Ipswich’s Conservation Estates and natural areas are the ‘green lungs’ of our region, providing clean air, habitat for native plants and animals and preserving biodiversity. They are also places where you can unwind, exercise or enjoy time with family and friends. There are physical, emotional and social benefits when we take time out to connect with nature.
Autumn 2025 is full of unique experiences for you
For 29 years the Ipswich community and council have invested in conservation through the Enviroplan intiative.
During autumn 2025 join us for special activities highlighting Ipswich's precious Enviroplan conservation areas and celebrating actions for a greener future.
Take a look at the 2025 Experience Nature Program (PDF, 1.3 MB).
| You have an important Mission - discover the secrets of Ipswich's natural environment! |
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March 2025: The Search for Enviroplan Gems at Haig Street Quarry Conservation Reserve April 2025: The Search for Enviroplan Gems at White Rock - Spring Mountain Conservation Estate May 2025: The Search for Enviroplan Gems at Denmark Hill Conservation Reserve |
Use the free Complete the Agents of Discovery Mission for your chance to win!
Enter via the Competition link available when you complete a 'Search for Enviroplan Gems' Mission between March - May 2025.
- Weekly random draw: Nature explorer prize pack
- Major monthly random draw: Take four people on a VIP tour of the Ipswich Nature Centre and then enjoy lunch at the PA hotel. Plus, take home a nature explorer prize pack.
See here for Terms and Conditions (PDF, 204.9 KB).
March 2025
Bush Kindy
9.30am - 11.30am, Friday 14 March, Queens Park, Ipswich
This play session aimed at under 5s includes activities such as loose parts play, nature exploration, sensory play and group time. It is led by Areta from Bush Kindy Teaching. *Also see date in May.
Free event but registrations required, see Ipswich City Council Eventbrite.
Mindfulness Walk
7am - 8am, Tuesday 11 March, Haig Street Quarry Conservation Reserve, Brassall
Take some time out of your busy schedule and make time to relax your mind in nature. Mindfulness is an effective strategy to calm a busy mind, open your heart, and inspire creativity and connection with others and the world around us.
Tickets will be available on 18 February from Active and Healthy.
Great Trails of Ipswich: Moonrise Hike at Mount Goolman Lookout
5pm - 8pm, Friday 14 March, Hardings Paddock at Flinders-Goolman Conservation Estate, Purga
Join us for a late afternoon guided hike to watch the full moon rise just as the sun sets over the beautiful views from Mount Goolman Lookout. *Also see date in May.
For ticket pricing and information see Discover Ipswich.
Great Trails of Ipswich: Habitat Trek and Talk
9am-11am, Saturday 15 March, Haig Street Quarry Conservation Reserve, Brassall
Join Ranger Jody for a guided morning bushwalk that will give a special insight to the dry eucalypt forest that was once widespread in the Brassall area.
For ticket pricing and more information see Discover Ipswich.
Great Trails of Ipswich: Full Moon Hiking Tour
5pm - 8.30pm, Saturday 15 March, White Rock - Spring Mountain Conservation Estate, Redbank Plains
Join us for a guided hike to watch the sun set over beautiful vistas from the main ridge lookout of this conservation estate. *Also see dates in April and May.
For ticket pricing and more information see Discover Ipswich.
Learn for Life - Indigenous Astronomy
6.30pm - 8.30pm, Thursday 20 March, Ipswich Central Library
Join Gamilaroi astrophysicist Karlie Noon as she shares the rich traditions of Aboriginal astronomy. Discover how First Nations peoples have observed and navigated the stars for over 65,000 years, embedding stories of space, time and travel into oral traditions passed through generations. Presented by Ipswich Libaries as part of Experience Nature.
Registrations will be available on the Ipswich Libraries website.
Nature Notebooks Session
Session 1: 9.30am - 10:30am, Session 2: 11am - 12pm, Friday 21 March, Haig Street Quarry Conservation Reserve
Join local artist Deb Mostert for a morning of observing and sketching in a beginner-friendly workshop. Start with a leisurely stroll beneath the eucalyptus and notice your surroudings. View Deb's visual sketchbooks and learn how to begin one of your own.
For ticket pricing and more information see Discover Ipswich.
Teacher Professional Development - Bush Kindy
4pm - 6pm, Wednesday 26 March, Queens Park Environmental Education Centre, Ipswich
Ipswich teachers and educators are invited to this professional development workshop on the principles of Bush Kindy. The workshop led by Areta of Bush Kindy Learning will discuss ways bush kindy principles can be implemented in different educational settings.
Free event but registrations required, see Ipswich City Council Eventbrite.
