Day Tripping in Marburg
The charming country township of Marburg, on the outskirts of Ipswich and less than an hour's drive from Brisbane, is a great place to spend a day (and a night). With fantastic antique shops to fossick through, a stately manor to dine at (and stay overnight), hobby farm and creative outlet that can organise a bespoke picnic in the historic church grounds, there's plenty of reasons to go day tripping here:
Woodlands of Marburg Country Inn, with its 360 degree views of the Marburg Valley, is the place for an elegant weekend escape to the country, with its own charming restaurant, tennis court and pool onsite.
This historic and elegant mansion, surrounded by jacarandas and bunya pines, sits regally atop a ridge and is a stunning reminder of a bygone era. Spacious rooms are high-ceilinged, with gorgeous old world decor and thoroughly modern amenities, with 4 executive suites and 10 deluxe suites available. There is also the option of budget accommodation at another building onsite, Bunya House Dormitories.
Facilities include a swimming pool, tennis court and onsite restaurant The Sugarmill Restaurant, which offers a fine dining experience within cedar panelled walls and under crystal chandeliers on Friday and Saturday nights (also available to non-guests). Also occupying another building in the grounds is Tommy Smith Cafe, which features sweeping views and opens on Friday/Saturday nights for delicious Indonesian meals.
The Black Museum is a quirky antique and collectables store in the charming country town of Marburg on the outskirts of Ipswich.
A sibling for and found in the same little strip of shops as Scotland Yard Antiques, the store takes its name from the famous police HQ Scotland Yard, whose collection of crime exhibits and memorabilia is known as The Black Museum.
Step inside to find an Aladdin's cave of unique quality decor and furnishings (both old and new), curios and artworks and lighting too. True to its name, the eclectic collection of items you'll find in here has been carefully curated by owner Athol Birnie, who has a keen eye for the unusual and aesthetic.
The Sugarmill is a splendid old world restaurant in the high-ceilinged dining room of heritage-listed Victorian mansion Woodlands of Marburg, open for breakfast on weekends as well as dinner.
The restaurant takes its name from the the sugar plantation and mills that were established in Marburg in the 1880's, which were established by sugar baron by Tommy Smith, the original resident of Woodlands.
The Soul Nook Collective are offering fabulous styled picnics in bell tents, set in the grounds of the historic Old Church at Marburg.
The perfect place for family or friend catch ups, business meetings and special occasions is out in the fresh country air in this stunning setting.
Good to know - You can also book picnics at any time for intimate parties or bigger groups, from Wednesdays through to Saturdays within the beautiful church grounds. There are packages to suit all occasions and budgets, from a simple picnic rug set up under the trees, to full glam with the beautiful Bell Tents.
And, for more great things to see and do in Ipswich, visit Discover Ipswich HERE.
Special Branch Collective is a gorgeous coffee, antiques, homewares and plant store in an historic shop in the country town of Marburg.
Special Branch Collective is located within the owner's father's shop – Scottish Yard Antiques, making this café a family venture.
The café turned shop interior is laden with antique goods, local art and homewares, whilst outdoors is abundant with colourful potted plants sourced from the family nursery – Green Cloud Nursery. Seating can be found outside the store, or coffee and snacks can be taken away.
Haigslea Ewe Nique Hobby Farm is a unique day out experience for families, just 45 minutes' drive west of Brisbane.
Here visitors can get up close and personal to and pat and feed their friendly animals - alpacas, sheep, lambs, goats and geese - and check out the wandering chickens.
There's also a small plants nursery, where, during school holidays children receive free seedlings that they can take home to pot up themselves, as well as huge flowering stems of cymbidium orchids and other plants to purchase.
