Ipswich City Council

Queens Park

Queens Park contains significant cultural heritage values not only for Ipswich but for Queensland.  Queens Park was the first park to be developed in Queensland, first being surveyed in 1842. Its original architectural design dates back to 1862 and is perhaps Ipswich's most well know landmark.  Visitors to the park will experience old world charm with modern day conveniences.

Its close proximity to the Ipswich City Centre allows for easy access to shady gardens and a relaxing lunch time outing.

Features of the park include extensive formalised garden beds, Nerima Gardens (a Japanese-styled garden), the Ipswich Nature Centre, Children's play facilities, Bush House, Bush Chapel, several sporting Clubs, Kiosk and the new Environmental Education Centre.

 Queens Park Map (PDF, 1.3 mb) 

Opening Times

Queens Park is open 24 hours per day (though only selected areas have lighting). 

Queens Park Environmental Education Centre

The Queens Park Environmental Education Centre is housed next to the brand new Kiosk, in the centre of the City's premier parkland.  This fantastic new facility provides a large conference room and environmental education exhibit.  The display showcases Ipswich's unique natural environment and waterways.  There is also an extensive array of information about Council's environmental initiatives, including:

• how to reduce, reuse and recycle household waste
• what you can place in your compost bin or worm farm
• some handy household tips to reduce your carbon footprint
• where you can go to explore the great outdoors on foot, pushbike or horseback
• what are the benefits of becoming a voluntary conservation partner, or
• how we can all improve our waterways

Nestled amongst the prominent fig trees, the building itself is a great example to residents of environmental design features.  Passive solar design and energy efficient measures make the most of natural lighting.  Insulation, large overhangs and wide verandas provide protection from the western sun, reducing the reliance on air conditioning.  The elevated structure allows for natural airflow and free water movement across the site.  You can also check out the GreenWall, a vertical planting of ferns and native crows nests. 

Conference Room Bookings

The Conference Room is available for bookings of community activities, such as:
- medium to large meetings
- workshops, and
- seminars

The facilities provided include: overhead projector, screen, lectern with microphone, tables and chairs.  There are no cooking facilities available within the Conference Room, however, you may like to arrange catering with the Kiosk right next door.

Opening Times

For further information about the Queens Park Environmental Education Centre or to book the Conference Room contact Council on (07) 3810 6666.

Ipswich Nature Centre 

Ipswich Nature Centre features a range of Australian wildlife, lush landscaped gardens and exhibits that have been recreated to represent local bushland and flora communities.

The Centre is open six days a week and is located within Queens Park, Milford Street Ipswich.  Admission is free, however a donation of a gold coin would be appreciated.  All donations will be used for the care of the animals and future improvements to the Nature Centre.

Schools and other large groups are requested to pre-book their visit at least one month in advance.  

Please enjoy your visit to the Ipswich Nature Centre.  To assist us in maintaining the grounds and the caring for the birds and animals please observe the following during your visit:

• Please do not feed the animals
• Please do not picnic within the Nature Centre
• Please do not smoke within the Nature Centre
• Please do not enter any of the animal enclosures
• Please stay on the paths provided
• Children to be accompanied by an adult at all times
• No pets are allowed

Opening Times

For further information about the Ipswich Nature Centre contact Council on (07) 3810 6666.

Nerima Gardens

Nerima Gardens are the Japanese Gardens of Ipswich.  A place of peace and tranquillity, a place to meet nature and calm the spirit.

Opening Times

For further information about Nerima Gardens contact Council on (07) 3810 6666. 

 

Journey Through Nerima Gardens

Design philosophy

The first stage of Nerima Gardens was opened on 17 May 2001 by former Ipswich Mayor John Nugent and Mayor Saburo Iwanami of Nerima to commemorate the Sister City Relationship between Ipswich City and Nerima City, Japan.

Nerima Gardens has been designed in consultation with Ipswich City's sister city Nerima.  The philosophy of the garden is to create a place of peace and tranquillity, a place to meet nature and calm the spirit.

The garden is designed to take advantage of the existing vegetation and landform of Queens Park in such a way that the visitor is taken on a journey of discovery, where the perspective of the garden changes and lightens the heart.

