Flying high over Ipswich
Like a magic carpet, but much noisier, Captain Mike’s Robinson R44 helicopter floats down to land between the split-rail fenced paddock at Spicers Hidden Vale.
Director and chief pilot of Pterodactyl Helicopters, Mike Jarvis has arrived take me on a magical mystery tour of Ipswich’s food delights. With the wind beneath the blades and Mike at the joystick, it’s possible to enjoy more food experiences and destinations than you could in a car, plus it is a lot more fun.
A 40-minute drive from Ipswich’s CBD area, Spicers Hidden Vale offers luxury accommodation in elegantly-decorated cottages dating from the 1800s, overlooking panoramic valley views. The heart of the homestead is the hatted Homage Restaurant kitchen, where chef Ash Martin’s menu features the best produce from the property and the region, all hand-selected daily. It might be veggies fresh from the garden, freshwater crayfish from the dam or beef from the paddock.
Having just consumed a substantial breakfast of locally-sourced eggs and bacon on the homestead verandah, I’m keen for a smooth ride and Mike delivers.
In just a few minutes we reach our first destination, Woodlands of Marburg, a plantation-style estate dominated by the elegant Woodlands mansion built in 1890. Originally home to Thomas and Mary Smith and their 11 children, the building was the first to have electricity installed in 1885, even before Brisbane’s Parliament House. Visitors can pre-book a tour.
Popular as a wedding and conference venue, its age and chequered history have earned Woodlands a reputation for its paranormal activities. Check the Woodlands of Marburg Facebook page for more details on these or just enjoy a Devonshire Tea on the lawn, as I did.
Next stop on Captain Mike’s flying food safari was into the heart of Ipswich, known by locals at the ‘Top of Town’, and The Cottage, a cute Queenslander in Limestone Street dating back to 1861. Stop here for morning and high teas, lunch and fine dining at night.
Just a little way down Limestone Street, the redeveloped former Technical College is home to both Pumpyard Bar and Brewery and Dovetails. Check out the entrance posts, in which the names of past students have been carved, before tucking into the French-Australian fusion menu which includes Beeramisu (beer-flavoured tiramisu).
The beer theme continues next door at Pumpyard microbrewery where beer battered fries, fish and frickles (fried pickles) await. Here you can indulge in beer or bacon ice cream, complete with a choc chip cookie crumble and chocolate stout sauce topped with candied bacon. It was a pig out!
Finish the day with a Helicopter River Run, a glorious low-level flight winding along the upper reaches of the Brisbane River and landing at Pterodactyl’s Mount Crosby hanger. There my car was waiting, ready to magic me home though not in the same style I’d enjoyed all day with Captain Mike.
Find out more about Captain Mike’s Pterodactyl Helicopter tours and Ipswich’s charms at discoveripswich.com.au.
Related topics
-
The information in this article has been prepared for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal advice or specific advice to any particular person. Any advice contained in the document is general advice, not intended as legal advice or professional advice and does not take into account any person’s particular circumstances. Before acting on anything based on this advice you should consider its appropriateness to you, having regard to your objectives and needs.
Insurance products (excluding Travel Insurance) are issued by RACQ Insurance Limited ABN 50 009 704 152 (RACQ). Conditions, limits and exclusions apply. This is general advice only and may not be right for you. This information does not take your personal objectives, circumstances or needs into account. Read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and any applicable Supplementary PDS before making a purchase decision on this product. You can also access our Target Market Determinations on this website.
Banking and loan products issued by Members Banking Group Limited ABN 83 087 651 054 AFSL/Australian credit licence 241195 trading as RACQ Bank. Terms, conditions, fees, charges and lending policies apply. This is general advice only and may not be right for you. This information does not take your personal objectives, circumstances or needs into account. Read the disclosure documents for your selected product or service, including the Financial Services Guide and the Terms and Conditions, and consider if appropriate for you before deciding.
Except for RACQ Bank, any RACQ entity referred to on this page is not an authorised deposit-taking institution for the purposes of the Banking Act 1959 (Cth). That entity’s obligations do not represent deposits or other liabilities of RACQ Bank. RACQ Bank does not guarantee or otherwise provide assurance in respect of the obligations of that entity, unless noted otherwise.
RACQ Operations Pty Ltd (ABN 80 009 663 414 AR 000234978) and Members Travel Group Pty Ltd (ABN 45 144 538 803 AR 000432492) are acting as an Authorised Representative of the issuer of the insurance, Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd. (ABN 80 000 438 291 AFSL 246 548). Any advice set out above is general in nature only, and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before purchasing any travel products, please consider the RACQ Travel Insurance Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and the Target Market Determinations (TMDs) that apply to these products. Whilst the PDS outlines the Terms and Conditions of these products, the TMDs outline the intended class of customers that comprise the target market for these travel products. This will allow you to consider which products best suit your objectives, financial situation and needs and consider the products appropriateness to your personal circumstances. TMDs also outline matters involving the distribution and the review of these products. The PDS, Supplementary PDS and TMDs for each travel product can be found here.