Queens Park
Queens Park
4.5
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
About
One of the oldest parks in Queensland, Queens Park boasts enormous, shady trees dotted around the picturesque green expanse on the hill at the eastern entrance to the city. A perfect place to spread out the picnic rug, fire up the barbie and spend a pleasant few hours. If you're not such a BYO person, the indoor-outdoor Queens Park Café offers everything for the hungry park-goer, including a special Kids' Menu. Next door to the Café, is the Environmental Education Centre with some fun interactive displays. Queens Park's playground was inspired by Ipswich's coal mining history, with an impressive design incorporating a flying fox, fixed model train, Liberty Swing for people in wheelchairs to enjoy a ride, and water pumps. And if that's not enough, there are two more amazing, free attractions - the Japanese-themed Nerima Gardens, and the Ipswich Nature Centre which has been delighting visitors since 1936. Enter the Ipswich Nature Centre through the historical rotunda and be charmed by wallabies contentedly nibbling or dozing, and other native animals such as wombats, emus, bilbies and water birds in their authentic habitats. Then there's the barn where the younger ones won't be able to resist farm animals such as pigs, calves, guinea pigs and lambs. Nerima Gardens was designed in consultation with Ipswich's sister city in Japan. A model traditional Japanese tea house, constant sound of flowing water, winding paths and charming gardens make this a tranquil and calming space. A unique factor is that Australian native plants have been used, with some being indigenous to Ipswich.
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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4.5
404 reviews
Excellent
282
Very good
109
Average
8
Poor
2
Terrible
3
Keith O
Forest Hill, Australia59 contributions
Jan 2020
The way queens park is set out is well thought out and family friendly with concrete paths for prams wheel chairs etc.
The animal enclosures need a bit of work but are still pretty good for getting a look at some of the native wildlife in the area.
What lets the park down badly is that it is used for drugs after dark and they addicts don't clean up after themselves.
During a recent walk on a Monday morning I saw not less than 5 discarded syringes and the accompanying small zip lock bags.
So keep an eye open and watch where the kids walk and play.
The animal enclosures need a bit of work but are still pretty good for getting a look at some of the native wildlife in the area.
What lets the park down badly is that it is used for drugs after dark and they addicts don't clean up after themselves.
During a recent walk on a Monday morning I saw not less than 5 discarded syringes and the accompanying small zip lock bags.
So keep an eye open and watch where the kids walk and play.
Written 7 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Zoë M
Kent, UK46 contributions
Sept 2011 • Family
Queens Park at Ipswich is home to a fabulous Australian wildlife park on Brisbane's doorstep at Ipswich (about 30 minute drive from Brisbane City). There are a range of wallabies, kangaroos, a wombat or two, dingoes, black swans (lovely looking but unfriendly birds, don't get close) and other native Australian animals. A nocturnal house is a recent development in the wildlife area and this houses a number of small mammals and other night time creatures. The park is wheelchair accessible and child friendly. There is a petting area with farmyard animals and also a walk in bird aviary. A great thing about this park is that it is almost free! This park is run by the local council and entry fee is a gold coin. Across the carpark from the park are Japanese Peace Gardens which are also very pleasant to walk around. These have little brooks and bridges and children love playing in them. Refreshments are available across the road at the Queens Park Kiosk/Cafe which has a pretty plentiful budget priced menu, and under cover seating. If the young ones still need to work off some energy (or better still, get them to do this prior to visiting the animals so they don't disturb them too much) there is also a well equipped playground in the main part of the park. If you a Brisbanite with overseas visitors who are keen to see some native wildlife, this is an excellent place to bring them to without breaking the bank, as well as providing a great family day out.
Written 28 April 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kirsty B
Brisbane, Australia37 contributions
Queens Park is full of different things for everyone - Japanese Gardens, massive play area, a cafe and the Nature Centre.
The Nature Centre has a great mix of Australian animals including kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, snakes, birds and even some bilbies. There is also an area with farm animals. Admission is free but a gold coin donation is requested. Don't miss it!
