Keeping the family entertained on a budget isn’t always the easiest thing to do, but there are lots of public areas that might just be as much fun as the paid options!The Ipswich region has a wonderful and varied array of options that are completely free!Just remember to pack a picnic, plan your day and you’ll be in for a treat without breaking the bank! And for added fun, combine a few of of these attractions into one day and you and your family will be sure to come away fully content!
When it gets hots this summer, head to the city of Ipswich, just 30 minutes from Brisbane. That’s because the local city council has opened a big selection of FREE water parks that are suitable for families and great for kids of all ages, even little toddlers.Bob Gamble Park is in the River Heart Parklands has a zero-depth water pool for the kids and plenty of other activities like flying foxes, slides, a discovery forest and much more.
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!
Set on the stunning hills of the Tallegalla area, is the secluded and peaceful Tallavalley Farm B&B. Guests enjoy the entire charming four-bedroom house to themselves. Visitors have exclusive use of a full open kitchen, living room, laundry and deck. If you’re an animal person, you’re in luck! You’ll find cows, goats and chickens on the almost 50 acres of the working property.Tallavalley Farm is in a convenient location with the country towns of Marburg and Rosewood just a few minutes drive away. Brisbane city is only around 45 minutes away and the City of Ipswich is about a 20 minute drive.
Fresh mountain air… the wind beneath your wings… just you and 12,000 acres of pure biking bliss! If this has triggered your inner adventurer, well you’ll be pleased to hear you only have to travel to the City of Ipswich for this experience… welcome to Hidden Vale Adventure Park! Drive an hour from Brisbane to the City of Ipswich and soon enough you’ll find yourself exploring their rugged trails that span over 100kms in length. But don’t be fooled if you think entry here is just for the elite… this place caters for all.
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!
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.
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.
The Brisbane Valley Rail Trail is a now disused railway line that extends from Ipswich to Yarraman, brimming with breathtaking mountain scenery and tranquil waterways, old train stations and carriages, and a rich history of early settlers.It's 161km!It's only a 30min drive from Brisbane’s CBD to the rail trail, or you can catch a train from Brisbane all the way to the Wulkuraka train station right where the BVRT starts. Then its 161km of rail trail to Yarraman so there is a lot to see along the way such as wildlife, murals, fellow travellers and even an abandoned train in Linville!Everyone can ride togetherDue to the flatness of the trail, it’s a nice easy ride which allows for all levels of fitness and ages to ride together. If you’re still concerned about mixing abilities then that’s the beauty of electric mountain bikes that are available for hire.
