10 Things to do in Ipswich That You Shouldn't Miss

All aboard for a historical steam train journey along the former industrial coal line built in the late 19th century. Feel and hear the train rumble from inside the carriages, over a short 30 minute bushland journey or longer trip from Bundamba Racecourse to Swanbank by the Lake.

All aboard for a wholly interactive authentic heritage and cultural experience located at Australia’s oldest railway workshops still in operation.

One of the oldest parks in Queensland, Queens Park boasts enormous, shady trees dotted around the picturesque green expanse on the hill at the eastern entrance to the city. A perfect place to spread out the picnic rug, fire up the barbie and spend a pleasant few hours. If you're not such a BYO person, the indoor-outdoor Queens Park Café offers everything for the hungry park-goer, including a special Kids' Menu. Next door to the Café, is the Environmental Education Centre with some fun interactive displays. Queens Park's playground was inspired by Ipswich's coal mining history, with an impressive design incorporating a flying fox, fixed model train, Liberty Swing for people in wheelchairs to enjoy a ride, and water pumps. And if that's not enough, there are two more amazing, free attractions - the Japanese-themed Nerima Gardens, and the Ipswich Nature Centre which has been delighting visitors since 1936. Enter the Ipswich Nature Centre through the historical rotunda and be charmed by wallabies contentedly nibbling or dozing, and other native animals such as wombats, emus, bilbies and water birds in their authentic habitats. Then there's the barn where the younger ones won't be able to resist farm animals such as pigs, calves, guinea pigs and lambs. Nerima Gardens was designed in consultation with Ipswich's sister city in Japan. A model traditional Japanese tea house, constant sound of flowing water, winding paths and charming gardens make this a tranquil and calming space. A unique factor is that Australian native plants have been used, with some being indigenous to Ipswich.

Join more than 100,000 visitors per year to view an ever-changing program of exhibitions and heritage displays. Families can get involved in interactive creative activities in Australia's first permanent Children's Gallery, designed especially for kids under 12. Located in the heart of Ipswich, the gallery is housed in a heritage listed 1861 child-friendly building.

Robelle Domain’s expansive green lawns, bike tracks, tree top walks and shady picnic areas are great for all the family. Add to this the Family Water Play complete with a huge tipping bucket and water jets, and the public, lagoon-style pool (opening September 2015), the kids will absolutely love this place – parents can also grab a coffee and lunch in the Robelle Cafe.

Tucked away in Ipswich's gracious and historical Queens Park is Nerima Gardens - Japanese gardens designed in consultation with Ipswich's Japanese sister city, Nerima. This idyllic retreat is a wonderful way to wind down your visit to Queens Park or take a break between enjoying its other numerous attractions. The picture-perfect self-contained gardens sit behind the historic caretaker's cottage and feature a series of winding paths through fir trees and Australian native plants - some of which are indigenous to Ipswich. There, you'll really appreciate the serenity and aesthetic beauty of the pretty flowers, and experience a model traditional Japanese tea house and a small verandah overlooking a stream. There are also boardwalks over an ornamental lake where you can feel the tranquillity of being serenaded by constant running water.

Ipswich Nature Centre in Ipswich's historical Queens Park offers a magical opportunity to get up close and personal with Australian native wildlife. For 80 years, locals and visitors have been able to see animals on this site, and the twenty-first century version is up there with the best wildlife refuges. And to make the cute and furry animals feel as at home as possible, there are lush landscaped gardens and exhibits that have been recreated to represent local bushland and flora communities. A handsome rotunda built in 1891 is the entrance to the Centre, which asks for a donation of a gold coin as entry fee to help with the upkeep of the animals. From there, you stroll on shady walkways and enjoy the cute native residents such as wombats, wallabies, emus, quolls, and a nocturnal bilby exhibit. A vibrant rainforest bird aviary is alive with colour and sound, and youngsters will have a ball in the barn which has calves, lambs, pigs and guinea pigs. Open six days a week.