UNIQUE EXPERIENCES KHOLO

A wonderful way to cool down and enjoy the great outdoors in Ipswich is at Colleges Crossing Recreation Reserve. The crossing is a low-lying bridge that crosses the Brisbane River in the suburb of Chuwar, and this long-time favourite with locals and visitors has all you need for a relaxing day out for all ages. Although Colleges Crossing has been severely damaged by floods in recent years, each time it's bounced back bigger and better, meaning that many of the facilities are fairly new. This includes a nature-based children's playground covered by shade sails with equipment such as a fort, musical wall, spinning seats, tree log tunnel and frog sculptures. There's a lake for fishing and kayaking, and while it's advised not to take the full plunge for a swim, you can enjoy paddling in the shallows and skimming stones. The large, grassed area has plenty of room for sports and there are also bike/scooter paths and walking tracks. After all that exertion, sit back and enjoy the treats served at the café with beautiful views of the river, or bring your own picnic or barbecue to enjoy at the sheltered tables. ...

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....

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. ...

The Cobb & Co Tourist Drive is a scenic route between between Ipswich and Toowoomba via the Lockyer Valley. The drive celebrates the first mail route awarded to Cobb & Co in Queensland when, on January 1, 1866 the mail service commenced from Brisbane to Ipswich. Passengers and mail heading further west were taken from Ipswich to Grandchester (Queensland's oldest railway station) by train and then by another Cobb & Co coach for the rest of the journey to Toowoomba. The drive follows the railway line and the original Cobb & Co route between Ipswich and Gatton. Just as Cobb & Co's passengers needed occasional stops during their journey, so do modern-day travellers. So, along the Cobb & Co Tourist Drive, three convenient locations in Rosewood, Forest Hill and Gatton have been designated Staging Posts. All Staging Posts are situated where services, such as public toilets and the availability of food and drinks, are accessible seven days a week....

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. ...