By Ashleigh Howarth

Gather your family and friends and get ready for a long weekend packed with fun, food and entertainment this Australia Day!

With the public holiday falling on a Monday, we all get an extra day to celebrate everything that makes this country great - including classic Aussie traditions and favourites like the humble snag in bread drenched with tomato sauce, scorching hot meat pies, melt-in-your-mouth lamb, and chocolatey Tim Tams.

With a range of family-friendly events including live music, pig races, thong-throwing competitions, carpark parties, dive-in movies, skating workshops, racing action, and special-themed menus, here’s everything happening in and around Ipswich this Australia Day long weekend (January 24-26).

Thong throwing, Tim Tams and tunes at Brothers

There will be three days of non-stop fun, food, entertainment, and friendly competition for all ages at Brothers Leagues Club, who are getting the party started early on January 24. Visitors can enjoy a range of crowd favourite activities like thong throwing, Tim Tam races, stubby holder stacking, an Aussie map toss, backyard games such as ring toss, bowling, and giant Jenga, plus the chance to win some delicious meat trays and even a giant camping chair. Live music will set the tone throughout the weekend with plenty of Aussie hits ringing out from the stage, and all-day dining is available from 11.30am.

Full-throttle fun at Queensland Raceway

Experience a weekend of adrenaline-fueled thrills at Queensland Raceway from January 24-26, with Roll Racing kicking off the long weekend on Saturday night (4pm-10.30pm) featuring more than 120 cars racing head-to-head, plus a hilarious thong race down the main straight, an Aussie Car Show ‘N’ Shine, food trucks, a top-deck bar, and fireworks to close out the night. The following day, you can feel the thrill of the track like a pro when the V8 Race Experience returns for 2026, before finishing the weekend at the QR Motor Ride Day on Monday, which is perfect for beginners or experienced riders looking to hit the track in a safe and controlled environment. Spectators are welcome and the onsite café will be open all three days.

Raise a glass at Imbibis Craft Distillery

Fancy a tipple of Ipswich’s award-winning spirits? The Cellar Door at Imbibis Craft Distillery will be open over the long-weekend, with chief distiller Jason Hannay hosting intimate Tour and Tasting sessions from 2-3pm on Friday and Saturday (book here). The tours have been designed to give you a behind-the-scenes look at the art of small-batch distillation, and the chance to sip your way through their award-winning gins, vodka, and specialty spirits. The distillery will also be open on Sunday from 12pm-5pm for casual tastings with friends.

Country air and fine dining at Spicers Hidden Vale

If you’re looking to spoil yourself this week, Spicers Hidden Vale in Grandchester is the perfect getaway. Whether you choose to stay at the luxurious resort or simply dine at the award-winning restaurant, Homage, there’s plenty to enjoy. The restaurant is open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, though on Sunday it will be breakfast only due to scheduled maintenance. Surrounded by beautiful mountain views and fresh country air, it’s the perfect spot to relax and unwind, or if you’re feeling energetic, there’s a scenic Parkrun held at 7am on Saturday. Then at night, spend your evening stargazing under the clear skies.

Treat your tastebuds at Trevallan Lifestyle Centre

Dessert lovers who are looking to satisfy their sweet tooths should drop by Trevallan Lifestyle Centre this week, with their coffee van stocking some delicious Australia Day-themed cupcakes by local baker, Baked By Brooke. There will be plenty of signature Aussie flavours like gluten-free Tim Tam cupcakes and fairy bread cupcakes, which will pair well with their amazing coffee!

Enjoy a bear-y good dive-in movie at Orion Lagoon

Make a splash at the Orion Lagoon with a free dive-in movie the whole family will enjoy on Saturday. Bring your swimmers, towel, favourite snacks, and maybe even a marmalade sandwich or two, before settling in to watch everyone’s favourite furry explorer, Paddington in Peru, beginning at sunset (around 6pm). The lagoon is open every day, and with interconnected pools and water features, it’s a great way to beat the summer heat.

Pick a winner at the Walloon Hotel’s yabby races

Cheer on your champion yabby while wearing your favourite flanny and pluggers in the hope of also being crowned the best dressed bogan at the Walloon Hotel on Sunday, plus enjoy a cold beer or two while kicking up your heels to the live entertainment from 5-7pm. Then back it up with a no-pressure recovery party on Australia Day with beats pumping all arvo, a sausage sizzle, raffles, and more. Not only are you releasing your inner bogan and having a great time, but you will also be giving back to your community, with all proceeds from the yabby race and raffles donated to the Rebels Boxing Club.

