Ipswich has cracked the two million visitor mark according to the latest Tourism Research Australia figures.
New figures show the city welcomed 2,011,000 visitors in the year ending September 2019.
That’s 14 consecutive quarters of positive growth in visitor numbers for Ipswich and 28.3 per cent growth in total visitation figures year on year – placing Ipswich in the top two fastest growing regions in South East Queensland.
Ipswich also led the way on international visitors in SEQ with 24.8 per cent growth, the fastest of any SEQ region.
Day trip visitors were also up by 38.7 per cent, while the figures showed the region had a slight drop in domestic overnight visitors year on year when compared to the same period, for the first time amidst a year of positive growth across all sectors.
The stats show that there are more New Zealanders visiting the city, with food and visiting friends and family rounding out the top reasons to visit.
One of the city’s biggest attractions the Orion Lagoon recorded just over 300,000 visitors in the reporting period.
Events continue to be a driver for day-trip and overnight visitors into the region with A Day Out with Thomas, Great Houses of Ipswich, the Flight Centre Cycle Epic and Powercruise all held in July-September quarter.
Queensland Museum Network CEO Dr Jim Thompson said The Workshops Rail Museum continued to be a tourist favourite with a number of events and exhibitions attracting people to the popular museum.
“The Day out with Thomas event during the winter schools holidays was a hit with families, and the current Bush Mechanics exhibition which opened in August and runs until early February, has been popular with both regular and new visitors”, Dr Thompson said.
Ipswich National Trust President Arthur Frame said Great Houses of Ipswich was another event that has seen tourists come to Ipswich every year.
“GHOI is a unique event that continues to draw visitors to the region every year with three stunning examples of heritage homes open to the public to explore and enjoy,” Mr Frame said.
Top restaurants including Ipswich Tourism Operator Network member, Homage, located at Spicers Hidden Vale continue to bring in visitors, the restaurant was awarded two chef hats this year by the Australian Good Food Guide.
Spicers Hidden Vale will open their newly built Homestead on 14 February, which will once again be home to Homage Restaurant. The Barn will continue to serve award winning food in a relaxed atmosphere.
Ben Pole, council’s General Manager for Community, Cultural and Economic Development said “the city destination plan 2019-2023 developed in consultation with stakeholders continues to guide the city’s plans to grow the visitor economy and it’s good to see the early results starting to pay off”.
Ipswich has 6500 hectares of reserves and conservation estates, 196km of biking trails and more than 7000 heritage-listed sites.
