We’ve discovered a Dog-Friendly Ipswich – it’s close to the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Northern NSW and Brisbane, and is the perfect place to get away for a short vacation with your four-legged friend. With more and more people starting to travel again after the Covid-19 lockdowns, many are choosing to explore their own state or nearby neighbouring states here in Australia.

Being so close, I’ve enjoyed a couple of trips recently, and thought I’d put together some of my favourite places, and great ideas for you to explore and experience.

1. Dog-friendly Ipswich Accommodation

One of the firsts things to do when planning your vacation is to source suitable dog-friendly accommodation. On our first visit we drove around Ipswich for the day and looked at the area we would like to stay in and fell in love with Woodend.  So when it came time to book into one of Ipswich’s dog-friendly places to stay, we found the perfect accommodation. 

Built in1956 ‘ The Full Stop‘, now fondly known as ‘Dot’ (Dot for short, because that’s what a full stop is) was legitimately Grandma’s house for much of her life. and only a 5-minute drive into the centre of Ipswich. 

Woodend is one of the premier suburbs in Ipswich. Surrounded by restored residences and tree-lined streets, this 3-bedroom accommodation sits on the high side in a quiet street. ‘Dot’ is the perfect place to feel like a local in Ipswich and perfect for a weekend or a week.

Many original features have been retained and gorgeous renovations have lovingly been made to keep the home true to the period. We were pleased that the floors are a pet-friendly finish and that the bathroom was large, modern and luxurious, plus there was a separate laundry and second powder room. Fabulous chandeliers grace the corniced ceilings with charm and elegance in many of the rooms and gave ‘Dot’ her lavish style.

We loved the way the lounge flowed into the spacious dining area and onto the massive kitchen.  It was then easy access to the enclosed backyard and beautiful flowering garden area complete with outdoor seating and BBQ.

For more information and to book this beautiful property, please Contact Loretta 0438 985 967 or visit their website The Flamin Galah House.  We did find that dog-friendly accommodation does book out fast in this area, so plan.

2.  Dog-friendly Ipswich Cafés

Raw Energy Springfield

Situated just above Springfield’s modern and progressive hub, Raw Energy is a dog-friendly café that provides delicious & healthy meals. Whether you’re looking for a fresh smoothie, or just a nice place to relax after walking your dog, Raw Energy Springfield can provide.

Dog-friendly Ipswich means that your dog is thought about and should be happy relaxing when you are too. Bring a long lead and let your dog enjoy the grassed hill area in front.  All food is made fresh on the premises. Placed on top of a hill looking over the Orion Shopping Town and adjacent to Robelle Domain, this café shouldn’t be missed.

6 Yoga Way, Springfield Central

Breakfast at Stephanies

Relax and unwind at Orion Lagoon and enjoy your breakfast or lunch here. Situated right next to the Lagoon and swimming area, Breakfast at Stephanies is the ideal coffee shop to have a stress free, dog-friendly meal. Indoor and outdoor seating is available. Great if you have kids. Also adjacent to Robelle Domain – just a short walk over the bridge.

Cafe Kalina

The Cafe Kalina is a new café located in the beautiful Ipswich area of Springfield in the Kalina Stockland Estate. This is a surprising find and offers great drinks and rustic flavoursome food. This scenic café is dog-friendly at an amazing location. there is so much to do right here with a toadstool children’s play area, herb garden, lawned frontage and unsurpassed views of the hills beyond. Famous for their Puppy Chino made with dog-friendly ingredients and their range of dog snacks and doggy meals. I can’t wait to return! Check out our beautiful Instagram Reel here.

66 Kingfisher St, Springfield

La Mocha Café

Turkish breakfast has never looked so good! Famous for the Istanbul Tower, this dog-friendly weekend breakfast is famous in the region.

Alfresco dining and located at a shopping centre with ample parking.

Watch the video here

Unit 15A / 31 Springfield Lakes Blvd, Springfield Lakes Brisbane, QLD, Australia 4300

Barkley & Pips

Barkley and Pips Café has been designed specifically for dogs!  There are long leads, a double-gated play area, indoor and outdoor seating, and even blankets and dog-day beds.  Lots of dog toys and dog treats are also available too. Situated a stone’s throw from the Bremer River, this dog-friendly café is perfect for dog owners visiting the Ipswich area and has ample off-street parking.  Next door is the most wonderful groomer too (see below).  I’ll definitely be a regular and will travel from the Gold Coast so Oscar can return.

