This May long weekend kick the adventure up a notch with a visit to Ipswich’s Planes, Trains and Autos Festival.

The festival will run from Saturday May 3 to Monday May 5 and includes Fully Charged, on May 3, celebrating all things aviation, rail, autos and more. There are rides on miniature trains and a car display on May 4 and the Retro Picnic on May 5.

Day 1, Saturday 3 May

Wake up Saturday morning, pack the car and head out to Ipswich. Your first stop, Queensland Museum Rail Workshop’s Fully Charged event. It runs from 9am to 4pm, with acrobatic aerial plane displays, interactive exhibits including emergency services vehicles, up-close experiences including a V8 race car and superbikes.

Ipswich’s only CASA approved Air Operator Certificate aviation business, Floating Images Hot Air Balloon Flights will be attending with their balloon, basket and burners, as well as a display on ballooning – man’s oldest form of flight.

Plus there’s all the fun of the museum, including the Sciencentre and train simulators to explore. Tickets are only $6 per adult and $5 per child or $20 per family if booked online before the event!, at the gate tickets will be $10 for adults, $7 for children and $30 per family (two adults and up to three children).

Your next adventure is a QPSR heritage train ride also on Saturday. The trains depart Swanbank Station at 9am, 11am and 1.30pm and are a 70 minute return trip. There will be food trucks on site so you can have a picnic at the station.

The Celtic Flyer QPSR Photo: Lance Castle

Book in for dinner at a restaurant in Ipswich Central like Bakehouse Steakhouse, Indian Mehfil or UB’s Milk Bar so you can walk down to the Nicholas St Precinct and see cars at Park and Pose. Some spectacular vintage and muscle cars will be on display from 5pm-8pm. There will also be a chance to try your hand at electric go-karts!

Book to stay at Oaks Aspire Ipswich Apartments, Urban Getaway, Country Motel Ipswich or the family friendly Quest Ipswich Apartments for the night so you can keep exploring on Sunday.

More accommodation options can be found here.

Day 2, Sunday 4 May

Wake up on Sunday and enjoy a coffee before taking a drive out to Grandchester. Stop in at Harry’s Café in Rosewood for breakfast, try the eggs bene or the avocado toast. Keep driving into Grandchester to visit Grandchester Model Steam Railway for scaled down versions of actual coal burning steam engines, which children and adults can ride for $3 each. The trains will run from 10am to 2pm.

Call into the town of Marburg on your way back to visit The Marburg Pub, Scotland Yard Antiques and The Soul Nook Collective.

Antiques display outside the entrance to Scotland Yard Antiques.

If you’re staying in Ipswich Central for the night, without the kids pop into Monte Lane or Rusty Nail for dinner, with kids head to Jets Leagues Club or Brothers.

Find more places to eat in Ipswich Central here.

Day 3, Monday 5 May

Enjoy a sleep in and a leisurely breakfast at Queens Park Cafe, or St Shoebill Café in Ipswich Central. Find more cafes to choose from on our eat and drink page.

Walk the street art trail, visit the art gallery, and Ipswich Nature Centre for free.

Couple enjoying a Floating Images hot air balloon flight over the City of Ipswich and surrounding areas.

Or book ahead to enjoy an early morning Floating Images Hot Air Balloon flight. The scenic one-hour flight includes breakfast at Fourthchild Cafe afterwards.

Then head out to the Retro Picnic at Evan Marginson Park in Goodna. The picnic is a free event from 2pm to 6pm. There will be a rockabilly band on stage, dance floor, food trucks and market stalls!