IT’S not every day you see a mayor flying down a slide, but that’s exactly the kind of chaos, colour and childhood magic on show as Area 51 officially opened its massive new Ipswich site.
Inside, it’s sensory overload from the moment the doors swing open – and that’s exactly the point.
The sprawling 10,000sqm entertainment hub has been built to deliver wall-to-wall fun.
A full-blown playground packed with slides, snow and non-stop action for families of all ages.
Chief Operating Officer Michael Affleck said the mission is simple: create unforgettable moments.
“It’s like that moment when a child walks down the stairs on Christmas morning,” Mr Affleck said.
“They light up – that’s what drives us to build these kinds of places.
“We are zero plus, and the Ipswich location is for all ages.”
The venue is split between an 8000sqm indoor zone and 2000sqm of outdoor activities, giving families space to run wild rain, hail or shine.
The headline act is Snow World – a massive 1000sqm snow room delivering a winter wonderland experience never seen in Australia.
“We have slides the country hasn’t seen before, and Snow World, which is entirely new to Australia,” Mr Affleck said.
The decision to build in Ipswich came after strong demand from the region, revealed through performance at the Underwood site.
“We realised that the city of Ipswich and surrounding regions were growing so quickly, and there was nothing for kids to utilise like this,” Mr Affleck said.
“We thought, let’s find some land and build a customised warehouse – not just what this city deserves, but what it requires.”
The opening adds a whole new layer to the Citiswich Business Park, long known for warehouses and logistics.
Peter Saba, Walker Corporation Group Executive of Development, 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.
With major players like Costco Ipswich already in the mix, the area is fast evolving into a modern, mixed-use hotspot with Area 51 set to turbocharge that shift.
The project is expected to create more than 200 jobs, while delivering a major economic boost and a new go-to destination for families across South East Queensland.
