CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE
Choose your own walk or drive adventure with self-guided tours of historic Ipswich and surrounds.
First established in 1827 as a convict powered limestone quarry, Ipswich evolved into a busy port on the Bremer River, growing in importance from 1842 with the arrival of first settlers, coal mines and railways.
Although it lost the title of capital of Queensland to Brisbane, Ipswich began it’s journey as a prosperous and confident city, reflected by its imposing buildings, churches and more than 2,000 historic homes.
There is so much to see and explore in the present-day City of Ipswich. Explore over 35 social events, guided tours, experiences and open days on offer as part of the Galvanized festival or take one of the self-guided tours below.
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Ipswich Heritage Trails – Churches and Cemeteries Then & Now
Home to one of the oldest church buildings in Queensland, Ipswich has over 25 beautiful churches and burial grounds worth exploring at your own pace.
Follow the map or create your own itinerary using the Churches and Cemeteries Then and Now Heritage Trail for inspiration.
You can even create your own self-guided online map or driving tour using the Heritage Trails, Churches & Cemeteries interactive map.
Want more? As part of the Galvanized festival, you can take a spooky Haunted tour with historian Jack Sims or explore the St Paul’s Anglican Church and Rectory at the St Pauls Craft & Quilt Display.
CITY CENTRE
Ipswich Heritage Trails – City Centre Then & Now
Combine a leisurely stroll with a short drive to experience many fascinating heritage sites in central Ipswich. From the old Post Office to the Incinerator Theatre, there is something for everyone.
Follow the map or create your own itinerary using the City Centre Then and Now Heritage Trail for inspiration.
Want more? As part of the Galvanized festival, you can explore the history of Ipswich buildings from the comfort of an air-conditioned coach with a guided Ipswich Heritage Bus Tour or take a free walking tour with Lost Ipswich City Walks.
COAL MINING
Ipswich Heritage Trails – Coal Mining Then & Now
Discover 200 years of coal mining heritage, from disused coal loading facilities and old power stations to stories of strikes and rescues.
To learn more, you can visit the Cooneana Heritage Centre for the only significant coal mining display in South East Queensland and meet the retired miners who can guide you through the mining exhibit. Or take a 1hr stroll through the Castle Hill Walking Trails for examples of hand-dug mine shafts and more.
Image credit: Whitehead Studios and Picture Ipswich
Fox Marietta’ continuous miner in Box Flat No. 8 tunnel, Ipswich, c.1986
GOONDA AND REDBANK
Ipswich Heritage Trails – Goodna & Redbank Then & Now
Explore the fascinating story of two historic villages, sitting side by side but each with their own distinct character. Discover war memorials, sacred sites of First Nations people and the iconic Woollen Mills.
Follow the maps of each town or create your own itinerary using the Goodna & Redbank Then and Now Heritage Trail for inspiration.
Want more? As part of the Galvanized festival, you can take a guided tour of one of the most haunted graveyards in Australia, the Goodna Cemetery.
GRANDCHESTER
Ipswich Heritage Trails – Grandchester, Lanefield, Ashwell, Calvert & Mount Mort Then & Now
Take a daytrip through Grandchester and the surrounding villages for a fascinating look at the past. From the oldest known tree to the oldest surviving railway station in Queensland, there is plenty to explore.
Follow the maps or create your own itinerary using the Grandchester Then and Now Heritage Trail for inspiration.
Be sure to include a stop at Spicers Hidden Vale for lunch at the award-winning Homage restaurant and discover the history of the property and its real-life inspiration for Ian Fleming’s character – 007, James Bond.
Or if you’re visiting on the first Sunday of the month, take a ride on a miniature train at the Grandchester Model Steam Railway. Perfect for train enthusiasts young and old!
IPSWICH CEMETERY
Ipswich Heritage Trails – Ipswich Cemetery Then & Now
Discover the stories of Ipswich written in stone at the Ipswich General Cemetery. With the oldest part of the cemetery possibly dating back to the 1840’s, each headstone forms an important part of Ipswich heritage.
Follow the trail map or create your own itinerary using the Ipswich Cemetery Then and Now Heritage Trail for inspiration.
Want more? As part of the Galvanized festival, you can take a guided ghost tour after dark of the Ipswich Cemetery and hear spooky stories of statues that move, true tales of business tycoons and visit the grave of Ned Kelly’s brother James Ryan.
MARBURG & DISTRICT
Ipswich Heritage Trails – Marburg & District Then & Now
There’s plenty to explore in Marburg and surrounds, including the fascinating history of German pioneers, timber, sugar and butter industries, antique treasures, and heritage buildings.
Follow the trail map or create your own itinerary using the Marburg & District Then and Now Heritage Trail for inspiration.
Need an excuse to dress up? Then dust off your glad rags during the Galvanized festival and join in the fun at The Baker’s Ball – a WWII victory dinner dance recreation – with vintage entertainment, dinner and swing dance classes in historic Marburg.
Complete the experience and stay overnight at the beautiful Woodlands of Marburg mansion, founded in 1864, and take your breakfast in style under glistening chandeliers in the SugarMill Café and Restaurant.
PINE MOUNTAIN
Ipswich Heritage Trails – Pine Mountain Then & Now
Explore beautiful Pine Mountain via road or rail trail and uncover the history and natural attractions of the district. From hoop pine timber to historic farmhouses, natural springs and the Kholo Waterworks, it’s a daytrip waiting to happen.
