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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....

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!...

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....