It shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise to learn more and more films, including big budget masterpieces, are being shot at Ipswich. The city’s mix of old and new, urban and rural, is proving to be a major drawcard for all sorts of film productions.An ever-growing list of Hollywood heavyweights have called Ipswich their temporary home, including Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman!The Railway ManJonathan Teplitzky’s war film, The Railway Man, brought A-listers Nicole Kidman, Colin Firth, Jeremy Irvine and Stellan Skarsgard to Ipswich in 2013. The film shot a number of scenes in Ipswich, including torture sequences at Queensland Museum Rail Workshops (established in the historic railway yards site at North Ipswich). Colin Firth plays a former British army officer and POW. His character discovers the Japanese interpreter who tortured him during the war is still alive and he and his wife, played by Nicole Kidman, set out to find and confront him.The film won a number of awards including Best Adapted Screenplay at the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Awards.

Ipswich is a city with more than its share of creative energy and it’s all showcased in a vintage/artisan trail that visitors to the region can explore. There are more than 20 colourful businesses from across the wider region that form the CRAVE trail of all things creative, retro, antique, vintage and eclectic.

I have curated the perfect Ipswich street art day trip for you which starts with catching the train.That’s right leave the car behind and jump on an Ipswich train which will take you straight to the hub of Ipswich street art. Nothing better than catching the train as you can relax, admire the scenery and not worry about where to park or the traffic situation.Hop off the train at Ipswich central and once you’re out of the station make your way to Rafter & Rose, situated on Ellenborough Street, and grab a take away coffee to enjoy while on your street art adventure. Ok let’s get started …

Wholesome, soulful music, a stellar line up and a seriously good venue. CMC is here!It’s time to suit up and get down, at one of the country’s biggest music festivals right here in Ipswich.But before you embark on your epic rockin’ journey at Willowbank this year, we have a few helpful hints so you can maximise the good times and minimise everything else.

Ipswich offers plenty of scope for your creativity to run wild. Connect with pencil, clay, paint or charcoal, or try out print making, floristry, silversmithing, etching or jewellery making. Whether you’re seeking a half-day immersion, ongoing weekly lessons, or something you can just start at home, there are plenty of spots to learn new skills from practising artists.ArttimeNestled in a prime spot at the top of town, Arttime is an art supply store, exhibition space, coffee house and classroom all in one.Previous owner and artist Kate Roberts, believes art is therapy and is accessible to all.

If you love street art as much as I do then you are in for a treat as Ipswich Central was a hot spot for some of Australia’s top street artists as part of the 2020 Brisbane Street Art Festival.Ipswich is fast becoming a hot spot for art that takes you outside the four walls of a traditional gallery to give you a chance to admire the creativity, meaning and sense of freedom that street art offers. With seven new murals, it’s once again time to lace up your walking shoes and out for an adventurous day of street art sightseeing.  And once you’ve seen the new works check three of my old favourite street art pieces, two at the Central Mission Church and a flying owl on the Goleby & Sons building.To help you locate these works I’ve curated an Ipswich street art day trip which starts with catching the train from Brisbane.  Leave the car at home and jump on an Ipswich train which will take you directly to Ipswich Central, the hub of Ipswich street art.