Your teens might be too old to hang out with Thomas at the rail museum these days, but there are still plenty of things to keep them (and you) entertained in and around Ipswich.Brisbane Valley Rail TrailCycle Australia’s longest rail trail or just do a section or two and enjoy picturesque rural scenery and a warm welcome at friendly towns that are evenly spaced along the way. All you need is a mountain bike, plenty of water and your sense of adventure.  Find out more on the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail here.Floating Images Hot Air Balloon FlightsIt takes something pretty special to get a teenager out of bed before sunrise, but soaring over Ipswich in a Floating Images hot air balloon is definitely worth it. From the distant high rise of Brisbane’s CBD to a mob of kangaroos bouncing through the bush, it is amazing how much you can see from the air.

Although there is plenty to do around the city of Ipswich itself, it's when you road trip out to its small rural towns that you really start making memories with your family.Only 50 minutes from Brisbane or 25 minutes from Ipswich's CBD, the small town of Marburg is the ultimate in family-friendly activities and relaxation.Enjoy a picnic in a Bell Tent at Soul NookSoul Nook is located on The Old Church Grounds in Marburg and it’s absolutely divine.

Looking to explore the foodie scene beyond Brisbane? Feast your eyes upon these Ipswich restaurants that are worth the drive…From burgers to fine dining, coffee to cocktails there is a variety of dining options just a short drive from Brisbane, for some it’s a 20-minute drive, up the motorway.You can also start – or end – your visit with something crisp and cold at Stony Creek Brewing – which incidentally offers its own pub menu of crowd pleasers.

So you want to go fishing? Don't want to hit the road for an hour or more and then fight the crowds for a spot then battle traffic on the way home? Well you don't! Ipswich has some great spots to fish and most of them are right around the corner.Colleges CrossingA very popular spot for all types of activities, including fishing! You will get a very mixed bag of species in this part of the river and common catches are bream, flathead, garfish, mullet and the odd Australian bass if you're lucky enough. Colleges Crossing is perfect for a relaxed fish off the bank or there's a boat ramp for the kayak fisherman to launch from to head either up or downsteam.Tips: Use light line and light sinkers for targeting bream with prawns or mullet baits or alternatively lightly weighted soft plastics with a slow subtle retrieve. Please be aware bullsharks and stonefish are in this part of the river.

Just in time for the school holidays Ivorys Rock has opened a new campground, probably the first in 20 years in Queensland.From June 27 up to 200 sites will be available for people to stay and from then on guests will be welcome Thursday to Sundays year round.The 600 hectare property backs onto Flinders-Goolman Conservation Estate including Flinders Peak and the Ipswich-Boonah Trail.

Visiting the Great Houses of Ipswich, is an invitation to step inside, experience and appreciate the magnificent heritage homes of Ipswich.This was my second year enjoying the Great Houses of Ipswich, an event held twice a year in partnership with the National Trust of Australia, and I was looking forward to joining the bus tour conducted by the Ipswich Visitor Information Centre.The houses open for viewing were Collingwood, The Duce House and Woodlands of Marburg.

The Great Houses of Ipswich event allows a glimpse behind the closed doors of some of Ipswich’s grand heritage homes twice a year. You might not have been able to attend the event in May due to Covid-19, however, we hope you enjoy this look inside one of Ipswich's great heritage homes: Gooloowan.

For a weekend filled with nature, adventure, gourmet food and craft beers, luxurious accommodation and a rich dose of history then look no further than Ipswich.In Brisbane’s backyard, a short 35 minute drive away, you can find yourself another world away, immersed in nature with spectacular mountain views!Pick your flavour, adventure and more to mix and match your perfect weekend in the Heritage City.

Who doesn't love a day out on the trails? Twisting through chicanes, pushing up ascents and thundering back down to earth on the other side. It only makes sense that we give a little back to ourselves on occasion and what better way to do it than delving into some of the best in mountain biking that the region has to offer.Thankfully, right here in Ipswich there's loads of places to explore and we've done the hard yards to get all that information right here in the one place.

Sometimes the best adventures are right under your nose. Scott and I have driven past Flinders Peak for years, admiring the dominant peak with its dramatic cliffs until we finally decided to schedule it in as our next family adventure.The hike is rated as a Class Five (Difficult) walking trail, and our three boys aged 9, 11 and 12 love a good hard hike and were up for the challenge.What to bringWe headed off from Flinders Plum Picnic Area and we soon realised that we’d left an essential item in the car. Yep, we had our water, hats and snacks but we didn’t have the packet of lollies that we’d promised the boys for a celebratory snack at the summit. Disaster! Before hiking up Flinders Peak, don’t forget to:- Allow 3-6 hours- Take plenty of water and snacks- Hiking boots or trail running shoes are recommended- Pack your lollies for the summit