The region embraces the historic and heritage-listed buildings that populate the city by re-purposing them to be refitted into house cafes, bars and shops, creating an aesthetic paradise for those who love to wander and wonder. Set aside a couple of days to discover Ipswich with this handy guide.

Day one

Afternoon  

Ipswich is an easy, 40-minute drive from Brisbane’s City, but it’s like a completely different world. Ipswich has an array of charming and contemporary accommodation options but if you’re keen on a luxe escape, travel just 15 minutes from the centre of Ipswich and check in to rural retreat, Woodlands of Marburg. You’ll feel the tension instantly ease from your shoulders when you breathe in the fresh country air and admire the view. Spend some time discovering the rich history of Woodlands, from its early days as a sawmill, sugar mill and seminary to its current incarnation as a boutique plantation-style hotel.

For a touch of luxury, Spicers Hidden Vale offers an elegant blend of beauty, history and nature to offer you a serene and relaxing accommodation experience. The Twigley Farm offers a slow living lifestyle, with two styles of rooms to choose from an intimate spot for couples of a farmhouse that sleeps up to six people. These lavish accommodations

You could easily spend the night curled up with a glass of wine or dining in its opulent on-site restaurant but if you’re keen to head out, try Heisenberg Haus for great German food and even better German beer.

Day two

Morning  

Kick things off with a melt in your mouth, flaky pastry from Baked by Joseph and Ann as you venture into the Ipswich City Centre to sample its bustling café scene. Local favourite Rafter and Rose occupies a cute heritage building and leafy courtyard at the Top of Town, a historical stretch of buildings along Brisbane Street. The coffee is smooth, the counter is always stocked with fresh baked goods and the cafe’s popular and delicious bacon jam is the perfect accompaniment to any dish.

Walk off (or shop off) your breakfast with a wander through the retail offerings at the Top of Town precinct. Here you will find everything from cafes and restaurants to vintage stores and boutiques. The Vintage Advantage is an antique store stocking unique pieces from yesteryear while Quibble Market, a preloved clothing market where you can find your new favourite wardrobe piece while you sip on coffee from the boutique café.

Be captivated by the Ipswich Antique Centre which is a goldmine of hidden treasures and collectables. Housed in a beautifully restored 1895 heritage-listed building, the centre is home to several antique dealers selling unique pieces from glassware and pottery to turn-of-the-century furniture and vintage movie memorabilia. 

Midday  

If you’re starting to feel a little peckish and are wondering where to go for lunch, you’ll find plenty of options nearby the regions centre. With a firm focus on nutrition and speciality coffee, Oikos Café serves Queensland-roasted Kai Coffee beans and fresh fare such as fruit-laden acai bowls, smoothies and colourful nacho bowls. Or for a classic pub meal, head to the 1860s Royal Mail and experience a slice of history while you’re here.

After enjoying a big lunch, follow the 1860s Royal Mail coach route that carried Cobb & Co passengers more than 140 years ago and spend the afternoon ambling through the countryside. There are plenty of places to pull up and explore. Visit Heritage-listed pubs, buildings that take you back in time, rural villages, unspoilt wilderness and a network of lookout points to take in the scenery. 

Afternoon 

It’s fitting that Stony Creek Brewing sits on the original site of the city’s first water source in the mid-1800s. These days, the site pumps another vital liquid to the citizenry – beer. The kegs stay fully stocked and rolling as local and unique brews are poured while classic pub burgers, pizzas and perfect beer snacks pair for the perfect afternoon.
 
Big, bold American eats dominate the menu and offer a perfect companion to the ales on offer. Start with the inventive fried pickles snack, frickles, before enjoying the popular mac cheese and brisket burger, delicious!

Evening

If you’re in Ipswich on a Friday or Saturday night, head to the Tivoli Drive-In Theatre for an old-school movie night. It's only $15 per car to catch a double-feature with Saturdays screening family-friendly flicks and Fridays for mature audiences. Gates open at 4pm with market stalls and a café serving refreshments from 4.30pm, while the first flick kicks off at 7pm. 

Day three  

Morning

Seed Coffee grinds and brews some of the best coffee in the region, so head to the counter and order your usual. While you’re there, explore the boulevard of boutique shops and find some gorgeous nick knacks or book in for a wellness treatment for later that day.

All aboard for a fun and interactive day out at The Workshops Rail Museum. Enter through the beautifully preserved Timekeepers’ Building and journey into the past to experience life on the rails. Kids big and small can marvel at the restored locomotives, check out Queensland’s biggest model railway and tinker with hands-on displays and simulators.

Midday  

Queens Park is one of the oldest parks in Queensland and offers a wonderland of free activities including a kids' playground,  environmental education centre, café and gorgeous leafy gardens for a picnic. In addition to wide open spaces and gardens, Queens Park is also home to the Ipswich Nature Centre – where you can check out more than 40 species of animal – the Japanese-inspired Nerima Gardens and the Queens Park Nursery where you can even pick up some free plants.