How many of Ipswich's 277 birds have you seen?If you have a love for birds, Ipswich is definitely a place to visit, boasting 277 recorded species, from Willy Wagtails often seen in backyard gardens to majestic raptors soaring high above. 

We all know that kids love a great park! Whilst there are some obvious places we automatically think of taking the family to for the day, I’m here to share some epic parks that not only offer a playground, but an entire day out!Denmark Hill Conservation ReserveStop driving past and come discover what little gem hides inside! Located right near the Ipswich hospital, Denmark Hill has so much to offer including a selection of bush walking trails, all of which are dog friendly (dogs must remain on leash). The trails all vary in fitness levels and length. While walking around keep your eyes open for the local wildlife, and experience the serenity, even though surrounding you is the hustle and bustle of the Ipswich CBD. Why not take the entire clan, fire up the barbeque, sit back and relax watching the kids burn off their excess energy on the playground!Find Denmark Hill at 20 Chelmsford Avenue, Ipswich.

Your destination? Flinders Goolman Conservation Estate, a veritable theme-park for hikers, with 10 walking trails and three summits encompassing 2,200 hectares of extensive forests, countryside and volcanic peaks. Grab your backpack, fill your water flask and get ready to conquer Mt Goolman, Mt Blaine and Flinders Peak with this guide.1. For lookout wanderers – Mt Goolman LookoutIf you’re still building up to the Mt Goolman summit, you can still settle for getting a good glimpse of it, taking the Mt Goolman Lookout track.

Take a step back in time and have a peek at our prehistoric past with these sites around Ipswich... Denmark HillFossils were first discovered at the Denmark Hill Conservation Area as early as the 1890s.   In the 1920s eight tonnes of material was sent by train to the University of Queensland and thousands of fossils were uncovered dating right back to the Triassic Age more than 200 million years ago.Follow the Triassic Circuit, a 200-metre walking track, kids will enjoy this circuit, there are barbeques, a playground, toilets, picnic settings and sealed walking paths through the park.

So you want to go fishing? Don't want to hit the road for an hour or more and then fight the crowds for a spot then battle traffic on the way home? Well you don't! Ipswich has some great spots to fish and most of them are right around the corner.Colleges CrossingA very popular spot for all types of activities, including fishing! You will get a very mixed bag of species in this part of the river and common catches are bream, flathead, garfish, mullet and the odd Australian bass if you're lucky enough. Colleges Crossing is perfect for a relaxed fish off the bank or there's a boat ramp for the kayak fisherman to launch from to head either up or downsteam.Tips: Use light line and light sinkers for targeting bream with prawns or mullet baits or alternatively lightly weighted soft plastics with a slow subtle retrieve. Please be aware bullsharks and stonefish are in this part of the river.

An Ipswich summer day can be hot, hot, hot!  With temperatures rising well above 30 degrees on most summer days, knowing the best places in Ipswich to cool off is a must!  There are plenty of places to cool off on a hot Ipswich day, from zero depth water parks to massive lagoons, public swimming pools, and natural waterways.No doubt your family has their favourites which they visit regularly, but if you’re after some tips on where to cool off this summer, here’s a list of some of the best places to swim in Ipswich. Orion LagoonIn the peak of summer, families flock to the Orion Lagoon in their droves!  That’s because the Orion Lagoon is just awesome, offering something for everyone - and it’s completely free!