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.

If you’re heading to the city for Festival of Horsepower or are simply a fan of all things horsepower, check out all the fun and exciting horsepower and adrenaline pumping experiences on offer throughout the City of Ipswich all year round. There’s hot air balloons, heli-tours, steam trains, race cars, motocross fun and much more… just waiting to be discovered.V8 Race ExperienceThe V8 Race Experience puts you in the drivers’ seat with a professional driver in the passenger side to give you tips as you take to the iconic paperclip track at Queensland Raceway.  You can choose to drive in their new purpose built Mustang or Camaro or the legendary Falcon or Commodore.  You can also book hot laps with a pro driver.Queensland Pioneer Steam RailwayEnjoy a one-hour return train trip on heritage timber carriages with the Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway.  Take in old coal mining sites, bushland and quaint miners' cottages on our journey.  The trains leave from the restored Swanbank train station which is steeped in history.

The month of June brings the Festival of Horsepower to Ipswich! Power packed full of adrenaline, excitement and all things fast… From thoroughbreds battling it out in the Ipswich Cup, to Australia’s largest drag racing event – the Gulf Western Oil Winternationals – June has it all for those with a need for speed.Read on to see what events to book.

Do you love fast cars, how about horses?  Then Ipswich's Festival of Horsepower is for you.  Why not come along and enjoy the best of the event while exploring all the region has to offer?First choose which weekend to come...If you love racing then you’ve got to come for the Gulf Western Oil Winternationals 4-7 June or the Australian Superbike Championship will also be held at Queensland Raceway 26-28 June.  Cruise the Night will be on 6 June followed by the GT Festival on 12-14 June at Queensland Raceway.If you’re a horsey fan then the weekend of 20-21 June and the Thursday before (18 June) is when you’ll want to visit as the TAB Ipswich Cup Calcutta, TAB Ipswich Cup and Western Star Family Race Day is on at the Marburg Harness Racing Association, there’s also a Horses to Horsepower Family Fun Day at Cooneana Heritage Centre on the following weekend (28 June).

You can dial up the romance, or experience an adrenaline rush with these date ideas... Great for Valentines Day, anniversaries or just to spice things up a bit... Boho styled picnicsIf you're after something special and romantic then a hanging pod picnic at The Soul Nook Collective will tick all the boxes.Indulge in a packed and styled picnic with your love.

The Century Batteries Ipswich SuperSprint returns to Ipswich again from 21-23 August, at Queensland Raceway. It’s set to offer the most accessible trackside experience on the Ipswich calendar, promising a weekend packed full of action and experiences far beyond the track itself.Here are six reasons that are sure to have you sprinting for tickets, find out why the Ipswich SuperSprint is so much more than just a race.Feel the buzzEven the crowd close-ups you see on TV can’t capture the buzzing atmosphere you feel on-the-ground at the SuperSprint. Get wrapped up in the atmosphere with people from all walks of life, as you witness the thrills of motor racing and celebrate being a part of a major Queensland sporting event - all less than an hour from Brisbane’s CBD.