The Nature Centre has a great mix of Australian animals including kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, snakes, birds and even some bilbies. There is also an area with farm animals. Admission is free but a gold coin donation is requested. Don't miss it!
Written 10 August 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cheekymav22
Ipswich, Australia46 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
A park that has many options covering needs for all occasions. Nice picnic areas including tables or grass areas. Plenty of activities for children including a versatile playground which includes a flying fox. There’s a free mini zoo for all ages with lots of native animals to see. Overall a beautiful location.
Written 9 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travelbug255068
Brisbane, Australia66 contributions
Mar 2018 • Family
A great place to spend a day with friends and family. Children of all ages can enjoy the swings and playground. The zoo is a fantastic place to visit and watch the animals roaming around their enclosures. The zoo is free to the public. A relaxing stroll around the Japanese Garden is a good way to work off the delicious meal or snack from the Queens Park Cafe. If this does not appeal, there is plenty to space to spread out a rug and enjoy a picnic under one of the shady trees that are scattered around the park. The park is beautifully maintained by the Council and is well worth a visit.
Written 28 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jess L
2 contributions
June 2018 • Friends
Came here with a girlfriend and a guy friend to get out of the house and have a bit of fun, completely and utterly behaving, when then a man who had locked the toilet facilities and the flying fox swing approached us and said that we need to get off some website and stop talking smack about him. He then walked away, my girlfriend, a guy mate and myself were terrified but confused. Not impressed.
Written 30 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karen B
16 contributions
Dec 2014
Wonderful children's playground. Free animal exhibit which is first class. Picnic areas under huge shady trees. Japanese gardens again free. Fantastic day out.
Written 18 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jonesfamily2404
2 contributions
Nov 2014
Great for a visit and to teach the children about our wildlife... Great hands on with farm animals. Great fo the whole family..
Written 2 December 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MasonPlanft
26 contributions
I've been a regular at Queen's Park for about two years now. The playground is extensive and very interactive for children of all ages. There's also the free wildlife park with loads of native species, reptiles and aviary. There's also the petting zoo with calves, goats, lambs and poultry. Did I mention that is free? There's also the Japanese gardens that's really worth a look.
There's plenty of shade sails, trees and drinking fountains to make it perfect in hot and sunny weather.
Also, there's the indoor visitor center with indoor interactive displays to keep children busy while you get coffee at the kiosk next door.
There's also an art-deco feel to the place with the tennis and croquet clubs there.
Come along, explore and enjoy. You can easily waste an afternoon here with children. My young ones continually ask to come back here. Highest recommendations.
There's plenty of shade sails, trees and drinking fountains to make it perfect in hot and sunny weather.
Also, there's the indoor visitor center with indoor interactive displays to keep children busy while you get coffee at the kiosk next door.
There's also an art-deco feel to the place with the tennis and croquet clubs there.
Come along, explore and enjoy. You can easily waste an afternoon here with children. My young ones continually ask to come back here. Highest recommendations.
Written 2 June 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linda
Melbourne, Australia6 contributions
Sept 2013 • Friends
Lovely open space with a small zoo and a great adventure playground for the children. Great facilities.
Written 10 September 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Meli1989x, you are permitted to bring dogs into the general park area (including the playground) if the dog remains on a leash at all times and that your dog's droppings are collected and disposed of. Dogs are NOT permitted to the Nerima Gardens and Ipswich Nature Centre (zoo) areas of Queens Park.
Written 7 October 2015
Hi janetbennis, Queens Park is open today, but the Ipswich Nature Centre and Nerima Gardens, which are within the Park, are closed on Mondays. The main park area, including the playground, and the Queens Park Cafe are open today.
Written 6 September 2015
Is it a free park to visit and explore around this Queens park?
Written 21 July 2015
Thanks Julie S for your question. Yes, Ipswich's Queens Park is free to explore. There is free entry to the Park's features including Ipswich Nature Centre, Nerima Gardens and the Environmental Education Centre. Costs would only be involved with the Little Theatre, Croquet Club, Bowls Club, or if you grab a meal or drink from the Cafe.
Written 21 July 2015
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