TOURS
HISTORICAL HOT AIR BALLOON FLIGHTS
5-14 September
Night Hike at Mount Goolman Lookout
5 September
The Queensland Pioneer Luncheon Train
6 September
OLD COURTHOUSE TOURS
6 September
WHERE HISTORY RESTS
6 September
LOST IPSWICH CITY WALKS
6, 7, 13 and 14 September
STONY CREEK BREWERY TOURS
6, 10 and 14 September
GALVANIZED HERITAGE BUS TOUR OF IPSWICH
13 September
SOLDIERS MEMORIAL HALL TOURS
13 September
HERITAGE ARCHITECT TOUR - IPSWICH ART GALLERY
14 September
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Hear it first! Sign up and be the first to know about upcoming festivals and exclusive offers. SubscribeGALVANIZED HERITAGE BUS TOUR OF IPSWICH
13 September 2025
9.00 am – 3.30 pm
Queens Park, Burley Griffin Drive via Griffith Road, Ipswich
Meet in front of Nerima Gardens main gates area
Ticketed event – bookings essential
Presented by Discover Ipswich
Discover streets lined with cherished heritage homes, grand churches, historic pubs and stately civic buildings with a local guide onboard an airconditioned coach. Start the tour with a delicious Devonshire Tea on the verandah of the Ipswich Visitor Information Centre overlooking the HMAS Ipswich memorial and Queens Park gardens. You will then head off aboard the bus to take in the heritage city’s iconic buildings and homes with our very knowledgeable tour guide.
WHERE HISTORY RESTS - PIONEERS OF IPSWICH AND HISTORY OF THE IPSWICH GENERAL CEMETERY
6 September 2025
10.30 am – 12.00 pm, and 3.00 pm – 4.30 pm
Ticketed event – bookings essential
Briggs Road, Ipswich
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” and fellow cemetery historian Liam Baker. 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.
STONY CREEK BREWERY TOURS
6, 10 and 14 September
11.00 am – 1.00 pm
88 Limestone Street, Ipswich
Ticketed event – bookings essential
Presented By Stony Creek Brewing
Tickets on Sale Now
Step into a world of craft beer, history, and community at Stony Creek Brewing. This unique experience blends a historical tour with a behind-the-scenes look at brewing in action. Visitors will enjoy the charm of Homer the Beer Truck and engage in a lively Q&A session while exploring grains and brewing equipment. Beer tastings showcase signature brews, paired perfectly with a mouth-watering Smash Burger. As a parting gift, guests receive a goodie bag filled with local discounts, adding extra value to their visit. With three dates available for convenience, Stony Creek Brewing offers a memorable journey through beer, history, and local flavours.
Stony Creek Brewing at the old Pumpyard, 88 Limestone Street, Ipswich.
RUBBIDY-DUBS TO PUBS: IPSWICH MYSTERY BUS TOUR
6 September 2025
10.30 am – 3.30 pm
1 Union Place, Ipswich
Ticketed event – bookings essential
Presented by Discover Ipswich
Hop aboard our bus to delve into the rich history of these cherished “pubs,” “shanties,” and “boozer” spots of Ipswich. Discover the stories woven into our community’s fabric while enjoying the finest cocktails, special brews, and house specials at each venue, accompanied by a refreshing lunch.
Non-alcoholic drinks available, however, participants must be over 18 years to attend.
LOST IPSWICH CITY WALKS
6, 7, 13 and 14 September 2025
8.00 am – 10.00 am
West Street, Ipswich
Free event – bookings essential
Presented by Lost Ipswich
Immerse yourself in the history of some of Ipswich’s most iconic buildings on a walking tour through the Top of Town.
SUMMER LAND CAMELS HISTORY TOURS
Thursday 29 August – Sunday 8 September, 9.00 AM – 3.00 PM
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.
HISTORICAL HOT AIR BALLOON FLIGHTS
5-14 September 2025
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, 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. 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 and 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.
