A jewel in Ipswich and the largest park precinct in Queensland, the parkland is perfect for an all-day adventure with or without your kids. Enjoy a walk along the rainforest whilst you educate your children about the different animals and plants that you are going to see. There is also a waterfalls and water play areas perfect for the summer days.
The park is also the home of Australia’s first Icon on Galaxy interactive play equipment in an all-abilities playground. This is the perfect place to go to in Springfield if you want everything in one place.
Orion Lagoon
Photo credit: Discover Ipswich
Just next to Robelle Domain, this water park is free for everyone. It features several pools that are connected to a larger central lagoon. There are picnic and BBQ areas and of course, if you don’t want to cook on-site, there is always the Lagoon Cafe where you can grab a bite with your kids.
For a little quiet time and for some learning, the Ipswich City Council Mobile Library offers a wide selection of books, CDs and DVDs for hire. They also have a children’s reading area and they visit every Thursday and fortnightly on a Wednesday on Southern Cross Circuit.
Grande Park
Photo credit: Ipswich City Council
A popular spot for families because of its climbing wall with two huge slides, located at 40 Grand Avenue, this park is perfect for your children. They can bring their scooters and bikes. There is also a skate park section and open grassy spaces for them to run around.
Springfield Lakes has been named as one of the growth hotspots in Ipswich, based on a list given by the Ipswich City Council. Also in the list are:
Redbank Plains
Bellbird Park
South Ripley
Leichhardt
Now enjoying a Renaissance of sorts, the city of Ipswich is on the rise and its suburbs give evidence to the growth of its population. Ipswich is called a two-headed city and is now rising from the ashes following the decline of traditional mining and rail industries. The city is now Queensland’s fastest growing city. Just before Christmas last year, the population ballooned over 200,000 and is continuously rising almost as twice as quickly as Greater Brisbane.
One of the factors driving the rapid population growth is that there are major building projects as well as affordable housing options that attract residents. Springfield Lakes and the other listed suburbs are becoming even more popular with young families, first home buyers and investors as people look for quality infrastructure and affordable housing.
From 30 June to 30 September, Ipswich has shown a population increase of 197,656 from 196,026. This has also shown an increase in the total number of dwellings across the city that shows a rise from 71,276 to 71,970, according to the latest Planning and Development Quarterly Activity Report.
Springfield Lakes sees plenty of developments such as the Orion Swimming lagoon, the expansion of the Orion Springfield Central including Coles, Target, Event Cinemas and specialty Retailers. There is also a development for senior living units by the Aveo Group as the retirement facilities in Queensland is booming. Allied health facilities are also opening.
There is also the R&F Properties development that aims to build 10,000 apartments, retail and office space.
It is estimated that by 2036, the city will be as big as a Gold Coast today with nearly half a million people. A predicted 130,000 residents will live in Greater Springfield.
Dress up like a zombie and bring the whole family with you to the Orion Springfield Central for its annual Zombie Walk on 28 October from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
This is a “trick or treat” event. The centre will be filled with roaming ghouls, zombies and ghosts all rooting for some tricks or treats.
There will also be some entertainment in the Town Square throughout the afternoon.
Photo credit: Headspace Ipswich
Headspace Ipswich is an organisation that helps young people aged 12-25 who are going through a tough time. They offer free, confidential support for mental health, general health, drug and alcohol and employment and training needs. They also engage with the local Ipswich community and its surrounds by delivering presentations to schools, community groups, information stalls, events and many more.
Tickets are $5 each. The proceeds will be donated to Headspace Ipswich. You can book your tickets here.
A Springfield Lakes resident made sure to bring art to Brookwater to showcase the work of South East Queensland artists.
Tinaye Jani is the owner of Kheis Art, the only art gallery of its kind in Springfield Lakes. The place is a physical and an online gallery in the region which offers colourful and bright pieces from emerging Brisbane artists. Kheis means “home” or a “place to live” in Zimbabwean Khoi dialect. The gallery is located at the Brookwater Village Shopping Centre.
Mrs Jani, who was born in Zimbabwe, saw so much potential in Brookwater and upon seeing it, she immediately thought of bringing colour to the area. She has been living in Springfield Lakes for years now. Before moving to the area, she used to run an art store in Perth selling African art pieces.
With her love for art, she sympathizes with the artists that haven’t gotten their much deserved exposure yet, so her art gallery is one of her ways to help Brisbane residents, even people all over Australia and around the world, see the magnificent work of these new and emerging artists.
Currently, the gallery hosts three Brisbane-based artists: RMH Art, Beverly Sekete and Lynette Davis.
Mrs Jani said she is always on the lookout for emerging artists to showcase their works of art in her gallery.
On 11, 12, 13 of August, the Springfield Mini Show will be bringing in a lot of fun entertainment for kids and families along the Robelle Domain Parklands.
Some of the rides that you should definitely watch out for the Super Satellite, The Pirate Ship, The Merry Go Round and the Screamer Slide. All amusement ride passes are available for only $2 each.
