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Things to do in Ipswich this June
Freelance writer Ashleigh Howarth has her finger on the pulse of events in Ipswich. Here, she shares her round up of must-see events in the city this June.
This month is jampacked with things to see, do and eat in Ipswich.
Featuring everything from horse racing to comedy shows, concerts, ghost tours, drive-in movies, bus tours, food fairs, markets, craft workshops, farm tours, motoring championships and more, there’s lots to discover in Ipswich this June.
Horses and cars combine for Ipswich’s Festival of Horsepower
Racing and motoring enthusiasts, this one’s for you! The Festival of Horsepower is a month-long program celebrating a number of Australia’s signature racing and motorsports events.
There are six big events happening across the city as part of the festival, including the Festival of Horsepower Soiree, Channel Seven Family Race Day, Ipswich Karting Enduro Event, the Gulf Western Oil Winternationals, TAB Ipswich Cup, as well as the 2 Days of Thunder motoring event. This festival is sure to be extremely popular with people from across the country, so be sure to book your tickets early.
Mayor: Ipswich is Queensland’s new festival city
Image: Mayor Harding, drag racing legend Kelly Bettes and Deputy Mayor Nicole Jonic gearing up for Winternationals.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said the June line up is at home in Queensland’s fastest-growing events hub.
“International performers, racers and organisers are taking notice of our city’s wonderful set up for events,” Mayor Harding said.
“Our growing number of local families and world-class venues have brought something for everyone to Ipswich.
“We are looking forward to markets, live music, country shows, tours and the high-octane Festival of Horsepower in the month ahead.”
Listen to local artists at the sheep races
This unique inaugural event is being hosted by hobby farmers Penny and Dave at Ewe Nique Hobby Farm. They have booked local music act Ally and Sarah and have planned some fun games. Plus there will be live sheep races, a flat shoe fashions of the field, wine (and beer), cheese platters and a pig on a spit available.
Tickets to the sheep races are $25 each and include an alcoholic drink, plus some Monopoly money to bet with. It’s shaping up to be a relaxing afternoon enjoying some country air.
Frock up for the TAB Ipswich Cup
One of the biggest social events on the Ipswich calendar is the TAB Ipswich Cup, which is an opportunity for punters to get dressed up, cheer on their favourite horses, and snack on good food and beverages. The social event of the season, which will be held on Saturday, June 19, will also feature trackside marquees and Fashions on the Field.
Visitors will also love the Corona Infield Festival featuring internationally recognised DJs, Pimm’s Lawn Party and new areas including the Festival of Horsepower Marquee, Aviary and Yak Precinct. Tickets are available for purchase now on the Ipswich Turf Club website.
Winternationals roll into town
Self-proclaimed revheads will be on the edge of their seats while watching as some of the world’s best drivers take to the track for the Gulf Western Oil Winternationals event from Thursday, June 10 to Sunday, June 13.
It’s the final round of the national 400 Thunder season, which sees drivers racing full throttle for national championship honours, so you can expect to see large crowds. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at the Willowbank Raceway website.
Dress up and spend a night at the theatre with these two great shows
The Ipswich Civic Centre will be hosting two big shows this month which are not to be missed.
For those of you that love to laugh until your stomach hurts, be sure to book tickets for the comedic stylings of Arj Barker , who will appearing in Ipswich on Friday, June 4 with his new show ‘Arj Barker comes clean’. Be prepared for a hilarious night of hard truths and some codswallop, which is sure to have you in stitches. The show begins at 8pm and tickets are $55 each.
Fans of Johnny Cash and June Carter will also be able to sing along to their greatest hits at a special tribute show on Saturday, June 5 titled Leaving Jackson – The Johnny Cash and June Carter Show . Performers Jeff Carter and Brooke McMullen will faithfully perform the iconic duo’s greatest hits, which enthralled audiences for more than four decades. Tickets are $57 for adults, $52 for concession/students, and $25 for children aged 3-15. The curtain will raise at 7.30pm.
Magicians, music and trivia to headline at Studio 188
Ipswich’s intimate music venue, Studio 188 , will be hosting an array of live entertainment this month which is sure to draw in people of all ages.
The first show of the month features the talented magician Aiden Schofield, who is well known for his sleight of hand tricks featuring items such as Rubik’s cubes and playing cards. One year after Covid halted his debut headliner show in its tracks, the show goes on, with Aiden presenting his first ever full length show at Studio 188 for one night only. The show will be held on Saturday, June 5 from 7-8pm. Tickets are $26.75 each. Book here to reserve your seat.
Brisbane rock band Selfish Sons, as well as award winning songwriter and performer Ella Fence from the Gold Coast, will be bringing their unique sounds to Ipswich as part of this month’s Live! at the Baptist concert. These two great acts will be performing on Saturday, June 12 from 8-10pm. Tickets are $15 each.
If you fancy yourself a know-it-all, put your knowledge to the test at Studio 188’s upcoming trivia night, held on Friday, June 25 from 8-10pm. After a successful debut night in April, organisers have decided to continue with the monthly event. Hosted by Ipswich local Matt Simpson, it is the perfect night to get together with friends, have a laugh, and win some prizes. Trivia teams can have a maximum of six people, with a team fee of $30 to play.
Learn more about art and the history of transport
The Ipswich Art Gallery currently has two exhibitions showing that is sure to delight both adults and children.
Don’t miss out on seeing the Lincoln Austin: The Space Between Us exhibition, which is on show from now until Sunday, August 8.
