The Great Outdoors
Hardings Paddock – A natural escape on your doorstep
If there’s one thing Australians all share it’s a love of the great outdoors. Whether it’s the feeling of oneness with the environment, the solitude of the countryside, the call of the wild or simply the fresh air there is something reinvigorating about being outside and connecting with nature.
All this and more is on offer at Hardings Paddock in Ipswich – only 45 minutes from Brisbane CBD.Nestled at the northern entry to the 2,200 hectare Flinders-Goolman Conservation Estate, Hardings Paddock is the ideal place for hiking, camping, mountain bike riding, horse riding, bird watching, wildlife spotting or a relaxing picnic.
The Flinders-Goolman Conservation Estate is home to extensive forests and rugged volcanic peaks and slopes including Flinders Peak, Mt Blaine, Mt Catherine and Mt Goolman. A range of trails to suit various levels of fitness (or not) showcase spectacular views over the distinctive valleys and peaks from the Scenic Rim to the bay islands.
The shortest of these trails, Chalk Circuit is only 560m of easy walking and takes you through the bush tucker gardens. The more challenging Rocky Knoll and Goolman Lookout trails reward the enthusiastic hiker with awesome views of the Scenic Rim and Brisbane.The area is home to some of Ipswich’s most threatened species including the peregrine falcon, wedge-tailed eagle and brush-tailed rock wallaby so keep a look out along the trails.
Download the Flinders-Goolman Conservation Estate Trails Guide.
Hardings Paddock Campground
And what better way to experience nature at its best, than by camping overnight. The Hardings Paddock campground offers a rustic nature-based camping experience with easy access to all the trails. With toilets, camp-shower cubicles, kitchen, BBQs and picnic tables, the campground is perfect for a short weekend escape.
The recent addition of a communal campfire pit means you can have the complete camping experience – don’t forget the marshmallows. Please note: You need to bring your own drinking water, firewood and camp shower bag (if you want to use the shower cubicles).
Book a Hardings Paddock Campground site.
Many of the Flinders-Goolman trails are designed for multi-use – walking, mountain biking and horse riding (BYO bike and/or horse) and, with holding yards for horses right next to the campground, there’s no excuse for not staying overnight.
If you want to escape to the great outdoors but want to avoid the are-we-there-yet syndrome, then head to Hardings Paddock – even if it’s just for a family picnic or BBQ beside the dam or giving the kids plenty of space to run wild.