Agents of Discovery Competition
Throughout March, Haig Street Quarry Conservation Reserve, Brassall
Download the free app Agents of Discovery and play 'The Search for Enviroplan Gems' to discover more about Haig Street Quarry Conservation Reserve. Complete the Mission for your chance to win a great prize!
For more information see Agents of Discovery.
April 2025
More great events will be available as part of Experience Nature!
- Guided bird and plant ID walks, Saturday 5 April, Stirling Road Reserve (normally closed to public access). For ticketing information see Discover Ipswich
- Children's Yoga, Monday 7 April, White Rock - Spring Mountain Conservation Estate. Information will be released closer to the event on Active and Healthy
- Kids' Spotlighting, Monday 7 April, White Rock - Spring Mountain Conservation Estate. For ticketing information see Discover Ipswich
- Bird Walk (ages 12+), Wednesday 9 April, Kholo Gardens. Information will be released closer to the event on Active and Healthy.
- Kids' Hike, Friday 11 April, White Rock - Spring Mountain Conservation Estate. For ticketing information see Discover Ipswich
- Kids' Fishing, Saturday 12 April, Joseph Brady Park. Information will be released closer to the event on Active and Healthy.
- Full Moon Hiking Tour, Saturday 12 April, White Rock - Spring Mountain Conservation Estate. For ticketing information see Discover Ipswich
- Kids' Hiking and Navigation skills, Monday 14 April, White Rock - Spring Mountain Conservation Estate. Information will be released closer to the event on Active and Healthy.
- Nature photography for beginners, Tuesday 15 April, White Rock - Spring Mountain Conservation Estate. For ticketing information see Discover Ipswich
- Journey Sticks, Wednesday 16 April, White Rock - Spring Mountain Conservation Estate. Information will be released closer to the event on Active and Healthy.
- Beginners' mountain biking and Beginners' trail riding, Thursday 17 April, White Rock - Spring Mountain Conservation Estate. Information will be released closer to the event on Active and Healthy.
- Agents of Discovery Competition, throughout April, White Rock - Spring Mountain Conservation Estate. For more information see Agents of Discovery
May 2025
Stay tuned for great activities as part of Experience Nature!
- Bush Kindy, Friday 9 May, Queens Park
- Full Moon Hiking Tour, Friday 9 May, White Rock - Spring Mountain Conservation Estate
- Moonrise Hike, Saturday 10 May, Hardings Paddock at Flinders - Goolman Conservation Estate
- Habitat and History Walk, Saturday 17 May, Denmark Hill Conservation Reserve
- Wildlings Forest School, Saturday 17 May, Denmark Hill Conservation Reserve
- Bush Tucker walk, Sunday 18 May, Hardings Paddock at Flinders - Goolman Conservation Estate
- Connecting Corridors Forum, Saturday 24 May, Spicers Hidden Vale
- Stargazing, Saturday 31 May, Hardings Paddock at Flinders - Goolman Conservation Estate
- Agents of Discovery Competition, throughout May, Denmark Hill Conservation Reserve
Discover on your own
It’s easy to explore our natural estates, no matter your level of ability, with trail and visitor infrastructure funded by Ipswich Enviroplan. However it’s important to ‘tread lightly’ as you experience nature, to stay safe and help preserve these amazing wild places for future generations.
- Find trail guides and more information on the Conservation Estates page.
- Make sure you’re doing the right thing, read Know Before You Go (PDF, 106.7 KB).
Go on a guided tour
Council is committed to sharing our knowledge and passion for Ipswich’s natural environment. Guided tours reveal stories, history and the fascinating life of flora and fauna within our conservation estates. Guided tours are held regularly, however spaces are limited.
Contact Discover Ipswich for tour information and bookings. See Discoveripswich.com.au or call (07) 3281 0555.
Organise a school excursion
It’s easy to be inspired when you’re learning in an outdoor classroom. Council offers bookable tours for schools and early learning centres, with a number of age-appropriate locations available.
Contact Discover Ipswich on (07) 3281 0555 to enquire about school excursion bookings.
2023 Experience Nature 40 ways in 40 days events
See the full calendar of events for 2023 Experience Nature 40 ways in 40 days (PDF, 19.5 MB).
Nature at Night – White Rock Spring Mountain Conservation Estate
Friday 5 May, meet at 5.15pm
Tickets $5 individual, $15 per family through Discover Ipswich.
As the sun sets behind the tall trees, we’ll head off to experience the sights and sounds as creatures of the day go to sleep… join our guides at dusk to discover the life of the forest at night!
Experience Nature – Moonrise Hike at Flinders-Goolman Conservation Estate
Saturday 6 May, meet at 3.45pm
Tickets $5 individual, $15 per family through Discover Ipswich.
