Still need to get dad something special on Sunday 6 September? Then check out this great list of gift ideas for Father’s Day.Float high in the skyGet dad up in the sky with a gift certificate or a booking for a Floating Images Hot Air Balloon Flight. This would be a great family adventure to tick off your bucket list! Race around in a MustangSpend an action-packed afternoon and evening at Queensland Raceway with the chance to get behind the wheel of a powerful V8 race experience car or feel the adrenaline as a passenger in a 6-car, 6-lap Pro Driver Race.

If you're craving a break from the everyday, Spicers Hidden Vale is one of those places that makes it easy to slow down, switch off and properly unwind.Tucked into the rolling hills of Grandchester, about an hour west of Brisbane, this luxury countryside retreat sits on 12,000 acres of native bushland and is surrounded by breathtaking rural vistas, making it feel worlds apart from the hustle and bustle of the city.Here you can discover a great mix of accommodation to suit every traveller, from secluded cabins and stylish suites to Valley View rooms and spacious two and four-bedroom cottages.

If you have a day off this Ekka Show Day holiday (Wednesday August 12) – but don't want to face crowds, come out to Ipswich and see what’s on offer around the heritage city and its country surrounds...Taste local delicaciesStart your day with a coffee fix by visiting Ipswich Coffee Roasters – to try the city’s own locally roasted coffee in a warehouse at 31 Challinor Street Sadliers Crossing. Pick up a bag of beans or head to Elderflower Cafe, The Old Butcher Shop Cafe or Bootown Espresso to grab a cup and a tasty treat! Book in for dinner or lunch at The Q, where you can sample a delicious 250g rump steak for $20!

From the high-octane return of Supercars to the thrills of extreme mountain bike riding, plus professional bull riding, ghost tours, circus shows, gardening expos, virtual reality exhibitions, live theatre and even hot air ballooning, Ipswich is the place to be this August!  Cheer on your favourite Supercar drivers Buckle up car lovers – the 2026 Century Batteries Ipswich Super 440 is heading back to Queensland Raceway from August 21-23. The famous “Paperclip” circuit will be buzzing all weekend as Round 9 brings nonstop racing action, all building up to the crowning of the Repco Sprint Cup winner. With plenty of entertainment, food, and the chance to meet your favourite drivers, it’s a fun day out for motoring enthusiasts of all ages. Drag racing, show cars and more at the Garrett Brisbane Jamboree 

Ipswich is celebrating a huge result in the 2026 Best of Queensland Experiences Program, with 49 local tourism businesses recognised among the state’s top visitor experiences.Best of Queensland Experiences are tourism businesses recognised by Tourism and Events Queensland for delivering exceptional visitor experiences. For travellers, it’s a handy signpost to operators known for quality, service and memorable moments.This year also introduced new recognition tiers — Gold, Silver and Teal — adding even more prestige to the program. Ipswich didn’t just make the list, it stood out on it, with one Gold winner and four Silver tier winners among the region’s 49 recipients.

Just because the mornings are crisp, doesn’t mean the days will be miserable. Winter days in Ipswich tend to be sunny and reach highs of 22 degrees – the perfect temperature to explore outdoor activities.Have a picnicPack the esky, bring a rug and get ready to soak up some sun! There are some amazing places to have a picnic in Ipswich.  Whether you want someone to take care of all the hard work for you, or just visit one of the fantastic parks around, we have a few ideas the whole family will love. Explore your inner farmerSpend a weekend exploring farms, tasting produce and meeting animals.  Learn all about farm life and at the end of the day stay in a rural retreat with gorgeous country views. Find out how here.