Ipswich City Council

Recreation

Enjoying the Environment

Ipswich City offers an enormous range of opportunities for you to enjoy your local environment.

These include a huge range of parks and reserves that has something for the whole family, whether it be a family picnic, a playground for the children to enjoy or walking track that enable you to gain an appreciation of our local flora and fauna.

Why not get up close and personal to some of our local wildlife at the Ipswich Nature Centre or enjoy the City views from the water tower at the Denmark Hill Conservation Park.

Caring for Parks and Reserves

The Ipswich Community Greening Program allows residents to get involved in the environment. Community involvement fosters ownership and care that Council alone would not be able to achieve.

The Parks and Reserves has a tiered approach:

Neighbouring Properties

Property owners requesting screening etc on the area of parks/reserves immediately adjoining their property may ask council for assistance.

Planned Events

Planned events by Council and Non Government organisations occur on designated days such as World Environment Day with the community assisting with planting trees, Clean up Australia Day removing rubbish from parks/reserves.

Existing Parkland Care & Bushland Care

These groups undertake an activity in a park or reserve by re vegetating, removing weeds, mulching etc maintaining and enhancing the recreational experience enjoyed by visitors. Person or persons interested in obtaining more knowledge about or joining an existing group should contact the Parkland Care Officer on (07) 3810 6666.

Honorary Park Rangers

Honorary Park Rangers are volunteers from a diverse range of backgrounds and form the ‘eyes and ears' of the city's parks and reserves.

Trained rangers keep a watchful eye on our parks and reserves and liaise with Council officers on issues ranging from daily routine maintenance to reporting of illegal activities and interpretive activities.

Volunteers

A Volunteer network also exists within Queens Park in the following areas: - Ipswich Nature Centre, Nerima Gardens & Queens Park. Volunteer Involvement includes: Guides for Tours, Maintenance & General Interpretive Talks. Several Garden Groups are involved in looking after locations such as the Bush House & Glass House.

Where to from here?
If you would like more information on any of the programs contact:

Ipswich City Council
Health, Parks & Recreation Department
PO Box 191
Ipswich Q 4305
Telephone (07) 3810 6666

Bushwalking

A number of bushwalking opportunities exist within Ipswich City for all levels of experience. The Ipswich Outdoor and Active Brochure is designed to assist you to chose a suitable location.

Outdoor And Active Brochure (PDF, 703 kb)

To help enhance the experience, free Bushwalking Guides are available for:

Haig Street Quarry Bushland Reserve
Flinders Plum Picnic Area (Flinders-Goolman Conservation Estate)
Denmark Hill Conservation Park
Hardings Paddock Picnic Area
Paperbark Flats Picnic Area (White Rock-Spring Mountain Conservation Estate)
Purga Nature Reserve

To be sent your free guide, simply contact Health, Parks and Recreation Department on (07) 3810 6666 or email council@ipswich.qld.gov.au.

Recreational Licences may be required for certain group activities which can be provided by contacting Council.

Check out the Parks database for other parks and reserves that offer bushwalking opportunities within Ipswich City.

Canoe Trails

The Ipswich Canoe Trails Brochure is designed to promote and illustrate the Canoe Trails on the Brisbane and Bremer Rivers.

Copies of the brochure are available from the Ipswich City Council on (07) 3810 6666.

Brisbane River Canoe Trail

The canoe trail along the Brisbane River allows you to retrace the first steps of our great explorers. The Brisbane River was the pathway to Ipswich and the west during the 19th Century. The Brisbane River Canoe Trail travels some 81.67 kilometres (approx 44 nautical miles) from the Spillway Common, immediately below the Wivenhoe Dam, to Joseph Brady Park, Barellan Point where the Brisbane and Bremer Rivers join. This length of river makes for a great canoe adventure, and can be achieved over a relaxing 3 to 4 days.
The Upper Brisbane River canoe Trail begins at the Spillway Common in Esk Shire and winds its way through a variety of vegetation types and picturesque landscapes before it comes to an end at Kholo Crossing. This part of the trail is approximately 56 kilometres.
The trail is divided into two sections (upper reach and lower reach) due to the catchment protection zone associated with the Mt Crosby Treatment Plant. Within this section between Kholo Crossing and Mt Crosby Weir alternate arrangements to transport your canoes via the road is required. It is recommended that Colleges Crossing is used to relaunch your canoe.
Venus Pools just before Kookaburra Park at Karana Downs is a great sport for a swim and rest stop.

Bremer River Canoe Trail

A trip on the canoe trail along the Bremer River is a unique opportunity to re-live the historic past of this important waterway.
The Bremer River stretches some 100 kilometres (approx 59 nautical miles) from its source in the foothills of Rosevale to Barellan Point where it joins with the Brisbane River. Approximately 25 kilometres of the Bremer's length is navigable by canoe or kayak.
The most popular Bremer River Canoe Trail begins at Shapcott Park in Sadliers Crossing and travels downstream through the suburbs of Woodend, Ipswich, North Ipswich towards Basin Pocket and finishes at Barellan Point. However portage is required at Ironpot Creek, due to a rocky bar. At a leisurely pace this canoe trail will take approximately six hours (depending on the tide) covering 24 kilometres.
The Junction, where the Brisbane and Bremer Rivers meet, was in days gone by, a popular day trip site for picnics, paddle steamer rides and large family gatherings. Why not stop there yourself for a picnic lunch or rest stop at Joseph Brady Park.

Canoeing Tips

Here are some tips on getting the best canoeing experience possible from your day on the water:

Canoe with, or gain advice from someone who has paddled the river before.
Check the tide as some locations are inaccessible at low tide.
It's more fun and safe if you paddle in groups of three or more.
Canoe prepared; take along a backpack or waterproof container to hold a mobile phone, raincoat, some spare clothes in case you get wet, a towel, a first aid kit, plenty of water and food.
Wear sunscreen and a hat.
Always let someone know of your intended canoeing plans and the time you expect to return.
Take along binoculars for a closer look at our native waterbirds and wildlife.
Store your camera and binoculars in a waterproof bag when not in use.
Always wear a personal flotation device for those unexpected spills.
Always be aware of hazards such as fallen and submerged trees, overhanging branches and rapids.
When you encounter rapids, get out of your boat and walk downstream and have a look before proceeding.
Let someone know when you expect to return from your canoeing trip.

Last Updated 24 Sep 2009 |

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