The Workshops Rail Museum Visit with Kids
About 30 minutes southwest of Brisbane, in a city called Ipswich, there is a train museum that is perfect for both kids and adults who love trains.
My family ended up getting the annual pass and coming back to The Workshops Rail Museum multiple times when our kids were 6 and 7.
After it expired, we went back a few times, and they have yet to get bored with The Workshops Rail Museum. There are many different things for them to do, and there are always child-friendly special exhibits during school holidays.
Getting to The Workshops Rail Museum
We have always driven to Ipswich and added on other activities, but there is public transportation available.
It does take about an hour and a half to reach the train museum from Brisbane by public transportation.
Trains leave Central Station and head to Ipswich Station. The train ride is approximately an hour long.
After arriving at Ipswich Station, there is a bus that takes about 10 minutes and will drop you off close to The Workshops Rail Museum.
Queensland offers 50 cent fares for public transportation, and kids ride free on the weekends.
Ticket Options and Annual Passes
We opted to get the annual pass as it includes unlimited admission into Sparklab, the science museum at Queensland Museum in Brisbane.
The annual pass also gets you discounts at other museums, discounts at the Trackside Cafe, and discounts on any purchase at the shop.
Otherwise, you can purchase tickets individually or get a family of 4 pass.
Opening Hours
The Workshops Rail Museum is open daily from 9:30 am to 4 pm.
They are closed on Christmas, Good Friday, Boxing Day, and Anzac Day.
Permanent Exhibits for Kids
There are many exhibits throughout The Workshops Rail Museum, but a few are specifically for kids.
Sciencentre
Similar to Sparklab at the Queensland Museum, Sciencentre has more than 20 different interactive stations
Of course, my kids tend to pick the same ones each time. Their favorites are “train wheels,” where you see which type of wheels will stay on the track, and “pulley yourself up,” where they sit in a chair and use ropes to raise the chair higher.
Makers Space
Tables and chairs are set up near Sciencentre in the Maker Space.
There are a variety of craft supplies for children to turn into whatever they want to make.
Nipper’s Railway
At the far end of the museum is Nipper’s Railway, an indoor train-themed playground.
Kids can pretend to sell tickets, move the control signals and boom crossings, and ride tricycles around while the adults watch from the benches.
Nipper’s Railway is always our last stop, and my kids can spend a lot of time here.
Kid-Friendly Permanent Exhibits
While not all of the exhibits are geared toward kids, there are plenty of permanent exhibits that kids can enjoy as well.
Of course, kids are interested in just about every exhibit at The Workshops Rail Museum, but after seeing their favorites, we tend to run out of time.
Diesel Revolution Train Simulator
If you immediately turn to your right as you walk into the large museum space, you will find Diesel Revolution.
Diesel Revolution is where you can drive the simulator and see what it is like to drive a train.
Model Railway
The largest model railway in Queensland is located in the middle of the Workshops Rail Museum.
Both electric and diesel trains are operating on the model railway. There is also a sugarcane train.
Special Events
School holidays bring kid-friendly exhibits to the train museum each year, but there are also occasionally kid-friendly exhibits during the school year.
Sometimes there is a miniature train that kids can ride for an additional cost.
SPY: Espionage in Australia
There was a SPY exhibit at The Workshops Rail Museum.
SPY: Espionage in Australia is located in a large air-conditioned room. There are actual materials and surveillance images from secret agents. The room teaches about espionage and counter-espionage in Australia.
Families have 2 levels of clue books to choose from, which they can get at the front desk.
Families with young kids get a book called “Spy Story,” while those with kids 7+ are given a book called “Spy Mission.”
Our kids were 6 and 7, and we were given both books, along with pencils.
Spy Mission is a lot longer than Spy Story, and both kids needed help, but we all enjoyed solving the clues and filling out the books.
Prizes are given out at the front desk. The kids were delighted to receive their spy license. Each kid also got a pair of sunglasses and a sticker of a spy.
Day Out with Thomas
At various times throughout the year, usually coinciding with school holidays, Day Out with Thomas arrives at The Workshops Rail Museum.
Thomas the Tank Engine arrives, as does a few of his friends.
The museum sets out a bunch of train tables with various pieces of wooden tracks and accessories for the kids to play with.
There are also games, puzzles, and coloring sheets available.
A Thomas movie is played on repeat in one of the side rooms.
Sometimes the Fat Controller is there in person as well as Thomas and his friends.
Circus Train
During one of the school holidays this year, Circus Train came to The Workshops Rail Museum.
There was live daily entertainment. We saw a magician perform.
In addition to the display of historical photos of circus trains and the craft room where kids could make their own clown hats, my family’s absolute favorite Circus Train exhibit is Action Alley.
Action Alley is a space set up with fun, interactive games. All ages enjoyed this space, which is included with admission.
Little Nipper’s Play Group
Kids ages 2-6 can join the Little Nipper’s Play Group at 9:45 most Fridays during the year.
There is no playgroup during the school holidays, but it is generally open from March to December.
The class lasts about 45 minutes and includes stories, music, and activities based on a mystery theme.
Trackside Cafe and Shops
There are 2 shops at The Workshops Rail Museum. One is in the front building, where you purchase tickets, and the other shares a building with Trackside Cafe.
Trackside Cafe has lots of seating, both indoors and outside.
The cafe opens at 9:30, along with the museum. Coffee is available as well as premade baked goods, sandwiches, and hot meals.
The shops sell a wide variety of train-themed toys, games, puzzles, and books, as well as other items. There are always Thomas the Train-themed items in the shops.
Workshop Rail Museum Wrap Up
The Workshop Rail Museum in Ipswich is worth a visit, especially with kids.
Whether you are attending a special event or just going about your day, you will find plenty to do.
Kids love the science center, playground, and looking at the trains.
There is a cafe at the museum, and sometimes during special events, they have food trucks.
You Might Also Like
- Summerland Camels
- Ipswich Children’s Art Gallery
- Things To Do In and Around Ipswich with Kids
- Springbrook National Park Hiking with Kids
- How to Spend a Beautiful Day Outside Near Brisbane with Kids
- Rock Fossicking and Gem Mining at Tamborine Mountain
Pin for Later
