TOURS ATTRACTIONS HAIGSLEA

Kholo Gardens is one of the best kept secrets in Ipswich. Established in 1988 on a historically significant site, it is today one of the most welcoming and beautiful parks in Ipswich. Featuring almost 40 hectares of stunning grounds, walking tracks and boardwalks meander along creek lines, through sub-tropical rainforest and even down to the banks of the Brisbane River. Giant Kauri and Hoop Pine trees planted by early settlers tower over the gardens, while a nearby soothing waterfall cascades into the still coolness of the lily pond. Some rarely seen species of local flora and fauna can be found at Kholo. It is a haven for plant-lovers and bird watchers alike. Those with a love of Nature will enjoy the chance of seeing a Grease Nut Tree (Hernandia bivalvis), or the possibility of spotting a Tusked Frog, Great Crested Grebe, or maybe even a large Powerful Owl. Remnant vine thicket merges into rehabilitated dry rainforest, a palm grove, Eucalypt forest and expansive open areas to provide an assortment of habitats for our local fauna. There is also a charming waterlily pond, complete with its own resident family of ducks....

Just 25 minutes from Ipswich in the country town of Marburg is one of only three surviving harness racing courses in Queensland. The Marburg Pacing Association was formed back in 1982 as a place for people to run trials and has grown into a racing venue that now hosts 18 TAB meetings a year. When those meetings fall on a Sunday or a public holiday the Pacing Association puts on a big family fun day offering kids activities like waterslides, face painting, markets, mini-trots and the opportunity to pat a pony after a race. And hundreds often come out to witness the spectacle that is harness racing. Not only is there top racing action on the track, and the opportunity to bet on a winner, but off-track there’s delicious burgers and $4 stubbies for sale. Gates usually open at 11am with racing kicking off around lunch time. Come a long to a race day and see the drivers taking the horses around the track, pick a winner and enjoy country hospitality at its best. The Marburg Pacing Association is led by a committee of pacing enthusiasts that all volunteer their time for the love of the sport. ...

If you’re an avid watcher of our feathered friends, you’ll delight in ‘discovering’ this quiet, rural bird watching hot spot. Get to the corner of Kamp Road and Raysource Road in rustic Walloon - about 14 kilometres from the Ipswich Central Business District – and bird-watch where the locals in the know go! Park at the junction of Raysource Road and Haigslea Cemetery Road and walk west on Raysource Road (flat graded road that changes to bush track) and south on Kamp Road. You’ll spot a range of bush birds along the way – from Grey-crowned babblers, Speckled warblers, Wrens, Owlet-nightjars, Brush and Fantail cuckoos, Fuscous honeyeaters and more. When on the western walk along Raysource Road, which changes from a flat, graded road to bush track, look out for Nankeen night herons and other waterbirds at the nearby dam. Please be cautious of passing traffic when parking and walking on these roads and note that the surrounding properties are privately-owned with no access permitted – which also means there are no public toilets nearby....

In the lovely country town of Rosewood, about 20 minutes’ country drive from the city of Ipswich, you’ll find an eclectic mix of businesses including Kaysuelle Fashions. Here, owner Michelle Robertson stocks a variety of trendy labels in the latest styles for all occasions, from casual to semi-formal and evening wear. The boutique has a rustic ambience with beautiful displays of clothing, accessories, shoes and jewellery, and was recently expanded to include a sale room where Michelle keeps discounted lines from throughout the year (great to know if you are travelling abroad and looking for out-of-season items). A spacious dressing room has also been added with still more items on display. The business began in 2007 and moved to a couple of locations before landing here at 36 John St, Rosewood where Michelle intends to keep it. She says it is a joy to have a business in Rosewood, having lived in the area all her life, and she never tires of seeing customers leave her boutique with a smile on their face. ...

A picturesque retreat into nature seven kilometres from the Ipswich Central Business District is the peaceful Kholo Gardens at Pine Mountain. It's an unexpected delight to explore with its lush gardens, crystal clear lily pond, bush walks and open spaces. Giant Kauri trees and Hoop Pines planted by early settlers, rare birds and plants, and the nearby Brisbane River all make this a special place to spend some time. It's also a sacred site for the indigenous Jagera, Yuggera and Ugarapul People. At this subtropical haven, you can enjoy the peace and quiet of the 400 metre walk through Tree Fern Lane under a natural rainforest canopy. The more energetic can try the steeper 800 metre Coal Creek Walk - aptly named seeing as the earliest recordings of coal in the area were made here in 1825. Formerly the site of a water pumping station, Kholo Gardens has an historic well onsite as well as a charming little old church, relocated here in 1990 from Redbank. With that and a stunningly restored Queenslander nearby, you can see why this is a popular venue for weddings and other functions. There are also barbecues, picnic tables and public toilets. ...

