There are plenty of ways to pass the summer holidays across Ipswich.
These fun and exciting activities are happening in Ipswich to help keep you and your family entertained over the holiday period.
Get out on the water
Ipswich has some great spots to do some fishing, kayaking or boating. Burton’s Bridge is a quiet and peaceful place to cast a line, cool off or go for a paddle.
There is also a popular canoe launch area at Joseph Brady Park at the meeting of the Brisbane and Bremer rivers, with plenty of space for other water-based activities. Other areas with water access and views are Cribb Park, Shapcott Park, Riverside Park and Richardson Park.
Note: Colleges Crossing Recreation Reserve and River Heart Parklands remain closed due to flood damage sustained earlier in the year. Kholo Gardens is open for day use and picnics, but canoe access is closed due to erosion. Robelle Domain’s Rain Forest Boardwalk is closed due to landslides.
Get wet and cool down at Ipswich splash parks
Council’s many swim centres and zero-depth play areas are perfect for a fun-filled day out.
There is the Bundamba Swim Centre with 25 metre and 50 metre pools, the Georgie Conway Leichhardt Community Swim Centre with a children’s pool and play area, the Goodna Aquatic Centre with a 25 metre lap pool, a multi-purpose pool and a children’s play pool, and the Rosewood Aquatic Centre. Do not forget the Orion Lagoon and Bob Gamble Park has zero-depth water play areas too!
Opening times and fees vary, so be sure to check council’s website.
Visit a local library
Book it to your local Ipswich Libraries branch and check out all the great free activities over the summer months.
For children, the Summer Reading Club starts young readers on exciting adventure books, complete with a quest to unlock achievements and a chance to win some great prizes.
There are also programs to teach children how to code at the Robotics Roadshow, or sing and dance along to Christmas songs and Lucas Proudfoot. Finally, an Eye Spy: Action-Packed Adventure will send your child searching through libraries for hidden equipment and a chance to earn a sticker.
There are seven branches in the city: the Ipswich Central Library, Redbank Plaza Library, Redbank Plains Library, Rosewood Library, Springfield Central Library, Children’s Library and the Karalee Library Pod.
Get hands-on fun at the Ipswich Art Gallery
Children and adults will find something to do at the gallery this holiday season.
Current exhibitions that are fun for the whole family include Wind Tubes, Just Be Yours Selfie and Drawing Machines. For Wind Tubes, make your very own flying creations and launch them in large, clear vertical tubes of flying air. Just Be Yours Selfie and Drawing Machines invite children to draw with different tools and instruments to varying levels of complexity.
For more information, visit the Ipswich Art Gallery website.
Enjoy close encounters at the Ipswich Nature Centre
With more than 42 species and about 200 animals, from dingoes, bilbies, wallabies, water dragons and a fantastic petting zoo, the Ipswich Nature Centre is a great and free holiday experience.
Visitors can experience a personal encounter with many animals and a walking tour with a zookeeper.
The centre is open seven days a week from 9.30am to 4.00pm during the school holidays.
Take in a great walk
Need to burn off some festive season calories? Ipswich has mountains to climb and lush, relaxing gardens to explore.
Queens Park is great for families, while the Flinders-Goolman Conservation Estate has extensive forests and mountains, perfect for bird-watching, hiking, mountain biking and horse riding. Check out more great walks in Ipswich.
Catch a show at the Ipswich Civic Centre
The Ipswich Civic Centre is closed in January, but shows and events will resume on Saturday, 4 February 2023 with an Ipswich Has Comic Talent workshop, followed a day later with Back to the Tivoli Variety Spectacular.
For more information and to book tickets, visit the Ipswich Civic Centre website.
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