Battle of the brushes at Stony Creek Brewing

A creative showdown will be held at Stony Brook Brewing this Sunday during round 1 of the Summer Night Art Fight, which pits artists against one another for the chance to win some impressive prizes. Four artists will be picking up their brushes and creating their best masterpieces between 2-5pm, with the audience then deciding the winner. The lucky person will then go on to the final round and be in with a chance to win the all-important Art Fight championship trophy and $1000 art pack. If you’re interested in entering, email arttimeipswich@gmail.com, or head along and watch the magic unfold from the sidelines with a pint in hand. There will also be live music at the venue on Friday and Saturday night to get your weekend off to a chilled start.

Get your groove on at a carpark party

The carpark at Hotel Commonwealth will turn into a lively party scene on Sunday, complete with music, tasty food, drinks, and good vibes. Kicking things off will be a soloist artist who will hit the stage at noon, followed by the Rock N Roll Outlaws from 2.30pm-5pm. Entry is free, but bookings are required via TryBooking. If you don’t feel like cooking on the following night, it’s Parmi Monday at the hotel!

Unleash your inner artist and diva at Banshees

Join the fabulous Tara Zann for a drag-tastic Paint and Sip experience at Banshees Bar and Art Space on Sunday, where Tara will be on hand during this life drawing session to make fun of your artwork and spill the hot goss. There will be three shows and three costumes, plus plenty of fun games and prizes. Grab your tickets here.

Falvey’s Yamanto to hog the fun with pig races

Get ready to cheer on the piggies at the 5th annual pig races, returning to Falvey’s Hotel Yamanto on Australia Day. These much-loved races support a great cause, with all proceeds going to Variety Children’s Charity. The day will also feature raffles and auctions to support the charity, plus free face painting, a petting zoo, and a jumping castle for the little ones. Of course, no true Aussie celebration would be complete without a sizzling pig on the spit to sink your teeth into while you soak up the atmosphere.

Sing along to the best of Aussie pub rock

Relive the iconic anthems that defined a generation at The Best Years of Our Lives show, hitting the Racehorse Hotel on Sunday. Expect thumping riffs, summery strums, and sing-along hits that shaped the soundtrack of a generation including Richard Clapton, Australian Crawl, Men at Work, The Models, plus many more! Secure your tickets here. The fun then continues on Australia Day with a massive afternoon consisting of a free barbecue, “not so” beer pong, free pool, a pie eating competition, local legends, prizes, and so much more!

Big appetites needed for lamington eating comp

Do you have what it takes to be crowned the lamington eating champion? If you answered yes, head on down to the Australia Day celebrations at Redbank Plains Tavern, with all the fun kicking off at 3pm on Monday. If you can stomach it after eating all those sweet treats, there will also be a sausage sizzle, live music, and free pool.

Skate into Australia Day fun at Ramp Attack

Whether you’re a seasoned skater looking to perfect your tricks or a beginner eager to try something new, Ramp Attack Indoor Skatepark & Shop will be open and offering four sessions at 9am, noon, 3pm, and 6pm on Australia Day. With the weather expected to be quite warm, it’s the perfect chance to carve up the indoor ramps and enjoy a fun, active day on your board.

Rack up some fun at CU@N8s

Grab a cue and hit the tables with your mates at CU@N8s, with a special discounted price of $20 per hour, plus a sausage sizzle for $3 and additional games and music. They will be open from 12-7pm which is outside their normal trading hours, so be sure to gather your besties and make the most of it!

Indulge in a delicious Aus Day lunch at FourthChild

The chefs at FourthChild know how much Aussies love their lamb, which is why they will be whipping up a special mouthwatering dish for foodies on our national day. Open from 7am-2pm, you can drop in and enjoy slow-cooked braised lamb served with creamy garlic mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables, and a rich red wine jus at lunchtime for only $32.

Tee off at the Rosewood Golf Club

Kick off Australia Day with some friendly competition at the Australia Day Cup. Held at the Rosewood Golf Club and sponsored by the Walloon Hotel, the comp tees off at 6am on Monday and features an 18-hole Single Stableford for members and visitors with a GA Handicap. Phone the club on 5464 1201 to reserve your place and buggy.

Soar into Australia Day with a hot air balloon flight

Elevate your trip to Ipswich and experience the surrounding countryside like never before with a Floating Images Hot Air Balloon flight. Drift gently on the morning breeze, soak in the sunrise, and enjoy a peaceful, unforgettable adventure high above the landscape before enjoying the rest of your day at one of these many great events happening in and around the city.

Treat the family to a camel ride

Get out into the fresh Aussie air this Australia Day at Summer Land Camels! The camel farm, Homestead Café, and farm shop are open every day from 9am-3pm, so you can enjoy a camel ride, tour the farm, and try some of their delicious Australian-made camel-milk products, or treat yourself to an array of camel-milk beauty products.

Still looking for more ways to celebrate? Head to the Discover Ipswich website.

This blog was written for Discover Ipswich, with images courtesy of Discover Ipswich, local businesses and Unsplash.

Fair dinkum fun: Where to celebrate Australia Day in Ipswich