farming, and allow visitors young and old to get a taste of country farm life, just outside the city.
Ipswich Art Gallery
There’s a reason that the Ipswich Art Gallery is one of the most visited regional art galleries in Australia—its dynamic program of exhibitions and displays. Located in a heritage-listed building that was for over a century the Town Hall, the venue has become a major public art gallery and museum, with Australia’s first permanent gallery space dedicated exclusively to children. This interactive space is designed to give kids under twelve years the chance to explore art and creativity in a fun and stimulating environment. An extensive line-up of attractions for children and families is offered throughout the year, with regular special events to keep little budding artists thoroughly entertained.
Ipswich Playgrounds
Ipswich is home to some of the newest, biggest, and best playgrounds in the whole of South-east Queensland! For a taste of what we’re talking about, check out Orion Mega Adventure Playground at Orion Springfield Centre, and Flagstone Adventure Park in Jimboomba. You’ll discover multiple play areas, tall activity towers, epic slides and more. Tucker Family Park in Bellbird Park, and Grande Park at Springfield Lakes are also firm family favourites not to miss. There are play spaces for all ages to enjoy!
The Workshops Rail Museum
If you have a little Thomas the Tank Engine fan, or any child who loves cars and trains, adventure play, or science, The Workshops Rail Museum is the place to go! This educational and fun museum is full of hands-on activities for all little nippers. Think model railways and full-sized steam engines, interactive areas and train simulators. Plus, there’s a whole new Sciencentre and maker space for curious little minds to explore, and great school holiday activities to keep boredom at bay.
Water Parks
When the summer days get too hot to handle, kids love to cool off at one of Ipswich’s fantastic free water parks. Orion Lagoon in Springfield Central features one of the biggest public lagoons in the Southern hemisphere. There are also barbecue facilities, picnic areas, a cafe, and adjoining parklands to make your day out complete. Just a short stroll away, you’ll find Robelle Domain, with its fun playground and awesome water play area with huge tipping bucket. Kids will never get tired of all the fun to be had at this exciting and refreshing play space!
For more ideas for fun things for families to do in Ipswich, Brisbane and beyond, check out the Brisbane Kids website.