March 2026 | Media Releases
Australia's largest indoor entertainment venue at Citiswich Business Park
Ipswich is now home to the Southern Hemisphere’s largest indoor entertainment venue, with Area 51 opening a 10,000sqm family play destination at Citiswich Business Park in Bundamba.
At the heart of the facility is a 1,000sqm snow room, creating a unique, year-round winter experience for Queenslanders and establishing Area 51 as a major drawcard for families across Ipswich and the wider region.
The purpose-built venue also features 8,000sqm of indoor entertainment space and 2,000sqm of outdoor activities, offering a diverse range of experiences for visitors of all ages.
Walker Corporation Group Executive of Development Peter Saba said the arrival of Area 51 marks another milestone in the transformation of the Citiswich Business Park precinct into one of South East Queensland’s most dynamic employment and lifestyle destinations.
“Citiswich has become one of Queensland’s leading business and logistics parks, supporting thousands of jobs and significant investment in the Ipswich region,” Mr Saba said.
“The opening of Area 51 brings something new and exciting to the precinct, creating a destination where families can come together, local kids can stay active and the broader community can enjoy a high-quality recreation experience close to home.”
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding with Walker CEO David Gallant (second from left) and Walker Group Executive of Development Peter Saba (far right) open Area 51 Ipswich
In recent years, Citiswich has evolved significantly beyond its traditional industrial roots, transforming into a modern business and lifestyle precinct that serves both employers and the surrounding community.
Major retail and convenience offerings such as Costco, alongside cafes, services and new customer-focused businesses, are helping shape Citiswich into a destination that people can visit as well as work in. This evolution reflects the rapid population growth across Bundamba and the wider Ipswich region, with Citiswich increasingly playing a role in meeting the everyday needs of nearby residents.
The addition of family-friendly destinations like Area 51 further strengthens this shift, providing a place where families from surrounding neighbourhoods can gather, play and spend time together while supporting local jobs and economic activity.
The entertainment venue is expected to create more than 200 local jobs, further strengthening Ipswich as a destination for work, leisure and entertainment.
Area 51 COO Michael Affleck said the company was thrilled to open its newest centre in Ipswich comprising a massive 10,000sqm under roof, recognising this region as one of South East Queensland’s fastest growing family communities.
“Ipswich is a region full of young families looking for exciting activities and entertainment, so we’re excited to bring the Area 51 experience to Citiswich Business Park,” Mr Affleck said.
“Our centres are designed to be places where kids can be active, families can spend quality time together and communities can gather and celebrate birthdays and other milestones.”
Ipswich resident Ryder Bess testing the slides
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding welcomed the investment, highlighting the positive impact it will have for local families and the broader regional economy.
“This is a fantastic addition for Ipswich and particularly for the Bundamba community surrounding Citiswich Business Park,” Mayor Harding said.
“Projects like this bring new experiences for our residents while also supporting local jobs and economic activity.”
“As one of Australia’s fastest growing cities, Ipswich continues to attract investment that strengthens our community and enhances our lifestyle, and it’s great to see businesses like Area 51 choosing Ipswich as their home.”
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding
Spanning 350 hectares, Citiswich Business Park is one of South East Queensland’s largest masterplanned industrial and business precincts, attracting leading national and international businesses and driving significant employment and economic growth across the region.
Strategically positioned at the intersection of the Ipswich Motorway, Cunningham Highway and Warrego Highway, the precinct offers direct connectivity across South East Queensland. It is located approximately 40 minutes from the Port of Brisbane and around 15 minutes from RAAF Base Amberley, Australia’s largest operational air force base.
Supply of well-located industrial land across South East Queensland is tightening, particularly within established precincts.
As Citiswich approaches its final stage of development, Stage 7 will mark the last opportunity for businesses to secure land within the precinct.
The release will deliver a limited number of industrial lots, reinforcing its position as a key employment and logistics hub and supporting the next phase of growth in Ipswich and South East Queensland.
