Category: Ipswich

Timezone Springfield

11/28/2020

Where is it: Orion Springfield Central, 1 Main St, Springfield Central QLD 4300

What’s it all about: An amazing arcade experience for the whole family!

Tell me more: Although Orion Springfield is not exactly lacking in entertainment options, there’s always space for a bit more fun. And fun doesn’t come much more exciting than Timezone – certainly one of Australia’s favourite arcades! Timezone Springfield has just opened to bring their unique style to this region. They have been entertaining families for over 40 years, so they definitely know how to bring the fun, with a huge range of arcade games, mini bowling arcade, laser tag, bumper cars and heaps more. There are fantastic deals for arcade credit and it’s definitely a bonus to squeeze a few more games out of your money, and of course they have a fantastic ticket shop to reward yourself after a busy gaming session!

Website: https://www.timezonegames.com/en-au/locations/timezone-orion-springfield

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Quest Apartment Hotels

9/9/2019

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Where is it: 57 - 63 Warwick Rd, Ipswich Qld 4035 Australia

Why we love it: A very welcoming and relaxing apartment hotel for both short and long term stays!

Tell me more: Travelling with kids can be a bit of a handful at times, so anything to help is always welcome. Sometimes the simple things can make the biggest difference – and we’ve found that a little bit of space for the kids can make your holiday even more relaxing! Quest Apartment Hotels are a fantastic choice in this regard, offering studio and multi-room serviced apartments across Australia, New Zealand and Fiji and they are great for a weekend away or and extended stay. And as well as having the extra living space, having your own kitchen and washing machine can make a huge difference to your holiday!

Quest Ipswich is the perfect choice for families visiting Queensland’s Heritage City. It’s a modern facility that’s conveniently located and very welcoming and comfortable. They offer studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. The studios are a perfect alternative to your typical hotel room and feature a kitchenette while all other apartment types include a fully equipped kitchen. All rooms are serviced daily (except for Sundays) and wi-fi is available all throughout. There is also a swimming pool and barbeque area and although there isn’t an on-site restaurant, there are a number of local restaurant options that offer a charge-back facility.

We stayed in one of Quest Ipswich’s two-bedroom apartments and it was the perfect size for our family. The bedding options can be adjusted to suit your requirements and we also made use of the optional sofa bed in the lounge. All rooms featured reverse cycle air conditioning and we even had a small balcony. It was a lovely stay here at Quest Ipswich and with the kids having their own space we certainly noticed that we felt a whole lot more relaxed when our stay came to end. We can’t wait to visit Quest again!

Contact: https://www.questapartments.com.au

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Queens Park Cafe, Ipswich

8/26/2019

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Where is it: 10a Merle Finimore Avenue, Ipswich QLD 4305 (within the Queens Park precinct)

What’s it all about: A perfect place to satisfy your hunger while relaxing (or playing) in Ipswich’s fantastic Queens Park!

Tell me more: One of the best things about living in Queensland’s south east is the fantastic weather, and there’s no better way to take advantage of this than by visiting the wonderful public parks and gardens! One of our favourites is Queens Park in Ipswich – it has so much to offer, including an awesome café right within the park. Choose from a light snack or a hearty meal, fantastic cool drinks and wonderful coffees! It’s open everyday (except for some public holidays) so it’s a perfect option if you forget your picnic! It’s also great to visit the café just to enjoy the peaceful surrounds of the park and right next door there is an awesome little environmental centre where you can learn about the local environment.

Website: https://www.queensparkcafe.com.au/

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The Workshops Rail Museum, Ipswich

8/24/2019

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Where is it: North Ipswich, only 10 minutes’ drive from Ipswich CBD
What's it all about: One of the great museums in Queensland's Museum Network - dedicated to rail workers and the history of rail in Queensland!
How can I join in: The museum is open daily and is an easy drive from Brisbane so head along at any time, or keep an eye on their website for special programs!
Tell me more: The Workshops Rail Museum is a really fun place to visit at any time, but for kids, it's especially fun when they have their special programs on, like Day out with Thomas! They also have special school holiday activities, Easter and Christmas events and many more throughout the year! The museum is situated on and in the actual workshops and rail yards that constructed and maintained much of Queensland's early rail network! There are a number of actual trains that you can get up close to, heaps of historical artefacts and lots of memorabilia. The kids will love the dedicated play areas, and the whole museum is really spread out so you can relax as you wander around at your own pace! A really fun day out for the whole family!

