D
IS
COVER IPSWICH 2015
20
I
f you’re the type that loves theoutdoorsand
theendlessopportunitynaturepresents to
invigoratebodyandmind, then Ipswich is
theplace foryou.
Ipswichhasmuch tooffernature lovers, itsareas
abundantwithnature trails for thosewho just like
a short, easy strollor themoreenergeticwith
serioushikingon theirminds…and feet. Happy
camperscanalsoenjoy thatprecious feelingof
wakingupwithnatureat acampsite.
On Ipswich’snorthernoutskirts is
Kholo
Gardens
, a sub-tropicalhaven thatboastsa
400mwalkunderanatural rainforest canopy
or steeper, longerwalks topush thepulse rate
higher. Anelegant churchandcrystal clear lily
pondcomplete the serenepicture.
On theother sideof town just 15minutes from
IpswichCentral is
PurgaNatureReserve
,which
has the largest remnantofSwampTeaTree
protected inAustralia. Theeasy, self-guidedwalks
amid theghostly, ashen treesarepleasant and
there’sdisabledaccess, givingeveryone the
opportunity to try to spotkoalasandEastern
Greykangaroos.
In theRedbankPlainsarea, there’s the
White
Rock -SpringMountainConservationEstate
.
The indigenousUgarapulpeople request thatyou
don’t climb theWhiteRock formationbutyou’re
welcome toenjoyhiking, horse ridingand
mountainbiking. Ahighlight isamedium-level
20-minute trackwhereyoucan seecaves, koalas
and the relicsof aWWII trainingbunker.
Aswell as impressivenativefloraand fauna, bike
andhorse riding trails, the
Flinders-Goolman
ConservationEstate
nowhaseightbush
camping siteswith facilitiesatHardingsPaddock.
Ifyou like toclimbmountains justbecause they’re
there, thehike toGoolmanLookoutwill reward
youwith spectacularviewsof ancientmountain
formations, theBrisbanecity skylineand, ona
clearday, even thePacificOcean.
Ifyou’reacityslickeratheart,whynotexperience
apieceofnature right in IpswichCentral. The
DenmarkHillConservationPark
isgreat for
theweekendwalkerand familieswithshort
bushwalks, lotsofwildlife,dinosaur fossilsanda
picnicarea. Stillgotabitofenergy left? Take the
stairs (thereareaquitea fewof them!) to the topof
thewater tower toseestunning360-degreeviews.
DenmarkHillConservationEstate
SPECTACULARVIEWSOFANCIENT
MOUNTAIN FORMATIONS, THE
BRISBANECITYSKYLINEAND,
ONACLEARDAY, EVEN THE
PACIFICOCEAN.
Flinders-GoolmanConservationEstate
TheGreatOutdoors
NatureTrails–
Walk,Cycle,Ride
WE’REGOING
EXPLORING.WE’LLBE
BACKBEFOREDARK,
MUM…WEPROMISE.