Join us for a late afternoon guided hike to watch the full moon rise just as the sun sets over the beautiful views from Mount Goolman Lookout. This challenging hike through woodland departs from the Hardings Paddock day use area.
Experience Nature – Habitat and History Guided Walk
Wednesday 10 May, meet at 9.45am
Free (registrations essential) through Ipswichcitycouncil.eventbrite.com
Denmark Hill Conservation Reserve is a sanctuary for wildlife, an unspoiled natural wonderland with an interesting history. Join a guided walk and hear some of the interesting stories about the heritage homes and buildings surrounding the reserve.
Author Hour – Darryl Jones
Thursday 11 May, 6.30pm
Free (registrations essential) through Ipswich Libraries
Hear from author Darryl Jones (ecologist, academic and researcher) as he shares his investigations into why certain animals are doing so well in our urban environment. It's a story of danger, romance and discovery. With bin chickens.
Trees for Mum
Sunday 14 May, 9am-11am
Free (registrations essential) through Ipswichcitycouncil.eventbrite.com
Pack a picnic rug and enjoy coffee and treats while you listen to free nature talks and soak up the peaceful Jim Seymour Park, Camira. Every mother or carer registered will receive a complimentary gift and treat to enjoy at the planting.
Experience Nature – Learn how to use iNaturalist
Wednesday 24 May, meet at 9.45am
Free (registrations essential) through Ipswichcitycouncil.eventbrite.com
Explore the great diversity of nature at Ric Nattrass Environmental Park and join a guided walk of the reserve. Learn how you can record and share your observations through the free iNaturalist app on your phone.
Experience Nature – Paddling on the Bremer River
Saturday 27 May, Session 1: 2pm, Session 2: 3pm
Tickets $5 individual, $15 per family through Discover Ipswich
Join us at Cribb Park, North Ipswich for a guided afternoon paddle on the Bremer River and discover the importance of healthy water ecosystems and the role they play for life in and out of the water while developing your canoeing skills.
Experience Nature – Habitat and History Guided Walk
Sunday 28 May, meet at 9.45am
Free (registrations essential) through Ipswich City Council Eventbrite
Join this all ages guided walk in the Kholo Botanic Gardens and learn about the site’s historical buildings, relics and the site’s significant connection to cultural heritage.
Experience Nature – Nature Sketchbook Workshop with Deb Mostert
RESCHEDULED to Tuesday 30 May. Session 1: 9.30am, Session 2: 11am
Tickets $10 per person through Discover Ipswich
Join local artist Deb Mostert for a morning of observing and sketching in a beginner friendly sketchbook workshop in the Purga Nature Reserve. View Deb’s visual nature sketchbooks and learn how to begin one of your own.
Mindfulness Trail Walk with Experience Nature
Friday 2 June, meet at 4.45pm
Tickets $5 individual, $15 per family through Discover Ipswich
Take some time out of your busy schedule and make some time to relax your mind in nature at the Haig Street Quarry Reserve. Mindfulness is an effective strategy to calm a busy mind, open your heart, and inspire creativity and connection with others and the world around us.
Experience Nature – Moonrise Hike, White Rock
Sunday 4 June, meet at 3.15pm
Tickets $5 individual, $15 per family through Discover Ipswich
Discover White Rock-Spring Mountain Conservation Estate at dusk. Meet the furry locals and their feathery friends on this rare opportunity to explore the estate as the sun goes down on a guided walking tour to experience nature after the park has closed.
Experience Nature – Outdoor Education Day for Schools
Thursday 8 June, closed event for schools. For information email enviroed@ipswich.qld.gov.au
To acknowledge World Environment Day we are inviting students to come and experience nature in Ipswich. Students will be inspired to become environmental stewards and reflect on discoveries, and challenge themselves to make changes as individuals, and within their schools, to meet environmental and sustainability objectives.
Experience Nature – Bird Walk with Professor Hugh Possingham
Saturday 10 June, meet at 6.30am
Free (registrations essential) through Ipswich City Council Eventbrite
Enjoy a fun and educational guided tour with Professor Hugh Possingham (conservation biologist and passionate bird watcher) while getting a front-row seat to the natural beauty of the Flinders-Goolman Conservation Estate and learn more about the wildlife that are local to Ipswich.
Experience Nature – Family Day
Saturday 10 June, 10am-2pm
Free (registrations essential) through Ipswich City Council Eventbrite
Join us for this special event at Hardings Paddock, with the stunning Flinders-Goolman Conservation Estate as its backdrop. Hear from expert guest speakers as they share valuable insight to important environmental topics facing Ipswich and beyond and connect with Ipswich’s local environmental groups and learn more about their important projects.