ACCOMMODATION WALLOON QLD

Providing excellent short or long term accommodation to both business travellers and visitors, Oaks Aspire sets the benchmark for contemporary studio, one and two bedroom apartment accommodation. This modern apartment hotel's facilities include a gym, lap pool, sauna and spa, meeting and business facilities, broadband access, and more. Ideally located in the centre of Ipswich's eclectic Central Business District and close to the city's burgeoning corporate hub, Aspire combines contemporary style and technology with spectacular views of the parklands and the river. Whether you are visiting for business or leisure, you are perfectly positioned to access all that Ipswich has to offer....

Motel Monaco is always a popular choice if it's comfortable, budget accommodation you want in Ipswich. It's just a three-minute drive from Ipswich town centre and the same distance to the award-winning Workshops Rail Museum. The motel is also a few minutes' stroll to the hub of Ipswich shopping, the bustling, undercover Riverlink Shopping Centre which has 150 specialty stores. For meal options, there are restaurants and take-away food outlets nearby. Importantly for car travellers, Motel Monaco guests enjoy free parking, and inside your air- conditioned room you'll receive complimentary wi-fi and Foxtel pay television as well as the usual motel facilities such as towels, linen, fridge and tea and coffee making supplies. You can also make use of a shared laundry. Children under two stay free of charge if using existing beds, and there's a lovely park and playground directly across the road for them to run off all their energy. Guests can also enjoy the outdoor pool and barbecue facilities, making Motel Monaco great value for its reasonable rates. ...

Benarkin State Forest on the Blackbutt Range is a great spot to picnic, fish, spot platypus or hike or ride on forest trails. From the D'Aguilar Highway an unsealed 16 kilometre scenic forest drive leads through rainforest, hoop pine plantations and eucalypt forests containing blackbutt, tallowwood, white mahogany, gums and ironbarks to small flats beside the inviting waters of Emu Creek. Two camping areas, Clancys and Emu Creek, are open areas beside Emu Creek (a tributary of the Brisbane River) and cater for a range of camping experiences from tents to caravans and motorhomes. Toilet facilites and tap water (treat before drinking) are provided at both sites; cold showers are provided at Emu Creek. Open fires are permitted in fireplaces only (except during fire bans). Please bring firewood. Dogs are permitted (on a leash) at Clancys camping area. Visitors can walk or ride mountain bikes, or horses on the Bicentennial National Trail, the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail or on formed roads and tracks; except where signed or when access is restricted due to timber harvesting activities. Riding trail bikes is permitted in some parts of the park....

The Yuddamun Trail forms part of the White Rock - Spring Mountain Conservation Estate managed by Ipswich City Council, and is accessed from the Paperbark Flats Picnic Area off School Road in White Rock, just south-west of Ipswich. The Estate is over 2,500 hectares in size and features the rocky outcrops of White Rock and Spring Mountain located within a large swathe of regionally significant bushland supporting some of the highest natural and conservation values in the region. The estate contains 624 flora and 159 fauna species as well as habitat for five threatened flora and three fauna species. It also supports three endangered vegetation types and functions as the headwaters of seven major waterways. The Yuddamun Trail contains some steep inclines and rough surfaces. It crosses the northern section of the estate giving spectacular glimpses of Ipswich, Brisbane City and towards Moreton Bay....

You don't have to be born to be wild to enjoy an exhilarating motorbike experience in and around Ipswich courtesy of Ipswich Trike Tours. Soak up the thrill of being a passenger on a three-wheeler Oz Trike motorbike as an expert takes charge. Ipswich Trike Tours' vehicles have a capacity for three passengers as well as your professional driver. It's fun, fast, and an adrenalin rush but it's all very safe as well. Passengers are provided with sturdy crash helmets, then you sit back and relax as you enjoy your half hour or one hour Joy Rides, Winery Tour through the Scenic Rim, or a Scenic Tour through the Hinterland. Why not design your own tour or just go around the block a few times? It's a great bucket list 'to-do' ticked off. If you'd like even more adrenalin-charged adventure, Ipswich Trike Tours has partnered up with Pterodactyl Helicopters. You can be picked up then taken to the helicopter for a spectacular low-level flight along the Brisbane River, then dropped back again. Talk about travelling in style! ...

Springloaded Trampoline offers kids and kids at heart an ideal way to bounce off all your excess energy just a hop, skip and a jump from the Ipswich Central Business District at West Ipswich. The popular trampoline park offers visitors of any age and skill level several varieties of trampolining fun, with its specially trained court attendants making sure everyone has a good time, with safety just as high a priority as the fun factor. Only the best gymnastic-grade materials are used at Springloaded Trampoline, so feel free to bounce away to your heart's content on the Performance Tramps, Platforms (with walk-up walls), the free Bounce Open Play Area, and the Foam Pits. And speaking of hearts, trampolining is great low-impact exercise that's beneficial for your heart, with the added benefit of burning off kilojoules. Who knew losing weight could feel this exhilarating? Springloaded Trampoline is a popular venue for self-catered birthday parties and they also offer gymnastic classes, so instead of having the kids bounce off the walls at home, bring them along. And if you're not jumping yourself, you don't pay. Bookings are essential....

