While many locals pack up the car and head out of town for their camping trips, you might be surprised to hear that there are some great places to camp right here in Ipswich.  From stunning bushland properties, picturesque working farms and riverfront properties, Ipswich has a great range of campsites to choose from.If you’re a camper and think it’s about time to go on a camping trip in your own background, here is our pick for the best campsites in Ipswich.Hardings PaddockLocated in the Flinders-Goolman Conservation Estate, just 20 minutes from the Ipswich CBD, Hardings Paddock is a lovely place for a bush camping experience.  The campgrounds are surrounded by natural bushland and despite its proximity to the city, you’ll feel a million miles away.

Somehow a view gives dining another dimension. Not only is it relaxing, but it’s a great way to show off the area to visitors.Here are some places to remember, whether you want to overlook water, nature or views.Brookwater Golf and Country ClubEvery golfer is heading for the nineteenth hole. It’s a natural progression. And why not, when the clubhouse has a view as beautiful as this one! With views over the eighteenth hole of this Greg Norman-designed course and natural bush land beyond, Brookwater Golf Club’s dining room enjoys a tranquillity that only a view of green can bring.

Hillview Drive Reserve in Ipswich is a flowy 6km cross country loop featuring a variety of terrain. Only 200m from the beautiful Kholo Gardens, Hillview Drive is an ideal riding destination for a family day out. Here are my top five reasons to visit Hillview Drive circuit in Ipswich!LocationThe 6km circuit is easily accessible for Ipswich and Brisbane riders. This alone is perfect for those days you do not feel like driving excessively to get a ride in. 

With mountain biking gaining popularity in the community, it is essential there are trails suited to all levels of riding. As a rider I know we are constantly pushing our boundaries and skills to new levels, riding steeper more technical trails. These boundaries can be somewhat limited with more common blue and green beginner level trails.Having said that, the following includes some of the best ADVANCED riding in Ipswich for the rider looking to test their own abilities!Phils Trail, Castle HillIn my opinion this is the most technical trail at Castle Hill, Blackstone Reserve. With big ruts carved into the sandstone from tyres, steep switch backs and tight trees, Phils is sure to test out your bike skills. The trail also ends at the drop into the pump track/jump line, the perfect way to finish a sick track!

Hidden Vale Adventure Park (HVAP) is quickly becoming one of the hearts of mountain biking in Ipswich. With over 110km of professionally built trail networks and some of the longest descents in all of Southeast Queensland, HVAP is a must ride destination!Having ridden and raced at HVAP more times I can count, with many successful results, here are my top five trails to tackle at HVAP!

While Japan has cherry blossoms and the Netherlands have tulips, Ipswich has Jacaranda trees and there is no time more pretty than Spring in Ipswich, when the Jacaranda trees bloom and the landscape is dotted with splashes of purple.Native to South America, Jacaranda mimosifolia or as we commonly call them, Jacarandas, have made their home in Ipswich and each year put on a spectacular display from October through to November.During Spring parks, schools, backyards and footpaths bloom with purple but why not plan a visit to one of these locations for a truly magical display.