As the temperature drops there's nothing better than sitting by a cosy fire, wine or beer in hand or enjoying a delicious meal.  Here's a few places in Ipswich where you can stay warm and cosy watching the flames this winter.Spicers Hidden ValeThe re-built Homage Restaurant design includes a double sided fire place.  There's comfy lounges where you can sit and enjoy the warmth of the fire with a drink and nearby tables overlook the fireplace.  There's also a fire pit outside to help up the ambiance.The Cottage RestaurantAt Cottage Restaurant there are two fireplaces.  The restaurant is a converted heritage home and the warmth travels throughout the rooms.  They also have a fantastic seasonal menu to try out in winter.

Knock off work early on a Friday, pack a bag and head to the heritage city for a weekend of fun, contemporary tastes and historical delights. Day 1 Friday night4.00 pm: Start your weekend with tapas and cocktails at The Rusty Nail Bar. Try their drink of the week and small bites including pork belly, arancini and more.6.00 pm: Stop in for dinner at Bakehouse Steakhouse, next door to your accommodation for the night. You’ll love the chic vibe at this award-winning restaurant, set inside a historic building that was originally a bakery. You can finish your cocktail crawl here too.

For those with sensory sensitivities try these gentler experience next time you're in town...Queensland Museum Rail WorkshopsQueensland Museum Rail Workshops is a Best of Queensland recognised tourism experience that offers sensory days during the holidays.  During these sessions less tickets are sold and lights and sounds are lowered allowing access to events like Day out with Thomas to those that need a gentler experience.  Noise cancelling headphones and sensory kits are available for every visit though. Ipswich Nature CentreTake a walk through the Ipswich Nature Centre, in the morning, during the week to enjoy the nature refuge in the middle of Queens Park.  After you can head to the children’s playground which includes a liberty swing. 

Did you know Ipswich has its own award-winning boutique craft distillery? Well, you do now!Imbibis Craft Distillery, located in Bundamba, is a small business success story worth celebrating with a tasting room and cellar door worth visiting, and a range of spirits most definitely worth sampling.Founded by award-winning winemaker Jason Hannay and his wife, Maree, Imbibis prides itself on using only premium Australian ingredients in its small, bespoke gin batches, including bottle brush, lemon myrtle, native pepper berry, and anise myrtle, with many ingredients grown in the Hannay’s very own backyard.

Pubs! The foundation every Queensland city in the late 1800s was built upon. If you’re looking to experience Ipswich’s own historical flavour but not sure where to start, why not check out some of our heritage pubs for a classic pub feed and some frothies! Sit back and enjoy the atmosphere in one of these historical gems.The Prince Alfred HotelIf you’re looking for something for everyone, look no further! The Prince Alfred Hotel has a wide range of options on the menu for adults and the offspring as well as the eye-catching drinks menu. Get in where the food is hot, and the drinks are cold!  The hotel was originally built in 1842 and in 1961 it was destroyed by fire.  It was rebuilt and reopened in 1963, and the original cold room from 1842 survived and still stands today.Stony Creek BrewingSituated in a 100-year-old building near what was once Ipswich’s first well, Stony Creek Brewing is certainly THE place to visit for top quality, locally brewed beer. The menu offers everything from finger food to share plates and everything in between! The building is located in the old Ipswich Technical College at 88 Limestone Street.

Wind your way along country roads to discover Spicers Hidden Vale, an escape just an hour’s drive from Brisbane combining the style and comfort of a luxury retreat with the warmth of country welcomes. Here you can discover a genuine regional adventure that combines a breath of fresh air with luxury, garden to plate dining and a generous range of nature-based activities.You can experience the bush at its best in understated luxury, with space to relax.  Space to listen, to laugh, to embark on an adventure among the abundant wildlife on the 12,000 acres of Australian bush.And here's a few ways to get the best out of your weekend...

If you have a sweet tooth, love a lolly or like to indulge in milkshake, then you'll want to add these cafes to your list of places to visit.  With cabinets full of tarts, muffins, blondies and cakes or a gourmet ice cream you'll satisfy those sweet cravings in no time.UB's Milk BarWe'll start our sweet journey off with a visit to UB's Milk Bar.  Ipswich's original gourmet ice creamery still honours it's roots with decadently different ice cream flavours.  But they've also added poffertjes, waffles, sundaes and milkshakes to the menu.The ice cream flavours include strawberry balsamic, dark chocolate and mandarin, Dutch spice, lavender honeycomb and peanut butter.

Ipswich is proud to be home to two beer breweries (Stony Creek Brewing and Ballistic Beer Co), but did you know you can also find a wide variety of delicious cocktails in many restaurants and bars around Ipswich? Enjoy a meal with your cocktail or grab your mates and stop by for a cheeky drink (or two) at any (or all!) of these places. Bakehouse SteakhouseFamous for its steak and endless fries, Bakehouse Steakhouse is in an iconic building which started as Haleys Bakery in 1874. Walk in through the pink entrance door, and inside the historic brick building you will find a contemporary and fresh space which suits their extensive cocktail menu to a tee.You can find classics such as margaritas, mojitos and martinis, as well as bespoke cocktails. Bakehouse Spritz? Turkish Delight? Salted Caramel Espresso Martini? Whatever your flavour, you’re sure to find it at the Bakehouse Steakhouse. Cocktail jugs are perfect for summer, and popular mocktails are also available. 

Looking for an amazing stargazing experience? Ipswich is the place to be! With its dark night skies and expansive countryside, Ipswich is a prime location for star gazing. For an unforgettable night-sky experience, read on! GrandchesterSpicers Hidden Vale is one of the top stargazing destinations in Ipswich. Located just outside the town of Grandchester, this sprawling property features wide open fields with little to no light pollution, making it the perfect spot for a clear view of the stars. For the best results, you'll want to book in for the night and settle in for your own personal showing of the heavens.White Rock - Spring Mountain ReserveFor an equally immersive stargazing experience, another great option is to check out the Moon Rise Tour and City Lights night hike with Ipswich City Council. This unique tour offers exclusive access to the conservation estate after dark, for an entirely different point of view. If a decent hike, some wildlife and then some stars is your cup of tea, this one is the choice for you. Find the tour here.

If you're out and about attending events in the Heritage City or just looking for somewhere to grab dinner and a drink with friends and family, here's a handy list of the best places that are open at night in Ipswich Central.The Rusty NailIpswich's newest tapas bar is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday afternoons and nights for bites and brews.  The Rusty Nail specialises in creating custom cocktails and delicious morsels of food.  Opening times are 4pm-10pm Wedesday and Thursday, 4pm-12am Friday, 12pm-12am Saturday and 12pm-10pm Sunday.Indian MehfilIndian Mehfil is an authentic Indian restaurant set inside a heritage building that used to be a bank.  They also whip up some great cocktails!