ASTOUNDING horsepower, heritage locomotive treasures and warbird flyovers will take place over Ipswich across four huge days as Planes, Trains and Autos returns bigger and bolder from April 28 to May 1.
The festival will again celebrate all things aviation, rail and automotive, and promises to be a series of adrenaline-charged low-cost events for the whole family and all-ages to explore.
Mayor Teresa Harding said the 2023 festival will be the event’s biggest to date with a full long weekend of fun and unique horsepower experiences for the Ipswich community and visitors.
“Now in its third year, this festival will pay tribute to our city’s rich history as the heartland of Queensland’s industrial development, while celebrating our present and future as a hub for defence, logistics and advanced manufacturing,” she said.
More than 8300 people attended the 2022 main event, and the 10,000 available tickets this year are expected to sell quickly.
The museum grounds will be packed to the brim with roving entertainment, passionate exhibitors sharing their love of all things aviation, rail, cars and bikes, and aircraft will perform thrilling aerials displays over North Ipswich.
There will be spectacular high-energy aerobatic displays by reigning Red Bull Air Race world champion and former RAAF top-gun pilot, Matt Hall, so the main event can be heard, seen and enjoyed by residents all across Ipswich Cr Nicole Jonic said the festival’s centrepiece will be at The Workshops Rail Museum on April 29 with an exciting line-up of military displays, interactive family friendly activities and a huge variety of awe-inspiring machinery.
“The museum grounds will be packed to the brim with roving entertainment, passionate exhibitors sharing their love of all things aviation, rail, cars and bikes, and aircraft will perform thrilling aerials displays over North Ipswich,” Cr Jonic said.
“Visitors and families can look forward to seeing Australia’s oldest working steam locomotive as well as lovingly-restored and maintained muscle cars and pre-1919 motorcycles.
“To complete your experience, you can enjoy a 30-minute diesel hauled train ride with Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway.”
The weekend kicks off with the Australian Superbike Championships returning to Queensland Raceway from April 28 for a three-days of racing action.
The Queensland Auto Spectacular will take over Willowbank Raceway on April 30 and will feature a huge swap meet, car club displays from historic to muscle, the Australian Rocker Cover Racing Championships and quartermile test and much more.
The pace will then slow on the Labor Day public holiday for the festival’s final event, Retro Picnic at Evan Marginson Park in Goodna on May 1.
