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 2 to Monday May 4 and includes Fully Charged, on May 2, celebrating all things aviation, rail, autos and more. There are rides on miniature trains and car events on May 3 and the Retro Picnic on May 4.

Day 1, Saturday 2 May

Kick‑start your Saturday with a road trip to Ipswich and dive straight into the action at Planes, Trains and Autos presents Fully Charged. Running from 9am to 4pm, this high‑energy, family‑friendly event takes over the Queensland Museum Rail Workshops with a full day of hands‑on discovery and adrenaline‑fuelled entertainment.

Look to the skies for thrilling solo and formation aerobatic displays from world‑class pilots, then stay grounded for an up‑close look at specialty vehicles, cutting‑edge machinery and interactive exhibits. Explore emergency services displays, experience powerful engines firsthand, follow the historical trail through iconic rail infrastructure, and let curious minds get hands‑on with activities designed for all ages. With food trucks, roving entertainment and plenty to see and do, it’s a full day of fun for the whole family.

Tickets are great value at just $6 per adult and $5 per child, or $20 per family when booked online prior to the event. Tickets purchased at the gate will be $10 per adult, $7 per child or $30 per family (two adults and up to three children).

Your next adventure is a QPSR heritage circuit also on Saturday. This is a nostalgic experience through the historic Ipswich countryside with a 20 minute heritage bus trip and a 30 minute heritage train journey and a 40 minute visit to Cooneana Heritage Centre. The first busses leave Swanbank station at 9.30am and 12pm and trains leave at 10am and 12.30pm. There will be food trucks on site so you can have a picnic at the station and complimentary tea, coffee and biscuits at Cooneana.

The Celtic Flyer QPSR Photo: Lance Castle

If cars are more your thing book in to attend 2 Days of Thunder at Queensland Raceway. The event will be held on Saturday and Sunday and includes car displays, trade stands, activities and entertainment. There will also be wheel-to-wheel battles on track and motorsport legends wandering the paddock.

Saturday evening Diesel Assault will be held at Willowbank Raceway from 4pm. Expect hard launches, screaming turbos, flames and an after dark crowd that lives for it! There will be non-stop racing action and the chance to get on track yourself.

Book in for dinner at a restaurant in Ipswich Central like Bakehouse Steakhouse, Indian Mehfil or UB’s Milk Bar so you can walk to Studio 188 and enjoy Flight! This new musical by Nicholas Hargreaves explores figures from aviation history – book here.

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 3 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.

Alternatively head to Ripley for the Monster Machine Day. For anyone who loves big machines, get up close with See Civil’s Monster Machines and meet the crew who bring them to life. The event will run from 10am-12pm.

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 4 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!