Spend longer in nature with new features at Purga Nature Reserve

Published on 17 August 2026

Visitors to Purga Nature Reserve will be able to spend longer enjoying the peaceful surrounds with the completion of new features in an upgrade of the day use area.

Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said the day use area had been beautified with fresh pathways, landscaping, refreshed facilities, new picnic shelters and – for the first time at the reserve – gas barbecues.

“Purga Nature Reserve is already an attractive and serene destination with its all-abilities boardwalk weaving through the largest stand of endangered Swamp Tea Tree (Melaleuca irbyana) forest protected through Enviroplan, and as habitat for a diverse range of species including koala, wallabies and birdlife,” Mayor Harding said.

“These upgrades to the day use area make it easier for visitors to spend longer enjoying the reserve, such as having a barbecue or picnic with friends and family as well as an easy stroll through nature.”

Mayor Harding said the upgrades were funded through council’s Enviroplan initiative, a ratepayer levy that provides vital conservation and environmental outcomes for the City of Ipswich.

“Through Enviroplan funding, council was able to remove the old caretaker’s cottage at Purga Nature Reserve and transform the site into an attractive space for everyone to enjoy with barbecues, picnic shelters and turfed kick-around space,” Mayor Harding said.

Mayor Harding said Purga Nature Reserve was a little-known gem in the Enviroplan conservation network, and open to the public daily from 6am to 6pm.

“Recently council also installed an automatic entrance gate, which provides more certainty for visitors about being able to access the reserve for early morning or early evening activities,” Mayor Harding said.