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.

Expand your horizons with a visit to Ipswich mountain peaks featuring stunning views, natural wildlife and thrilling heights…Flinders PeakThe highest public accessible peak in Ipswich is Flinders Peak. It is located inside the Flinders-Goolman Conservation Estate and reaches some 680m high into the sky. While Flinders isn’t the highest peak in the region (Mt Beau Brummell located on privately owned land at 700m high takes that title) it is the highest peak you can climb.  Expect a steep climb up passing over several crests, expect views to Brisbane, the Fassifern Valley and Lamington Plateau as you ascend. The final segment is the most rugged section, rock scrambling skills and rugged boots are essential.This hike is a class 5 rated trail for very experienced bushwalkers and should take about six hours to complete.

Just a stone’s throw out of Ipswich, there’s a patch of bush that’s got everything a good hike should have — an interesting trail, great views, wildlife and tall timbers.Ipswich has an abundant number of walking trails, many of which are great tracks for both casual walkers and those with more experience who want more of a challenge.

An escape to the country doesn’t always have to be road trips that turn into hours! Just 45 minutes out of Brisbane and you could be putting two wheels to this stretch of rail line from the 1800s… also known as the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail.   The trail famously takes in beautiful towns like Yarraman and Esk… but let us tell you, all the fun begins a whole lot closer to home! Wulkuraka is the start of this 161km ride… located just 10 minutes from the City of Ipswich. It then continues to Fernvale, before looping westwards to Lowood and then continuing north to Coominya, Esk, Toogoolawah, Moore, Linville, Benarkin, and Blackbutt before finally arriving in Yarraman.

If you’re looking for a place where you can hike and birdwatch, Ipswich is the place for you, there are more than 277 recorded bird species on record in Ipswich.Colleges Crossing Recreation ReserveSet on the banks of the Brisbane River, Colleges Crossing, is a great spot for a walk and some birdwatching. Look out for pelicans, great egrets, royal spoonbills, black kites and many more species. There’s also a lake for fishing and kayaking, bike and scooter paths and walking tracks. Bring a picnic as there’s BBQ facilities and sheltered tables. Brisbane Valley Rail TrailThe BVRT is the longest rail trail in Australia, at 161km it follows a disused Brisbane Valley rail link that connects Wulkuraka to Yarraman. The Ipswich section is 22km long from Brassall to Fernvale. It winds its way through rural settings and country towns and is perfect for fun family adventures.  Along the BVRT there have been more than 40 recorded species of birds including Australian Wood Ducks, Rainbow Lorikeets, Eastern Yellow Robins and Magpie-larks.

Young children (and parents!) will love how easy it is to experience the great outdoors in Ipswich.An outing to the bush with young children doesn’t mean you have to rough it. Ipswich has a range of natural areas with the types of facilities that make the whole experience more enjoyable for the whole family.All of these areas are funded through Enviroplan, which is a council initiative to protect and manage areas with high conservation values, Enviroplan celebrated 25 years in 2021.