If I'm totally honest, when I decided to drive out to Ipswich and review Queens Park I wasn't expecting too much. However, what I discovered when I got there was quite a treat.
Set off the main road as you come into Ipswich, you immediately feel a mile away from the rat race. A sealed road is surrounded by trees and rolling green lawns.
You can choose to park near the entrance and set up for a picnic or continue driving further up where you can visit the cafe. The cafe is a pleasant environment. It is large and has plenty of seating inside and out. If you choose to sit out on the verandah, you get a lovely view across the park with pleasant breezes coming through the trees. The cafe offers a range of fresh ready to go options, as well as a comprehensive menu.
In addition to the lovely park settings, in the middle of Queens Park, you will surprisingly find a small zoo.
For a gold coin donation you can enter the zoo; here you will find a stroller friendly network of paths and boardwalks that meander around animal exhibits. You can see snakes, wombats, kangaroos and goannas to name a few. There is also a large bird enclosure to walk through.
The highlight would have to be the baby farm enclosure, I would recommend organising your visit to include a feeding time of either 11:30am or 3pm.
The zoo is open Tuesday to Sunday: 9.30am to 4.00pm
Public Holidays: 9.30am to 4.00pm
School Holidays: 9.30am to 4.00pm, 7 days a week.
There are many aspects to Queens Park; you will find an information centre on site to help with any queries you may have.
If you like you can drive to the lookout for views of Ipswich, Mountain Ranges and Cunningham's Gap.
Within the park, there is a beautifully manicured Japanese Garden known as Nerima Gardens, a lovely location for relaxing and soaking up the Japanese tranquility.
Looking for an outdoor wedding venue?
The Bush Chapel is a popular location for weddings with the added bonus of the surrounding parklands, which are perfect for those post wedding snaps.
For the kids there are a number of playgrounds within close proximity to each other, suited to various age groups and with barbecues and tables nearby.
One area of the playground has an interactive water feature where you pump water out into a stream. Whilst it was a fun idea, it was quite dirty and strewn with litter - it was the one place I didn't want my little one to play in.
I would recommend Queens Park as a great place to take the family. If you are looking to get out of the house and go somewhere for a short drive it is the perfect environment to visit.
