Top of Town

If you love discovering something a little different and eclectic when you’re shopping, Ipswich’s Top of Town fits the bill. This historical stretch of Brisbane Street bordered by Ellenborough and Waghorn Streets, has cafés, restaurants, vintage stores, clothing boutiques, a luxury massage/spa, homewares and collectibles on offer. You’ll be impressed by the original shop façades and heritage buildings such as the Old Flour Mill Building, designed by renowned architect George Brockwell Gill.

For sustenance, choose from Rafter and Rose Café, St Shoebill, Dancing Bean Cafe, The Retro Diner, UB’s Milkbar, Heisenberg Haus or Fourthchild Café and Restaurant. Pumpyard Bar and Brewery at 88 Limestone Street is the local place to be with its funky industrial décor and onsite-brewed craft beers.

Fashionistas will be obsessed with Obsession Shoes, which carries overseas cult brands, while Oh! JoJo Boutique stocks fashion, accessories and jewellery from an eclectic assortment of hard-to-find labels. Other specialty shops are C.J. Vogler and Son – a hobby and model store that opened in 1877; Cute to Boot – a baby and toddler boutique; Arttime Gallery and Fine Art Supplies who supply art materials of every kind; Dark Magician Pop Culture – full of collectables and gaming products; and Pinot and Picasso – a paint and sip venue.