Things to do in Ipswich, Queensland: The Best Playgrounds

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.

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.

Ipswich’s little oasis beside the Bremer River, the River Heart Parklands offers a zero-depth water playground, spider web style climbing frame, 25 metre flying fox, a football field sized 'Discovery Forest', plaques with historical information and pram-friendly boardwalks along the river. At night, spot the river creatures that are projected onto the surface of the river.

Bob Gamble Park, with its shade sails, has all you need for a cooling day out, with a zero-depth water park for the kids to splash around in and even ride their bikes through, and play equipment including a climbing spider. There's a 25-metre flying fox so youngsters can practise being Tarzan, and swings suitable for toddlers right up to long rope 'logs' for groups to ride.

Used regularly for team sports events with facilities suitable for soccer, football, cricket, athletics and netball, Limestone Park has picnic tables and barbecues with drinking water, gazebos and other shelters so the whole family can enjoy the pleasant surroundings. Bring along a ball to kick around the large area so the kids can run themselves ragged, and there's also playground equipment.