Follow the trail map or create your own itinerary using the Marburg & District Then and Now Heritage Trail for inspiration.
Image credit: City Design Branch and Picture Ipswich
ROSEWOOD & DISTRICT
Ipswich Heritage Trails – Rosewood & District Then & Now
Need inspiration for a day out? Then look no further than this attractive and interesting tour of Rosewood, Walloon and Grandchester. From the Walloon Saloon and the Steam Railway at Cabanda, to the RAAF Base Amberley, there is sure to be something for everyone.
Take the Cobb & Co Tourist Drive, follow the trail map or create your own itinerary using the Rosewood & District Then and Now Heritage Trail for inspiration.
Stop into the Rosewood Hotel for lunch with a twist of restored country charm or if you’re planning ahead, the RAAF Amberley Aviation Heritage Centre is open for pre-booked visits on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
RUBBIDY DUBS TO PUBS
Ipswich Heritage Trails – Rubbidy Dubs to Pubs Then & Now
Pub, rubbity or rubbity-dub, shanty, watering hole, drinking hole, early opener, billabong, snake pit, grog shop, boozer and the local are just a few of the names given to the local hotel over the years.
With over historic 20 locations to explore in Ipswich and surrounds, you’ll be quickly immersed in the often fiery history of the humble hotel.
Follow the trail map or create your own itinerary using the Rubbidy Dubs to Pubs Then and Now Heritage Trail for inspiration.
If you prefer a guided option, then be sure to join the Rubbidy Dubs to Pubs walking tour or the Historical Brewing Tour and Tasting events during the Galvanized festival.
CASTLE HILL WALKING TRAILS
Castle Hill Walking Trails Guide
Take one of four trails that lead you through a walking museum and uncover hand-dug mine shafts, remnants of the famous Castle and even evidence of coal fires deep underground.
Walkers require a moderate level of fitness to tackle this hilly site with well-marked trail signs to help you along.
GEORGE BROCKWELL GILL
George Brockwell Gill Self-Guided Tour
The name George Brockwell Gill is one you have likely heard when it comes to Ipswich architecture and buildings; for 55 years, from 1887 to 1943, Brockwell Gill designed or supervised the construction of some of the city’s most iconic buildings.
You can visit over 20 examples of this prominent Ipswich architect using the George Brockwell Gill Self-Guided Tour map for inspiration, including the Ipswich Club on Gray Street, the Soldiers’ Memorial Hall in Nicholas Street and the Technical College in Limestone Street.
Want more? During the Galvanized festival you can also explore the recently renovated Congregational Sunday School Hall, known today as the Ipswich Antiques Centre. Find out more about this fascinating building from the Ipswich Antique Centre’s director during a free talk given on Sunday 1 September at 1.30pm or visit during the Centre’s opening days, Thursday – Monday.
IPSWICH HERITAGE TRAILS - QUEENS PARK
Ipswich Heritage Trails – Queens Park
As the first park to be designed in Queensland, the architecture design of Queens Park dates back to 1862 and is one of Ipswich’s most well-known landmarks.
Follow the trail map and audio created especially for Queens Park, or create your own itinerary using the Queens Park Heritage Trail for inspiration.
Explore the features of the park including extensive formalised garden beds, the Ipswich Nature Centre, Bush Chapel, Queens Park Croquet Hall, Nerima Gardens and the lookout, stopping for a break at the Queens Park Café.
Want more? During the Galvanized festival you can take a guided tour of Nerima Gardens and experience a tea-making ceremony with your Japanese host as part of the Japanese Tea Ceremony and Tea Tasting Workshop. Learn the colourful history of tea in the workshop following the tour, including tea tasting and advice on how to brew the perfect cuppa!
HARDINGS PADDOCK
NICHOLAS STREET
WILL HAENKE SELF GUIDED TOUR
A well-known Australian architect, William Martin Haenke was commissioned for many domestic hotels, churches, shops and even a slaughter yard between 1900 – 1936.
You can visit over 15 examples of Haenke’s work using the Will Haenke Self Guided Tour map for inspiration, including the Ipswich Bowls Club, Queens Park Croquet Club Pavilion, Prince of Wales Hotel, Bundamba Methodist Church and the Rising Sun Hotel.
Want more? During the Galvanized festival you can take a guided tour of the Prince of Wales Hotel as part of the Rubbidy Dubs to Pubs Walking Tour. Sample a brew in some of the oldest watering holes in Ipswich and hear tales of their history on this unique and entertaining tour.
ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE TRAIL | PICTURE IPSWICH
Architectural Heritage Trail | Picture Ipswich
Ipswich is renowned for its architectural heritage, with many examples of grand private residences and impressive commercial establishments to landmark churches and significant civic spaces still in place today.
With over 40 sites to explore, you can use the Picture Ipswich Architectural Heritage Trail map and extensive records for inspiration to create a tour of architectural discovery. You can even share your own personal recollection and photographs to the online trail as you go.
Want more? During the Galvanized festival you can take a guided tour from the comfort of an airconditioned coach on the Ipswich Heritage Buildings Tour and discover streets lined with beautiful buildings and hear stories of a bygone era.