WaterFest
Ipswich WaterFest brings into focus the many ways you can be involved in sustainable water-based recreation and ways to improve the health of our waterways.
Be inspired to get outdoors and appreciate Ipswich’s Bremer River and our stretch of the Brisbane River, the many creeks within our catchment, and Ipswich environmental initiatives making a difference.
Find a fishing spot
During WaterFest discover great places in Ipswich to drop a line.
Discover underwater life
Ipswich's waterways are full of life including rare and protected species such as the unique lungfish.
Events and activities
WaterFest has free and low cost activities for all ages that highlight the importance of our waterways.
Look a little deeper
Our waterways are teeming with life and WaterFest helps us understand how we can work together to protect them.
Caring for our creeks
During WaterFest get to know your local creek - and ways you can help it to be healthy!
2026 Events and Activities
There's a whole season of great events in March - May 2026.
Download program(PDF, 902KB)
Catch, Snap & Win Fishing Competition
Monday 23 March to Sunday 19 April 2026.
Hosted by council with 2 Bent Rods, this fun fishing competition will inspire you to get outdoors and appreciate Ipswich’s creeks and rivers.
A total prize pool worth up to $2500 in value is up for grabs, including a kayak.
Check out some great fishing spots in the Fishing Places of Ipswich brochure(PDF, 1MB).
How to enter
- Download the 2 Bent Rods app via the Apple or Google Play stores and select the Catch, Snap and Win competition
- Catch a fish in an Ipswich waterway during the competition period (23 March - 19 April)
- Use the app to provide the required photos, including of the fish, yourself and the competition code.
Categories
Entries are in Open, Youth (12-25 years) and Child (aged up to 11) categories.
- Random draw (all participants)
- Longest Australian bass
- Most impressive catch
- Most pest fish overall
Winners will be contacted by Friday 24 April. Prize collection will be from the Queens Park Environmental Education Centre, open Tuesday – Saturday 9.00am to 2.00pm.
Terms and Conditions(PDF, 258KB)
Learn to Fish - Active and Healthy program
People of all ages will have a ball with 2 Bent Rods. Learn all the basics of fishing including how to tie fishing knots, bait hooks and cast a fishing rod. Find out the rules for different species and how to identify your catch, and sustainable fishing practices.
Adults fishing at Springfield Lakes
- Tuesday 31 March, 1.30pm – 4.30pm
- Thursday 2 April, 1.30pm – 4.30pm
Family fishing
- Saturday 11 April, 12.30pm – 3.30pm at Colleges Crossing
- Saturday 18 April, 8.00am – 11.00am at Joseph Brady Park
- Sunday 19 April, 11.30am – 2.30pm at Colleges Crossing
Kids fishing at Joseph Brady Park
- Monday 13 April, 8.30am – 11.30am
- Friday 17 April, 1.30pm – 4.30pm
Registrations open two weeks before the event via the Active and Healthy calendar.
Canoeing basics - Active and Healthy program
Learn the basics of canoeing with Scouts! It’s a memorable way to explore the natural surroundings from the water. The session introduces basic paddling skills, water safety and teamwork while enjoying the peaceful environment of the Brisbane River at Mount Crosby.
- Tuesday 7 April, 9am – 12pm
- Monday 13 April, 9am – 12pm
Registrations open two weeks before the event via the Active and Healthy calendar.
Waterbugs in Tulmur Place
Get up close to wonderful waterbugs these school holidays with special free activities at Tulmur Place, Nicholas Street Precinct.
From Tuesday 7 April to Friday 10 April (10am-2pm daily) join Natura Pacific and Ipswich City Council for a free drop-in event. Get up close to real waterbugs and learn how to identify these tiny but terrific creatures.
Play a special Agents of Discovery Mission anytime during the April school holidays. Download the free Agents of Discovery app to your smartphone and visit Tulmur Place to play family-friendly challenges that dive deep into the world of waterbugs.
Queens Park Environmental Education Centre
In celebration of WaterFest the centre will have free activities for all ages. Drop in anytime during centre opening hours (9.00am - 2.00pm Tuesday to Saturday) for craft activities and screenings of Back from the Brink short films about Queensland’s most threatened plants and animals, what is happening to them, and how we can help save them from extinction.
Special activities will also be held during the Easter school holidays. These events are free but registrations will be required.
- Creatures of the Creek animal show, 10am on Saturday 11 April (tickets available from 23 March)
- Terrarium building workshop, 11am on Tuesday 14 April (tickets available from 24 March)
Register for these free events on the ICC Environment Humanitix page.
Agents of Discovery
Download the free Agents of Discovery app for nature-approved screen time!
During March and April we have a special Mission at Colleges Crossing Recreation Reserve that celebrates the Brisbane river and our valuable waterways.
