Kayaking, boating and fishing... What better way to make a splash this spring and summer than by dipping a toe in at some of the greatest waterways in South East Queensland?And what better place to do so than right here in Ipswich?  Central to both the Bremer and Brisbane River Systems, with a few river accessible parks to choose from, we've got exactly what you need...Colleges CrossingOf course, Colleges Crossing is the first place on the list.  It's an obvious choice if you want something a little bit more civilised to complement your rugged exploration into nature.

Here's seven fantastic spots around town where the locals feast.For more places see our Flavours page.The Cottage RestaurantStep into the charm of a beautiful legacy Queenslander and indulge in a fine dining experience with a modern Australian twist. The Cottage Restaurant is a unique little hideaway, tucked in amongst some of Ipswich's oldest residential buildings and ready to dish up the goods.

Wholesome, soulful music, a stellar line up and a seriously good venue. CMC is here!It’s time to suit up and get down, at one of the country’s biggest music festivals right here in Ipswich.But before you embark on your epic rockin’ journey at Willowbank this year, we have a few helpful hints so you can maximise the good times and minimise everything else.

With over 5,000ha of conservation area to call our own, it goes without saying that Ipswich is the place to be for outdoor activities, but I bet you’ve never been out into one of our green spaces at night… Enter night hiking in Ipswich and the wonderful opportunities that now present themselves when you book onto one of our guided after-hours experiences with Ipswich City Council.City Lights Night HikeAmongst our more full-on expeditions, the City Lights Night Hike is one of the truest nature at night experiences we have to offer. Guided by nothing but our headlamps and headed deep into White Rock – Spring Mountain Conservation Estate, the City Lights Night Hike walk is a unique way to witness the bush come to life in all its nocturnal glory. As you might have guessed, this particular experience culminates in the summit of a ridge, overlooking thousands of distant lights, in an ocean of human habitation. All with the backdrop of a stillness that only nature can provide. The City Lights Night Hike tour is a crowd favourite and bookings are essential, so book via our website to secure your spot.Moonrise Night HikesJust like our last mention, the Moonrise Night Hikes available through Ipswich City Council are of the more demanding experiences on this list. But nothing good ever comes easy and the Moonrise Night Hikes are no exception.

The Winternationals will run in June. Racing this year is top fuel, funny cars, pro alcohol, pro slammer, pro stock, top bike, pro stock bike and IHRA pro mod and many more classes.Entry for kids 13 and under is free if you book online (however there is a $2 processing fee) and you can also bring food and drinks in just no glass or alcohol.Read on to discover five reasons why you should book a ticket this year!

Looking for an amazing stargazing experience? Ipswich is the place to be! With its dark night skies and expansive countryside, Ipswich is a prime location for star gazing. For an unforgettable night-sky experience, read on! GrandchesterSpicers Hidden Vale is one of the top stargazing destinations in Ipswich. Located just outside the town of Grandchester, this sprawling property features wide open fields with little to no light pollution, making it the perfect spot for a clear view of the stars. For the best results, you'll want to book in for the night and settle in for your own personal showing of the heavens.White Rock - Spring Mountain ReserveFor an equally immersive stargazing experience, another great option is to check out the Moon Rise Tour and City Lights night hike with Ipswich City Council. This unique tour offers exclusive access to the conservation estate after dark, for an entirely different point of view. If a decent hike, some wildlife and then some stars is your cup of tea, this one is the choice for you. Find the tour here.

It’s common knowledge that the best spots to hike around Ipswich are in our two largest conservation areas, Flinders-Goolman and White Rock. But have you traversed them in their entirety? Surely not, these locations are HUGE. Thousands of acres, towering peaks and deep rugged valleys. It’s really quite mind boggling to consider the actual extent of our natural areas.So let’s amend that!  Here’s some of our hidden hiking gems and how to get there.Gun Pit RidgeHeading off of the main fire trail that runs from the Paperbark Flats Picnic area to the familiar staircase at the base of white rock, there’s a sneaky little treasure sitting inconspicuously just out of sight.

Nearly four years ago now Ipswich was at the forefront of something special.We embarked on a mission to be the most comprehensively mapped city in the Southern Hemisphere.When the call went out, I answered and here we are today with 57 individual locations, (most of which were physically mapped on foot) now totally accessible to the public online.

Who doesn't love a day out on the trails? Twisting through chicanes, pushing up ascents and thundering back down to earth on the other side. It only makes sense that we give a little back to ourselves on occasion and what better way to do it than delving into some of the best in mountain biking that the region has to offer.Thankfully, right here in Ipswich there's loads of places to explore and we've done the hard yards to get all that information right here in the one place.

Kayaking. We know it’s a thing, we’ve all seen people do it and most of us have always been just that little bit curious. And yet here we are, surrounded by some of the best waterways in South East QLD and so many of us do not partake!Well, all of that’s about to change lads and ladies. You’re in Ipswich and this, is kayaking country. It’s about time you sorted yourself out and got paddling. Whether young, old, married or single, there’s a kayaking adventure for all of us.For the familyWhen scientists first split the atom in 1938 they released a huge amount of energy and ultimately ended a war… And in 2020 you too can split the kids, into different kayaks and be dazzled by their inability to stay awake for the car ride home. It’s just science.