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!

Looking for somewhere to eat in the Greater Springfield region? There’s plenty on offer, and delicious menus to explore too, around this modern and vibrant community.Orion HotelThe stunning bistro restaurant at Orion Hotel offers the finest local produce prepared to the highest quality, while the café and designated kids play area is perfect to catch up for a coffee while the little ones play.  The hotel is a great place for groups, families or couples!Find them at 1 Main Street, Springfield Central

Before you head to Ipswich for an event, check out these 20 reasons why you should stay a little bit longer and explore Ipswich while you’re here.If you're looking for accommodation check our stay page.Soar high on a hot air balloon flightFloating Images Hot Air Balloon Flights offer a scenic one-hour journey over farmland and country landscapes.  Your blissful morning ends with breakfast at a popular local café.  Flights run most days but are weather dependent.

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.

If you’re searching for somewhere cosy to wine and dine this winter, ditch the couch and head out to these great restaurants to try some mouthwatering winter menus that will leave your tastebuds feeling pretty darn satisfied.Tick one of these culinary delights off every weekend, or try a few at once!If you’re searching for somewhere cosy to wine and dine this winter, ditch the couch and head out to these great restaurants to try some mouthwatering winter menus that will leave your tastebuds feeling pretty darn satisfied.

If you're out and about in the Heritage City attending events, like Christmas in Ipswich, Planes, Trains and Autos or SPARK Ipswich, here's a handy list of the best places to eat in Ipswich Central.Baked by Joseph and AnnBaked by Joseph and Ann has a cult following and it’s easy to see why when they create viral fruit pastries, decadent cakes and great baked treats.Baked by Joseph and Ann has a location at 173 Brisbane St and 115a Glebe Rd Silkstone they are open 7am-12pm Tuesday to Sunday.

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.