Queensland’s oldest provincial city is the scenic and quirky Ipswich. It is located west of the state capital, Brisbane, in the heart of south east Queensland. The city enjoys a friendly, safe atmosphere along with plenty of sunshine. There is as much history and heritage as there is progression and development. The art galleries, museums and parks along with the restaurants, cafes, cinemas and hotels in Ipswich, provide something for everyone. It is a family friendly city where those visiting kids are in for a treat. There are a number of parks, raceways, playgrounds and even premier serviced accommodation options like Oaks Aspire Apartments to retire to after a long day out exploring.

Queens Park is one of oldest parks in the state and a treasured gem. The gardens have been designed and landscaped to recreate the surrounding bushland complete with plant life that is native to the area. Large, leafy trees adorn the lush green park and offer enough shade for relaxing and even a family picnic. The Queens Park Café has a variety of options for those on the go and also includes a kid’s menu. The Environmental Education Centre, which is adjoining the café, has interactive displays that provide an entertaining learning experience for kids. The Queens Park’s playground pays tribute to Ipswich’s coal mining history.

Also part of the complex are the Japanese-themed Nerima Gardens and the Ipswich Nature Centre, which were opened to the public in 1936. The Nature Centre is home to a range of Australian wildlife like wallabies, wombats, emus, bilbies and birds. A barn houses farm animals like pigs, calves, guinea pigs and lambs. The Centre is open six days a week. Admission is free, however donations are welcome. All donations are directed to the care of the animals and maintenance of the Centre.

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.Google+