Calling all parents looking for a fantastic holiday or just a weekend getaway just a stone’s throw away from Brisbane! Ipswich, a city brimming with charm and excitement, is the perfect destination for a family adventure. Here are some incredible activities and a cozy place to stay that will make your holiday unforgettable.Kids (and let’s face it, adults too) often have tons of pent-up energy. The perfect way to unleash that energy and have a smashing good time is at the Rage Cage Smash Room! Located in Ipswich, this unique attraction allows you to safely vent your frustrations by smashing items like glassware, crockery, and electronics. It’s a therapeutic and exhilarating experience that your kids will absolutely love.

The city of Ipswich is a short drive from Brisbane and offers visitors so much. It is steeped in history and more recently, locals have been busy rejuvenating the city’s night life.Monte Lane is Ipswich’s newest and coolest hangout. It’s a wine bar and restaurant that offers easy vibes and good times. It has a share plate menu as well as a pizza menu – and the bar comes stocked with an awesome selection of wines, creative cocktails and constantly rotating beers on tap. 

Ipswich’s famous Pumpyard brewery site has a new brand over the doorway and a new line-up of delicious beers on offer. Say g’day to Stony Creek Brewing Co.Stony Creek sprang to life in 2020 when Jack Anderson began brewing with his father at their Townson property in the Lockyer’s Mulgowie Valley.Jack’s parents, Deryk and Karen, had spent a few years in Roanoake, Virginia in the US, an area liberally sprinkled with small breweries.

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.

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.

With literary holidays announced as one of 2026’s hottest travel trends, it’s no surprise readers are seeking experiences beyond the pages. From browsing bookshops to attending library events, author talks, DIY book crawls and plenty of wide-open spaces for a relaxing picnic, Ipswich has everything you need to turn your love of books into a fun, feel-good getaway!In this guide, I’ll show you where to find the best bookish spots across the city, some great workshops and upcoming author hours at Ipswich’s seven libraries, and where to refuel with a great coffee or bite to eat and introduce you to the concept of a book crawl!I’ll also share the best parks and reserves perfect for a literary picnic, plus accommodation options so you can stay a little longer and truly soak up everything Ipswich has to offer.