Discover Ipswich Magazine 2022

ADVENTURE

MOUNTAIN BIKING

There is also a great place in the Ipswich CBD for birdwatching – Denmark Hill Conservation Reserve . There’s 54 different species found here including Australian king parrots, rainbow lorikeets and pale-headed rosellas. If two wheeled fun is your idea of a great weekend away there’s plenty of options for you with 196km of biking trails in the city. The top of the list would have to be Hidden Vale Adventure Park (HVAP) which has more than 110km of world class hiking and biking trails. You can also stay next door at Spicers Hidden Vale retreat or at cabins along the trails at HVAP.

You can mountain bike at many of the reserves in Ipswich, including Flinders-Goolman and White Rock - Spring Mountain Conservation Estates , and along the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail . There's also two MTB parks you can visit in Ipswich, Castle Hill Blackstone Reserve and Hillview Drive with tracks of varying difficulty. Another accommodation option which fits the nature theme is Keira Farm , which has camping and glamping and also a cottage you can stay in with an outdoor bath to soak away any aches and strains. For more rural-style stays see page 28.

Head out for some bird watching and hiking at White Rock – Spring Mountain Conservation Estate . There’s a 6.5km hike to the base of White Rock and back and a more challenging 19km return trail. As per cultural protocol, the Traditional Owners have requested no one climbs White Rock. Look closely to see the spotted quail- thrush searching leaf litter for insects and seeds, spotted pardalotes and rainbow bee-eaters – 138 species have been found in the estate. BIRD WATCHING

Ipswich is also the start of the 161km Brisbane Valley Rail Trail . You can hike or bike the trail, an easy day trip is the 22km section from Ipswich to Fernvale. Leave time to stop at the Old Fernvale Bakery for refreshments, before heading back. More than 40 bird species have been recorded along here including Australian wood ducks, rainbow lorikeets, eastern yellow robins and more.

Kholo Gardens is a treasure trove for bird watchers with more than a hundred species found here. See darters, cormorants, kingfishers, ospreys and more. Another great place for bird watching is the Purga Nature Reserve . An easy 350–500m walk with seating available. You’ll see native herbs, wildflowers, birds and sometimes kangaroos, koalas and echidnas.

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