Location: Ipswich
Top Things to do in Ipswich
Top Restaurants in Ipswich
Countries
Top 10 Free Things to do in Ipswich, Queensland
Ipswich (/ˈɪpswɪtʃ/ ( listen)) is the county town of Suffolk, England, located on the estuary of the River Orwell, about 60 miles (97 km) north east of London. The town has been continuously occupied since the Saxon period, and its port has been one of England's most important for the whole of its history.
Restaurants in Ipswich
1. Ipswich Visitor Information Centre
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 40 reviews
This accredited Visitor Information Centre offers a one stop shop for travel information including maps, brochures, and itineraries. Staffed by skilled and knowledgeable locals, the Centre offers a free booking service for accommodation and tours, a great selection of souvenirs and local arts and crafts, and provides advice on the things to see, things to do and where to eat in Ipswich. Discuss with the friendly staff your travel plans and they will be happy to offer their assistance and advice.
Reviewed By KayKen - Brisbane, Australia
Today I hosted a trip to Ipswich for our Holland Park Probus Club. We had 37 members and guests on board the bus. The day started with a delicious morning tea at the Information Centre where we were seated on the cool verandah. Then two lovely ladies, Rhonda and Sandra boarded the bus to guide us around the many historic and interesting homes and buildings. Their knowledge of their city combined with their obvious love of its historical attractions was top class. Lunch was also delicious and much appreciated by all at the Royal Albert Hotel. Thanks also to Vanida from the Information Centre who was very helpful and sweet. All Club members voted this a wonderful outing at such a reasonable price. Congratulations Ipswich.
2. The Soul Nook Collective
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 11 reviews
A hidden gem in the historic town of Marburg, The Soul Nook Collective creates luxury picnics within the beautiful Old Church grounds. Inside the church is a stunning retail boutique offering gift wares, women's fashion, fresh floral posies and boho accessories. You can also try your hand at getting creative by booking into one of our upcoming artisan workshops.
Reviewed By bestcp - Ipswich, Australia
What a great day we had today at my daughter's hens party....the atmosphere, the food and the lovely little lady playing and singing for us....We had one of the tents that are so beautifully decked out....did I mention the food!! Yummm....even did some retail therapy in the shop in the Old Church...overall fabulous venue. Thank you for making my daughter's special day extra special!!
3. Queens Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 397 reviews
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.
Reviewed By 964ashleet
We loved our visit here! Great parks, gardens, and an Eco Park filled with native animals and birds for a gold coin donation which was unexpected and totally awesome. Well worth a visit!
4. Royal Mail Hotel
5. Ipswich Art Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 61 reviews
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.
Reviewed By malcolmg340 - Brisbane, Australia
second visit to gallery and love their clever use of space and the friendly helpful staff. 1st visit last year was the Arthur BOYD exhibition 2nd visit today was the construction exhibition Both thoroughly enjoyable and worth the short trip from Brisbane apparently the secret as to what on and coming up is to look their web page up monthly or hook up on Facebook We will definitely be back
6. Robelle Domain
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 87 reviews
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.
Reviewed By U9126JTmichellem - Brisbane, Australia
Lovely place to exercise. Plenty of wide paths that lead in various directions. Plenty of room to walk beside friends or pooches. Beautiful open spaces to lunch and a small lake with a cascading water fall. Other options are domain swimming pools, which are free and have lovely cafes, with Orion shopping centre nearby to shop, go see a movie or grab a more substantial meal.
7. RAAF Amberley Aviation Heritage Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 25 reviews
Reviewed By robinh643 - Tanunda, Australia
While visiting a friend, she told me that on the last Sunday of each month, there is an open day for the Centre - free! I just had to see it as I had served with the RAAF in Amberley. The base has changed so much since I lived there - much larger, many new buildings and the noisy FIII aircraft no longer in service frightening the local koala population. But there is an FIII at the front gate and another at the Centre. They are huge. Getting into the Centre via the back gate was a bit more circuitous than I thought necessary, however, it did give me a chance to view what had been my home for a short while. Ample parking was available but a few hundred metres from the Centre, although it appeared special arrangements can be made for those with mobility issues. A number of RAAF Reserve and volunteers is available at the Centre to guide and answer questions about the impressive collection of militaria. Kids seemed to be having fun hopping into a few aircraft models with which they could play, pulling switches and a helicopter collective no doubt imaging themselves flying over their houses or schools. It brought back many memories for me and reminded me that I was once young. If you are in the area, do visit, but my recommendation is that you download the Public Open Day Application available from the site and complete it before you get there (unless you're good at writing while you drive). You need photo ID for those over 16 and dash cams aren't permitted to operate in the area.
8. Ipswich Antique Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16 reviews
Ipswich Antique Centre is located in the beautifully restored 1895 Heritage listed Congregational Sunday School Hall at 86 East Street in the Hospital precinct.At the time of its construction, it was the largest building of its type in the Southern Hemisphere.Being fully air-conditioned and having a large car park,it is a delight to visit and browse and buy from the 20 dealers who display their wares, all of which are for sale. Being the largest Antique Centre in Regional Queensland,there is a large and varied range of antiques, collectables, bric a brac, jewellery, vintage clothing etc. Only 30 minutes from Brisbane, and easily accessible to western and southern destinations.The motto of Ipswich Antique Centre is 'City Antiques at Country Prices'.
Reviewed By 7FootTraveller - Brisbane, Australia
This is the greatest, most informative antique store I have ever been to and I'm a professional Antiquer. Definitely check this out in Ipswich if you get a chance it's in a beautiful old church and the staff are very friendly and helpful. Great furniture, vintage clothes and fine Jewellery. Got this leather jacket 20% off and the $50 what a bargain.
9. Nerima Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 57 reviews
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.
Reviewed By LeighC604 - Brisbane, Australia
We go to Nerima Gardens often and always enjoy the manicured, zen, Japanese gardens. Kids love the tea house and waterfall.. Beautiful to go to when the Christmas lights are on. Plenty of parking and combine with a trip to the nature centre too.
10. St Marys Catholic Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 21 reviews
Reviewed By 214francisd - Ipswich, Australia
ONE of THE places to see in Ipswich before the Council tears it down like many Heritage Buildings have gone because of a non cultural mob. It's so so sad to see great little Miners Cottages go. No value for the past. This was to be THE cathedral for Qld. Catholic Church. The Presbytery [Priests Home] has Itialian Portico with Bishops Mitres on each arch. There has never been a bishop there regardless of the years it has stood majestically floodlit at night. It is THE most beautiful building in S.E.Qld and you can't miss it. It was build in the Depression times and the stonemasons were paid with meat and food for their work. Over the road on the fence are the old horse ties from the days of horses. It needs care and costs huge dollars now to upkeep. The NEW stained glass windows just don't fit the building. They are a disaster and need removing badly. The Organ needs work and again it's heritage instrument. Oe of the Crosses hit by lightening went through the roof They are massive steel. Like a Wedding cake on the Canvas it's a delight regardless of what Faith we have.
