Make a weekend of it while you're at Planes Trains and Autos

There's an exciting line up for this year's Planes Trains and Autos event, however there's also lots to see and do in the region, so why not book somewhere to stay and make a weekend of it!

Stay over night after your adrenaline charged day on April 30 and wake up fresh to explore the CBD including Queens Park or go antiquing at vintage stores like the Ipswich Antique Centre and the Vintage Advantage.

Visit the Queensland Autospectacular

On May 1 the Queensland Autospectacular will be held at Willowbank Raceway as part of the adrenaline-charged weekend that is Planes Trains and Automobiles.

Starting at 6am with brekkie and a swap meet the event will go until 3pm with the Shannons Show 'n' Shine, quarter mile timed test and tune, car club displays, music and street theatre and kids entertainment.

Entry is $12 per person (online) with kids under 13, $2.

See On the Move

Enter an interactive transport world created in collaboration with illustrator James Gulliver Hancock at the Ipswich Art Gallery.

Along the way you’ll discover fascinating facts about different modes of transport and types of vehicles. Construct a paper plane and see how it flies, and build a vehicle of the future to test on our track. Discover how transportation works in busy cities, and how the fuel choices you make can have a positive impact on the environment. You’ll learn amazing facts about Australian journeys and inventions, and meet the people behind them. See how vehicles have evolved over time – and imagine what they might be like in the future!

On the Move is an interactive exhibition curated by Sydney Living Museums‘ Mel Flyte.

Entry is free, however bookings are required to attend.

Look at some street art

Plan a walk through some of Ipswich's new art with a Street Art Trail.  There's great coffee stops along the way and quirky shops to visit. 

Take a Sip 'n' Dip class

Travel through Goodna to visit the Sip 'n' Dip studio and learn how to paint or craft.  Book into one of their resin or paint classes at a local restaurant or cafe to enjoy dinner and a glass of wine as well as a fun art class.

Visit Springfield

If you're travelling into Ipswich for Planes Trains and Autos, especially from the Gold Coast, stop in at Springfield or base yourself there at Quest Springfield or the Springfield Lakes Hotel and visit the Orion Lagoon and Robelle Domain, or take a hike at White Rock - Spring Mountain Conservation Estate.

You could even book a round of golf at the award winning Brookwater Golf and Country Club.

Hike Flinders Peak

Go hike Flinders Peak - the tallest peak in the Brisbane region and higher than the Glass House Mountains.

Then take a drive out to Summer Land Camel farm to see the animals and grab a coffee.

Take a trip to Marburg

One great spot to visit for the day, especially if you're heading in from Toowoomba is the charming town of Marburg, where you can have a picnic, take an art class or browse at The Soul Nook Collective, go antiquing at Scotland Yard Antiques and The Black Museum or book in for a ghost tour at Woodlands of Marburg.  There's also places to grab a coffee and a bite: Special Branch Collective, The Girls' Coffee Bar and Marburg Pub.

If you want to base yourself in Marburg you can stay at Woodlands of Marburg or the Tallavalley Farm B&B.

Wander the olive grove and sample produce

You can visit the Watercress Creek Olive and Limes farm where you can purchase fresh produce at the farmgate stall and even buy a picnic pack to enjoy in the olive grove!

See the animals

Book in to visit the Haiglsea Ewe Nique Hobby Farm to feed and pet the cute animals, there's also great coffee on site.

Or book in for a farm tour at The Llama Farm, llama walks are also available in the afternoons.

Enjoy a craft beer and a delicious meal...

If you're in town for the weekend a great place to visit is 88 Limestone St.  The precinct is home to 4Hearts Brewing with the Pumpyard Bar and Brewery open on the weekend for food and beer tastings.  Next door is Dovetails Restaurant offering up modern Australian classics that will get your mouthwatering.

Take a stroll down the Top of Town

The Top of Town precinct is a stretch of Brisbane Street right in the heart of Ipswich that has an entire strip of spectacular heritage buildings. It is bordered by Ellenborough and Waghorn streets. A mix of independently owned and family-run shops, businesses and cafes have opened in the area in recent years.

In the best known landmark of this part of town, the Old Flour Mill, you can find a special array of retailers including The Soul Cauldron and Embers and Twine. Back out on the street fashion stores Oh JoJo! Boutique, Soul Sista and Obsession Shoes bring hard to find labels to the city. Cute to Boot specialises in baby and toddler clothing, footwear and nursery items and at Ipswich Massage and Herbal Spa you can indulge in a massage or facial, take a yoga class or pick up beauty products.

Explore your creative side at Arttime Supplies and step back in time at the Vintage Advantage. Then if you're after some nourishment check out Fourthchild, The Retro Diner, St Shoebill or Dancing Bean Cafe.

Pop into UB's Milk Bar (Ungermann Brothers) with quirky retro decor and electro swing music taste test some salted caramel, bacon and pecan ice cream or order a milkshake, burger and fries.

Wander further down to the Nicholas St Precinct and turn left to see the Ipswich Library and separate dedicated Children's library as well as Tulmur Place with it's zero depth water play area for the kids..  Head right to see Indian Mehfil restaurant in a historic old bank building. Go a little further down to D'Arcy Doyle place where you can find the Ipswich Art Gallery.

Enjoy a hot air balloon flight

Book a flight to take in the Ipswich surrounds floating high in the sky in the basket of a Floating Images Hot Air Balloon Flight!

Finish your experience with a delicious breakfast at Fourthchild Cafe.

Test yourself at Seraphim Escape

At Seraphim Escape Rooms challenge yourself to escape the Executioners Toolshed!  It's one of the scariest rooms in the Brisbane region and its sequel Atonement is just as eerie.

But if you're after something less intense there's Santa's cottage, which is also great to do with kids!

Take a heli-tour

Like mountain biking?  How about heli-mountain biking?  Well it's an option that you can book through Pterodactyl helicopters.  There's also picnic tours, scenic tours, pub crawls and winery tours that you can do around the region.

Where to stay...

If you're looking for family friendly accommodation Quest Ipswich has family apartments as well as one bedroom and studio rooms just down the road from Essence of Indya, or you can rent an apartment at Oaks Aspire Ipswich Suites which are next door to Bakehouse Steakhouse. Cumquat House is a heritage house turned B&B and Best Western Ipswich are close to the Ipswich CBD.  Or book to stay at the Country Motel Ipswich and visit the onsite restaurant Casa Mia.  There's also accommodation in Springfield: Quest Springfield and the Springfield Lakes Hotel.

For the full list of where to stay visit our accommodation page.

For more inspiration on what to see and do in Ipswich see 75 things to do in Ipswich.