Workshops Rail Museum
North Street, Ipswich, Queensland, 4305
History chugs to life at the Workshops Rail Museum—affectionately known as The Workshops—in Ipswich, Queensland. As the site from which the state’s first train ran over 145 years ago, the museum celebrates the social, technical, and cultural impacts of rail transport and travel on Australia. Exhibits cover the introduction of diesel trains, great Australian rail journeys, and more.
The basics
Back in the day, blacksmiths, carpenters, painters, metal workers, and other artisans built and repaired locomotives, wagons, carriages, and rail motors at the Ipswich Railway Workshops. To honor those operations, this rail museum opened in 2002, combining hands-on exhibits with the experience of witnessing the oldest continually running railway workshop in Australia. The museum features 15 permanent exhibits, including a dedicated children’s playground, and is home to an impressive model railway that depicts scenes from across the region.
Things to know before you go
The museum is accessible for visitors bringing prams or strollers. Exhibition areas in the museum are accessed via gently sloping ramps or are at ground level.
All entrances and the majority of the museum are wheelchair accessible; wheelchairs are available from the ticket office located at the entrance and are free of charge.
Wi-Fi is available for public use at the museum.
How to get there
The Workshops Rail Museum is located in Ipswich, Queensland, about a 40-minute drive from Brisbane and just over an hour by train. The museum is located on the Westside Bus Company’s route 515; the closest bus stop to the museum is about 66 feet (20 meters) from the front entrance.
When to get there
The museum is open daily and is closed on major holidays. Museum heritage tours take place twice a day. The museum gets crowded during school holidays, so keep that in mind when planning your visit. It also hosts family-friendly events throughout the year, so check the website for the most up-to-date info.
More family-friendly activities in Ipswich
Ipswich offers many options for travelers with kids—from steam trains to baby goats. Queens Park boasts a playground as well as formal gardens, a cafe, and the Ipswich Nature Centre, which is home to Australian wildlife, including kangaroos, wombats, bilbies, goats, snakes, and birds housed in a large, walk-through aviary. Orion Lagoon features one of the biggest public lagoons in the Southern Hemisphere, barbecue facilities, picnic areas, and a cafe for a fun day out with the family.
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