Need to burn off some serious kid energy without it costing a cent? Ipswich is home to an impressive array of parks that go well beyond the everyday swing and slide. From epic water playgrounds to mini bike tracks (one even has a free zoo!), here are five of the best parks in Ipswich you must visit.
5 Epic parks in Ipswich you must visit
Robelle Domain Parklands
Spanning 24 hectares and with walking tracks, cycleways, barbecues, playgrounds, sheltered picnic benches and large grassy areas, Robelle Domain is one the best parks in Ipswich for families.
The main attraction for families is Orion Lagoon, which has swimming pools up to 1.5m deep at one end and shallow streams with stepping stones perfect for toddlers at the other. Across the road from the lagoon (while not officially part of Robelle Domain), you’ll find the vast Orion Playground, which includes a colossal three-storey tower with mega slides and a 16-metre skywalk bridge. There are also rope climbing structures, inbuilt trampolines, swings, a music panel and plenty of toddler-sized play equipment.
Robelle Domain also features a zero-depth water park with a giant tipping bucket and jet sprays. Surrounding the water park is various play equipment, including swings, see-saws and climbing equipment. There is even a kids’ interactive music area.
Orion Lagoon in Robella Domain Parklands
Faye Carr Park
There is something for everyone at Faye Carr Park! There is a play zone for the little ones, with swings and rope ladders. Plus, there is a super-cute bike track with a mini roundabout and road signs.
Energetic kids can blast off in the rocket ship playground, which features interactive activities, sensory panels, musical equipment, and multiple climbing frames and slides. Then, on the other side of the park is a large double-lane flying fox so the kids can race their friends.
If you are feeling sporty, there is a netball court, a basketball court, several sporting fields and even a 12-piece fitness circuit. And the park has plenty of seating, picnic tables, barbecues and toilets, so you can make a day of it.
Queens Park
Queens Park is one of those places where you can easily spend the entire day. Home to the Ipswich Nature Centre, this pram-friendly zoo cares for an array of animals, including wallabies, turtles, birds, reptiles, and marsupials. The walk-through aviary, Bilby tunnel and petting barn are all excellent ways for kids to get up close and meet the animals. Entry is free, but a gold coin donation is appreciated.
Queens Park also has a fab playground with a small water play area, a train, slides, multiple swings, a liberty swing, a climbing wall, and one of the most enormous flying foxes in the region.
A wallaby and joey on a rock at Ipswich Nature Centre, Queens Park
Bob Gamble Park
Another epic Ipswich park with both water and adventure play, Bob Gamble Park is a favourite for Ipswich kids of all ages.
There are two water play areas: one consists of a collection of water troughs and shallow streams with stepping stones, ideal for little ones; the other has numerous water spouts, perfect for the older kids to play in.
There is also an impressive playground with a climbing frame and slides, swings, sand diggers and a 25-metre flying fox. Kids will also love the Discovery Forest set amongst the trees, with two forts, balance beams, wooden totem poles, a sailing boat and more to ignite their imagination.
Ripley’s Splash ‘n’ Play
Are you looking to cool off? Ripley’s Splash ’n’ Play Park is where it’s at. Featuring water fountains and sprayers that cater for kids of all ages, shallow streams to play in, and plenty of benches scattered around for supervising parents, it’s great for families. There is a playground for the smaller kids, with climbing equipment, swings and nets, and one for the older kids, with a massive fort, giant slides and a flying fox.
Ripley Splash n Play is a great place to cool off in summer
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