U1/1 Hawkins Cres, Bundamba

Rafter & Rose

We love the eclectic style of Rafter and Rose, located in the character-filled precinct of Ipswich.  Rafter and Rose are a well-established eatery, with two main indoor rooms decorated in vintage style, along with a dog-friendly open shady laneway that is draped in flowering potted plants. This café offers delicious, freshly sourced beautifully presented food – make this a place not to miss. Check out our beautiful Instagram Reel here.

17 Ellenborough St, Ipswich

Queens Park Café

For a relaxed experience, visit Queens Park Café located at the top of one of Queensland’s finest parks with all its family-friendly attractions. Visit Queens Park and experience breakfast, brunch, lunch, morning or afternoon tea (found on their website menu).  There is a large outdoor undercover verandah that is dog-friendly and we had a huge and fabulous breakfast here.

10a Merle Finimore Ave, Ipswich

3.  Dog-friendly Ipswich Parks

Robelle Domain

Adjacent to the Orion Shopping Town, a connecting bridge leads you to this stunning park. Wander through a myriad of pathways that run beside flowing water and through pyramid hills. Robelle Domain is the perfect place to walk or run your dog on a lead.  We spent a good hour walking through this beautiful parked area.

155 Southern Cross Cct, Springfield Central

Queens Park

Dog-friendly Ipswich is not complete without a visit to Queens Park which can be found at the top of the hill – drive through and park along the road or at the top near the cafe. Wander past the old outdoor chapel and had over to the massive BBQ and playground area. If you don’t have a dog with you, then why not visit the Japanese Nerima Gardens, Ipswich Nature Centre and the Botanical area with beautiful wooden walkways?

A perfect place to overlook the city skyline and also has the Queens Park Café (see above).

You can see more of the Nerima Japanese Gardens here.

Goleby Ave, Ipswich

Colleges Crossing

Drive a little out of Ipswich and you could miss the turning into this beautiful Colleges Crossing Recreation Reserve. The park is boarded by a river – the home to many swans and birdlife and is surrounded by natural beauty. A wonderful place for family catchups, group gatherings or a BBQ lunch, with ample parking throughout the park.  While I was there Cordillera Queensland tribes from the Philippines had a meet up there and they invited Oscar the Exploradog and me to join in the fun! Queensland is perfect to visit even in winter as our temperatures are milder than the Southern states of Australia.

408-492 Mt Crosby Rd, Chuwar

4.  Dog-friendly Ipswich Grooming

Barkley and Pips

With a purpose-built luxury dog café adjacent (see above), this glass-fronted dog groomer will tend to your dog with love and care while you sit back and relax either indoors in plush velour lounge chairs, or outdoors in the sun or undercover at the friendly cafe. The lovely lady who grooms your dog is meticulous, starting with a massage for your dog.  I am absolutely thrilled with the dog-groom that Oscar our Cavoodle AKA Exploradog was given here at Barkley and Pips, and the staff are just so caring and professional. 5 stars from me!

U1/1 Hawkins Cres, Bundamba

5. Dog-friendly Things To Do Around Ipswich

The Soul Nook Collective

Why not reserve a luxurious Bell Tent and picnic in the old churchyard garden here in historic Marburg? This dog-friendly facility represents style and charm and is great for winter or summer weather situations. Pre-order your freshly-made picnic boxes and relax with your partner, family, friends and perfect for a unique meeting spot.  There is also an old church that has a beautiful store, and takeaway coffee too. Perfect to buy a new piece of beautiful clothing and wear to your stunning picnic – a memory you can create all in one place at The Soul Nook Collective. Check out our beautiful Instagram Reel here.

89 Queen St, Marburg

Browse the Marburg Shops

Everything in the township of Marburg is within walking distance, so park the car and wander around. We loved browsing through these three family-owned premises owned by Emily, Les and Athol Birnie with 3 shops in a row:

• The Black Museum – Collectables store
• Special Branch Collective – Coffee, cakes, plants, garden ware, antiques, art etc
• Scotland Yard – Antiques and collectables store and yard.

Definitely pleasantly surprised by the affordable prices of the collectables. I particularly enjoyed the Black Market with a very friendly owner, and believe it should not be missed.

