Looking for dog-friendly things to do near Brisbane? Just 30 minutes from Brisbane CBD, Springfield in Ipswich City is the perfect destination for a day out with your furry companion. From scenic parklands and off-leash play areas to pet-friendly cafés and local markets, there's plenty for both you and your pup to enjoy.Start the morning at Springfield MarketsBegin your adventure at the Springfield Markets, where you can browse local stalls, pick up fresh produce and enjoy the vibrant community atmosphere. With plenty of open-air spaces, it's a great way to ease into the day while your dog takes in all the new sights and smells.Wander through Robelle DomainNo dog-friendly day in Springfield would be complete without a visit to Robelle Domain. This award-winning parkland offers wide pathways, beautiful gardens, open green spaces and picturesque water features, making it ideal for a leisurely walk with your pup. Take your time exploring the park while enjoying one of Springfield's most loved outdoor destinations.

Looking for hidden gems near Brisbane? Just 30 minutes from Brisbane CBD, Springfield in Ipswich City is filled with unexpected experiences, from championship-standard sporting events and scenic hiking trails to lakeside dining, mini golf, waterfalls and stunning sunset views. Whether you're planning a day trip from Brisbane or exploring more of the Ipswich region, Springfield offers the perfect mix of outdoor adventure, family fun, great food and local entertainment.Start with Mini Golf at BrookwaterKick off your Springfield adventure with a round of mini golf at Brookwater Golf & Country Club. Surrounded by beautiful fairways and natural landscapes, this hidden gem offers fun for all ages and is a great way to start the day with a little friendly competition.Photo: Brookwater Golf & Country Club Facebook

Feel like spending a long weekend indulging in delicious flavours, soaking up some heritage or just breathing fresh country air?  We've got you!Check out the Nicholas Street PrecinctThe award winning Nicholas Street Precinct features a movie cinema, restaurants and bars, activities for the kids and much more! The entertainment precinct has a MiniBounce for children 0-6 years old, a space for the bigger kids to enjoy with bowling and arcade games as well as great food and drinks at General Public and a Hoyts movie cinema.There's also a beautifully restored pub - Hotel Commonwealth that serves up tasty bites and drinks seven days a week. 

The September school holidays are the perfect time to get outside, try something new and make unforgettable family memories.From roaring animatronic wildlife and live Dora the Explorer shows to creative workshops, active adventures and hands-on animal encounters, Ipswich is packed with activities to keep children of all ages entertained.Here are some of the top activities to add to your family's holiday checklist from 19 September to 5 October.

History isn't just something you see during Galvanized, it's something you can taste too. As you explore heritage homes, stroll historic streets and uncover stories from Ipswich's past, don't forget to pull up a chair and enjoy the special food and drink offerings created especially for Galvanized. From heritage-inspired curries and classic pub fare to nostalgic sweet treats, locally crafted brews and cocktails with a story to tell, Ipswich's cafes, restaurants, pubs, hotels and breweries are serving up a delicious journey through time.Brews with a BackstoryStony Creek Brewing: Limestone LagerFor Galvanized, Stony Creek Brewing has launched a brand-new brew with a story to tell.Limestone Lager pays tribute to the region's earliest days when Ipswich was known simply as Limestone, a rugged colonial outpost established in 1827. Inspired by the explorers, workers, settlers and pioneers who helped shape the region, this crisp local lager celebrates the determination and resilience that laid the foundations of one of Queensland's oldest regional cities.

Looking for a venue that gives your next meeting, conference or corporate event a little more character? From country retreats and sporting venues to breweries, heritage spaces and purpose-built event centres, Ipswich offers a diverse range of places to bring people together - all within easy reach of Brisbane.Explore some of the city's unique venues below and find the right setting for your next business event.Spicers Hidden ValeTake the team out of the office and into the country at Spicers Hidden Vale. Set across 12,000 acres of picturesque countryside at Grandchester, the luxury retreat offers a memorable setting for conferences, leadership retreats, planning sessions and team getaways.

Ready to take the team beyond the boardroom? Ipswich has plenty of ways to turn a corporate day out, team-building session or staff celebration into something people will actually talk about afterwards.From high-speed laps and axe throwing to golf, mountain biking and unexpected group experiences, these ideas bring a little competition, adventure and connection to your next team day.Brookwater Golf and Country ClubTake the conversation onto the course at Brookwater Golf & Country Club. Surrounded by natural bushland, the course offers teams the chance to step away from the workplace, enjoy some friendly competition and spend quality time together in a relaxed setting.

If you're looking for a few ways to have fun while exploring history and heritage, here are a few ideas!Attend GalvanizedGalvanized is the city of Ipswich’s festival of heritage, showcasing the best heritage experiences and events Ipswich has over 10 days from 4-13 September, 2026. Enjoy visiting iconic venues and historic sites, participate in open days, tours, demonstrations, workshops and social events that bring history to life – perfect for curious minds and heritage lovers alike.Take a ghost tourHear about Ipswich’s haunted history on a ghost tour run by historian Jack Sim’s knowledgeable team.  There are three tours to choose from, a CBD ghost tour, an Ipswich Cemetery tour and a Goodna Cemetery tour.

Still need to get dad something special on Sunday 6 September? Then check out this great list of gift ideas for Father’s Day.Float high in the skyGet dad up in the sky with a gift certificate or a booking for a Floating Images Hot Air Balloon Flight. This would be a great family adventure to tick off your bucket list! Race around in a MustangSpend an action-packed afternoon and evening at Queensland Raceway with the chance to get behind the wheel of a powerful V8 race experience car or feel the adrenaline as a passenger in a 6-car, 6-lap Pro Driver Race.

If you have a day off this Ekka Show Day holiday (Wednesday August 12) – but don't want to face crowds, come out to Ipswich and see what’s on offer around the heritage city and its country surrounds...Taste local delicaciesStart your day with a coffee fix by visiting Ipswich Coffee Roasters – to try the city’s own locally roasted coffee in a warehouse at 31 Challinor Street Sadliers Crossing. Pick up a bag of beans or head to Elderflower Cafe, The Old Butcher Shop Cafe or Bootown Espresso to grab a cup and a tasty treat! Book in for dinner or lunch at The Q, where you can sample a delicious 250g rump steak for $20!