Contact: http://www.theworkshops.qm.qld.gov.au/

Amenities: Full amenities including a café - picnics are welcomed too! 👍👍👍👍👍
Cost: Reasonably priced and a good deal on annual passes! 👍👍👍
Parking: More than enough parking available - some of the event days do get busy though! 👍👍👍👍
Access: Access has been considered and ramps added to all areas of the museum! 👍👍👍👍
Entertainment: The special programs have some really good entertainment on offer! 👍👍👍👍
Best for: Little kids and adults should enjoy this one! 👍👍👍
Summary: We keep coming back to this museum! The kids always find something here to entertain themselves with, and we just love that there's so much space to wander around in - it just feels so relaxing! 👍👍👍👍
Hints: Look out for the special programs - they make the visit so much more worthwhile!

The Museum

Sciencentre

Bush Mechanics

Past Exhibitions

A day out with Thomas June - July

A Room for Wild Animals

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Oikos Cafe, Ipswich

7/31/2019

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Where is it: 61 Limestone Street, Ipswich
What’s it all about: A lovely and intimate café which champions local produce and is proud of its local community!
Tell me more: With its name coming from a Greek word which roughly translates to a family or community group, Oikos is immensely proud to be supporting its local community by providing healthy and homely meals, a fantastic, friendly atmosphere and by using produce from the local regions!
Oikos’ coffees are just wonderful, but you can also choose from a lovely menu of healthy and tasty meal options, or a range fantastically colourful fresh juices which are hard to pass up! We tried out a couple of the bowls that they have on offer which are packed full of healthy fruit, grains and yoghurt – super tasty and the little guys loved them! And to complement the lovely atmosphere and tasty food, the service was fantastic too! Oikos is a lovely little café in the heart of Ipswich and it’s well worth stopping by!

Website: https://www.facebook.com/OIKOSCafeAUS/

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Ewe Nique Hobby Farm, Haigslea

7/28/2019

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Where is it: 187 Missigs Road, Haigslea (about 50 mins West of Brisbane).
What’s it all about: Ewe Nique is a lovely little hobby farm where everyone can experience a personal connection with some loved farm animals!
Tell me more: Cities have always relied upon farming, but
sometimes it might seem that this different way of life is so far removed. We have some fantastic farmland close by to our city, and it’s easy for us city-folk to experience a little bit of life on the farm – so important to ensure that we don’t lose that connection and understanding, plus a quick visit to a working or hobby farm is a fantastic little getaway! Ewe Nique Hobby Farm is a small little farm that is home to sheep, goats, alpacas and chickens – all lovingly looked after and all very friendly to their visitors! In order to not stress the animals, Ewe Nique only cater for a small number of visitors per day, which is great not just for the animals, but also for the visitors because you can be assured of having plenty of one-on- one time with the animals, to pat and feed, or simply just relax in this lovely quiet setting. While you are there you can grab a drink and light snack (the coffees and scones are superb!). It’s a beautifully quite and relaxing place to visit, and it’s a perfect introduction to rural life for both kids and adults!

Website: https://www.facebook.com/haigsleaeweniquehobbyfarm/

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Raw Energy, Springfield

7/23/2019

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Where is it: 6 Yoga Way, Springfield Central
What’s it all about: A wonderful and casual family café with fantastic healthy food and a relaxing and friendly atmosphere!
Tell me more: Have you ever struggled to find a café that serves yummy food that the kids will tuck into, but is also healthy to boot? Well, we’re sure that Raw Energy will satisfy both requirements! Offering a wonderful array of meals with a focus on healthy and full of energy foods, Raw Energy in Springfield is a fantastic choice for the kids as well! It has a casual and friendly vibe, super yummy food and heaps of activities for the kids (and adults) while you are waiting and dining – card games, books toys and even a little blackboard will certainly keep the little guys occupied while you relax and enjoy the food! Add to that the wonderful, relaxing views of the Orion Lagoon and it’s no wonder that this is one very popular spot for those in the Springfield area!
Website: https://rawenergy.com.au

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Seraphim Escape Rooms, Ipswich

6/9/2019

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Where is it: 38 Brisbane St, Ipswich, entry via Prasser Lane
What’s it all about: Fun challenges to complete with the added pressure of a timer – fantastic family fun!
Tell me more: For those who haven’t experienced an escape room, let us firstly tell you that they are a perfect activity for family or for a group of friends! Simply put, the idea of an escape room is that you are put together into a room, and you must solve a number of challenges in order to either escape or to reach your goal! Seraphim Escape currently has 2 rooms (with more soon to be added) – a Christmas-themed one which is perfect for families with younger kids and one which is a little more on the scary side. We tried out the family friendly option of course and we had the best time! Half an hour to solve a number of challenges and we only just made it – the kids were so excited as the clock ticked down and it did become a little nerve-wracking by towards the end, but super fun! Highly recommended for those with inquisitive kids or even would be great as an outing away from the little guys! We can’t wait to try out another!

