📍Everybody Pack A Snack! Here’s The 10 Best Scenic Ipswich Parks & Picnic Spots.
LOOKING FOR THE BEST PARKS IN IPSWICH, QLD TO HAVE A PICNIC?
Ipswich is one of South East Queensland’s best low-key destinations. Nestled between two of Australia’s most iconic tourist destinations, Brisbane, the state capital, and the Gold Coast, the country’s premiere seaside city, it often, understandably, gets overshadowed by these world-famous behemoths.
However, if you’re a couple looking for some countryside romance or a family looking for an affordable place to take the rugrats, then it makes for an excellent day trip from the River City. From hot air ballooning, rally car racing, and swimming at the Orion Lagoon, it has a surprisingly long checklist of alluring activities and attractions for everyone to enjoy.
And there’s no better way to take a break from all that fun, intrigue and exploration than by visiting one of the many parks in Ipswich, where you can not only enjoy a picnic, BBQ, or get together in the great outdoors but experience the city’s nature and bushwalking scene, which is a big part of the greater region’s appeal. Here are some of the best that I’ve come across living here for two decades.
👉 My top 3 picks for Parks In Ipswich:
- Queens Park.
- Robelle Domain.
- Kholo Gardens.
Most Picturesque Parks In Ipswich.
1. Queens Park.
No park in Ipswich is as magical to walk through or picnic at as Queens Park. Culturally significant as it is one of Queensland’s oldest parklands, what makes this massive 26-hectare public space such a beautiful place to visit is that it still retains every bit of its old-world charm from its mid-1800s beginnings. This was somehow despite the incorporation of modern, new elements without altering the regal feel of its stunning gardens and landscapes, perfectly maintaining the picturesque scenery beloved by people throughout the generations.
We’re talking about giant shady trees and stunning stone architecture being some of the park’s most striking features that have been there since the early days, with the addition of electric BBQs and a 21st-century playground, giving it a modern flair, without taking away its regal beauty.
This makes it a gorgeous place for all the typical daytime park activities such as fun family picnics, BBQs and running around, before watching the sunset cast gorgeous golden colours over Limestone Street from Lions Lookout near the Visitor Information Centre.
Then, for all the romantics out there, the lookout can be just the start of a romantic date in Ipswich, as this park is an exceptional setting for an unforgettable, atmospheric, after-dark, picnic with your significant other, especially if you bring some fairy lights to illuminate the best bits, like the tree atop the stone pyramid across the road from the Visitor Information Centre.
⭐️ Information:
- Scenery: Heritage gardens.
- Suitable For: Families, couples, big get-togethers.
- Surface: Grass.
- Picnic Tables: Yes.
- BBQs: Yes.
- Playground: Yes.
- Cafe: Yes.
- Distance From Car Park: Close.
- Toilets: Yes.
✔️ Pros & ❌ Cons.
- ✔️ Beautiful, heritage gardens.
- ✔️ Modern facilities.
- ✔️ Tonnes of space to roam.
- ❌ Gets busy.
⭐️Nearby Attractions:
- Visitors Information Centre.
- Lions Lookout.
- Nerima Gardens.
2. Nerima Gardens.
While visiting Queens Park and its expansive grounds, another great place to check out is the Nerima Gardens. This stunning Japanese Garden is a gorgeous and serene place that has all the hallmarks of these iconic foreign gardens, such as ponds, bridges, a creek, and traditional huts scattered amongst immaculately manicured gardens and lawns, making you feel like you’ve been transported to a gorgeous East Asian country.
This makes it a fantastic place to enjoy a picnic on the grass or scout out one of the benches hidden amongst the stunning curated landscapes that provide picnickers with their own secret hideaway.
What’s also great about this tranquil, picturesque place is the many ducks and water dragons that love the place just as much as the visitors; swimming in the water, wandering around on the ground and sitting on the rocks, perfect for observing, photographing or just enjoying the company of the local wildlife.
👉 To experience more Japanese tranquillity, enjoy a traditional tea ceremony at the Nerima Gardens. Fees apply.
⭐️ Information:
- Scenery: Traditional Japanese gardens & architecture.
- Suitable For:
- Surface: Grass.
- Picnic Tables: Benches.
- BBQs: No.
