Ipswich plays host to Australia’s biggest international country music festival each year, welcoming more than 20,000 visitors. Here in Ipswich we really are country at heart…
- There’s not many country artists that haven’t sung a song about whiskey – and we have a craft distillery making whiskey, rum and gin. The award-winning Imbibis Craft Distillery is the first local spirits distillery in Ipswich to make rum for 137 years. They are now brewing up whiskey with the help of local beer makers 4 Hearts Brewing.
- It’s wide open spaces that people say draws them to life on the land. It’s something Ipswich has in spades, with 8500 hectares of parks and reserves, to find it all, you only have to drive 30 minutes from Brisbane. Some places to feel a million miles away include camping in bush surroundings at Hardings Paddock and Ivory’s Rock. There’s also horse holding yards at Hardings Paddock with access to water. You can also enjoy sweeping valley views while staying at Woodlands of Marburg or Spicers Hidden Vale. Read more about how to see the views in our accommodation guide.
- You can get lambs fry for breakfast at The Rosewood Hotel. The country pub is just one of the places offering big country breakfasts and warm welcomes – something we know CMC Rocks patrons enjoy about our town, see more about where to eat here: https://www.discoveripswich.
com.au/amazing-ipswich- breakfasts/ - You can ride your horse to have a drink at Walloon Hotel. Well not everyone can, but the locals have in the past. Ipswich has plenty of country pubs to visit. The Marburg Hotel, The Rosewood Hotel, the Grandchester Hotel are just a few places around serving up country hospitality.
- Ipswich is a city, with country town vibes. In the heritage Top of Town precinct, you’ll find contemporary restaurants and cafes amongst decades old facades, a nod to the city’s history. There’s also a Saddleworld outlet – the perfect place to get kitted out before heading to the festival. Find out more about Top of Town here.
- You can go stargazing and taste paddock to plate produce at Spicers Hidden Vale. The resort is located on a 12000 acre working cattle farm established in 1841 to originally farm sheep. There are amazing views on site and cabins with outdoor baths, and a dining space inside a converted barn.
- We have some great farms to visit. See Queensland’s largest herd of llamas, taste test olive and lime produce at Watercress Creek Olives and Limes, pet and feed cute farm animals at the Ewe Nique Hobby Farm or visit Australia’s largest camel farm. Read about our farm tours here.
- Take those firewood chopping arms and aim at the butcher blocks at Rampage Axe Throwing. It’s not your typical way to use an axe, but it’s lots of fun…
- You can take a Cobb and Co Tourist Drive from Rosewood that follows the mail journey including the first rail line in Queensland, which is now kept alive today by the Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway.
- See lost arts like blacksmithing and wagon smithing at Cooneara Heritage Centre. The centre has a focus on keeping lost arts alive including spinning and weaving – capturing the pioneering spirit.
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