Simply use the app on your smartphone and walk around the reserve to unlock fun games and challenges. Suitable for children with adult supervision, Mission takes less than an hour to play.
See more about Agents of Discovery.
Community planting
2.00pm Saturday 18 April 2026
Help improve habitat on the banks of Bundamba Creek with a special WaterFest community planting in partnership with Conservation Volunteers Australia. As part of the day, you’ll also be able to enjoy a free lunch and go on a special walk-and-talk with Dr Tamielle Brunt from PlatypusWatch, where you’ll learn more about platypus conservation from an expert who knows these elusive creatures inside out!
Your efforts will support creek bank stabilisation and healthier waterways.
It is free to attend but registrations will be required. Visit https://conservationvolunteers.info/WaterFestPlanting2026 for more details and to register!
Bird ID walk at Sapling Pocket
7.00am, Saturday 9 May 2026
Go on a special walk with bird expert Cesar Puechmarin in a special Enviroplan conservation reserve. Sapling Pocket contains one of the few remaining pockets of riverine rainforest along this stretch of the Brisbane River. This will be a memorable morning walk for both seasoned birders and newcomers, with opportunity to encounter species such as elusive Black-breasted button quail, vibrant Rose-crowned fruit dove and distinctive Australian spectacled monarch.
Registrations will be required - keep an eye on the Discover Ipswich page for details to be released soon!
You may also be interested in
Past events
WaterFest 2024
A WaterFest catchment map details key locations and event information.
Download a copy of the WaterFest Program(PDF, 657KB)
WORLD WETLANDS DAY AT MASONS GULLY BUSHCARE
Join council volunteers and the West Moreton Landcare Group to plant out the edges of the waterway running through the site. Learn more about wetland function and health - the local wildlife and waterways will thank you!
When: Saturday 3 February 2024
Where: John Street Reserve, Rosewood
Cost: Free, registrations required.
More information at Ipswichcitycouncil.eventbrite.com
CLEAN UP AUSTRALIA DAY
Litter often ends up in our waterways, blown by the wind or washed down by stormwater. Why not get together and register a clean up site along a local creek or waterway in your neighbourhood? Every little bit helps when we are caring for our waterways.
When: Sunday 3 March 2024
Where: Register a clean up site, or join in a community clean up site
Cost: Free, registrations required
More information: Cleanup.org.au/cleanupaustraliaday
PUGGLES PLAY TIME
Bring the little ones to Queens Park Environment Education Centre for a drop-in play time activity. Puggles Play Time is a regular activity and during WaterFest will have a special waterway theme. Designed for children aged 5 and under.
When: Fridays, drop in 9.30am – 11.30am
Where: Queens Park Environmental Education Centre
Cost: Free (no registration required)
SMALL CREEK EXPLORATION
During the school holidays join in a nature play activity at Small Creek, a naturalised creek channel.
When: 11 April 2024
Where: Small Creek, Poplar Street Park, Raceview
Cost: Free
More information: Ipswichcitycouncil.eventbrite.com
LEARN TO FISH
During the school holidays join in a fishing activity with council’s Active and Healthy program.
When: 2 April and 7 April 2024
Where: Joseph Brady Park
More information: Sign up to the Active and Healthy program and register for this activity at Ipswich.qld.gov.au/activehealthy
CATCH SNAP & WIN FISHING COMPETITION
Hosted by Ipswich City Council and 2 Bent Rods, join in this fun fishing competition.
A total prize pool worth up to $2400 is up for grabs, including a kayak!
When: Thursday 28 March – Sunday 14 April 2024
Where: Across waterways within Ipswich local government area (some exclusions apply)
Cost: Free
Registrations via 2 Bent Rods Humanitix
Winners will be announced on Saturday 20 April 2024 at a free event at Queens Park Environmental Education Centre.
WATERFEST CELEBRATION
Join in family-friendly activities and learn about waterway health. This event will also include the announcement of winners of the Catch & Snap Fishing Competition.
When: Saturday 20 April 2024
Where: Queens Park Environmental Education Centre
Cost: Free
Find more event information at Ipswichcitycouncil.eventbrite.com
TREES FOR MUM
Plant a tree to honour and celebrate Mum and the special women in your life, with council’s Habitat Connections program. Pack a picnic rug and enjoy activities on the day while helping revegetate an Ipswich waterway and improve habitat for native species.
When: Sunday 12 May 2024
Where: Tite Family Park, Bundamba Creek
Cost: Free, registrations required
Find more information at Ipswichcitycouncil.eventbrite.com
TEACHER PD - EXPLORING WATER BUGS
This workshop is designed to support teachers who are interested in learning how to collect and classify macroinvertebrates in a local creek, and what that can teach us about our waterways.
When: Wednesday 29 May 2024
Where: Poplar Street Park, Raceview
Cost: Free, registrations required
Find more information at Ipswichcitycouncil.eventbrite.com