66 Edmond St, Marburg

6. Dog-friendly Bars, Pubs and Distilleries

Marburg Hotel – Historic Pub and Beer Garden

Dog-friendly Ipswich is not complete without a classic Queensland Pub. We discovered this treasure right in the heart of the historic township of Marburg. Their meals are as great as their extensive history. Being owned by the Bowden family since 1944, Marburg Hotel is a country pub isn’t a place to miss.  We enjoyed country hospitality and a refreshing drink out in the dog-friendly rear garden.  When you visit, ask to hear some of the famous ghost tales!

69 Edmond St, Marburg

Imbibis Craft Distillery

Not to be missed is this ex-winery, turned award-winning boutique Gin Distillery. Jason the Gin Distiller is on hand to take you on a journey into the modern world of Imbibis Artisan Gin and handcrafted brandy. This educational and fun experience is not to be missed and gin that nothing like we’ve ever tasted before.  Inspired by the view of the mountains beyond, I hope you enjoy your time here as much as we did and you enjoy the beautiful interior we feature on our 2nd image in our Instagram Post too.

9 Seminary Rd, Marburg

4 Hearts Brewing

Dog-friendly Ipswich is easy with the beautiful courtyard area at 88 Limestone.

Sit outside in the heated courtyard on the great outdoor bar table area, or lounge in the plush sofas and enjoy a bite to eat.  4 Hearts Brewing built was the first brewery in Ipswich since 1903! Make sure to try their craft beers made on the premises too.

88 Limestone Street, Ipswich

7. Ipswich Natural Dog Food

Pet Mince Direct

With more and more dogs suffering from allergies and dietary requirements I found Pet Mince Direct to be a great find.  They offer dogs a balanced product and have human-grade ingredients. You’ll find no nasties in these products, and exclusive canine products that cannot be missed. We highly recommend grabbing a jar of Seaweed Sprinkle that will freshen every dog’s breath.

5/92 Pine Mountain Rd, Brassall

8. Other Ipswich Restaurants

The Cottage Restaurant

Inspired by the charm of Scotland, this historic premise was once a Girls Finishing School. Overlooking the City of Ipswich, we enjoyed a touch of luxury, along with warmth and elegance. Each room has a fireplace, and the menu features classic Australian quality cuisine. Book ahead if you wish to dine here as The Cottage Restaurant boasts a renowned reputation for providing fine service. Why not arrive early, and enjoy a drink on the verandah overlooking the twinkling city lights, then head in for a relaxing 3-course meal?  A perfect place to celebrate a special occasion. (Dog-free property unless approved)

Watch our Reel here

108 Limestone St, Ipswich

Dovetails Restaurant

We loved Dovetails! As part of the gorgeous 88 Limestone complex, we found it to be relaxed yet classy Modern Australian dining. Known in the area for sourcing fresh quality, local produce we loved the vibe of this contemporary space with a relaxed pace and friendly staff. (Dog-free property unless approved)

88 Limestone Street, Ipswich

The Char’d – Prince Alfred Hotel

When walking into award-winning The Char’d Restaraunt, you’ll be stunned by their elongated fireplace greeting dining guests at the entrance. The elegant interior boasts many nooks that are perfect for cocktails with friends, or dinner as friends, couples or groups.  The oldest pub in town and survived a massive fire with only one room standing – thus the name Char’d came about.  It leads tastefully into the famous Tap’d Bar with a massive range of on tap beers from all over the world. It was a shame we were so tired from a jam-packed day exploring, as I’d love to have stayed here well into the night. We departed The Char’d contented and satisfied in every way. In fact, I can’t wait to return for more of their famous Red Claw cuisine! (Dog-free property unless approved)

170 Brisbane Rd, Ipswich

Woodlands of Marburg

Surrounded by jacaranda and bunya pines, this exclusive plantation-style estate has a stunning old-world charm. Book an evening Ghost Tour, stroll around the garden to the Old Church, find the massive tree, or walk around the beautiful woods.  Overlooking the lovely valley with rows of vineyards, the historic charm of Woodlands of Marburg will enchant you. (Dog-free property unless approved)

174 Seminary Rd, Marburg

There are so many things to do in and around Ipswich.  You’ll find so many more places to visited that we can show you on our Exploramum Instagram too.  I personally know I will now be a regular to the Ipswich area. I hope you will be too – see you there!

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