As the name suggests, this hobby farm offers a unique outing for families. You’ll be able to get up close and personal and pat and feed their friendly animals - alpacas, sheep, lambs, goats, geese or perhaps get some pictures of the wandering chooks for your Instagram feed. Farmer Dave and flower-grower Penny have added coffee to the mix too – parents can order a latte and sip it on a hay bale and take in the rural setting. There’s even a small plants nursery too - and throughout the year, during school holidays children receive free seedlings that they can take home to pot up themselves, in addition to huge flowering stems of cymbidium orchids and other plants to purchase. This is a popular outing just 45 minutes from Brisbane. Penny and David like to keep numbers manageable so that every visitor has a ewe nique experience so bookings are essential. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram to see what’s new on the farm and check their current opening hours. ...

Anyone interested in aviation or military history will love a visit to the RAAF Amberley Aviation Heritage Centre, near Ipswich. Housed in hangars at RAAF base Amberley, Australia’s largest operating airbase. You can walk around and get up close to the F-111, known for it iconic "dump and burn". There is also a WWII Boston Bomber, Vietnam-era Canberra bomber, Caribou airlifter, Sioux and Iroquois helicopters, and WWII Jeeps on display. There are also Sabre and Mirage fighter jets. The museum focuses on the RAAF’s important role in South-East Queensland in both war and peace times, with exhibits, armaments, aircraft modules, engines and more. Reservists and volunteers act as friendly guides so you can feel free to ask them anything. There’s a gift shop selling model planes, DVDs, books and clothing, plus a sausage sizzle and coffee van during Open Days. The Centre is open every third Sunday of the month, except December. For School and Community groups, by prior arrangement, the centre is open Tuesday and Thursday between 9am and 3pm. Entry is free, however visitors must complete an entry form to access the base. Donations are welcome. ...

Hillview Drive Reserve features 37.2 hectares of undulating bushland just 4.7 kilometres north of the Ipswich Central Business District. The reserve boasts a variety of forest vegetation and abundant wildlife. Part of a recreational trail network spread across four nature estates in the region, the professionally built dual-direction, low-impact shared-use recreational trail is ideal for walking, hiking, birdwatching and mountain biking. Hillview is well-appointed with interpretive signage and a shelter and picnic table make for the perfect tranquil lunch surrounded by natural beauty. The hillside leads down to a creek line flowing into the Brisbane River through Kholo Botanic Gardens, where public toilets and drinking water are available. ...

Kholo Gardens is one of the best kept secrets in Ipswich. Established in 1988 on a historically significant site, it is today one of the most welcoming and beautiful parks in Ipswich. Featuring almost 40 hectares of stunning grounds, walking tracks and boardwalks meander along creek lines, through sub-tropical rainforest and even down to the banks of the Brisbane River. Giant Kauri and Hoop Pine trees planted by early settlers tower over the gardens, while a nearby soothing waterfall cascades into the still coolness of the lily pond. Some rarely seen species of local flora and fauna can be found at Kholo. It is a haven for plant-lovers and bird watchers alike. Those with a love of Nature will enjoy the chance of seeing a Grease Nut Tree (Hernandia bivalvis), or the possibility of spotting a Tusked Frog, Great Crested Grebe, or maybe even a large Powerful Owl. Remnant vine thicket merges into rehabilitated dry rainforest, a palm grove, Eucalypt forest and expansive open areas to provide an assortment of habitats for local fauna. There is also a charming waterlily pond, complete with its own resident family of ducks....

The Llama Farm is one of a growing number of farm visit experiences you can enjoy in the Ipswich region but with Queensland’s biggest herd of llamas, it’s an experience unlike any other. Visitors can choose a llama to walk with on a lead along a purpose-built trail on the farm which borders the upper reaches of the Brisbane River at Pine Mountain. Many of this herd of 75 have been born and raised here and so are extremely friendly around humans, which is handy if you’re after close-up and selfies. And every one of them has a name. “They’re just such lovely animals to have around and people love coming to visit,” he said. “One of the joys about having a property like this is that you get to share it with people and that’s the whole reason we wanted to wait and get everything sorted before we opened the gates to the public.” Visitors will also see donkeys, miniature ponies, a large flock of peacocks, Chinese geese, turkeys, guinea fowl and two big fluffy white Maremma dogs, Lucy and Lola, whose job it is to guard the poultry. Morning or afternoon teas can be included for larger groups. ...