Nerima Gardens seeks to capture the elements of a Japanese style garden whilst retaining a distinctly Ipswich identity through the use of local plants including rare and endangered species.

The garden is a picture of the local environment and how Ipswich fits within South East Queensland.  The first stage of the garden portrays the ocean with latter stages to be added that will portray more closely the character of the Ipswich region, its rivers, mountainous peaks and vegetation.

Design Elements

1. Walled Entry Gates - built in a craftsmen's tradition, the gates give the first impression of the special character of the garden. A passage through the gates is a passage to oneness with the earth and the elements of nature.
   
2. The Peace Bridge - linking land on two sides over flowing water symbolises unity and the coming together of people and cultures.
   
3. The Path - a journey of discovery through changing landscapes and seasons.
   
4. The Sea - source of life and elemental power, the sea has rhythm and constancy whilst always changing.
   
5. The Boat - setting sail from it's protected part on it's journey of discovery.
   
6. A Forest Walk - a place of cool seclusion away from the paths of others. A place to be still.
   
7. The Life Bridge - at the juncture of a change of landscape the Life Bridge gives time to pause, to contemplate ones place in the world. The Life Bridge symbolises the many changes in direction throughout ones life and the opportunity to move on to new life experiences.
   
8. The Raked Garden - a garden within a garden expresses in miniature an island in the sea.
   
9. A Fish Scaled Beach - links to the constancy of the sea and all it provides.
   
10. Waterfalls - Bremer and Brisbane Rivers meet and flow into the sea.

Construction of the Gardens 

The first stage of the garden has been constructed over a 12 month period utilising Ipswich City Council staff and a variety of employment initiatives.  The first element to be constructed was the Sea, its island and rockwork.  The Entry Gate, Bridges and pathways were then added before finally the planting.

No significant vegetation was removed during the construction of the garden and it has been designed to allow access by wheel chairs.

The garden will be a dynamic landscape and will change with the seasons.  As a garden of this nature is considered young at 500 years we do not presume that it will reach its full potential for many years to come, however as the two cities of Ipswich and Nerima grow so to will this garden.

Significance of the Sister City Relationship Between Ipswich and Nerima

In October 1988 a delegation led by the then Nerima Deputy Mayor Mitsuishi visited Australia seeking a Sister City.  After visiting three Australian cities, Ipswich was selected as the most suitable owing to the similarities between the two cities.

Like Ipswich, Nerima is located adjacent to a capital City, namely Tokyo.  Nerima is 48.17 square kilometres and one of twenty-three Wards of Tokyo.  Other similarities are the proximity to an international airport and both Ipswich and Nerima are in the same time zone.

After agreement by both parties, the Sister City relationship was formalised on 15 October 1994.

The relationship involves cultural activities such as student exchanges, book exchanges and children's art exchange programs.

Business exchange is also an outcome of the relationship with local products such as clay pavers and emu meat now being exported to Nerima and resulting in economic benefits to Ipswich.

Tourism is another main beneficiary of the relationship as numerous Nerima residents have visited Ipswich to see their sister City.

The Ipswich Rotary Club has a Sister Club relationship with Tokyo Nerima West Rotary Club which was formalised in February 1992 prior to the Sister City relationship.

The Sister City relationship aims to forge goodwill between Cities of different countries, cultures and experiences.  Nerima Gardens celebrates this relationship and helps to share cultural knowledge for the benefit of all.

A Guide to Nerima Gardens

 Nerima Gardens Guide (PDF, 623 kb)

Ipswich City Council would like to thank the following sponsors:

• Nerima City Office Tokyo
• Nerima-West Rotary Club
• Mr Kazusuke Takahashi-Agora Landscaping Company
• JC Beaumont Earthmoving
• Brisbane Rock Sales
• Landmark
• Civil & Marine
• The Scape Artists
• Mt Marrow Quarries
• Ipswich Town & Country
• Ikumi Anayama & Family

Last Updated 24 Sep 2009 | Print this page | Contact us | News Feeds | Copyright © 2009 Ipswich City Council
Printed From: http://www.ipswich.qld.gov.au/about_ipswich/parks_reserves_precincts/queens_park

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