Queensland Raceways holds two major drifting events each year, and both are full of non-stop action. With previous year's events entries filling up in record time, there's sure to be over 200 cars on show for the weekend. Come check out all the sideways action!...

A 20 minute drive from Ipswich on the Warrego Highway at Marburg, The Girls' Coffee Bar has a loyal clientele drawn to its great coffee and delicious food offerings. As part of Phippsy's complex - a popular stop for drivers halfway between Brisbane and Toowoomba - this charming little eatery has al fresco and indoor air-conditioned dining. Open for Breakfast, Lunch seven days a week, The Girls' Coffee Bar's Breakfast specialty of Eggs Benedict is a firm favourite - poached eggs, locally baked ham on homemade dark rye toast with a tasty hollandaise sauce. The wide range of open grills, wraps, salads and homemade Gourmet Pies are also much loved, while sweet-tooths won't be able to resist goodies like the Caramel Swirl Brownie or Choc-Ginger Cheesecake. Gluten-free and vegetarian options are available, and jams and honey can be purchased. Coffee is supplied by Melbourne-based company, Amanti, with 'The Girls' using the blend which has a tangy flavour and lovely, light lingering after-taste. Early-morning commuters make use of the 'Text Ur Coffee' by ordering via their mobile phones and picking up their caffeine fix 15 minutes later. For something a little stronger, the caf?/restaurant is fully licensed....

Located an easy five minutes drive from Ipswich Central, the Haig Street Quarry Bushland Reserve offers a family friendly setting with spectacular views of the Scenic Rim. Bring a picnic and enjoy the beautiful wildflower display in spring, moderate level walking tracks along with Willy Wagtail and Bearded Dragon circuits, and the water birds around the pond....

For a fun and adventurous day out, you can't go past Ipswich's National Paintball Fields at Blacksoil on the Brisbane Valley Highway - a 15-minute drive from Ipswich and just over half an hour from the Brisbane Central Business District. The family-owned Paintball Fields have 23 acres of lush fields so you can enjoy a safe adrenaline rush overseen by referees. Whether it's for a family outing (for over 15s), birthday party, group celebration or corporate event, you're guaranteed to have a day to remember in one of the largest skirmish and paintball fields in Australia. There are eight different themed concept fields, with forts, tournament field, bush fields, open playing fields and more. Once you check in and are provided with your overalls, goggles and breast vests for women, you're ready to splatter paint at your rivals! They have a package and catering tailored to suit your needs. National Paintball Fields is also licenced for Archery Tag - a game played similar to dodgeball but with bows and patented foam-tipped arrows. Suitable for 10 years and over, an Archery Tag birthday party will be a hit with kids and adults alike! ...

Drag racing lovers know the place to be for all the action is Willowbank Raceway, just a short drive out of Ipswich and 45 minutes from Brisbane in the renowned Ipswich Motorsport Precinct. Willowbank has been thrilling crowds for three decades, hosting major professional drag racing events each year. It's all hands-on with Test 'n' Tunes, where you can test your mettle in a safe and controlled environment. Race the clock or your mates with your own car or bike, with the events held on most Wednesdays, Saturdays and some Fridays. Perhaps cheering from the sidelines is enough, in which case, come along to the Winternationals in June - the largest drag racing event outside the USA. It's family-friendly and features all the top professional drag racing categories including the popular fire-breathing Top Fuel Dragsters....

For a unique nature walk just 15 minutes from Ipswich, Purga Nature Reserve is a peaceful getaway. It has the largest remnant of Swamp Tea Tree protected in Australia, and there are short, self-guided walks amid the ghostly, ashen trees that are truly spectacular. The reserve has two Class 2 tracks for easy level walking, including the 350-metre wheelchair-accessible Tea Tree Boardwalk Circuit, raised high enough to keep your feet dry even if the wetlands have had rain. The longer Melaleuca Circuit is still a fairly short stroll on flat land, and with the native herbs, wildflowers and ground covers in place, it?s an inviting habitat for birds. Keep your eyes peeled for Eastern Grey kangaroos, koalas and echidnas which occasionally make an appearance. Purga Nature Reserve?s popular frog pond, depending on the time of year and rainfall, is host to the Green Treefrog, Eastern Sedgefrog and Striped Marshfrog, and you can also see willy wagtails, skinks and rarely, red-bellied black snakes. With picnic tables, compost toilets and drinking water available, plus award-winning winery, Ironbard Ridge Vineyard, nearby this area near Ipswich offers a great day out....

The Australasian Super-bike Championship is a motorcycle race of the highest calibre with breakneck speeds and breath-taking moments that will everyone on the edge of their seats. These events are where some of the big names in the motorbike scene come to face off as they tear around Queensland Raceway in a fight to be the very best. A great day for the whole family so be sure not to miss out!...