OLD COURTHOUSE TOURS
6 September 2025
9.00 am – 3.00 pm
75 East Street, Ipswich
Free. Devonshire Teas may be purchased on the day.
Presented by Old Court House Inc.
Have you always wanted to see inside the Old Ipswich Courthouse?
Well, now is your chance!
Ipswich’s proud heritage is celebrated during Galvanized with this historic building opening to the public. For one day only, the original Old Ipswich Courthouse will open from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm with guided tours at 10.00 am, 12.00 pm, and 2.00 pm.
Enjoy a Devonshire Tea on the verandah of the Old Courthouse. Take a guided tour and learn about this historic building and enjoy displays and performances presented by the community groups who use this building as their home-base, including Ipswich Art Society, Ipswich Mini-Crafters, Ipswich Musical Theatre Company, Ipswich Photographic Society and the Miner Chords.
The Queensland Pioneer Luncheon Train
Saturday 6 September, 10.45 AM and 12.45 PM
Join us aboard the Queensland Pioneer for an unforgettable 2 hour fine dining lunch experience.
Relax in the air-conditioned comfort of the lovingly restored former Sunlander carriages as you savour a three-course, Neo-French-inspired menu, developed by Haig Road Bistro of Auchenflower.
Your journey begins at Swanbank Station at 10:45 AM with a complimentary glass of sparkling wine, before you step back in time to the golden age of onboard rail dining.
Enjoy full table service as you indulge in a personally curated menu, crafted from our bespoke course selections and prepared onboard by Haig Road Bistro’s acclaimed, European-trained chef.
All the while, take in the natural beauty of the West Moreton region as your restaurant on rails gently meanders through historic landscapes, offering glimpses of Ipswich’s rich mining heritage.
Tickets start at $157.13 (incl. booking fee), with the option to add a matched boutique wine pairing. A selection of spirits, beer, and soft drinks is also available onboard (EFTPOS accepted).
Come along with friends—or make new ones—at a shared table.
GUN PIT RIDGE HISTORY AND HABITAT WALKING TOUR
6 September 2025
5.00 pm – 8.30 pm
White Rock – Spring Mountain Conservation Estate, Paperbark Flats Picnic Area
Ticketed event – bookings essential
Presented by Discover Ipswich
Discover White Rock – Spring Mountain Conservation Estate at dusk. Watch the moon rise into the sky as the sun sets. Meet the furry locals and their feathery friends on this rare opportunity to explore the estate as the sun goes down on a guided walking tour to experience nature after the park has closed.
SOLDIERS MEMORIAL HALL TOURS
13 September 2025
10.00 am – 2.00 pm
63 Nicholas Street, Ipswich
Free event – bookings essential
Presented By Ipswich RSL Sub Branch Inc.
Uncover the story behind the recent rediscovery of the original town spring beneath the site and learn about the remarkable efforts of the local community to fund and build this significant memorial – dedicated to honouring the service and sacrifice of Ipswich soldiers.
HERITAGE ARCHITECT TOUR – IPSWICH ART GALLERY
14 September 2025
10.30 am – 11.30 am
Ipswich Art Gallery
Free event – bookings essential
Presented by Ipswich City Council
Join City Architect Mark Tendys for an immersive tour of the Ipswich Art Gallery. Step inside Queensland’s oldest Town Hall and uncover the fascinating evolution of this heritage-listed landmark—from its civic origins to its transformation into the cultural hub of Ipswich. Discover hidden details, architectural secrets, and the enduring legacy of a building that has helped to shape the city’s identity.
Night Hike at Mount Goolman Lookout
5 September 2025
4.30 pm
Hardings Paddock, Flinders Goolman Conservation Estate
Ticketed event – bookings essential
Presented by Discover Ipswich
A late afternoon guided hike to watch the moon rise just as the sun sets. Enjoy the evening serenity with spectacular panoramic views over Mt Goolman across the Little Liverpool Range. Then its torches out to head down the twilight trail and experience nature in a different light.