This cow appreciation day, Dexter the cow at Ipswich Nature Centre will be in for a treat.
Senior Zoologist Nicole Richards says the 400kg bovine loves cuddles and pats from his keepers and is often getting into mischief with his buddy Tyrone the sheep.
Dexter is a favourite with zoo staff and children and loves to be brushed, the Ipswich Nature Centre recently installed a bristled back scratcher for him to rub against when there is no one there to do it for him.
Ms Richards said she was excited to celebrate cow appreciation day and would spoil Dexter with cuddles, a brush and some watermelon on the day.
In the lead up to Cow Appreciation Day, July 9, the Ipswich Nature Centre has released a new video that features Dexter and his mates. It’s a tongue in cheek look into what the animals at the Nature Centre really think.
Ipswich is home to South East Queensland’s only free zoo, it’s a popular destination for families and attracts about 250,000 visitors a year.
The Ipswich Nature centre has a range of animals from dingoes to spotted-tailed quolls and a bilby conservation program that was started by Save the Bilby Fund co-founder the late Frank Manthey.
A world class bilby breeding enclosure allows visitors the chance to look at bilbys up close, there’s a huge bird aviary that allows you walk amongst the birds and a barnyard area.
The nature centre is complimented by shady walkways and native gardens.
Animal Encounter school holiday programs at the Nature Centre have been huge since they were launched this year selling out in a matter of days, the low cost experience starts at $8 for kids and gives children the chance to feed the barnyard animals and pet a reptile as well as see what goes on behind the scenes at the nature centre.
Download the video here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Joggl8zFWqwKLNXYM-WaSTSr2xL8QMdv?usp=sharing
Find out more about the Ipswich Nature Centre and who’s who in the zoo here: https://www.discoveripswich.com.au/find-out-whos-who-in-the-zoo/
Contact: Carly Morrissey 3810 7712
School holidays events
We’ve rounded up some of the amazing things on offer these school holidays in Ipswich, from animal encounters to food experiences and exploring their artistic side, arm yourself with these great school holiday ideas.
These school holidays we’re running probably Australia’s cheapest animal encounters program. From $8 per child you can get a behind the scenes tour at the Ipswich Nature Centre on selected dates this July. There’s also one running this Saturday. https://www.discoveripswich.com.au/tour/animal-encounters-ipswich-nature-centre/
Ben Ungermann comes back to town for Eat Local Week.
As part of this year’s Scenic Rim Eat Local Week, Ungermann Brothers ice cream are holding special classes teaching people how to make Ben’s famous finger lime ice cream.
Ben, who is a Scenic Rim regional food ambassador is coming back to the region from Bali to take part in Eat Local Week.
Ungermann Brothers have also recently started selling plated deserts, joined a food delivery service and are selling their ice cream wholesale.
Contact: Danny Ungermann on 3281 4038.
https://www.discoveripswich.com.au/secret-ice-cream-recipies-revealed/
V8 Inspired menus
Ipswich is gearing up for the Super Sprints on July 26-28. Restaurants are getting into the spirit with some amazing V8 inspired menu items.
The Retro Diner are doing a sprinter high tea, with sliders, wedges, chicken wings and a V8 spritzer, it will be quick and easy to eat.
Pumpyard Bar and Brewery will do a burnout martini and flaming hot wings.
Indian Mehfil are doing a special V8 supercars lamb shank curry – this mouth-watering curry is only available for a limited time to celebrate the V8 supercars in Ipswich.
Tap’d at the PA Hotel will create a high octane version of one of their menu items.
Ungerman Brothers are creating a grease inspired choc top.
Contact: Carly Morrissey 3810 7712
Six businesses make it into the Hall of Fame
Quest Ipswich, Spicers Hiddenvale, Pterodactyl Helicopters, Queens Park, Indian Mehfil and The Workshops Rail Museum have all made it into the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Hall of Fame.
To make it into the Hall of Fame businesses need to have been a TripAdvisor certificate of excellence winner for the past five years.
Quest Ipswich and Pterodactyl have only just made it into the hall of fame having won certificates of excellence for the past five years.
Spicers Hiddenvale has been a certificate of excellence winner for the past seven years, TWRM for eight years, Queens Park and Indian Mehfil for six years.
Giant 3 Plus 3
This July Ipswich will host a Mountain Bikers Christmas in July.
Held at Spicers Hiddenvale Adventure Park this massive mountain biking event will see thousands of mountain bikers take part in a race with four different courses and a special Christmas in July celebration.
Contact: Spicers Hiddenvale Adventure Park on 0414 343 579.
https://www.discoveripswich.com.au/event/giant-3plus3-a-mountain-bikers-christmas-in-july/
Super sprints
The Century Batteries Ipswich SuperSprint returns to Ipswich again this July, with almost 50,000 people travelling from around the world to attend the event in 2018.
The Ipswich SuperSprint is being held from Friday July 26 to Sunday July 28 at Willowbank Raceway, promising a weekend packed full of action and experiences far beyond the track itself.
Before the event you can meet the drivers and get their autographs. The Ipswich SuperSprints community day will be held on Saturday July 20 at Orion Springfield Central on Main St.
Hang out with six of the Supercars drivers, get their autograph, snap a photo with the trophy on the podium, test your skills on the racing simulators, get your hands on freebies and enter competitions for your chance to win prizes!
Contact: Paul Glover 5630 0311
Tickets on sale for Mama Mia
Tickets have just gone on sale for the award winning Ipswich Musical Theatre Company’s annual production. This year they are bringing Mamma Mia to the Ipswich Civic Centre stage. Director Robby Parkin returns after directing the sold-out performance of Wicked in 2016. Matt Rofe will be musical director for the first time. Simon Lind returs as choreographer.
https://www.ipswichmusicaltheatrecompany.com.au/contact-us
Contact: Production Manager Kenneth Mundt on 0419 786 407.
What’s on in July
For the first time ever a luxurious lunch event is being held in the Historical 88 Limestone precinct. On July 13 enjoy a luxurious lunch with live entertainment from 12pm. After a grazing menu to start enjoy family style shared roast meats and sides with gourmet dessert plates from Ungermann Brothers to finish. https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/limestone-long-lunch-tickets-62681320517
Troy Cassar-Daley heads to Ipswich on July 21 with his greatest hits tour: https://www.discoveripswich.com.au/event/troy-cassar-daley-greatest-hits-tour/
Japanese Tea Ceremony at Nerima Gardens Tea House July 27. Enjoy a guided tour of Nerima Gardens with interpretation of key design elements that infuse both the Australian and Japanese cultures. Arrive at the Tea House to view the Japanese tea ceremony; a traditional cultural activity involving the ceremonial preparation and presentation of matcha (powdered green tea). Guests will have the opportunity to participate in the ceremony.
https://www.discoveripswich.com.au/tour/japanese-tea-ceremony-at-nerima-gardens/
The Soweto Gospel Choir will peform on July 28: https://www.discoveripswich.com.au/event/soweto-gospel-choir/
Runners will descend on Bill Patterson Oval for the Ipswich Hostpial Foundation Park2Park on July 28. https://www.discoveripswich.com.au/event/ipswich-hospital-foundation-park2park/
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