- Playground: No.
- Cafe: –
- Distance From Car Park: Short distance.
- Toilets: In Queens Park.
✔️ Pros & ❌ Cons.
- ✔️ Beautifully manicured garden with peaceful hideaway areas.
- ✔️ Transported to another part of the world.
- ❌ Can get busy.
⭐️Nearby Attractions:
- Queens Park.
- Lions Lookout.
- Visitor Information Centre.
👉 Quick Guide to Ipswich:
- 🚗 Getting Around: Renting a car is the best. (Taxis & Ubers are expensive!)
- 🌄 Must-Do Activities: Hot Air Balloon Ride, swimming at Orion Lagoon or Colleges Crossing, Willowbank Raceway Driving Experience.
- 🏠 Best Ipswich Hotel: Country Motel Ipswich.
3. Robelle Domain.
If you’re looking for a place that has plenty of space and engaging elements to keep the kids entertained for hours while the parents relax and catch up with each other or join them in their exploration endeavours, it’s hard to go past Robelle Domain. Located in the Springfield part of Ipswich, this massive 24-hectare parkland features over 11km of boardwalks, walking tracks, playgrounds, interactive equipment, a zero-level water park and so much more. AKA, it’s kiddy heaven.
And that’s before including the absolute best part about this place: Orion Lagoon. It’s a gorgeous resort-style swimming pool precinct that isn’t just one of Ipswich’s top attractions, but it is also COMPLETELY for the public to use, which doesn’t just make it the perfect place for a family outing, but an elite weekend date destination for couples looking to cool off in the summer and do it on a budget!
There are also plenty of tables and free BBQs for when it’s time to cook up a storm to refuel all that burnt-off energy and lush, lawns for those relaxing picnics on the grass moments and since it’s right next to the Orion Shopping Centre, is also a great place for some retail therapy, making it a great place to spend an easy-going day out.
⭐️ Information:
- Scenery: Bushland
- Suitable For: Families, couples, big get-togethers.
- Surface: Grass.
- Picnic Tables: Yes.
- BBQs: Yes.
- Playground: Yes.
- Cafe: Yes.
- Distance From Car Park: Various.
- Toilets: Yes.
✔️ Pros & ❌ Cons.
- ✔️ Super dymanic with lots of different spaces and play areas.
- ✔️ FREE and patrolled, modern resort-style swimming lagoons.
- ✔️ Close to Orion Shopping Centre.
- ❌ Can be very busy, especially on weekends, school holidays and in summer.
⭐️Nearby Attractions:
- Orions Lagoon
- Orion Shopping Centre.
4. Colleges Crossing Recreation Reserve.
Wanna get out of the city and suburbia and enjoy somewhere that makes you feel more connected to nature? Well, if you always wanted river scenery thrown in with that, then there is no better place to go than Colleges Crossing.
It’s one of Ipswich’s most iconic natural attractions and is a gorgeous place to picnic and enjoy many outdoor activities, thanks to the large recreation reserve’s idyllic position sitting on the banks of the tranquil upper Brisbane River. The foremost thing that people absolutely love about it is that it is one of Ipswich and Brisbane’s elite wild swimming holes (***See note below), attracting people of all ages to go swimming in its beautiful, gently flowing waters.
Kayakers also love doing short paddling adventures along with stunning stretch of river, thanks to the boat ramp, gentle slopes to the bank, closeness to the car park and ease of being able to supervise their fellow compatriots for a fair distance as they head upstream. There are also often ducks, pelicans and even eagles hanging out there, perfect for budding photographers and bird lovers.
Meanwhile, on land, the huge grassy area is great for relaxing on the ground and doing plenty of activities, like sports, running around, flying a kite and playing with the dog, ’cause it’s also pet friendly, while the playground helps facilitate fun without having to bring any equipment. Plus, the numerous sheltered tables, free electric BBQs and a cafe that’s occassionally open for when the stomachs rumble to tie it all together.
***Note: With a reported higher presence of bull sharks and several floods and Cyclone Alfred affecting the water quality, swimming may no longer be suitable.
⭐️ Information:
- Scenery: Peaceful river scenery.
- Suitable For:
- Surface: Grass.
- Picnic Tables: Yes.
- BBQs: Yes.
