Start planning your weekends with these great walks in Ipswich. From mountains to hike to lush gardens and reserves you’ll find some nature here…
Queens Park
One of the oldest parks in Queensland, Queens Park, includes the Japanese inspired Nerima Gardens and the Ipswich Nature Centre.
Enjoy the green expanse of the park which turns purple in Jacaranda season, and don’t miss the outdoor chapel behind the café.
Flinders-Goolman Conservation Estate
The conservation estate covers just over 2200ha and supports extensive forests and rugged volcanic peaks and slopes including Flinders Peak, Mt Blaine, Mt Catherine and Mt Goolman.
A range of recreational activities are on offer to visitors in the Flinders-Goolman Conservation Estate including bird-watching, hiking, mountain bike and horse riding (bring your own bike or horse).
The Hardings Paddock and Flinders Plum Picnic Areas have picnic tables and public toilets.
Purga Nature Reserve
For a unique nature walk just 15 minutes from Ipswich, Purga Nature Reserve is a peaceful getaway.
It has the largest remnant of Swamp Tea Tree protected in Australia, and there are short, self-guided walks amid the ghostly, ashen trees that are truly spectacular.
The reserve has two Class 2 tracks for easy level walking, including the 350-metre wheelchair-accessible Tea Tree Boardwalk Circuit, raised high enough to keep your feet dry even if the wetlands have had rain.
The longer Melaleuca Circuit is still a fairly short stroll on flat land, and with the native herbs, wildflowers and ground covers in place, it’s an inviting habitat for birds. There’s picnic tables, compost toilets and drinking water available.
Denmark Hill Conservation Reserve
Once you descend the walking tracks amid huge native trees, you completely forget that you’re in the middle of Ipswich.
Denmark Hill is a popular place for bird watchers, with owls, kookaburras, wrens, finches and others making their homes here.
You have a choice of walking circuits that range from 200 to 800 metres.
It’s a relaxing walk down to the picnic area where you venture into a children’s playground with swing, climbing stations, picnic tables and BBQs.
Castle Hill Blackstone Reserve
From culture-rich mining heritage to adrenalin-fuelled downhill mountain biking, Castle Hill is a unique place and offers an experience unlike anything else in the region.
For those wanting to discover the Reserves historical significance, take a walk along the Lewis Thomas Historical Trail.
Explore the coal mining history of the reserve as you pass open mine tunnels, hand-dug mine shafts and relics of the imposing three storey “Castle” which once towered over Blackstone.
Robelle Domain
The Robelle Domain parklands, half an hour from Brisbane’s Central Business District, offer visitors a rainforest walk, waterfalls, water play areas, bike tracks and more.
Robelle Domain has an 11 kilometre pathway network for family fun during the day and at night the 9-metre high light tower installations give off a spectacular light and sound show.
Across a footbridge is Orion Lagoon – an amazing oasis of interconnected pools of varying depth.
White Rock
The White Rock – Spring Mountain conservation estate is also a great place to go walking.
Visitors can enjoy the full gamut of outdoor activities including hiking, bird-watching, horse riding (bring your own horse), mountain bike riding and nature study.
For the bushwalker, there’s everything from a leisurely 200 metre walk to the more challenging 19 kilometre round trip trail, with most of the trails suitable for hiking and mountain bike riding. If you’re on horseback, then the Yaddamun Trail is perfect.
The entry to the Estate is the Paperbark Flats Picnic Area, at the end of School Road in Redbank Plains. Amenities on site include toilets, picnic facilities and horse float parking.
- Climbing is prohibited on White Rock and the adjacent southern ridge as it is protected under the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act.
- Pictured is the view from the Main Ridge Lookout.
Hidden Vale Adventure Park
Leave the city behind and head bush to explore the more than 110km of world-class trails at Hidden Vale Adventure Park.
There are tracks to cater for all riders with lots of loops, jumps and drops in between to get your heart racing. And tracks for those that wish to run or walk.
Brisbane Valley Rail Trail
For an outdoor adventure on two feet or two wheels, the 161km Brisbane Valley Rail Trail is an epic journey suitable for young and old.
The track starts at Wulkuraka Station and takes you on a scenic journey through some of Queensland’s most stunning countryside including remote towns, farmland and mountains.
