INSIDE: Ipswich Nature Centre is a delightful surprise!
Pop Ipswich Nature Centre on your list of things to do in Ipswich.
See wallabies, farm animals, AND a DINGO at Ipswich Nature Centre!
This place is a gem hidden in plain sight, and it’s FREE!
If you are looking for things to do in Ipswich with kids, don’t miss it.
Take a look at what you’ll find inside below.
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Best Guide to Ipswich Nature Centre
Lovingly landscaped with native flora, and beautifully maintained, Ipswich Nature Centre and Animal Refuge in Ipswich’s historical Queens Park has been operational for more than 80 years.
RELATED: Ultimate Guide of the Best Things to do in Brisbane with Kids
Things to do at Ipswich Nature Reserve
The Queens Park Ipswich Nature Reserve has divine gardens, and a bunch of exhibits and displays that represent local bushland and it’s creatures.
Queens Park Animals
No.1: Australian Native animals
Wander along timber boardwalks and meander through the centre, past current exhibits featuring resident animals including:
- wombats
- water dragons
- reptiles
- wallabies
- emus
- quolls
- a nocturnal bilby exhibit, and
- dingos!
No.2: Free Flight Aviary
Don’t miss the walk-in walk-out rainforest bird aviary.
Keep your eyes open for:
- lorikeets
- rosellas
- doves
- pigeons
- ground birds
No.3: Farm Yard
But our favourite thing was the farmyard barn with friendly lambs, cows, pigs, guinea pigs and goats!
The Queens Park petting zoo hours are listed below.
Don’t miss Queens Park Ipswich Nature Centre!
Queens Park Nature Centre in Ipswich is one of those places you skip when time is short, then when your friends rave about it, you wish you hadn’t.
Hot tips for visiting Queens Park Animal Park Ipswich city
Staff ask you to please keep these guidelines in mind when visiting the family friendly Ipswich Nature Reserve:
- Please do not feed the animals
- Please stay on the paths provided
- Wheelchair access friendly
- Children to be accompanied by an adult at all times
- No pets are allowed
- Please do not picnic within the Nature Centre
- Please do not smoke within the Nature Centre
- Please do not enter any of the animal enclosures
Hot tip: Check out the Japanese Nerima Gardens nearby the Queens Park Animal Park, and the fabulous Queens Park playground too.
THE INSIDE SCOOP: Ipswich Nature Park
Correct at time of publication on Roam the Gnome. Please check with venue for updates. We apologise in advance if there have been any changes we are unaware of. All prices in AUD dollars, unless otherwise stated
Address: The Ipswich Nature Reserve is located within Queens Park, Milford Street Ipswich.
- Alternative entrance: Goleby Avenue, Ipswich
Telephone: 07 3810 6666.
Ipswich Nature Centre Opening Hours
- Tuesday to Sunday, 9.30am to 4pm
- Closed Mondays, Christmas Day and Good Friday
- School Holidays – Open 7 days – 9.30 am – 4.00 pm
Entry Fees: Free entry. Gold coin donation would be a wonderful help!
All donations will be used for the care of the Queens Park Ipswich animals and future improvements to the Nature Centre.
How to get to Queens Park Ipswich
By Bus: Daily bus connections are available from the Brisbane Transit Centre in Brisbane. For more information contact the centre on 3236 2020.
By Train: The Brisbane Citytrain network provides regular connections from Ipswich to Brisbane and connections to the Gold and Sunshine Coast rail lines.
By Car:
- The Ipswich Motorway links Ipswich to Brisbane. (approx 40 minutes).
- The Logan Motorway links Ipswich to the Gold Coast and Pacific Highway from New South Wales, along with the Gateway Motorway from Brisbane Airport and Sunshine Coast.
- Click here for google map directions
Queens Park Ipswich Parking
Free street parking right outside the park.
Ipswich Nature Centre Map
Facilities at Queens Park Ipswich Animal Park
Closest food and drinks: Check out the Queens Park Cafe. This cafe is a local fave.
Toilets: Queens Park
Disability access: Yes
Shade: Trees provide some cover
Dogs: No dogs allowed in the Ipswich wildlife sanctuary.
Toadstool Rating – Queens Park Ipswich Zoo
It’s free. No complaints here.
Allow an hour or so at the Queens Park Nature Centre Ipswich.
Looking for MORE FUN things to do in Ipswich for kids?
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