This month is jam-packed with things to see, do and eat in Ipswich. Featuring everything from horse racing to comedy shows, concerts, ghost tours, drive-in movies, bus tours, food fairs, markets, craft workshops, farm tours, motoring championships and more, there’s lots to discover in Ipswich this June.
Be sure to add these great events to your diary.
Horses and cars combine for Ipswich’s Festival of Horsepower
Racing and motoring enthusiasts, this one’s for you! The Festival of Horsepower is a month-long program celebrating a number of Australia’s signature racing and motorsports events.
There are six big events happening across the city as part of the festival, including the Festival of Horsepower Soiree, Channel Seven Family Race Day, Ipswich Karting Enduro Event, the Gulf Western Oil Winternationals, TAB Ipswich Cup, as well as the 2 Days of Thunder motoring event. This festival is sure to be extremely popular with people from across the country, so be sure to book your tickets early.
Listen to local artists at the sheep races
This unique inaugural event is being hosted by hobby farmers Penny and Dave at Ewe Nique Hobby Farm. They have booked local music act Ally and Sarah and have planned some fun games. Plus there will be live sheep races, a flat shoe fashions of the field, wine (and beer), cheese platters and a pig on a spit available.
Tickets to the sheep races are $25 each and include an alcoholic drink, plus some Monopoly money to bet with. It’s shaping up to be a relaxing afternoon enjoying some country air.
Frock up for the TAB Ipswich Cup
One of the biggest social events on the Ipswich calendar is the TAB Ipswich Cup, which is an opportunity for punters to get dressed up, cheer on their favourite horses, and snack on good food and beverages. The social event of the season, which will be held on Saturday, June 19, will also feature trackside marquees and Fashions on the Field.
Visitors will also love the Corona Infield Festival featuring internationally recognised DJs, Pimm’s Lawn Party and new areas including the Festival of Horsepower Marquee, Aviary and Yak Precinct. Tickets are available for purchase now on the Ipswich Turf Club website.
Winternationals roll into town
Self-proclaimed revheads will be on the edge of their seats while watching as some of the world’s best drivers take to the track for the Gulf Western Oil Winternationals event from Thursday, June 10 to Sunday, June 13.
It’s the final round of the national 400 Thunder season, which sees drivers racing full throttle for national championship honours, so you can expect to see large crowds. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at the Willowbank Raceway website.
Dress up and spend a night at the theatre with these two great shows
The Ipswich Civic Centre will be hosting two big shows this month which are not to be missed.
For those of you that love to laugh until your stomach hurts, be sure to book tickets for the comedic stylings of Arj Barker, who will appearing in Ipswich on Friday, June 4 with his new show ‘Arj Barker comes clean’. Be prepared for a hilarious night of hard truths and some codswallop, which is sure to have you in stitches. The show begins at 8pm and tickets are $55 each.
Fans of Johnny Cash and June Carter will also be able to sing along to their greatest hits at a special tribute show on Saturday, June 5 titled Leaving Jackson – The Johnny Cash and June Carter Show. Performers Jeff Carter and Brooke McMullen will faithfully perform the iconic duo’s greatest hits, which enthralled audiences for more than four decades. Tickets are $57 for adults, $52 for concession/students, and $25 for children aged 3-15. The curtain will raise at 7.30pm.
Magicians, music and trivia to headline at Studio 188
Ipswich’s intimate music venue, Studio 188, will be hosting an array of live entertainment this month which is sure to draw in people of all ages.
The first show of the month features the talented magician Aiden Schofield, who is well known for his sleight of hand tricks featuring items such as Rubik’s cubes and playing cards. One year after Covid halted his debut headliner show in its tracks, the show goes on, with Aiden presenting his first ever full length show at Studio 188 for one night only. The show will be held on Saturday, June 5 from 7-8pm. Tickets are $26.75 each. Book here to reserve your seat.
Brisbane rock band Selfish Sons, as well as award winning songwriter and performer Ella Fence from the Gold Coast, will be bringing their unique sounds to Ipswich as part of this month’s Live! at the Baptist concert. These two great acts will be performing on Saturday, June 12 from 8-10pm. Tickets are $15 each.
If you fancy yourself a know-it-all, put your knowledge to the test at Studio 188’s upcoming trivia night, held on Friday, June 25 from 8-10pm. After a successful debut night in April, organisers have decided to continue with the monthly event. Hosted by Ipswich local Matt Simpson, it is the perfect night to get together with friends, have a laugh, and win some prizes. Trivia teams can have a maximum of six people, with a team fee of $30 to play.
Learn more about art and the history of transport
The Ipswich Art Gallery currently has two exhibitions showing that is sure to delight both adults and children.
Don’t miss out on seeing the Lincoln Austin: The Space Between Us exhibition, which is on show from now until Sunday, August 8.
Or, visitors can enter an interactive transport world and learn more about cars, trucks, trains and planes at the On the Move exhibition, which runs from now until July 18.
