Laidley Spring Festival

The Laidley Spring Festival bursts into retro life with a 3 day weekend of spring celebrations, best enjoyed by an historic steam train journey to and from the event.

For over 50 years the festival has been an integral part of life in the beautiful little country town and is the one time in the year that its diversity is highlighted by community groups and associations that get together for the occasion.

The ‘City to the Bush’ festival programme includes a Street Parade featuring vintage vehicles, floats and bands, the annual Gardens and Flowers Show, an Orchid Show, Quilt and Craft Expo, church displays, arts and craft stalls and so much more.

All manner of old-fashioned handicrafts will be on display, such as patchwork, stitch and needle work, dolls, bears, crafts and fine arts. And a highlight of Laidley not to miss is a visit to the Historic Pioneer Village, featuring a pioneer slab hut, old gaol, shire office, buggy shed and more.

An extra nostalgic flavour is added by displays of vintage cars, trucks, tractors and engines and refreshments are available in the courtyard café of the old church precinct, and the Second Childhood Museum with Annie's Place Coffee Shoppe (part of Das Neumann Haus).

Otherwise, while there grab a bite to eat from some of the town’s quaint cafes and eateries such as the Rustique Rose Tea Rooms, 1950s style Eagle Rock Café, the century old QN Hotel or Hotel Laidley.

Need to know: Bookings are essential for both steam train trips and can be made by contacting the Workshops Rail Museum on (07) 3432 5100 or visiting theworkshops.qm.qld.gov.au. Tickets for the Gatton Loop journey, departing and returning to Laidley, can be also purchased locally from Das Neumann Haus on (07) 5465 3241.

A shutle bus operates on a loop throghout the festival, with pick up and drop off points at the Pioneer Village.