Discover Ipswich Magazine 2019

The hiking trails range from easy to challenging with very short and easy trails tracking to the top of Little White Rock and Bluff Lookout and a moderate 6.5km return trail leading towards the highlight of the estate, White Rock. For those that opt for horseback, a mountain bike or a longer walk, the challenging 19km return Yaddamun trail might be for you. Traditional owners request that visitors respect their cultural beliefs and resist the temptation to climb to the summit of White Rock. Instead enjoying the many other trails and climbs the site has to offer. 3. Denmark Hill Conservation Reserve Denmark Hill is just minutes away from the Ipswich CBD and within minutes of being in this natural place you forget the urban hustle and bustle that is just around the corner. There is plenty of room for a picnic with the family as shelters and BBQ’s are provided. The Reserve also boasts a look into our past with Triassic aged dinosaur displays, easy to moderate walking trails and the opportunity to observe a variety of birdlife that call Denmark Hill home. 4. Haig Street Quarry Bushland Reserve Ipswich hosts the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and Haig Street Quarry Bushland Reserve poses as one of the best locations to view a variety or RAAF aircraft as they fly overhead. The Tom Craik lookout is accessible via wheelchair and is a must-do as it oversees the RAAF base and out toward epic views of Main Range. Haig Street is an important site for linking Aboriginal people with Country as it facilitates the passage of cultural stories and knowledge. 5. Kholo Gardens If it is tranquillity you’re after then you can’t go past Kholo Gardens, a recreational area filled to the brim with natural attractions. Similar to Colleges Crossing and Joseph Brady Park, Kholo Gardens is situated on the Brisbane River, a location that will satisfy those with a kayak in tow. It also allows people with the opportunity to fish and bushwalk several easy hiking trails which can complement a picnicking day out. Kholo Gardens is another location in Ipswich that is culturally significant to the traditional owners of Ipswich.

Written by Danno, outdoorsman @bushiesuntamed

Daniel ‘Danno’ Parks is a secondary educator that specialised in science and health and physical education. Outside of the classroom, Danno opts for the outdoors, citing the bush as a home away from home. Here are his five top hiking destinations in Ipswich.

1. Flinders-Goolman Conservation Estate TripAdvisor Rating from 8 reviews. Booroong’pha (Flinders Peak), known by the traditional owners of Ipswich as a sacred site, is the highest peak in Ipswich. As a hiker or peak-bagger within South-East Queensland, this is certainly one peak that should sit high on your bucket list. Flinders Peak is assigned a grade 5 (very hard) rating and is suited more to those that don’t shy away from getting the heart and quads pumping. The 6km return trail to the summit of Flinders Peak has just been re-vamped and offers assistance to those that fret the thought of navigating. At the summit, you will be rewarded with 360 degree views including epic scenes towards Brisbane, Main Range, the Lamington plateau and the Mount Barney massif. The hiking goodness of the Flinders-Goolman area doesn’t stop there. Ginginbaar (Mount Blaine) is also a popular hiking trail which, like Flinders Peak, offers steep sections that also get the ticker going. The 2.5km return Mount Blaine trail will reward you with sensational views of Flinders Peak as well as out across the Scenic Rim. The Ipswich City Council provide very informative signage in the Flinders Plum Picnic Area and list all the hiking options that are available to you. If hiking isn’t your cup of tea but mountain bike riding is, then guess what? Flinders Peak still has something in store for you. There are many well maintained tracks for mountain bike riders to enjoy. 2.White Rock-Spring Mountain Conservation Estate TripAdvisor Rating from 9 reviews. The traditional owners of Ipswich refer to this significant site as Nugum or Boogun, and is known as a place for women’s business. The White Rock landscape features many rocky outcrops, wildlife, bushland and a range of opportunities for outdoor activities.

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Be sure to check Council's website for updates before exploring these sites: Ipswich.qld.gov.au/recreation.