Nerima Gardens Queens Park

The picture perfect, self-contained Japanese garden sits on the eastern hill end of Queens Park behind the historic caretakers cottage and was built in consultation with and to complement gardens in Ipswich's Japanese sister city, Nerima in Tokyo.

As such, it makes a splendid contemplative retreat, with a series of winding paths through fir trees and Australian natives, with Japanese -inspired bridges crossing bubbling streams that are designed to reflect Ipswich's topography.

Halfway down is a model traditional Japanese tea house, complete with rattan matting inside and a small verandah overlooking a stream and on the lower section boardwalks traversing an ornamental lake (which portrays the ocean).

The peaceful, ornamental lake is filled with giant lily pads, and a visit in flowering season to see the abundance of waterlilles in full bloom is a must-do.

The beautifully maintained Nerima Gardens is also home to a myriad of water dragons, birdlife, turtles and fish, and it is easy to simply sit on one of the many benches and while away the hours.

If you have the time to explore Queens Park further, visit the Queens Park Cafe, take the children to Queens Park Children's Playground or pop in to the nearby Ipswich Nature Centre.