Spending a few hours riding your bike is a great way to not only get some exercise in the great outdoors, but it’s also a fun activity you can do with friends and family.
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!
Brassall Bikeway
The Brassall Bikeway is a popular route for families and cyclists as it links North Ipswich, Brassall, Wulkuraka and the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail.
The 14km fully paved bikeway begins at Diamantina Boulevard, Brassall, and runs along the first railway line ever built in Queensland. So not only can you enjoy exercising outside, but you can also take a journey back in time as you discover an old steam engine, railway siding and many other surprises along the way.
If you feel like taking a break during your adventure, or want to learn more about Queensland’s rich railway history, you can stop in at The Workshops Rail Museum, which is right there next to the path.
Mihi Junction Trails
If you’re feeling a little more adventurous and want to hit the gravel, don’t pass up an opportunity to visit the Mihi Junction Trails. The trails flow straight off the Brassall Bikeway near the corner of Haig and Collins streets in Brassall, and is roughly 1.5km of cross-country style riding.
While the trail is suitable for all ages (training wheels not recommended), only the more advanced riders should tackle the 200m pump track which includes berms, rollers and jumps. This trail is also a great place to see some local birdlife and enjoy the views along this quiet stretch of the Bremer River.
Brisbane Valley Rail Trail
If you can’t get enough of riding your pushbike, then you might consider trekking the entire Brisbane Valley Rail Trail – all 161km of it! This epic journey takes you on a dirt road through the rural townships of Fernvale, Wulkuraka, Yarraman, Esk, Toogoolawah and Moore past lots of old train stations, farmlands, forests, breathtaking mountain scenery and tranquil waterways.
The best part is, there is no traffic, so you won’t have to worry about vehicles. Whether you choose to tackle it in sections or in one go, that’s up to you!
Hidden Vale Adventure Park
With more than 110km of world class trails, Hidden Vale Adventure Park is a must-do for any avid rider. Each trail varies in lengths and difficulty, so it is up to you to decide what your limits are.
Some of the easy family-friendly trails include Plane Sailing, Family Valley, Dam Big and Reload. Or, if you consider yourself an adrenaline junkie, hit the more difficult trails. The Happy Gilmore trail will get your blood rushing as you fly over some of the biggest jumps in the park.
If you don’t have your own bike but are still keen to ride the trails, Hidden Vale Adventure Park have a huge range of e-bikes and XC bikes to hire. The park is located in Grandchester, just a short drive from the Ipswich CBD, and operates out of the luxurious getaway, Spicers Hidden Vale.
Sutton Park
If you have little ones who are learning to ride for the first time, a visit to Sutton Park should be at the top of your list. It features a great learn-to-ride junior area that has traffic lights, roundabouts and pedestrian crossings, so they can learn all the important skills needed for riding near a busy road in a fun and safe environment.
The park also features a skate park for older kids and barbecue facilities so you can spend some quality time together as a family. The park is located opposite the Brassall Shopping centre.
Robelle Domain
Located in the heart of Springfield, Robelle Domain features an 11km pathway network that is suitable for adult and child riders. The paths, which are relatively flat, will take you past playgrounds, picnic areas and the Orion Lagoon, so you can easily do a few laps of the parklands before letting the kids burn off any extra energy playing in the park.
Limestone Park
Limestone Park is a great park to take the family for a bike ride. There are a few paths for you to discover, and even some hills that will require extra energy if you want to complete a full lap. The pathways at Limestone Park link up the different ovals and netball fields, so you can veer off in a different direction and race your friends or family back to the starting point.
Ipswich Cycle Park
The $3.3 million cycle park facility in Raceview is available for everyone to use and is free of charge. It is one of the newest riding facilities in the region, and attracts some of the best riders in the sport. There are three track configurations, including 1.31km, 1.08km and a 400m internal oval, with the smooth asphalt surface sure to help you get some speed. The Ipswich Cycle Park is open from 4am-10pm (except when there is a racing event).
Castle Hill Blackstone Reserve
Riders can expect lots of big rocks, sharp turns and loose dirt when they jump on their bike at Castle Hill Blackstone Reserve. With more than 15 International Mountain Biking Association rated trails ranging from easy to very difficult, Castle Hill is suitable for riders of all abilities and is an iconic riding destination in Ipswich.
