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Three peaks three ways: Conquering Mt Goolman, Mt Blaine and Flinders Peak

Flinders Goolman Conservation Estate is a veritable theme-park for hikers, with 10 walking trails and three summits encompassing 2,200 hectares of extensive forests, countryside and volanic peaks. Blogger Rochelle Vaisanen steps you through three peaks, three ways.

For lookout wanderers – Mt Goolman Lookout

If you’re still building up to the Mt Goolman summit, you can still settle for getting a good glimpse of it, taking the Mt Goolman Lookout track.

While this 5.6km trail (return) won’t take you right to the top, don’t write this trail off as a walk in the park.

Steep sections lead towards Insta-worthy views of Mt Goolman and Ivory’s Rock, as well as the Scenic Rim, Brisbane and on a clear day, out to the Pacific Ocean.

Want to extend your adventure beyond the three hour hike? With Hardings Paddock campground at the base of the trail, it’s the perfect spot to combine a late afternoon or early morning hike with a night under the stars.

Distance: 5.6km
Elevation: 454 metres
Grade: 4 (recommended for experienced bushwalkers)
Time to complete: About 2.5 hours

For adventure seekers – Mt Blaine

If a summit is calling, and you’re ready to dial up the difficulty level, move Mt Blaine to the top of your list.

It’s a grade four walk for a reason, with rock scrambling and off-track walking required through (often) overgrown and unmarked parts of the track.

From the moment you leave Flinders Plum Picnic Area, you’ll be immersed in Spotted Gum and Ironbark forest.

While you put your navigation skills to the test – keep your eyes on the lookout for regular natives, such as koalas, wallabies and red-tailed black cockatoos.

Your reward for reaching the top? 360-degree views of Brisbane, Ipswich, the Scenic Rim and Flinders Peak.

If the summit proves too tough to handle, you can turn around at the Saddle and abort mission at the 1km mark.

Don’t worry, your Instagram feed won’t miss out if you turn around here – you can still get great pics out to Cunninghams Gap and the Great Dividing Range.

Amenities: Barbecue, picnic tables, toilets.

Distance: 4.5km
Elevation: 457 metres
Grade: 4 (recommended for experienced bushwalkers)
Time to complete: About three hours

For experienced hikers – Flinders Peak

Reaching 679m above sea-level, high enough that it’s even visible from Mt Coot-tha, Flinders Peak is the pièce de résistance of Ipswich peaks.

If scrambling over rocks and cliff edges is your thing, then this class-five rated trail will get your quads burning.

Just like Mt Blaine, you’ll need off-track experience, but there’s some orange trail markers to help guide you.

If you’re not ready to hike all the way to the summit, you can still get high on views to the north of Brisbane from the lookout along the trail.

If the legs are feeling fresh and the water flask’s still full, keep trekking to the top for the million dollar views across the Fassifern Valley and Lamington Plateau.

Amenities: Barbecue, picnic tables, toilets.

Distance: 6km
Elevation: 679 metres
Grade: 5 (recommended for very experienced bushwalkers)
Time to complete: About six hours

Know more about Ipswich:

>> New cafe pays homage to mansion’s heritage
>> Iconic dining hub bought back to life
>> The story behind Ipswich Antique Centre
>> How Ipswich cafe found its niche

  • This article first appeared on Discover Ipswich. For more exciting ways to explore Ipswich, visit Discover Ipswich.

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