- Playground: Yes.
- Cafe: Yes.
- Distance From Car Park: Short.
- Toilets: Yes.
✔️ Pros & ❌ Cons.
- ✔️ Fully immersed in nature.
- ✔️ Beautiful nature scenery.
- ✔️ Lots of space to run around.
- ✔️ Dog-friendly.
- ❌ Can be busy, especially on weekends and public holidays.
- ❌ May no longer be suitable for wild swimming.
- ❌ The bridge is often closed after heavy rain.
- ❌ This place is very prone to flooding and can be unvisitable for significant periods of time.
5. Riverheart Parklands.
Another great place to picnic in Ipswich is at the Riverheart Parklands. Running along the city’s most notable geographic feature, the Bremer River, it consists of a small park overlooking the picturesque riverine landscape and a walkway that follows the tributary of the Brisbane River to Bob Gamble Park.
The park has some picnic tables and BBQs and is great for a delightful, scenic outdoor refuel that’s close to the heart of the action, while the track is also a must-do before or after eating. This is because it has a beautiful boardwalk that takes you away from the traffic and close to the water before coming back up to road level, where the lush trees of the King Edward Parade are just an absolutely gorgeous addition to the scenery. Plus, the park is great for kids to run around in at the end if you are walking with them. (More on Bob Gamble Park below.)
⭐️ Information:
- Scenery: Bremer River.
- Suitable For: Solo, couples.
- Surface: No grass.
- Picnic Tables: Yes. – Sheltered.
- BBQs: Yes.
- Playground: No.
- Cafe: No.
- Distance From Car Park: Close.
- Toilets: Yes.
✔️ Pros & ❌ Cons.
- ✔️ Close to the city.
- ✔️ Scenic River views.
- ❌ Road noise.
- ❌ Only very small.
- ❌ No grassy areas.
⭐️Nearby Attractions:
- CBD.
- Riverlink Shopping Centre.
Flinders-Goolman Reserve.
Not far south of Ipswich, where the city and suburban sprawl have ended and it’s all countryside from there on out, lies Teviot Range, a distinct lineup of mountains that dominate the eastern side of the road with beautiful ,majestic peaks.
And you know what the best thing is about these unmissable landmarks? It’s not just that they are beautiful to photograph. No, it’s that you can actually visit two sections of it, picnic at each of them and hike several trails, including some of this region’s best.
6. Flinders Plum.
Flinders Plum is the southernmost of the two sections and home to the most delightfully small and hidden parks in Ipswich. There is only one shelter with a couple of tables, a single BBQ, and a patch of grass. It’s basically a picnic spot designed for a group of one and absolutely wonderful when you can score the place for yourself, which is easy on weekends when it’s not school holidays.
So if you love the idea of being in a beautiful enclosed setting at the base of the mountains, far away from it all and surrounded by the sounds of nature, it makes an especially great place for romantic picnics, lying on the grass and looking up at the clouds while you ponder the future!
It’s even better if you love hikes, as it’s home to the region’s best challenging hiking trail: Flinders Peak. Not only is it the highest peak in the Teviot Range, which you can see on the right in the picture above, but it is also the region’s tallest mountain, which is even more of an enticing invitation to tackle it. It’s a relentless 6km slog up the mountain face and back if you are willing to accept the challenge, but those who do are rewarded with magnificent panoramic views from the top, as well as plenty of stunning scenery along the way, perfect for outdoor enthusiastic people, before or after their picnic in the park.
If that sounds a bit too intense, there’s the slightly easier and a bit shorter 4km return walk up to Mt Blaine, which is also all endless ascension to the saddle, where beautiful views of Flinders Peak, perfected framed by trees await, which you can enjoy from the bench there is installed up there.
⭐️ Information:
- Scenery: Mountains.
- Suitable For: Solo, couples.
- Surface: Grass.
- Picnic Tables: Sheltered.
- BBQs: Yes.
- Playground: No.
- Cafe: No.
- Distance From Car Park: Close.
- Toilets: Yes.
⭐️Nearby Attractions:
- Hiking trails.
✔️ Pros & ❌ Cons.
- ✔️ Fully immersed in nature.
- ✔️ Great if you can get the picnic area to yourself.
