A colourful craze that mashes art’n’craft with hide’n’seek has taken off in Ipswich – and you might even score a freebie out of it.
Ipswich Rocks. Literally.
It’s a movement that already has thousands of followers across Queensland and Australia, where people decorate rocks and hide them in different locations for others to find.
Social media then allows people to share the rock journeys with tags such as @IPSWICHROCKS and @QLDROCKS.
The mother and daughter team behind Deebing Heights’ Triangle House, Pauline Bradbery and Caragh Dickson, was inspired to include Ipswich and the recent FUSED Festival provided the right platform.
“When FUSED was coming out, it was perfect because of the focus on street art, this is street art in nature. We thought we’d do it for the weekend, but it’s kept going,” Caragh said.
What makes Ipswich Rocks different is its inclusion of local businesses with discounts and prizes. Certain rocks are like Flinstone-era coupons, with offerings from free pizza to 10% discounts.
“The promotions are literally right under your feet,” Caragh said. A list on the Facebook Page @IPSWICHROCKS has pictures of all the winning rocks and their associated prize.
So how does it work? Click on an image below to find out more
Ipswich Rocks have been dropped so far
Parks around Ipswich were in the initial rock drop
Within a month Ipswich Rocks have headed up to Biggenden in the North Burnett, over to the Northern Territory, and beyond.
“We have a bunch of Australian animals (on rocks) on their way overseas, on a plane at the moment,” Caragh said.
“The people who really enjoy this sort of activity, they call themselves Rockers. Some are quite invested and make a point of making sure the rocks travel.
“Other people are locally based and move them park to park to keep the adventure going. Others, if they are going on holiday, like to spread the love.”
Pauline said they had uncovered lovely local stories, such as a boy who was so excited to find an Ipswich Rock that he asked to sleep with it in his bed.
“Particularly for children – but adults as well – it opens up their eyes that you can do little things that brighten people’s lives every day,” she said.
Pauline said people of any age or artistic ability could enjoy Ipswich Rocks, whether as a treasure hunt or a craft activity.
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