The wait is over for three highly anticipated openings in the Nicholas Street Precinct.  On Friday 8 November, 2024 Hotel Commonwealth, HOYTS and General Public opened.Hotel Commonwealth, one of Ipswich's most iconic pubs has finished a beautiful heritage restoration. It's history began in the late 19th century when it was a central hub for locals and travelers. Over the decades it became a gathering place for community events and celebrations and now following years of careful preservation it had reopened with a blend of traditional charm and modern amenities.The menu includes small plates with house-made pork and fennel sausage rolls to large plates designed for sharing and everything in between.  There are also bar snacks you can enjoy with a drink, which will change weekly and seasonal dishes.

Art lovers get ready as we take you on a journey through contemporary and traditional art in Ipswich. We’ll start with the Street Art Trail featuring 13 murals.  Find a map here.On the trail you’ll find The Unveiling by Gus Eagleton in Icon Alley and Distant Country by Rachael Sarra along East St on a wall at the Ipswich Health Plaza. A beautiful mural of blue fairy wrens by David W Houghton can be found on the side of the Ipswich City Uniting Church along Ellenborough St.

Historian Jack Sim, who has long been researching ghost stories in Ipswich and Brisbane and hosts ghost tours of the Ipswich Cemetery and CBD has let us in on some of Ipswich’s most haunted places.Find out about the Ipswich Cemetery tours here.St Mary's ChurchOne of the most haunted places in Ipswich is St Mary's church, where a soul is believed to haunt the building.

We can't deny that Ipswich can get hot.  So what do you do when it's sweltering and you need to cool off?  Head to one of these free water parks!Orion LagoonOrion Lagoon offers pools for all age groups with a toddler friendly 0.3m depth area up to 1.5m for proficient swimmers.  Checkout the fun squirting spouts and stepping-stones, barbeque areas and picnic tables.Robelle DomainKids will love the large tipping bucket in the zero depth water park at Robelle Domain.  There’s also jet sprays and spouts.  The water park is surrounded with shady picnic areas, boardwalks and playgrounds as well as land art pyramids and an early evening sound and light show.

EWE Nique Hobby Farm at Haigslea just west of Ipswich Central has become a favourite for young families and school classes over the past six years since opening. Now the hobby farm has added a new bevvy of creatures to the offering – including static displays of the prehistoric kind.​Large scale dinosaur sculptures have been embedded into a wonderland of huge-leafed plants and shimmering palms. The enclosed arena is also home to flying colourful budgies and finches, and covered ponds of goldfish.EWE Nique’s owners Penny and Farmer Dave wanted to create a peaceful nature-filled experience for young children.

Did you know there are a number of restaurants housed in beautiful historic buildings in Ipswich?  If you love architecture, or have an interest in history they why not book in and visit one of these gorgeous foodie hot spots - book year round, or make your trip extra special and visit during the city's Galvanized festival.Bakehouse SteakhouseBakehouse Steakhouse is located in a heritage building with over a century of stories. The building maintains and celebrates remnants of its past life as Haleys Bakery where its story began back in 1875.As the first chapter of the building’s rich history, it set the foundation for what would emerge as the Bakehouse Steakhouse in the late 70’s. For decades, the restaurant became the place to be and was the setting for a generation of lifelong memories.  Today the restaurant welcomes you to join them and experience a unique steakhouse experience.

Whether you are visiting Ipswich for business or pleasure, coming for an event like CMC Rocks QLD visiting friends and family or wanting a romantic getaway, there are multiple accommodation options available.Best WesternFeaturing an array of modern rooms with kitchenettes, a laundromat, wireless internet, on-site restaurant, cocktail lounge and an outdoor pool, this hotel has everything a traveller could ever need.Best Western is close to the beating heart of the Ipswich Central Business District, there are a range of amenities nearby, including restaurants, takeaway food, medical facilities and walking tracks. 

In Ipswich Central you can enjoy a whole day exploring art, antiques and animals for free!  Just jump on the train or pack the car for a fun day out!Ipswich Art GalleryThe Ipswich Art Gallery is a fantastic family-friendly experience located in the heart of Ipswich Central.  It features a children's gallery space as well as touring exhibitions and it's a great spot to spark your creativity.  If you've caught the train walk through to Nicholas St and up to d'Arcy Doyle Place, if you're parked in the Nicholas St Precinct Car Park, walk up the street to access the gallery.Ipswich Children's LibraryHead to the Ipswich Children’s Library where you can feed life-sized dinosaurs colourful scarves through an interactive pipe experience, design your own colourful fish and watch them swim around a digital display, or enjoy an augmented reality butterfly experience.  It's located in Tulmur Place above the Nicholas St car park.

Visitors can explore the City of Ipswich's history with a suite of heritage trails and tours.  These free self-guided trails can be found online thanks to the hard work of Picture Ipswich.To enjoy the trails simply bookmark this page and click the links when you're in town to access the trails.Then & Now Heritage TrailsWhether you are interested in cemeteries and churches, heritage pubs or the history of towns you can find this information thanks to Then and Now Heritage Trails.

Escape from city-life to somewhere a little more off-grid to soak up some serenity while surrounded by nature.  Enjoy switching off your screens but make sure to bring a camera for magical moments at cocktail hour as the sun goes down.Twigley FarmTwigley Farm is a cosy and secluded glamping experience designed for couples in the rural town of Haigslea.  You can sip a glass of wine by the fire, soak in a heritage outhouse bath and watch the sunset over the paddocks.Collect eggs from the chickens, wander through the orchard, visit the mini ponies and baby goats on this rural property only 45 minutes from Brisbane.