- ✔️ Some of the best scenic hiking trails in Ipswich.
- ❌ Little bit of a rough road for conventional vehicles. However, it’s usually passable.
- ❌ Very small picnic area.
7. Hardings Paddock.
Over on the northern side is the substantially larger Harding’s Paddock. Here, there’s plenty of wide open space and sheltered tables and BBQs to use, suitable for everything from parties of one or two to big family and friend group get-togethers and lots of areas to run around and enjoy all kinds of outdoor fun and activity without getting in the way of others. Plus, there are often wild kangaroos hanging out here and in the nearby shrub, especially when it’s not busy, which is always a delight, so don’t forget your camera.
This place also has some picturesque walks, ranging from short and easy strolls that you can easily do with the kids and grandparents to challenging ones up the mountains that’ll test your fitness. I like to combine the trail to Rocky Knoll with the Goolman Lookout tracking, completing the two hardest trails and one loop and getting the scenery from both, with the officially named viewpoint the best, with views overlooking the mountain peak of the same name and the vast countryside of the Greater Ipswich and Scenic Rim regions.
What’s also great about this place is that your visit here doesn’t have to end when daytime does, as it has Ipswich’s only council-run campground. So you can spend the night creating even more memories under the stars, and maybe even see some of the nocturnal animals that call this place home, perfect for romantic overnight trips with your partner or nature escapes with the family.
⭐️ Information:
- Scenery: Countryside & bushland
- Suitable For: Families, couples, big get-togethers.
- Surface: Grass
- Picnic Tables: Yes.
- BBQs: Yes.
- Playground: No.
- Cafe: No.
- Distance From Car Park: Close.
- Toilets: Yes.
⭐️Nearby Attractions:
- Hardings Paddock Campground.
- Hiking trails.
✔️ Pros & ❌ Cons.
- ✔️ Fully immersed in nature.
- ✔️Big, open picnic area.
- ✔️ Some tracks are a good physical workout.
- ✔️ Great place to go camping in Ipswich.
- ✔️ Often kangaroos, especially on quiet days.
- ❌ Some trails aren’t that scenic.
8. Kholo Gardens.
Another fantastic Ipswich park to visit for a peaceful day out is Kholo Gardens. Located just off the highway at the Kholo/North Ipswich (Riverside Drive) exit, this hidden gem is a beautiful, low-key place to enjoy bushland, rainforest and river scenery thanks to its location on the banks of the Brisbane River.
Several short walking trails lie scattered throughout and are great for a gentle stroll. There are even some picture lookouts along the way and a kayaking launching area too, but it’s a fair way from the car park along the trail, so it’s not exactly suitable for solo paddlers.
As for picnicking, it’s a beautiful place to do that too, with mown grassy areas for lying down on blankets, tables and BBQs for eating at and cooking. And if you’re looking for a peaceful location for a wedding, you can even do that at the chapel they have there!
⭐️ Information:
- Scenery: River, bushland, rainforest and pond.
- Suitable For: Solo, Families, couples.
- Surface: Grass.
- Picnic Tables: yes.
- BBQs: Yes.
- Cafe: No.
- Distance From Car Park: Various
- Toilets: Yes.
✔️ Pros & ❌ Cons.
- ✔️ Peaceful hidden gem.
- ✔️ Great for solo, couples & family visits.
- ❌ Can get busy on weekends.
- ❌ May not be parking, especially if there is an event.
9. Bob Gamble Parklands.
Down at the eastern end of the Riverheart Parklands lies one of the best parks in Ipswich for kids: the Bob Gamble Parklands. Packed to the T with modern play equipment, it is fantastic for your mini-mes to burn off all their pent-up energy. Watch them go nuts on the playground equipment, climbing frames, zero-level water park, a 25m flying fox and swings before switching gears and running through the discovery forest, with balance beam, forts and totem poles, then cycling around the bike track. It’s sure to keep them entertained for hours.
It’ll certainly build up their appetite so they’ll be raring to eat the plant-based BBQ meal you’re cooking on site or the packed lunch you brought for the picnic.
⭐️ Information:
- Scenery: River.
- Suitable For: Families.
- Surface: Various.
- Picnic Tables: Yes.
- BBQs: Yes.
- Playground: Yes.
- Cafe: No.
