TOURS

Saturday 31 August, 9.00 AM – 3.00 PM

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Discover streets lined with cherished heritage homes, grand churches, historic pubs and stately civic buildings with a local guide onboard an airconditioned coach. Glimpse the lives and legends of Ipswich through stories of a bygone era with Devonshire morning tea, lunch and complimentary drink included on this tour.

For more information and bookings visit Discover Ipswich.

Saturday 31 August, 10.30 AM – 12.00 PM AND 3.00 PM – 4.30 PM

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A walking tour of the Ipswich General Cemetery with cemetery historian Tracey Olivieri – co-author of “In Heavenly Garb: The Headstones of Ipswich General Cemetery”. Discover one of the city’s great open-air museums.

Visit the grave sites of some of Ipswich’s pioneers. Some went on to achieve wealth and fame, whilst others may be unknown to most. The tour will include the history of the cemetery, the headstones and their makers, stories and hardships of the early settlers and stories on those who helped create the City of Ipswich.

Numbers will be strictly limited for the tours. Parking is available at and around the cemetery. Patrons are to wear comfortable enclosed shoes, hat and bring a water bottle. Gold coin donations accepted. 

For more information and bookings visit Discover Ipswich.

Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 September, 11.30 AM – 12.00 PM

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88 Limestone Street, commonly referred to as the Pumpyard, was Ipswich’s first source of water in the latter half of the 1800s. The site drew its water from a naturally occurring spring, renowned by the townsfolk for its freshness and sweetness.

In 1901, the Pumpyard became Queensland’s premier centre for technical education, until the technical college was abandoned in 2000.

In 2013, Ipswich locals James and Tracey Long purchased the site, restoring the heritage buildings while integrating modern amenities. This restoration led to the creation of 4Hearts Brewery.  On 1 July 2024, Stony Creek Brewing acquired the 4Hearts facilities, continuing the craft brewing tradition.

During Galvanized explore “Homer” a restored classic beer truck, participate in Galvanized Beer Tours, sample a special Galvanized Ale, and enjoy exclusive festival meal deals and entertainment.  Families are welcome, including kids and fur-kids!

$30.00 per person, must be over 18 years proof of identity required. The tour and tasting includes:

1. Overview of cultural and environmental heritage of 88 Limestone Precinct.
2. History of “Homer” the classic beer truck including its renovation.
3. Guided tour through the brewery with an explanation of equipment and beer production process.
4. Tasting paddle of 4 beers with commentary by our brewer.
5. Warm Pretzel with butter.
6. Galvanized goodie bag comprising of a can of Galvanized Ale, and discount coupons for 20% off Draft and canned beer following the tour, meals following the tour and Stony Creek & 4Hearts merchandise.

Tickets available via the events section at Stony Creek Brewing.
Stony Creek Brewing at the old Pumpyard, 88 Lime Street, Ipswich

Sunday 8 September, 11.30 AM – 3.30 PM

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Pub, rubbidy-dub, shanty, drinking hole, early opener, boozer and the local. Well known Aussie slang for those good old hotels who have stood the test of time.

Sample a brew at each of the pubs on this walking tour and learn all about the local watering holes, streetscapes and their history. Including a hearty counter lunch, your guide will take you on a unique and hilarious journey through central Ipswich.   Non-alcoholic drinks available, however, participants must be over 18 years to attend.

For more information and bookings visit Discover Ipswich.

Saturday 31 August, Sunday 1 September, Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 September, 8.00 AM – 10.00 AM

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Experience the heritage buildings and stories of historical families of central Ipswich with a free walking tour. Choose between two different walks through Brisbane Street, Ipswich and learn the history of the street, shops and events of days gone past:

1. Brisbane St Top of Town
2. Brisbane St Lower

For more information and bookings visit Discover Ipswich.

