The Ipswich region is home to some colourful and also quite cheeky birdlife - including many species you won’t find along the coastal regions of south-east Queensland. Above: Mount Mort's Laurie Smith (@Laurie7521 on Instagram) captured a galah feeding its not-so-small young one.
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.
Whoever said the best things in life are free must have been referring to picnics. With a rug, basket and a bit of culinary imagination, you can give swanky restaurants a run for their money. Then you can chew with a view just about anywhere.When it comes to picnic grounds, Ipswich delivers, with no shortage of parks for picnicking. In fact, the city spreads across an area of 1090 square kms with a population of just 200,000 people amongst its borders. That’s nine tenths the size of Los Angeles! What are you waiting for? Make like Yogi Bear, pack (beg, borrow or steal) a picnic basket, don a hat and discover Ipswich’s best picnic spots with this guide. Colleges Crossing Recreation ReserveIf you’re all about the scenery, turn off Mount Crosby Rd, and set up your picnic at Colleges Crossing Recreation Reserve.
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.
With inbuilt trampolines, an inclusive merry-go-round, custom parkour inspired obstacle course, and swings – all surrounding a mammoth three-story climbing tower and giant slide – kids of all ages will be bouncing, swinging and climbing to their hearts content on the new Orion Springfield Central Playground which is now open!Orion Springfield Central Manager, Melissa Crittenden, is over-the-moon to deliver this transformational project.“The centrepiece of this innovative play space is the custom built 11 metre tower. The slide from the top of the tower rewards little adventurers, while the 16-metre walkway offers children a new elevated vantage point to engage with the space around them.”
The Ipswich Nature Centre is South East Queensland’s only free zoo, it’s a popular destination for families and attracts about 250,000 visitors a year.It is home to a range of animals from dingos to spotted quolls and a bilby conservation program that was started by Save the Bilby Fund co-founder Frank Manthey.