Take note of the following schedules for the show:
11 Aug:11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
12 Aug: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
13 Aug: 10 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Kids who want to try out the rides will enjoy a special rate of S1 between 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. so it’s best to come early.
On Saturday, a fireworks display will light up the sky beginning at 8:05 p.m.
Photo credit: Springfield Mini Show / Facebook
All the activity is bound to get people hungry. No worries, there will be some food vans to ensure adequate (and delicious!) nourishment for your action-packed weekend.
Photo credit: Springfield Mini Show / Facebook
You will also find some sideshow alley games, affordable show bags and market stalls to satisfy those who feel the need to browse and shop.
Locals already know that visitors who take the 35-minute drive from Brisbane to Springfield won’t regret it, once they’ve had a good cup of coffee at the Coffee Baa. In fact, even to locals, Coffee Baa is one of Springfield Lakes’ best-kept secrets.
It’s the perfect break from the city – a cup of coffee amidst great views of the lake and the cafe’s relaxed ambiance are likely to melt all the stress away.
Shades of yellows and blacks provide a stimulating visual counterpoint to the blissfully relaxing fresh air and natural surrounding. Ample outdoor seating is available and in great demand, weather-permitting. One can also stay indoors to where the cozy comfort of the warm interior provides an excellent venue for long, lazy conversations.
Photo credit: Weekend Notes
Coffee Baa serves all-day breakfast, with classics like Eggs Benedict and some good ‘ol waffles. Hearty appetite? The Baa Breakfast, big in both size and taste, is the order of the day then.
Photo credit: The Coffee Baa / Instagram
Lunch is also available from 11:30 a.m. onwards. Try the Baa Beef Burger paired with a delicious milkshake.
Photo credit: The Coffee Baa / Instagram
Muffins, cakes and eclairs are just some of the treats available which may be very difficult to resist!
Photo credit: The Coffee Baa / Instagram
Go the extra mile and try their Extreme Milkshakes! Choose from chocolate infusion, caramel addiction, strawberry fields and much more. These milkshakes are not only delicious but they also are worth every cent.
Coffee Baa welcomes children. There are board games and other games available to keep kids entertained.
Located next to the booming suburb of Springfield Lakes is Springfield Rise, a $1.9 billion 4,000–home estate that is expected to welcome more than 12,000 residents and 10 new schools. The 415-hectare community will come complete with a new primary school; 15 hectares of open space; 15 neighbourhood parks; three stunning lakes; bushland reserves; walking, hiking, and cycling trails; and a few of the biggest sporting fields in the district.
Springfield Rise is located next to Springfield Lakes, and between Springfield Central and the White Rock Spring Mountain Conservation Reserve. In the years to come, 30,000 more people are expected to reside in this community.
Wide, Open Sports Fields
For a decade now, Springfield has been longing for more areas where people can do sports. The $22 million Southern Sporting Fields project in Springfield Rise has finally answered the residents’ prayers. The new sports precinct reportedly includes “four new rectangular fields, or two ovals, 16 netball courts and clubhouses.” Moreover, four rectangular fields and eight tennis courts are expected to be added near Sinnathamby Boulevard by 2018.
“This will be the home of Springfield sport and cater for all sports … ages and genders,” said Councillor Sheila Ireland. She explained that Springfield is a growing suburb with so many youths and seniors. More sports fields would thus help everyone’s longing for an active and healthy lifestyle.
David Morrison, chairman of the Ipswich City Council’s Parks, Sport and Recreation Committee, spearheaded the welcoming of the sporting fields late last year. According to him, “sporting clubs in the area were crying out for more facilities.” Earlier this year, Mr Morrison also explained how the city has always wanted to improve their sport and recreation facilities “that will attract State and National Competitions.”
“This (Springfield Rise) will be one of the city’s premiere sporting precincts which will attract local, regional, state and also national championships to the city,” he said. Mr Morrison, with his “passion for a fit and healthy Ipswich,” hopes that the community’s big sporting fields will motivate residents to live an active and healthy lifestyle.
All About Accessibility
According to Mr Matthew Mears, managing director of Lendlease’s Communities, Springfield Rise residents have easy access to various significant establishments like “schools and the expanding Orion Springfield Central.” Also, a mere walk or cycle away from anyone’s home in the community would be the local village shopping centre, three existing neighbourhood centres, cafes, restaurants, and cinemas. Other places like the Orion Lagoon, Robelle Domain Parklands, childcare centres, the University of Southern Queensland, and TAFE are likewise conveniently accessible.
Additionally, there is the nearby Health City, which is a 52-hectare medical and wellness site that proudly includes the 1,200-bed Mater Private Hospital.
Mr Mears explains that nowadays, people are “…opting for a social lifestyle that’s about convenience – living close to shops and cafes with everything they need within reach.”
Photo Credit: Artist’s Impression from Lendleases’s Springfield Rise project brochure