Get a taste of the country lifestyle at the Rosewood Show
Head to the country for a weekend of rides, food stalls, poultry, livestock, horse riding, parading competitions, as well as dance and musical performances at the annual Rosewood Show.
The show will be held on Friday, June 25 to Saturday, June 26, with gates open from 9am-6pm. Like the Rosewood Show Society on Facebook for updates about the event.
Take a spooky, paranormal tour with renowned ghost hunter Jack Sim
Learn more about Ipswich’s haunted past by taking a tour of the Ipswich Cemetery, the Goodna Cemetery, or the Ipswich CBD. Tours are held at various nights throughout the month.
To find a tour that interests you, click on the Ghost Tours Australia calendar.
And read about the new Ipswich CBD tour here.
Get behind the wheel of a V8 Supercar
Experience the thrill of a lifetime driving a Holden or Ford V8 Race Car around the infamous Queensland Raceway in Willowbank this month.
V8 Race Experiences are held every month and cater for both locals and visitors who dream of putting the pedal to the metal like their favourite drivers. Your next opportunity to take to the track will be held on Sunday, June 13 from 7-11.30pm.
Take in a Hollywood blockbuster on the big screen
Ipswich is lucky to be home to a drive-in theatre, so you can watch the biggest movie stars from the comfort of your own car. Every weekend the drive-in hosts a double feature for families to enjoy, or couples out on a date night. In June visitors can watch Peter Rabbit 2 and Here Comes the Boom. And Tom and Jerry and Godzilla vs Kong. To see the full schedule, head to the Tivoli Drive-in website.
Dinner and drag queens
Enjoy an evening of high-quality drag, cabaret and burlesque on the first Saturday of every month at Casa Mia, as they bring you Dancing with the Queens, a live musical theatre dining experience.
Doors open at 6pm, with the queens taking to the stage at 7.30pm. The next performance will be held on Saturday, June 5.
Everyone’s favourite blue engine returns to The Workshops Rail Museum
Thomas the Tank Engine will be steaming into The Workshops Rail Museum this June to meet all his young fans as part of the Day Out With Thomas event.
Not only will kids be able to meet Thomas, but they will also be able to say hello to the Fat Controller and some of Thomas’ closest friends.
The event will also feature hands-on activities including colouring-in, games, puzzles, craft, as well as a Thomas movie. Thomas will be appearing at the Workshops from Saturday, June 26 to Saturday, July 11. Bookings are required.
Travel by bus to learn more about Ipswich’s rich history
Join other history lovers for a trip on a heritage bus around the Blackstone area, organised by the Cooneana Heritage Centre. The bus, used in Ipswich in the 1960s, takes 30 passengers on a tour that is full of local knowledge presented by the driver. The next tour will be held on Sunday, June 13 from 11am-1pm. For information can be found here.
Munch on a wide range of dishes at the Future Flavours Food Fair
Gather your friends and family for a night of good food, live entertainment and music at the Future Flavours Food Fair, which will be held on Saturday, June 19 from 4-9pm at the Nicholas St Precinct.
Get crafty at the Travellan Lifestyle Centre
Each month a number of activities are held at the Travellan Lifestyle Centre in Brassall as a way of bringing people together to learn something new.
This month, guests can take part in activities such as learning how to use ribbons and runes, styling your home with indoor plants, a workshop where you can make your own emu feather basket, learn more about the metaphysical benefits of crystals, as well as needlework and numerology.
Live out your dream of being a contestant on a game show
Play and win for your chance to take home some really cool prizes with the Kmart Ka-Ching game show. Prizes include a $1000 Riverlink gift card, or a chance to share in more than $10,800 worth of prizes. All you need to do is head down to the Kmart store inside Riverlink Shopping Centre between now and Sunday, June 6.
See how your driving stacks up at Friday Night Drifts
Queensland Raceway regularly hosts Friday Night Drift where members of the public can bring their car along for the ride and see how their car performs in a fun and social atmosphere.
Head down to Queensland Raceway on Friday, June 4 from 6-10pm to participate. However, this is just one of the many great events happening this month at the raceway. B
e sure to also check out the Roll Racing Brisbane event on Saturday, June 5, the Morning Drift Session on Thursday, June 17, and the massive 2 Days of Thunder spectacular on Saturday, June 26 to Sunday, June 27, which is part of the Festival of Horsepower. Featuring some of the loudest, fastest and most awe-inspiring cars, including the Australian Trans AM, QR Sports and Sedans, Super Sprints and members from the Porsche Club Queensland (just to name a few), this event is sure to satisfy those who love any models of cars, as long as they have four wheels.
Take home something unique from Soul Nook Collective
Take part in three workshops held this month at The Soul Nook Collective, where you will get to take home something you made to show off to your family and friends.
Two workshops are going to be held in conjunction with Sip ‘n’ Dip Australia (make your own resin cheeseboard and coasters plus learn to make polymer clay jewelry), as well as an inhouse event – crystal bracelet making.
