Here's seven fantastic spots around town where the locals feast.For more places see our Flavours page.The Cottage RestaurantStep into the charm of a beautiful legacy Queenslander and indulge in a fine dining experience with a modern Australian twist. The Cottage Restaurant is a unique little hideaway, tucked in amongst some of Ipswich's oldest residential buildings and ready to dish up the goods.
Expand your horizons with a visit to Ipswich mountain peaks featuring stunning views, natural wildlife and thrilling heights…Flinders PeakThe highest public accessible peak in Ipswich is Flinders Peak. It is located inside the Flinders-Goolman Conservation Estate and reaches some 680m high into the sky. While Flinders isn’t the highest peak in the region (Mt Beau Brummell located on privately owned land at 700m high takes that title) it is the highest peak you can climb. Expect a steep climb up passing over several crests, expect views to Brisbane, the Fassifern Valley and Lamington Plateau as you ascend. The final segment is the most rugged section, rock scrambling skills and rugged boots are essential.This hike is a class 5 rated trail for very experienced bushwalkers and should take about six hours to complete.
Ipswich is home to some of Queensland’s most unique and charming independent retailers meaning it’s a great place to visit for a shopping trip any time of the year but especially in the lead-up to special occasions.The colourful array of boutiques and specialty stores in the historic precinct known as Top of Town has some genuinely unexpected treasures if you’re in the market for gifts that go beyond the usual shopping centre offerings this year.Did you know this stretch is home to the longest-running hobby shop in Australia, and one of the state’s oldest businesses? CJ Vogler & Son was established in 1877 and has been owned and run by the Vogler family ever since. It stocks a range of model trains, planes and automobiles as well as more modern hobby gear – including drones! Wonder what they’d have made of those back in the 1800s!
Here in Queensland we are blessed with more sunny days than anywhere else in the country, but occasionally, Ipswich’s glorious sunny weather can be interrupted by the rain.Instead of letting a little drizzle dampen your sense of adventure, here are 10 awesome indoor activities to bring joy to you and your family when the weather is a little gloomy.Explore Queensland Museum Rail WorkshopsWhether you’re a train enthusiast or have a curious mind, Queensland Museum Rail Workshops is a great place to spend a few hours. Featuring more than 15 larger-than-life exhibits, you can climb aboard a recreated Tilt Train, jump inside a life-size locomotive, admire Queensland’s largest model railway, browse lots of train memorabilia, and test your brain while solving the puzzles at the Sciencentre.
The Ipswich Region is home to many wonderful farm experiences ideal for couples and families.A great example is The Llama Farm, which is only a 45 minute drive from Brisbane’s CBD. Visitors can enjoy guided tours where you can meet a menagerie of cuddly animals such as goats, miniature ponies, camels, bunnies and of course llamas! The farm boasts the biggest llama herd in Queensland and visitors can feed the animals and also lead a llama on a walk around the property. Visitors must book in advance.
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.
Taking in breathtaking views from a height is one of life’s simple pleasures. There's something rejuvenating about pausing to breathe deeply while soaking in the landscape around you. In Ipswich, you don’t always need to lace up your hiking boots to enjoy the scenery. Here are seven of the best scenic spots in Ipswich that promise stunning vistas with and without the strenuous trek!Floating Images Hot Air Balloon FlightsFor an unforgettable perspective of Ipswich, nothing beats a hot air balloon flight with Floating Images. The early morning awakening is well worth the effort, as you'll be treated to awe-inspiring views of the heritage city and its stunning surroundings while gently floating above it all.With over three decades of ballooning experience, owner and Chief Pilot Graeme Day has been delighting locals and visitors alike for the past 25 years. You can rest assured that you're in expert hands.
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.
As Spring rolls around every year, Jacaranda trees in the Heritage City and surrounding countryside start to bloom, adding a pop of colour to parks and reserves.Here are a few ways to experience the Ipswich Jacaranda season this year.Wander Timothy Molony ParkThe park is opposite St Mary's Church - a spectacular 1870s landmark which is one of the city's most photographed buildings - is fringed with Jacarandas blooming every Spring that eventually form a purple carpet on the grass below.
