discoveripswich.com.au
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NerimaGardenswasdesigned inconsultation
with Ipswich’s sistercity in Japan.Amodel
traditional Japanese teahouse, constant soundof
flowingwater,windingpathsandcharming
gardensmake thisa tranquil andcalming space.
Aunique factor is thatAustraliannativeplants
havebeenused,with somebeing indigenous
to Ipswich.
Looking forabushlandadventure in thecity?
Just follow thestreetsup to thewhitewater tower
overlooking thecity to the
DenmarkHill
ConservationPark
. Takeyourpickofeasy
bushwalkingcircuitsandventure intoTriassicPark,
completewithaStegosaurusstructureprotecting
thedinosaur footprintsand fossildisplays.
Downon thebanksof theBremerRiver is the
RiverHeartParklands
, takingup 1.2km from
between theBradfieldBridge (apedestrianbridge
across to thepopularRiverlinkShoppingCentre)
andBobGamblePark. Wheelchairandpram-
friendlyboardwalks, a spiderweb-styleclimbing
frame (thinkmodern ‘junglegym’), children’s
aquativitypark for refreshing fun, andahuge
‘DiscoveryForest’willkeep thekidshappy for
hours. While there, it’sworth reading the
informationplaquesabout the fascinatinghistory
of thecity thatwasonce slated tobeQueensland’s
capitalbutmissedoutbecause the riverwasn’t
deeporwideenough for shipping.
Keepingwith thesplashingaround theme, justa
fewminutes from IpswichCentral is the
Colleges
CrossingRecreationReserve
on theBrisbane
River. A long-time favouritewith localsand
visitorsalike, youcanenjoygoodold-fashioned
paddle in the shallows, fishingandkayaking in the
‘lake’ (a largenatural inlet) anda shaded,
nature-basedplaygroundwithequipment suchas
a fort,musicalwall, spinning seats, tree log tunnel
and frogsculptures. The large, grassedareaallows
for sportsand therearealsowalking tracksand
bike/scooterpaths. Nodoubtyou’llbeexhausted
andhungryafterallof that, so it’sgood toknow
therearebarbecuesat the shelteredpicnic table
areasand refreshments– includinganall-day
breakfast–at thecafé thatboastsgorgeousviews
of the river.
Oneof theotherparkhighlightsof Ipswich,with
anod to thenearbyRAAFBaseatAmberley, is
LobleyPark
in the suburbofChurchill. As soon
asyouarrive, you’ll seewhy theparkhaswon
awards for itsaeronautical-themedplayground.
Kidswill loveplaying in theair-trafficcontrol
towerwithall itsbuttonsanddials, plus there’san
airport securitymetaldetectorandwalk-inRAAF
cargoplanemodelwithmockcockpit. Because
thepark is litupatnight, it’sagreat idea toBYO
snags foradinnertimebarbecue.
From themodest localneighbourhoodpark
through to somethingas impressiveasRobelle
Domain–oneofAustralia’s largestoutdoor
recreation facilitiesof itskind–you’llhaveno
troublefinding theperfectparkorplayground in
andaround Ipswich.
ASPIDERWEB-STYLECLIMBING
FRAME, AQUATIVITYPARKANDA
HUGE ‘DISCOVERY FOREST’ WILL
KEEP THEKIDSHAPPY FORHOURS.
IpswichNatureCentre
CollegesCrossingRecreationReserve
QueensPark