The Ipswich Festival of Cars is a two day race event for many popular racing categories. It features the Willowbank 300 a 300 kilometre for sedan and sports based cars that tests endurance and tactics in one of Queensland premier endurance races. The field of around 50 cars has a diverse and wide section of cars that makes it one of the most unique races in the country....

The premier racing drivers championship, the Queensland Racing Drivers' Championship. The Championship is open to talented newcomers as well as experienced old hands and produces some very close racing. The Championship regularly attracts in excess of 50 talented drivers to do battle. QRDC has a wide range of vehicles competing, as well as demonstrations and off track entertainment for all the family. Spectator viewing at Queensland Raceway is excellent with the flat layout of the circuit and spectator mounds....

Located 20 minutes drive from the Ipswich City, the Flinders-Goolman Conservation Estate covers over 2,200 hectares. The conservation estate supports extensive forests and rugged volcanic peaks and slopes including Flinders Peak, Mt Blaine, Mt Catherine and Mt Goolman. A range of recreational activities are on offer to visitors to the Flinders-Goolman Conservation Estate including bird-watching, hiking, mountain bike and horse riding (bring your own bike or horse) and camping. Hardings Paddock and Flinders Plum Picnic Areas are the destination highlights within the conservation estate with each area offering barbecues and public toilets. The campground at Hardings Paddock provides the only bush camping opportunity within the 6,000+ hectares of natural reserves in the Ipswich region....

Boasting the largest area of endangered Swamp Tea Tree Forest in Ipswich, the Purga Nature Reserve is a haven for birds and wildlife, including koalas. Easy tracks allow the most inexperienced walkers the chance to enjoy this beautiful natural setting and visit the well-loved frog pond. Come for a wander or a picnic; the Purga Nature Reserve is only 15 minutes from Ipswich Central....

If you'd like to give the kids a park experience to remember while you're in Ipswich, the award-winning Lobley Park will make you very popular with the younger members of the family. The park has an aviation theme, earning its nickname of 'the aeroplane park', so budding pilots' or flight attendants' spirits will be in the clouds. The nearby RAAF base at Amberley gets a nod with the walk-in equipment resembling an RAAF cargo plane with mock cockpit, plus there's an air-traffic control tower with x-ray machine and radar screen. Blue pathways painted with clouds connect different play areas and make Lobley Park a great place to bring a scooter or bike. There's also an interactive flower garden and 'parachute' swings among other attractions. Lobley Park has disabled access and covered electric barbecue areas and toilets, and as it's lit up at night, it's tempting to stay for an evening sausage sizzle and continue exploring Ipswich the next day. No wonder it's become popular for birthday get-togethers and is a winner of a Parks and Leisure Australia State Award for Regional Playspace and Parks. ...

Two Days of Thunder is a massive motoring event at Queensland Raceway, two days filled with fast and hard racing action and plenty to see and do at the track. 2017 will be a celebration of all things Nissan, in tribute to Nissan's 50 years in Australia. There will be demonstration laps, special race cars on show and heaps more Nissan themed fun at Queensland Raceway....

The Queensland Autospectacular, which is the largest combined Auto Show and Swap Meet in Queensland, is being held at Willowbank Raceway for the fifth time. The event offers affordable family friendly activities including: display cars and bikes, a huge swap meet, quarter mile Test 'n' Tune drags, Australian Rocker Cover racing Championship, car sales corral, trade sites and more....

The premier racing drivers championship, the Queensland Racing Drivers' Championship. The Championship is open to talented newcomers as well as experienced old hands and produces some very close racing. The Championship regularly attracts in excess of 50 talented drivers to do battle. QRDC has a wide range of vehicles competing, as well as demonstrations and off track entertainment for all the family. Spectator viewing at Queensland Raceway is excellent with the flat layout of the circuit and spectator mounds. Round 5 of the Championship will also feature the Italian Challenge! The track will embrace the Italian theme all the way to the food served in the cafe!...

The V8 Supercars Championship is set to heat up on the last weekend in July when the Supercars head to Queensland Raceway to tackle the Coates Hire Ipswich Supersprint. This family friendly event provides a great motorsport experience for all - with great trackside viewing, heaps of displays and merchandise, family zone, easy parking and double the action with the Dunlop Series also on track....

Solitude, reflection, observation - the inside world of an artist is clearly visible in their studio environment. Artworks have the capacity to evoke memories and emotions and visiting the work-space of artist and author Lyne Marshall, located a short half hour's drive West of the Ipswich Central Business District, offers an opportunity to see her work in the space it was created. An avid traveller, Lyne's creates from observing and reflecting on the unique and intensive presence of wilderness landscapes. Her artwork is a direct response to an emotional and spiritual encounter with the beauty and design in nature, the cycles of life and the elements exposing layers of the earth through time. The journey to Lyne's studio, nestled in the Australian bush with views across the Minden Valley, is an adventure in itself. You can view her original paintings, limited edition prints on paper and metal, sculptures by both Lyne and her husband Peter, hand made jewellery and Lyne's books on the creative process. There is adequate parking for any type of vehicle, wheelchair access to the gallery, and interesting conversation. However this is a working studio so booking an appointment time is essential....