Friday 26 June 2020

Craving a Weekend Foodie Escape With a Side of Adventure?

For a weekend filled with nature, adventure, gourmet food, craft beers, luxurious accommodation and a rich dose of history then look no further than Ipswich.

In Brisbane's backyard, a short 35 minute drive away, you can find yourself another world away, immersed in nature with spectacular mountain views!

Indulge in unique flavours
Wrap your lips around some award-winning beers at the Pumpyard Bar and Brewery, which also has a standout dining menu.

The chef-hatted Homage Restaurant is open for dinner in the newly built Homestead with a unique paddock to plate menu that celebrates local produce. The restaurant is also open for takeaway and gourmet picnic hampers and is located on-site at the Spicers Hidden Vale resort.

Bakehouse Steakhouse offers up paddock to plate steaks in a modern restaurant inside a heritage building!

The Cottage Restaurant takes fine dining to a new level with private dining areas a working fireplace and succulent food.

Newcomers to the dining scene, Ballistic Springfield Brewery, Bar and Kitchen have a beer-infused menu and are hosting beer tasting tours where you can learn what goes into making your favourite brews.

The award-winning Prince Alfred Hotel has 72 beers on tap to try in the Tap'd bar and gets juicy red claw yabbies direct from the farm for sensational dishes.


Get ready for adventure
Want to surround yourself in nature, while getting your heart rate up? Challenge yourself with the highest peak in the Brisbane region, Flinders Peak. The three to six-hour return trip is rated as a difficult hike.

Or you can take one of the many hiking trails or biking trails at the White Rock Spring Mountain Conservation Estate which has a vast array of plant and wildlife species.

Book into a guided night hike. The Starlight Walking Trail at Flinders is great for beginners and budding astronomers or the City Lights Walking Trail at White Rock is perfect for those with moderate fitness levels.

There's also a guided sunrise hike up Flinders Peak for those with advanced levels of fitness.

Explore over 100km of hiking and biking trails at Hidden Vale Adventure Park. The park is located at Grandchester next door to Spicers Hidden Vale. There are bikes for hire and a shuttle service to help you get farther into the property.

Float majestically over the Ipswich countryside with a Floating Images Hot Air Balloon flight.

Heli-picnic tours are also available with Pterodactyl Helicopters. Book a secluded picnic on the banks of the Brisbane River or one of their winery and heli-pub tours.

Willowbank MX is open for those that like adventure on two wheels. They have a competition track and jumps for plenty of air!

Seraphim Escape Rooms have one of the scariest rooms around the Brisbane area, find out if you can beat the executioner.

After all that adrenaline-inducing adventure you might need a visit to the Ipswich Massage and Herbal Spa – unwind with a relaxing massage at the end of your day.

Explore the country
Stop in at the Watercress Creek Olive and Lime farm shop to buy infused olive oils, tapenades, Rosella jam, lime cordial and fresh olives. The farm is open for group tours and you can pack a picnic to enjoy in the olive grove.

Take a drive out to the country town of Marburg. Stop in at Woodlands of Marburg for a historic mansion tour and lunch package or book a picnic on the sprawling manicured lawns.

Stop by The Soul Nook Collective, a new eclectic shop set inside an old church – private bookings for styled gourmet picnics in bell tents are also on offer. Don't miss Scotland Yard Antiques, The Black Museum and Special Branch Collective coffee shop while you're in town.

Take in some culture
Explore your creative side with a Sip 'n' Dip art class. Classes range from themed paintings, to jewellery making and resin boards, a drink and dinner is included.

Take a stroll through the Ipswich Art Gallery and the Ipswich Antique Centre.

Enjoy a movie at Limelight Cinemas which is open for private bookings for 15-20 people.

Art classes and art sales are available at Jules Art studio in Dinmore.

Soak up some heritage
Take a self-guided walk down the Top of Town to see many beautifully preserved heritage buildings that are now home to restaurants and boutique shops.

There are also heritage trails for the many churches in Ipswich and historic pubs! Pick up a brochure from the Ipswich Visitor Information Centre.


Where to stay
Make the fun last longer with an overnight stay at Quest Ipswich, bookings are being taken now and you can enjoy a complimentary upgrade and early check-in (12pm) and late check-out (12pm).

Spicers Hidden Vale is taking bookings for their Birthversary deal which includes a two-night stay, breakfast, meals at Homage restaurant, Wildlife centre tour, two-hour bike hire at Hidden Vale Adventure Park and more for $1178 for two people.

Quest Springfield is offering a 20% discount with two-night minimum stays.

Springfield Lakes Hotel is offering a reduced rate of $199 per night.

Oaks have special discount deals on their website

For more to see and do visit discoveripswich.com.au

Opening times will vary with Covid-19 restrictions please contact operators to discuss operating hours.

#Holidays, #Opening, #Tours, #Adventure, #FoodandDrink

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