Nature, history, animals, playgrounds and fun can definitely be found on your way from Ipswich to Toowoomba.
Do yourself a favour and instead of venturing down the coast, up the coast or into Brisbane, consider discovering some of the highlights and treasures of Southern Queensland Country.
5 places to visit on your trip from Ipswich to Toowoomba
Workshops Railway Museum, Ipswich
Take a step back in time and appreciate over 140 years of history at this award winning museum. There are huge steam locomotives to appreciate, steam shop and blacksmith tours to enjoy, train simulators to drive, a detailed model railway to marvel at, old train carriages to explore, the Nippers Railway playground to have fun in and an onsite café for that much-needed coffee!
Grandchester Model Railway, Grandchester
Continuing with the railway theme, the Grandchester Model Railway, open on the first Sunday of the month, a half hour drive from the center of Ipswich and the perfect day out for young and old train enthusiasts. At the center of the hustle and bustle is the original signal cabin from Yarongmulu on the Little Liverpool Range between Laidley and Granchester circa. 1866. Miniature steam and diesel engines puff around the track carrying delighted little girls, boys and their parents.
Wivenhoe Dam
Follow the Brisbane Valley Highway and you’ll arrive at Wivenhoe Dam, Brisbane’s main water supply and a lake which holds twice the amount of water than Sydney Harbour.
There’s so much to do here, it will fill your day rather quickly. Cormorant Bay has well-maintained park areas with barbeques, picnic areas, a playground and public toilets. There is also a café located here, open Wednesday to Sunday for breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea. Logan Inlet is another section of parkland adjacent to the dam with gorgeous views of the water, gazebos and barbeques and playground equipment for the kids.
Darling Downs Zoo, Pilton
Yes, there’s a Zoo on the way to Toowoomba, commonly known as the ‘home of the white lion’. Darling Downs Zoo covers the regions of Australia, Africa, South America and South East Asia with a wide range of animals including the popular African Lions, monkeys and marmosets, kangaroos, crocodiles, reptiles, tropical birds and more. Bring along a packed lunch for a picnic or enjoy a snack from the kiosk.
Picnic Point Lookout and Parkland, Tourist Drive, Toowoomba
Once you’ve made your way to Toowoomba, take the time to appreciate this park located on the top edge of the Great Dividing Range. It’s here you’ll appreciate the sweeping views over the valley and a well-deserved stroll around the landscaped gardens. The park has plenty of picnic areas, barbeques and a fantastic playground to keep the kids entertained. There is also an onsite café open 7 days a week and walking tracks for the energetic.
If a trip from Ipswich to Toowoomba is on your to-do list, be sure to add these destinations to your itinerary. They’re great fun for the whole family.