Thursday 29 August – Sunday 8 September, 9.00 AM – 3.00 PM

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Celebrate the UN Year of Camelids with a history tour at Summer Land Camels, Australia’s largest camel farm & dairy. Enjoy a fascinating self-guided history tour in the grounds of the café or book a Farm Tour & Taste for the full experience.

Learn the fascinating history of camels in Australia, from nation building to military history, how they became feral pests and the way forward to create an industry to utilise these unique and revered creatures. Discover the amazing health benefits of camel milk and try the award-winning dairy and skin care products.

While at the farm, you can also feed the camels, enjoy a meal at the café and even ride a camel.

Self-Guided History Tours are free of charge and available seven days a week to enjoy at your own pace in the grounds of the café.

Farm Tour & Taste tours are available on Friday 10.00 AM, Saturday 10.00 AM or Sunday 10.00 AM and 12.00 PM. Bookings are required.

For more information and bookings visit Summer Land Camels.
Summer Land Camels, 8 Charles Chauvel Dr, Harrisville.

Thursday 29 August – Sunday 8 September, 5.00 AM – 9.20 AM

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Experience first-hand, man’s oldest form of flight – a hot air balloon. Explore, see and learn about the history and geography of Queensland’s oldest provincial city of Ipswich, the Great Dividing Range, Brisbane’s skyline and the countryside of the Scenic Rim and Somerset.

Participate in the inflation of the balloon, 1 hour flight over Ipswich and its countryside, assist with packing up the balloon. Floating Images’ Chief Pilot Graeme shares the magic, romance, history and sense of adventure the first French balloonists experienced in 1783.

Learn about the history, stories & how hot air balloons operate with Floating Images Chief Pilot who was trained in France – the birthplace of ballooning. Graeme Day has over 32 year’s commercial balloon experience on 3 continents. Australia’s only balloon pilot to have flown over Mt Blanc, Europe’s highest mountain. Floating Images Hot Air Balloon Flights is Ipswich’s only CASA approved aviation business for over 23 years.

All passengers are invited to join in the fun of inflating and deflating the giant balloon. Graeme stays with guests from start to finish and is happy to explain any aspect of how a hot air balloon flies and operates. Share the thrill of this morning adventure with your family, friends or visitors.

Floating Images Hot Air Balloon Flights 1-hour package includes:

• Approximately 1-hour balloon flight over Ipswich, Scenic Rim and Somerset regions – with city and country views
• Restaurant breakfast
• Personalised in-flight commentary
• In-flight photography will be taken on most flights, with the opportunity to purchase photos at breakfast
• A personalised flight certificate
• Insurance & GST
• Please allow 3-4 hours for your balloon experience.

Book online at Floating Images Hot Air Balloon Flights or call the office 07 3294 8770.
Meeting Point in front of Ipswich Visitor Information Centre carpark, Queens Park, 14 Queen Victoria Parade, Ipswich.

Sunday 1 September, 10.00 AM, 12.00 PM OR 2.00 PM

Step back 164 years in time and uncover the fascinating past of the historically significant, Old Courthouse in the heart of Ipswich.

Take a tour of the building and experience its history through story, art, photography, mini to scale buildings, entertainment and life drawing.

Occurring every two hours, these free tours are limited to groups of 6 to 8 people.

Bookings not required.
Old Courthouse East. Roderick and Ginn Streets Ipswich.

Sunday 1 September, 10.15 AM  and  2.15 PM

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Give Dad a gift he’ll love this Father’s Day!

Join us on a steam adventure for Father’s Day, enjoy a nostalgic ride on a Queensland Rail steam loco. Departing from the Workshops Platform, explore regional sights from the comfort of heritage carriages on this 1 hour trip to Ebenezer and back.

Upon return to Ipswich, continue your day out at the Queensland Museum Rail Workshops Steam & Smoke BBQ.

Price: $55 adults, $40 children, $175 family, $50 concession, including Queensland Museum Rail Workshops Steam & Smoke BBQ admission.

Buy Tickets Now from Australian Railway Historical Society – Queensland Division.