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 this past year.

Our kids, currently 6 and 7, have yet to get bored of 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 in 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 by The Workshops Rail Museum.

Brisbane to Ipswich is a Zone 3 train ride, which means that adult tickets cost $6.28/$5.02 on-peak/off-peak, both with a GO Card.

Children under 5 always travel free on public transportation in Brisbane. Children 5-12 travel for free on the weekends. Otherwise, kids travel at 50% of the adult fare.

Ticket Options and Annual Passes

Tickets for Workshops Rail Museum cost $11.50/$14.50/$44.50 for children/adults/families of 4.

Annual passes are $30/$39/$99 for children/adults/family of 4 and additional children can be added for $10 each.

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.

Opening Hours

The Workshops Rail Museum is open daily from 9:30 am-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

makerspace at The Workshops Rail Museum — Creating crafts using scientific knowledge at The Workshops Rail Museum in Ipswich, Queensland

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

Little Nipper's Playground at The Workshops Rail Museum — Playing at the Little Nipper’s play area at The Workshops Rail Museum

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 for kids, there are plenty of permanent exhibits that kids are able to 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

kids driving a train simulator at The Workshops Rail Museum — Kids driving the train simulator at The Workshops Rail Museum

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

model train at The Workshops Rail Museum — Model Railway of Queensland at The Workshops Rail Museum in Ipswich

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

Kid at the spy exhibit at the train museum in Ipswich — Kids at the Spy: Espionage in Australia special exhibit at The Workshops Rail Museum train museum in Ipswich

Kid solving clues in the spy exhibit at Workshops Rail Museum — Kids at the Spy: Espionage in Australia special exhibit at The Workshops Rail Museum train museum in Ipswich

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 are 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

kid with thomas the train, Thomas's day out, Workshops Rail Museum — Kids playing with train tracks at Day Out with Thomas at The Workshops Rail Museum

Thomas the train at The Workshops Rail Museum in Ipswich — Kids playing with train tracks at Day Out with Thomas at The Workshops Rail Museum

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

kids playing games at the Circus exhibit at The Workshops Rail Museum, train museum in Ipswich — Kids playing games and enjoying the circus-themed train, (and not pictured, magic show) at The Workshops Rail Museum

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 is my family’s absolute favorite Circus Train exhibit, 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 on 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 and sandwiches. There are hot meals available for purchase as well.

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.