Get ready for a power-packed weekend of jaw-dropping aerobatics, vintage cars and more at Planes, Trains and Autos festival from 4-6 May 2024.
The May long weekend, family-favourite Planes, Trains and Autos Festival is back! Rev up your weekend with a 3-day program that’s sure to leave you on cloud nine.
Taking this year’s festival to new heights is the hallmark event, newly titled ‘Planes, Trains and Autos presents Fully Charged’. Held at the Queensland Museum Rail Workshops, this year will be bolder than ever! See the incredible aerobatic displays and exhilarating ground exhibits and experiences allowing you to get up close and personal to some exceptional displays.
The sky will come alive with performances from both the SkyAces Formation Aerobatic Team and the Wolf Pitts Pro and nimble Zivko Edge 540 solo performers. On the ground this year, attendees also have the chance to interact with a variety of brand-new inclusions such as radio-controlled model aircraft, racing drones, remote control cars and V8s to name a few. Crowd favourites like Royal Australian Defence Force machinery, Brisbane Airport Information Centre and superkarts will return to the family-friendly event.
The kids will be thrilled exploring the displays plus enjoying The Nippers Railway adventure playground, Sciencentre and chill zone for sensory needs. Exploring the emergency services vehicles are always a big hit too!
Coinciding with Fully Charged is your chance to board a diesel hauled train for a 30-minute trip with the Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway. Catch a historic bus to the railway from Fully Charged and back again to make the most of your visit to Ipswich encompassing all things motorised. Tickets for the rides can be booked in advance online here.
Attendees will also get to see the past come alive when exploring Queensland Museum Rail Workshops, gaining a true understanding of rail history in Queensland. Gain access to explore all museum exhibitions and activities as well as self-guided walk-through tours. From workshop demonstrations to model railways, huge steam locomotives and massive industrial machinery, it is a snapshot in time of a bygone era.
On the day you will also get to enjoy roving entertainment and a variety of food trucks. This really is a jammed packed day at Fully Charged!
The ticketed event runs from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm in North Ipswich.
How can I get tickets to Fully Charged?
Tickets go on sale – Thursday 21 March 2024
- Adults $6
- Children and Concession $5
- Family Pass: 2 Adults and 3 Children $20
- Children under 3 and Museum Members FREE
Tickets available on the day for an additional cost unless sold out prior.
What else is on as part of Planes, Trains and Autos festival?
This festival is much more than this one-day iconic event, the fun sprawls city-wide across the entire weekend.
Park and Pose
Park and Pose is on Saturday evening just a hop, skip and jump from the Fully Charged host venue, Queensland Museum Rail Workshops. Get up close to an exciting range of classic and muscle cars at the Nicholas Street Precinct. There will be live music and a chance to grab dinner at one of the nearby restaurants or food trucks on site.
Grandchester Model Live Steam Association Running Day
On Sunday, the fun does not stop with the Grandchester Model Live Steam Association Running Day. Train enthusiasts will be in their element during this day out in the country with the hustle and bustle of a real railway station – the locomotives are scaled down versions of actual coal burning steam engines which you get to ride on! This is a ticketed event with rides starting at $3.00 (Note* Cash only on the day.) For more information visit the website.
Cars and Coffee
You then can zip straight across the highway to visit the stunning Woodlands of Marburg, taking in the rolling hills, as the backdrop for their Cars and Coffee event. A viewing of all unique cars, modern and classic with the opportunity to grab a bite to eat from the delightful Tommy Smith Café at Woodlands.
Queensland Retro Picnic
Finish off your weekend with the Queensland Retro Picnic at Evan Marginson Park Goodna. A social outing combining hot rods, classic and muscle cars, and bikes, celebrating the Kustom Kulture, paired with amazing street food and live music to show off your rockabilly moves too.
Stay a little longer…
There’s an exciting line up for this year’s Planes, Trains and Autos festival, however there’s also lots to see and do in the region. Why not book somewhere to stay and harness the long weekend?
Top activities to explore are the Ipswich Nature Centre, The Llama Farm, Watercress Creek Olive and Lime Farm, gin distillery and breweries, Splash and Play water parks and art galleries to only name a few. Stay a little longer and experience all Ipswich has to offer!
Where to stay
If you’re looking for family friendly accommodation, Quest Ipswich has family apartments as well as one bedroom and studio rooms, or you can rent an apartment at Oaks Aspire Ipswich Suites which is right next door to the delicious Bakehouse Steakhouse. Cumquat House – a heritage house turned Bed and Breakfast – and Best Western Ipswich are both close to the Ipswich CBD. Or book to stay at the Country Motel Ipswich which is just off the highway on South Station Road. There is also accommodation in Springfield: Quest Springfield and the Springfield Lakes Hotel. To see the full list, visit this website.
Where to eat
Whilst you are here in Ipswich lapping up the festivities, we also highly recommend dining at one of the following restaurants which can be found in Ipswich Central. The Retro Diner, UB’s Milk Bar, The Cottage, Rusty Nail, Heisenberg Haus, Monte Lane, Fourthchild and Rafter and Rose are a few of our favourites. For city wide dining inspiration check out this link.
Planes, Trains and Autos Festival 2024
The 2024 Planes, Trains and Autos event is presented by Ipswich City Council with support from Tourism and Events Queensland, Queensland Museum Rail Workshops, Royal Australian Air Force, Brisbane Airport Corporation, Defence Health, Bremer Ford, 9 News Queensland, Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway and Ipswich Waste Services.
