Here are the best things to do in Ipswich

Brisbane's bustling coffee culture has well-and-truly migrated west. Ipswich is awash with eateries, particularly in the cafe domain.

Make your way to the Top of Town, where the bulk of Ipswich’s cafe venues reside. Housed in a refurbished cottage in the heart of Ipswich city, Ellen and Rod is one of the most popular places to devour breakfast, thanks to its rotating menu and quality coffee (created with the cafe’s own roasted beans True Grit).

Fellow local establishments like Rafter and Rose and Fourthchild are other stand-outs when it comes to finding a decent coffee in beautiful surrounds. 

2. Take flight in a hot air balloon

Getting up before sunrise feels better when there’s an exciting reason to do so – and taking in the views from a hot air balloon is just that. Float peacefully above the rolling hills of Scenic Rim and patchwork landscape of Somerset countryside, spotting landmarks along the gentle ride. Once you’re back on ground level, settle in for a decadent breakfast at local Ipswich restaurant, Fourthchild. 

3. Acquaint yourself with local history

Considering you’ve found yourself in Queensland’s oldest provincial city, it would be a shame not to take a walk down memory lane and educate yourself on a little local history. The town was born back in 1827 as a limestone mining settlement and rapidly flourished from there, soon establishing itself as a major inland port and railway hub.

Today, Ipswich is one of the state’s fastest-growing cities but its strong ties to the past are easily noticeable in the sheer number of historic buildings and Queenslanders draped around town, including the local Ipswich Art Gallery, and the Workshops Rail Museum. Take a solo tour following one of the city’s Heritage Trail Guides, which can be found at the Visitor Centre.

4. Meander the Bremer River

A tributary of the iconic Brisbane River, the Bremer River is a narrow slip that quietly winds its way through Ipswich. While the length of the Bremer pushes 100 kilometres, you don’t need to trek its entirety to catch a good glimpse. Take the 1.2-kilometre loop that runs along the boardwalk from the Bardfield Pedestrian Bridge to the Bob Gamble Park to see the Bremer at its best.

Budding photographers take note: the Bremer is particularly idyllic at sunset and sunrise, and the heritage-listed Bremer River Rail Bridge is a photogenic local landmark.

5. Bar crawl the watering holes

Thirsty? Quench your cravings for an ice-cold beer at one of the many pubs and breweries scattered throughout Ipswich’s borders. The craft-inclined will want to head straight for Pumpyard Bar and Brewery run by local craft brewers 4 Hearts. Housed in a 100-year-old heritage-listed building, this community establishment is Ipswich’s first brewery since 1903. You’ll find both house-brewed and sourced drops alongside a menu of pub grub classics.

Then there’s Tap’d at the Prince Alfred Hotel for those feeling a little more adventurous with their drinks. The beer-focused establishment boasts an impressive 72 craft beers and ciders on tap — supposedly the most in the Southern Hemisphere.

Kick-on at Banshee's, a locally-loved bar and artspace that mixes great drinks with a solid calendar of art exhibitions, live music, open mic nights and karaoke. 

6. Get spooky

Let local characters show you the haunted history of Ipswich's past on a ghost tour that visits graveyards and haunted city sites, uncovering tales of convicts, bushrangers and business tycoons discovered from historical archives, libraries and local residents. This is the spookier side of Ipswich, but whether you believe in ghosts (or are yet to see one), it’s a lot of fun. 

7. Uncover urban art in the city centre

Wander through the Ipswich CBD and you’ll quickly discover it’s one big, colourful open-air art gallery. From small street details to murals that span across several storeys, this urban art trail was created as part of Brisbane Street Art Festival. Follow the self-guided trail to see all the world-class artist’s works come to life. 

8. Picnic in a park

More leisurely afternoons can be spent watching the jacarandas bloom in one of Ipswich’s many parks. Queens Park is the oldest and most recognised park in the state, and this regal expanse of greenery and monuments is one of the best places to picnic or even watch the sunset. Alongside a much-loved playground (which features an accessible Liberty Swing), Queens Park also boasts the Japanese-inspired Nerima Gardens, and a nature centre where you can take a tour to learn about caring for local wildlife, meet lovable barnyard animals and get to know all the local residents - including wombats, bilbies and quolls.

Those with kids in tow eager to exert some energy can make their way straight to water-based parks Robelle Domain, Orion Lagoon, and Bob Gamble Park — the trio are equipped with ample entertainment for little ones.

9. Take a hike

From Ipswich, the picturesque Scenic Rim is within easy reach, which means ample hiking trails are just a hop, skip, and a jump from the city centre. But, if don’t want to leave the city’s borders, Ipswich itself is heaving with walkways. The Denmark Hill Conservation Reserve is an environmental retreat in the heart of Ipswich which welcomes plenty of families, thanks to its 800-metre forest trail and picnicking options and the water tower, which offer impressive views of the surrounding district.

Just 20 minutes from Ipswich, stretch your legs on the peaceful bushwalking tracks of White Rock – Spring Mountain Conservation Estate. Trails range from 200-metres to 19km, offering spaces for hikers, cyclists, horse riders and birdwatchers. 6km White Rock Ridge is a favourite among local hikers, climbing the ridgeline for incredible views – however, please stick to the marked trails. This area remains sacred to the Traditional Owners of Ipswich and to respect cultural traditions visitors are asked not to climb White Rock.

Want to explore after dark? Head out on a guided tour!

10. Indulge at Homage

Celebrating an occasion? About 40 clicks outside Ipswich lies Homage, the signature restaurant at Spicers Hidden Vale, which picked up two chef hats in the 2023 Australian Good Food Guide (AGFG) Chef Hat awards. 

Embrace the country views and feast on a menu of farm-to-table flair, much of which is sourced from their own market garden and local producers. For the best taste of what’s in season, sit down for the five-course chef’s tasting menu, which can be served as a vegetarian experience too. Go for the matched wine pairings, and roll straight into your luxury suite on Spicer’s 12,000 acres of countryside.

For more food-related things to do in Ipswich, head here. 

11. Try a scoop of camel gelato

Make new friends – of the four-legged kind – and satisfy your sweet tooth while you’re at it. Summer Land Camels is a short drive from town, but you could spend most of the day here, between meeting and feeding the camels, entertaining the kids with a camel ride, and sampling all manner of camel-milk products, from skincare to gelato and camel-milk lattes.