IPSWICH | Destination Guide

Come explore Queensland’s oldest provincial city – and Race the way you Ride your bike with us at the Castle Hill MTB Trails!

You need only venture 30 minutes from Brisbane to discover Queensland’s time-honoured heritage region of Ipswich, packed with surprising new adventures. It’s where historic homes meet culinary cool. Where the open road leads to beautiful countryside, dotted with unexpected delights. Discover why it’s never felt so young, and why you’ll feel it too.

Renowned for its architectural, natural and cultural heritage, Ipswich has all kinds of attractions and highlights ranging from steam trains, over 550 parks (including the heritage-rich Queens Park and modern Orion Lagoon), as well as eateries, cafes, restaurants, cinemas, shopping centres and more – like the Castle Hill Blackstone Reserve where we’ll race!

Event Information

Fox Superflow® is racing the way you ride. Ride up at your own pace. Drop in with your buddies on each other’s tyre or leave a space to pin. It’s about doing party trains, railing berms and SENDING IT!

This is friendly enduro racing without a tight schedule. You can pick the order in which to tackle the race stages, which makes this event social and action-packed at the same time! You can do up to five runs on each stage, the fastest one counts and there are no start orders, which means whatever category you’re in, you can ride together and still lock your own best race run in!

Get ready for an absolute adrenaline rush as you smash down our Superflow race tracks to hunt down those precious seconds for the win!

Supported by Ipswich City Council, this really is your mountain bike life with the volume turned up!

#rockytrailjourney: Ipswich


About the Trails

We are stoked to be racing at Castle Hill Blackstone Reserve MTB Park, which provides some of the best single track in South East Queensland.

Ipswich City Council and a group of dedicated volunteers from the Ipswich Cycling Club have built the trails and facilities that makes this small but busy trail network one of the most popular in the region.

With over 15 International Mountain Biking Association rated mountain bike trails ranging from easy to very difficult, Castle Hill is suitable for riders of all abilities, but is best known for its technical single trails which can challenge even experienced riders.

Address: Corner of Thomas and Mary Streets, Blackstone.

Transport Information

By Air – Ipswich is easily accessible from 3 major airports – Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Brisbane West Wellcamp (Toowoomba) Airports – and is connected to the Brisbane and Gold Coast Airports via the Airtrain and Brisbane Citytrain networks.

By Road – Ipswich is only 30 minutes by road from Brisbane City, 1 hour from the Brisbane Airport and 45 minutes from the Gold Coast, and is located on the nexus of five major arterial roads, so it’s easy to get there by road. The Brisbane and Gold Coast Airports offer easy access to car hire companies for the fly-drive option.

Daily bus connections are available from the Brisbane Transit Centre in Brisbane, and bus transfers are available for door-to-door shuttle services. Bookings are essential and must be made 2 full working days prior to the service being provided. Group coach transfers are also available. Contact the Ipswich Visitor Information Centre on (07) 3281 0555 or via email to info@discoveripswich.com.au for bookings and more information.

By Rail – The Brisbane Citytrain network provides regular connections from Brisbane to Ipswich and Springfield, with connections to the Gold & Sunshine Coast rail lines. You can also travel to Ipswich via Airtrain from the Brisbane Airport, with a change over to the Citytrain network at Roma Street or Central Stations.

Don’t forget to read all about our top tips for how to travel with your bike!

Read the blog

Destination Information

Ipswich has a rich history as well as a vibrant cultural scene. With gracious old buildings, beautiful parks and a creatively quirky food and shopping precinct, come and discover a world of things to do, places to explore, and heritage to uncover.


What else is on?

So much to do on and off the race track!

Ripley Markets

Saturday 12 August (3pm to 8pm)
Providence (6 Amity Way, South Ripley)

Over 60 stalls featuring live music, delicious food stalls from all around the world, handmade homewares, fantastic fashion and farm animals, jumping castle and even a circus school to boot. Find out more…

World Science Festival QLD Ipswich Open Day

Saturday 12 August (9:30am to 3pm)
The Workshops Rail Museum (North Street, North Ipswich)

Free Entry! World Science Festival Queensland is returning to Ipswich this August. Come join the celebration as The Workshops Rail Museum once again becomes a STEM playground with immersive and family-friendly events for everyone to enjoy. Find out more…


Accommodation

Whether you are visiting Ipswich for business or pleasure, there are multiple accommodation options for single travellers, families or groups of people. To help make your journey easier, here are eight businesses where you can stop and rest your head.

Browse our featured picks below or read more…

Best Western Ipswich

Address: 51-55 Warwick Road
Phone: (07) 3202 3111
Web: https://www.ihmi.com.au/

Enjoy fresh, clean rooms, self-catering apartments, and friendly hospitality. All suites are luxurious, large and airy, with comfortable interiors.

Guest facilities include a barbecue area, swimming pool, high-speed WiFi, reverse cycle air-conditioning, room service, ample off-street parking for cars, buses and trucks, and an excellent restaurant and piano bar on-site. The Heritage Restaurant has an extensive menu and caters for most tastes, serving traditional meals.

Hardings Paddock Campground

Address: Carmichaels Road, Purga
Phone: (07) 3281 0555
https://www.discoveripswich.com.au/accommodation/hardings-paddock-campground/

Just 20 minutes from the Ipswich Central Business District, the Hardings Paddock campground is perfect for a weekend getaway for the whole family. Surrounded by natural bushland, there are just eight camping sites available to add to the feeling of seclusion.