- Distance From Car Park: Close.
- Toilets: Yes & showers.
⭐️Nearby Attractions:
- Riverheart Parklands.
✔️ Pros & ❌ Cons.
- ✔️ Fun & interactive.
- ✔️ Modern equipment.
- ✔️ Great for cooling off in summer.
- ❌ Only really for kids and their families.
- ❌ Gets busy after school and on weekends.
- ❌Close to the road.
10. Splash ‘n’ Play Adventure Park.
If your kid’s idea of a perfect picnic spot includes burning energy like they’ve OD’d on sugar while running through water fountains, then Splash ‘n’ Play Adventure Park in Providence is the go.
With bubbling streams, spurting jets, and climbing towers galore, this place is a sun-safe water wonderland made for toddlers, teens, and every little rascal in between, making it one of the best parks in Ipswich for families to set up for an easy, breezy day out that’ll wear the kids out so they’re not squirming around by the time you’ve got lunch prepared using the picnic facilities that the place has on hand.
The splash zone is open from 8am to 6pm daily during the warmer months, so you’ve got all day to let the young ones run wild.
⭐️ Information:
- Scenery: –
- Suitable For: Families.
- Surface: Various.
- Picnic Tables: Yes.
- BBQs: Yes.
- Playground: Yes.
- Cafe: Yes.
- Distance From Car Park: Close.
- Toilets: Yes.
✔️ Pros & ❌ Cons.
- ✔️ Fun and interactive.
- ✔️ Modern play spaces.
- ✔️ Great for cooling off in summer.
- ❌ Only really for kids and families.
- ❌ Can be very busy, especially in the warmer months.
11. Haig Street Quarry Bushland Quarry.
If you’re craving a peaceful spot that feels a little more off the beaten picnic path, Haig Street Quarry Bushland Reserve might be the hidden gem you’ve been looking for.
Once a working quarry, this reclaimed space has been transformed into a lush bushland retreat, complete with walking tracks, a pond where the former mining operations took place and one of the city’s picturesque lookouts, with distant views of mountains. Just nearby are sheltered tables and BBQs, making it a fantastic place for a scenic picnic.
There are even more facilities like this at the playground where you can also let the kids run wild for a while before taking them and the dog for a bushwalk along the tracks, because, yep, this place is pet-friendly too. 🙂
⭐️ Information:
- Scenery: Quarry lake & mountains.
- Suitable For: Families.
- Surface: Grass.
- Picnic Tables: Yes.
- BBQs: Yes.
- Playground: Yes.
- Cafe: No.
- Distance From Car Park: Close.
- Toilets: Yes.
✔️ Pros & ❌ Cons.
- ✔️ Close by nature escape.
- ✔️ Scenic lookout.
- ❌ Walking trails aren’t that interesting.
12. Joseph Brady Park.
Looking for an underrated scenic park in Ipswich that even most of the locals don’t know about? Tucked away at the junction of the Bremer and Brisbane Rivers at the edge of a super low-key residential suburb lies Joseph Brady Park.
With gorgeous river views for days of where these two key SEQ waterways merge, it’s a fantastic place for couples to relax with a peaceful, picture-perfect picnic watching the clouds go by and the eagles soar past.
It’s also a great place for families where they can also make use of the BBQ facilities for cooking and the playground and open spaces for zrunning around and playing with the kids. Plus a kayak launching area for paddle activities on the water.
⭐️ Information:
- Scenery: River.
- Suitable For: Families, couples, big get-togethers.
- Surface: Grass.
- Picnic Tables: Yes.
- BBQs: Yes.
- Playground: Yes.
- Cafe: No.
- Distance From Car Park: Close.
- Toilets: Yes.
✔️ Pros & ❌ Cons.
- ✔️ Peaceful and out of the way.
- ✔️ Easy parking.
- ❌ Awkward to reach and not near anything else.
Where To Stay In Ipswich.
- Budget: Harding’s Paddock Campground.
- Mid-Range: Country Motel Ipswich.
- Luxury: Quest Ipswich.
Conclusion: Best Parks In Ipswich, Australia.
Ipswich may be a little off the tourist trail for most travellers, but those willing to venture out to the heritage city will be surprised as it has an abundance of fantastic things to do.