Or, visitors can enter an interactive transport world and learn more about cars, trucks, trains and planes at the On the Move exhibition , which runs from now until July 18.
Get a taste of the country lifestyle at the Rosewood Show
Head to the country for a weekend of rides, food stalls, poultry, livestock, horse riding, parading competitions, as well as dance and musical performances at the annual Rosewood Show .
The show will be held on Friday, June 25 to Saturday, June 26, with gates open from 9am-6pm. Like the Rosewood Show Society on Facebook for updates about the event.
Take a spooky, paranormal tour with renowned ghost hunter Jack Sim
Learn more about Ipswich’s haunted past by taking a tour of the Ipswich Cemetery, the Goodna Cemetery, or the Ipswich CBD. Tours are held at various nights throughout the month.
To find a tour that interests you, click on the Ghost Tours Australia calendar.
And read about the new Ipswich CBD tour here.
Get behind the wheel of a V8 Supercar
Experience the thrill of a lifetime driving a Holden or Ford V8 Race Car around the infamous Queensland Raceway in Willowbank this month.
V8 Race Experiences are held every month and cater for both locals and visitors who dream of putting the pedal to the metal like their favourite drivers. Your next opportunity to take to the track will be held on Sunday, June 13 from 7-11.30pm.
Take in a Hollywood blockbuster on the big screen
Ipswich is lucky to be home to a drive-in theatre, so you can watch the biggest movie stars from the comfort of your own car. Every weekend the drive-in hosts a double feature for families to enjoy, or couples out on a date night. In June visitors can watch Peter Rabbit 2 and Here Comes the Boom. And Tom and Jerry and Godzilla vs Kong. To see the full schedule, head to the Tivoli Drive-in website .
Dinner and drag queens
Enjoy an evening of high-quality drag, cabaret and burlesque on the first Saturday of every month at Casa Mia, as they bring you Dancing with the Queens , a live musical theatre dining experience.
Doors open at 6pm, with the queens taking to the stage at 7.30pm. The next performance will be held on Saturday, June 5.
Everyone’s favourite blue engine returns to The Workshops Rail Museum
Thomas the Tank Engine will be steaming into The Workshops Rail Museum this June to meet all his young fans as part of the Day Out With Thomas event.
Not only will kids be able to meet Thomas, but they will also be able to say hello to the Fat Controller and some of Thomas’ closest friends.
The event will also feature hands-on activities including colouring-in, games, puzzles, craft, as well as a Thomas movie. Thomas will be appearing at the Workshops from Saturday, June 26 to Saturday, July 11. Bookings are required.
Travel by bus to learn more about Ipswich’s rich history
Join other history lovers for a trip on a heritage bus around the Blackstone area, organised by the Cooneana Heritage Centre. The bus, used in Ipswich in the 1960s, takes 30 passengers on a tour that is full of local knowledge presented by the driver. The next tour will be held on Sunday, June 13 from 11am-1pm. For information can be found here.
Munch on a wide range of dishes at the Future Flavours Food Fair
Gather your friends and family for a night of good food, live entertainment and music at the Future Flavours Food Fair, which will be held on Saturday, June 19 from 4-9pm at the Nicholas St Precinct.
Get crafty at the Travellan Lifestyle Centre
Each month a number of activities are held at the Travellan Lifestyle Centre in Brassall as a way of bringing people together to learn something new.
This month, guests can take part in activities such as learning how to use ribbons and runes , styling your home with indoor plants , a workshop where you can make your own emu feather basket , learn more about the metaphysical benefits of crystals , as well as needlework and numerology .
Live out your dream of being a contestant on a game show
Play and win for your chance to take home some really cool prizes with the Kmart Ka-Ching game show. Prizes include a $1000 Riverlink gift card, or a chance to share in more than $10,800 worth of prizes. All you need to do is head down to the Kmart store inside Riverlink Shopping Centre between now and Sunday, June 6.
See how your driving stacks up at Friday Night Drifts
Queensland Raceway regularly hosts Friday Night Drift where members of the public can bring their car along for the ride and see how their car performs in a fun and social atmosphere.
Head down to Queensland Raceway on Friday, June 4 from 6-10pm to participate. However, this is just one of the many great events happening this month at the raceway.
Be sure to also check out the Roll Racing Brisbane event on Saturday, June 5, the Morning Drift Session on Thursday, June 17, and the massive 2 Days of Thunder spectacular on Saturday, June 26 to Sunday, June 27, which is part of the Festival of Horsepower. Featuring some of the loudest, fastest and most awe-inspiring cars, including the Australian Trans AM, QR Sports and Sedans, Super Sprints and members from the Porsche Club Queensland (just to name a few), this event is sure to satisfy those who love any models of cars, as long as they have four wheels.
Take home something unique from Soul Nook Collective
Take part in three workshops held this month at The Soul Nook Collective, where you will get to take home something you made to show off to your family and friends.
Two workshops are going to be held in conjunction with Sip ‘n’ Dip Australia (make your own resin cheeseboard and coasters plus learn to make polymer clay jewelry), as well as an inhouse event – crystal bracelet making.
Step back in time at this family fun day
Kids will have the opportunity to play all the same games their grand
Mentions: Nicholas Street · Tivoli Drive · Ipswich · Willowbank · Rosewood · Goodna · Tivoli · Blackstone · Brassall
Source: Ipswich First (Ipswich City Council) — CC BY 4.0.