Joanna James
The charming city of Ipswich in South East Queensland offers plenty of fun and fascinating discoveries that are bound to be amongst your most cherished holiday memories. If it's going to be your first time here, these are some of the captivating things you can do!
The Ipswich Art Gallery is one of Queensland's most popular regional art galleries and offers something for young and old alike. Located in the Central Business District, the gallery is within a heritage building that once served as the Town Hall. It is home to more than 2,000 works which offer insights into the region's art history and heritage too; amongst local artists featured are Davida Allen, Margaret Olley and Vida Lahey. Apart from various exhibits, the gallery offers interactive activities and a dedicated exhibition for kids as well.
Dating back to the 19th century, Queens Park is one of Queensland's oldest parks and offers a lovely setting to relax amidst lush green backdrops. Easy to reach for those staying at an Ipswich hotel in the city, the park is also home to the Japanese Nerima Gardens, an ideal place to find some serenity. Kids are bound to love the playground here which has a fixed model train, flying fox and a special Liberty Swing for those on wheelchairs. Another highlight is the Nature Centre home to bilbies, wombats and more.
If you are looking for a place to enjoy both retail therapy and culinary delights, then Top of Town is the place for you! A short walk away from properties the likes of Oaks Ipswich Aspire Suites, this locale has heritage buildings, boutiques selling clothes, stores offering vintage items and shops with collectables and homeware too. When hunger strikes, you can head to one of the many restaurants or cafes that can be found here too; these include the Rafter and Rose café, Pumpyard Bar and Brewery and The Retro Diner.
Those who love nature or exploring the great outdoors have plenty of hiking trails to discover be it at nature reserves or parks in and around Ipswich. In the city itself, one will find the Denmark Hill Conservation Reserve where you can walk along tracks that take you past impressive native trees; on your adventures, keep an eye out to spot bird species such as kookaburras and owls. Around 20 minutes away is the Mountain Conservation Estate where more natural beauty awaits along with activities like mountain biking and horse riding.
For a truly unforgettable sightseeing experience take a hot air balloon ride and enjoy a bird's eye view of the enchanting surroundings. Offered by Floating Images, it takes off from Ipswich in the mornings and provides stunning vistas not only of the city but other key points of interest too; these include the Brisbane skyline, Moreton Bay, Flinders Peak, Mount Tamborine and the Bremer River. Operated by chief pilot and owner, Graeme Day, this excursion takes place only once per day and is limited to 4-10 passengers so book ahead!
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