Website: https://www.seraphimescape.com.au/

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Bob Gamble Park, Riverheart Parklands, Ipswich

1/18/2019

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Where is it: King Edward Parade, Ipswich
Why we love it: A really fun park with all the features, and nestled in a nice and relaxed spot by the Bremmer River!
Tell me more: With the summer heat already hitting us, it's great to know that the local councils have got us covered when it comes to providing places to cool down! There are some great water-play parks and playgrounds around the area, and a number of these are zero-depth so they are great for the littlest of our explorers, but still heaps of refreshing fun for the bigger guys! Bob Gamble Park at the Riverheart Parklands is one of the better ones - a superbly laid out playground which incorporates both wet and dry playgrounds and plenty of shady spots for parents to sit, relax and supervise! There a two different water-play areas, one is completely shaded and has a number of concrete channels with little locks so that the kids can direct the flow of water on their own! It's surprising how fun this can be!
The other wet area is covered in soft fall foam and is covered in intermittent spray systems so you never know where the water will be coming from, again this one is heaps of fun and the soft fall floor is a little less stressful for us parents! Both areas get a really good work out from our little kids and they all give it a big thumbs up!
Even without the water features, this would be a really impressive park with all the features of a modern park - plenty of climbing areas, swings, sand pit, slides, a flying fox, lawn areas, picnic tables (shaded), barbeques and a river-side boardwalk! But wait, there's more! Venture into the forest and you will find two fort-style playgrounds hidden away in there! If you have some little park aficionados in your family, we are sure that even the fussiest would be impressed by Bob Gamble Park!
Website: www.ipswich.qld.gov.au/about_ipswich/parks_reserves_precincts/parks_search/bob-gamble-park-river-heart-parklands-stage-2

Amenities: Excellent! A really well thought out park with great facilities! 👍👍👍👍
Parking: Both on and off street parking, but expect it to be popular in summer! 👍👍👍
Access: On the banks of the Bremmer River so expect some ramps. Well connected with concrete paths. 👍👍👍
Best for: The under 10s will absolutely love this park! Most likely the over 10s will as well! 👍👍👍👍
Summary: This park really ticks all the boxes, great wet and dry playgrounds, heaps of well-maintained facilities and in a beautiful shady location! One of the best around! 👍👍👍👍
Hints: Make sure that you've got plenty of time up you sleeve so that you can make the most of your visit!

Waterpark

Playgrounds

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Ipswich Art Gallery, Ipswich

1/17/2019

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Where is it: In the centre of Ipswich
What's it all about: One of the most visited regional art galleries in Australia, the Ipswich Art Gallery will have something for everyone!
How can I join in: Check out their website to see what exhibits or events are on, or just turn up and explore!
Tell me more: One of our favourite spots in Ipswich (along with the Workshops Rail Museum) is the Ipswich Art Gallery! It always has really interesting exhibitions and events on! And the best thing is more often than not there are some really great kids programs - from genuine artistic events, through to some that are more like a playtime - like building the fastest Lego cars! It's a great facility with really helpful and friendly staff, so we think that it is definitely one to visit! Some of the awesome exhibits for kids that we have been to have included 'Wind Tubes for Toddlers' - a really fun event where the kids got to suck and push things around with wind tubes, a Lego car construction event where the aim was to build your fastest car and then race it down a track and we've also seen some amazing Lego towers! We've also seen tunnels made from sticky tape, giant marble runs, foam block constructions and a giant model city made from recycled items from the kitchen! There's something for everyone at the Ipswich Art Gallery and it's certainly worth your while visiting!
Contact: www.ipswichartgallery.qld.gov.au

Amenities: Well-appointed and some nice little cafes nearby! 👍👍👍
Cost: Some exhibits have a cost, but generally quite reasonable! 👍👍👍👍
Parking: Plenty of options available, and well priced too! 👍👍👍
Access: Quite easy to access - only one lift though! 👍👍👍
Entertainment: Pick your exhibit and you will have so much fun! 👍👍👍👍
Best for: Depending on the exhibits on at the time, but there's generally something for everyone! 👍👍👍👍
Wildlife: Only painted wildlife! 👍
Summary: We always enjoy our visits to Ipswich Art Gallery! It is really well presented and the exhibits are very well considered! We think that the gallery deserves more recognition! 👍👍👍👍
Hints: There are some great attractions in Ipswich - make a day of it and visit the Workshops, Queens Park or River Heart Parklands!