The campgrounds and site is also suitable for motorhomes and caravans. There’s no power, but you will have access to toilets, camp kitchen including BBQ’s and shower cubicles (you’ll need to bring your own shower bags and potable water).

Choose from a cabin or villa, relax in your caravan, or enjoy your nights under the stars on a camping site (both powered and unpowered sites available).

Country Motel Ipswich

Address: 250 South Station Road, Raceview
Phone: (07) 3202 4622
Web: https://www.countrymotelipswich.com/

Located just a few minutes drive from the Ipswich Central Business District and walking distance to Brothers Leagues Club with a small shopping village conveniently located just across the road.

Offering 44 comfortable, well-appointed rooms, some fully self-contained plus free fast and reliable WiFi for all guests. Parking is at your door, mostly undercover and also caters for RVs and Caravans with a few secure sites for short stays.

The motel has a picturesque pool complete with an additional adjoining wading pool for toddlers, and you ca unwind in the evening with a delicious meal from the on-site restaurant, Casa Mia.


Our top tips for #rockytrailracers

Best Places to Explore Ipswich on Two Wheels

Whether you are a beginner, intermediate or advanced rider, Ipswich has plenty of pathways and trails to suit people of all ages. So go explore Ipswich today!

Choose Your Own Adventure in The ‘Swich

If you love adrenaline-pumping adventure, then get your thrills right here. Mix and match your choices to create your perfect day out…

Check Out These Great Walks in Ipswich

Here’s some great walks in Ipswich to check out. From mountains to hike to lush gardens and reserves you’ll find some nature here…

Top Tips to Keep the Kids Entertained…

Whether your children like to be creative or adventurous while or after you race, here is our ultimate list of boredom-busting ideas so you never have to hear the words “what are we going to do today” again.

Can’t get enouch of racing Ipswich MTB trails? There’s more riding to be done:

Here’s some more tips from our team:

1.
Take a balloon flightThere’s no better way to experience the gorgeous countryside of Ipswich than seeing it from above via a hot air balloon. Taka a once-in-a-lifetime chance to step out of your comfort zone and see the world in a new way.
2.
Check out the cafe cultureIpswich is blessed with abundant cafes and a thriving cafe culture. Whether you want to grab something on the run, or looking for a more substantial meal, you’re sure to find a cup of joe and a tasty menu to tempt you. Of course if you’re more of a night-owl, there is a thriving cocktail culture to check out as well!
3.
Go ghost huntingHear spine-tingling stories on one of the ghost tours of Ipswich Cemetery, in the CBD and at the Boggo Road Gaol. Ghost experts Jack and Molly will paint a picture of Ipswich’s gothic history through their passionate storytelling and who knows – you might even meet a spirit from the other side!
4.
See world-class art muralsWith seven new amazing murals now complete across Ipswich Central created as part of the Brisbane Street Art Festival, now is the time to view this inspiring art trail that is a must see when visiting Ipswich.
5.
Amazing animal experiencesCharming hobby farms, camel rides, and llama walking are just some of the many options available for having a close encounter with some cuddly and crazy animals. There’s a Koala safari, the Ipswich Nature Centre (click here to see what the Nature Centre looks like from INSIDE the enclosures), and a working farm with 70 goats and 40 kids! They even do cheese making demonstrations!
6.
Check out the viewOne of Ipswich’s best-kept secrets is its spectacular sunsets and picture-perfect panoramas. There are so many ways you can drink in the sights, from hiking to the top of a local landmark to heading up in a helicopter.
7.
Vintage shopping in the cityEverything that is old is new again! Vintage shopping is a great way to bag yourself a bargain and find unique items that aren’t produced anymore, and the best place to hunt for hidden gems is in Ipswich, a town rich with history. And make sure you take some time to wine, dine, and pamper yourself while you’re at it.
8.
Go for a driveThe town of Marburg is a great spot for a day drive or weekend getaway. See the 130-year-old mansion that used to be a seminary, do some boutique shopping in the old church, grab a gourmet grazing box for the perfect afternoon picnic, and then round out the day with an art workshop for floristry, painting, chocolate making and more.
9.
Escape roomsAn escape room is a puzzle, adventure game, where you go into a themed room and work together as a team to find clues, solve puzzles, unlock locks and doors and escape the room before your time runs out. The objective isn’t always to escape. Sometimes you might have to solve a murder mystery, defuse a bomb, or free the fairies. Every escape room is unique, but they are all a lot of fun!
10.
Natural wonderIpswich’s gracious and historical Queens Park is one of the oldest parks in Queensland, and you can’t help but be impressed with this amazing expanse. The playground alone is worth a stop, with a flying fox and fixed model train! Make sure you finish off your visit to the park with a quick trip to the renowned Ipswich Nature Centre to check out the wombats, bilbies and quolls.
11.
Rock out!Love live music? There’s more places than you might think in the heritage City of Ipswich! Some of the venues are within beautiful heritage buildings in the city, so read on to find out…

Plus so much more!!

White Rock – Spring Mountain ConservationEstate
Ipswich Central
Wooldlands of Marburg
Mustang Race Experience QLD Raceway
Animal Encounters Ipswich Nature Centre
Ipswich Central
Hot Air Balloon Experience
Flinders Peak
Colleges Crossing Recreation Reserve

INS(TA)PIRATION:
There are so many experiences that await,
here are just a few to get you started:

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