Step back in time at this family fun day
Kids will have the opportunity to play all the same games their grandparents did at the Cooneana Heritage Centre’s upcoming Family Fun Day on June 27.
Some of the games will include hopscotch, skipping, sack races and croquet. Visitors will also get to make butter in the old-fashioned kitchen, make your own peg doll, tour the museum and much more.
Jam along to a range of bands and artists at Banshees Bar and Artspace
Music lovers are invited to head along to Banshees Bar and Artspace in Ipswich Central to listen to a number of bands that will be appearing this month. The lineup includes L.R Marsh and Shane Fell, Shakes Fear and the Skeleton Gang, who will be appearing for their single launch, and many more. For a full list of artists, like Banshees Bar and Artspace on Facebook and look under their events tab.
Sip ‘n’ Dip workshops to suit all artists
No matter whether you are a beginner or an experienced artist, there are lots of workshop across the Ipswich region for you to try your hand at. With the team from Sip ‘n’ Dip Australia, you can make your own resin cheeseboard and knife set, a resin covered lazy susan, resin topped hanging shelf, sip and paint a sunflower field, make your own jewelry and hair clips, ink a clock and more. Like them on Facebook for session dates and times.
Dine with a number of classic cars
The hugely popular Cardi Gras event will be returning to the Riverlink Shopping Centre on Saturday, June 19 from 4-8pm.
During this event, the public will get the opportunity to see a range of classic cars, as well as vehicles that people have put their hearts and souls into.
Explore the beauty of Nerima Gardens and partake in a traditional tea ceremony
Located inside Queens Park, the beautiful Nerima Gardens combine two cultures, Australian and Japanese, to create a unique attraction for visitors. Enjoy a guided tour of Nerima Gardens with interpretation of key design elements that infuse both cultures, before arriving at the Tea House to view the Japanese tea ceremony; a traditional cultural activity involving the ceremonial preparation and presentation of matcha (powdered green tea).
Guests will have the opportunity to participate in the ceremony. The next tour will be held on Saturday, June 26. The cost is $40 for adults, $35 for concession/students, and $30 for a child aged up to 12 years old. Bookings are essential. To reserve your place, click here.
Solve the puzzles to be released at Seraphim Escape Rooms
Escape rooms have become extremely popular amongst groups of friends looking to try their hand at something new. Gather up the crew and visit Seraphim Escape Rooms in Ipswich where you will have an hour to solve all the puzzles and unlock the door to reclaim your freedom.
New restaurant on the menu for Woodlands of Marburg
The picturesque Woodlands of Marburg will be launching The Sugarmill Restaurant, a luxurious fine dining experience this month.
Open Friday and Saturday nights from June 4, The Sugarmill Restaurant is a premium dining offering at the private residence of Queensland sugar baron Tommy Smith, With head chef Jeffrey Bullock at the helm.
Chef Bullock entered the industry at an early age with a passion for cooking and trained in the art of fine dining. He has travelled the world doing what he loves for more than 25 years. With stints in London at a one-Michelin star restaurant and also the Ritz where he had the privilege of cooking for the Queen, he has now found a new home at Woodlands where he intends to apply what he has learnt over the years.
Warm up with a drink in the lounge, then make your way into the dining room, set within the beautiful warm cedar lined walls, under the glistening chandeliers, while you are transported back to a time of elegance and splendor!
Eat Local at a nearby camel farm
Summer Land Camel Farm in Harrisville have a number of events this June where you can try their tasty produce and tour the farm.
On Saturday, June 26, Summer Land Camels will be hosting a market day, a tour and taste event, tour and picnic lunch, as well as cocktails with the camels.
And on Sunday, June 27, they will be hosting a long late lunch, followed by a little farmer humpty day on Monday, June 28.
It is best to book tickets early, as in the past these events have sold out quickly.
Fossick through the many markets across the city
Markets are a great way to pick up fresh local produce, as well as clothing, collectables, plants, jams, honey, bric-a-brac and more. Whatever you feel like filling up your goodie bag with, you are sure to find what you are looking for at these markets:
The Springfield Markets is held on the first Sunday of every month from 8am-1pm at Robelle Parklands in Springfield Central, and the third Sunday of the Month from 9am-4pm at Orion Springfield Central Shopping Centre.
The Ripley Markets are a great way to shop and explore. This dog-friendly market is held on the second Saturday of the month from 3-8pm at Providence, Ripley Valley.
The Ipswich Showplace Markets are held every Sunday from 6-11.30am at the Ipswich Showgrounds on Warwick Road. The markets have long been a popular destination for early risers on a weekend. Entry is a gold coin donation.
My Local Market is held on the first Sunday of the month on Parkland Drive, Walloon, from 8-11am.
The Riverlink Market Zone is held on the second Saturday of every month from 8am-1pm at Riverlink Shopping Centre, corner Downs St and The Terrace, Ipswich.
The Handmade Expo Markets are held on the second Saturday of the month at the Nicholas Street Precinct.
