By footpath, tour coach or car, there’s plenty for history lovers to explore in the city of Ipswich.
Call in at the Ipswich Information Centre as a starting point and grab some trail maps or ask about specific heritage landmarks you can visit.
Besides entire streets lined with stately colonial Queenslanders across the city, there are plenty of public landmarks to take in and many are in use, including at Kholo Gardens, creating a character-filled backdrop for the events, organisations and businesses contained therein.
You can shop for antiques at the Ipswich Antique Centre in the spectacular 1895 Church Memorial Congregational Hall at 86 East Street or sip an ale in the Pumpyard Bar which occupies the old Ipswich Technical College buildings, opened in 1890, at 88 Limestone Street.
Not far from here, Ungermann Brothers Milk Bar have opened a fabulous new milk bar in the old Queensland Times building, a grand relic of a bygone era, at the corner of Brisbane and Ellenborough Streets. Take a wander further along Brisbane Street for cafes and shops in grand old landmarks, collectively known as the Top of Town.
One of the city’s best known tourist attractions, Queensland Museum Rail Workshops, is located in the vast grounds of the original North Ipswich workshops established in the 1870s. Head there for a look at rail and architectural history.
The Ipswich Musical Theatre Company stages shows in the Old Ipswich Courthouse at 75 East Street, and the Ipswich Little Theatre will see you heading to the unusual 1936 Incinerator Theatre on Burley Griffin Drive. It was designed by Walter Burley Griffin who was also the mastermind behind planning Canberra.
There are many impressive old churches to see, including St Mary’s Catholic Church at 11 Mary Street; the former St Stephen’s Presbyterian Church at 22-26 Limestone Street and St Paul’s Anglican Church; at 124 Brisbane St the oldest Anglican Church in Queensland, built in 1859. Take a road trip out to Rosewood and cast your eyes upon the grand wooden St Brigid’s Church at 28 Matthew Street which dates back to 1909.
A visit to Cooneana Heritage Centre will further immerse you in the region’s history. The centre welcomes group bookings by appointment or check the Ipswich Historical Society Facebook page for open times and special events.
You can also book group heritage tours of Ipswich through the Ipswich Visitor Information Centre or look out for special tours that are run as part of annual events including Galvanized – A Festival of Heritage.
Give yourself enough time to visit all the places mentioned above and stay at either Cumquat House or Woodlands of Marburg, both properties have beautiful heritage listed accommodation on offer.
For more accommodation options see our accommodation page.
