Ultimate Girls Weekend 2026 (Queensland)

Whether you’re coming with your best friends, your mum, or flying solo, this is the kind of weekend that stays with you long after you drive home. If you’re looking for comfortable, affordable accommodation close to the festival action, Central Motel Ipswich is ideally positioned as a base before or after the event.

What Is Ultimate Girls Weekend?

Ultimate Girls Weekend is a three-day outdoor festival created for women, by women. Presented by Bohemian Summer Festival, the event brings together hundreds of women from across Australia for a long weekend filled with workshops, wellness activities, live entertainment, creative expression, marketplace shopping, nightly entertainment, and genuine human connection. It’s not a music festival in the traditional sense, and it’s not a corporate wellness retreat either – it sits in a category all its own.

The festival is built around a simple idea: women deserve a dedicated space to step away from the demands of daily life, reconnect with themselves, and celebrate alongside a community of like-minded women. No judgement, no expectations – just freedom, fun, and open expression.

When and Where the Festival Takes Place

Ultimate Girls Weekend Queensland 2026 runs from Friday 31 July to Sunday 2 August 2026 at Ivory’s Rock, located at 310 Mount Flinders Road, Peak Crossing QLD 4306. Gates open at 7:30 am on Friday, with the festival wrapping up around 4:00 pm on Sunday.

Peak Crossing sits in the Scenic Rim region, a short and easy drive from Ipswich and the southern suburbs of Brisbane.

Why Thousands of Women Attend Every Year

Word of mouth is probably the biggest driver of ticket sales. Women who attend once tend to come back – and they bring friends. Past attendees frequently describe it as something they didn’t know they needed until they were there. The atmosphere is welcoming and relaxed, the programming is varied enough to keep everyone busy, and the setting at Ivory’s Rock provides a genuine sense of escape from everyday routines.

The festival draws women of all ages and backgrounds. Some come for the healing modalities, some for the comedy nights and PJ Parade, some for the craft workshops and marketplace – many simply because a friend convinced them to try it.

The Story Behind Ultimate Girls Weekend

How Two Sisters Created a Festival Focused on Women’s Wellbeing

Ultimate Girls Weekend was founded by two sisters – Julz Taylor and Kerri Macpherson – who started the festival because they were, as they put it, simply tired: tired of the same routines, putting everyone else first, and losing track of who they were outside of family and work responsibilities. They wanted to build the kind of festival they would actually want to attend themselves, combining meaningful workshops and healing experiences with the fun of a proper girls’ night out. The result was Bohemian Summer Festival, which has since grown into the Ultimate Girls Weekend brand operating across multiple states.

The Evolution from Bohemian Summer Festival

The festival began under the Bohemian Summer Festival name in Victoria, centred on a bohemian, free-spirited atmosphere encouraging creativity, connection, and personal expression. As the event community grew, the festival expanded into Queensland, with Ivory’s Rock at Peak Crossing becoming the Queensland home. Each year the program has expanded, the marketplace has grown larger, and accommodation options have become more varied.

Creating a Safe and Inclusive Space for Women

Attendees consistently describe feeling safe and welcome from the moment they arrive. The festival runs on a philosophy of no judgement and no expectations – women are encouraged to show up exactly as they are. The event opens with a Welcome to Country, honouring the Muntambin people on whose land the festival takes place. The festival operates an ages 15 and over policy, making it suitable for mother-daughter trips.

Why the Festival Continues to Grow

The 2026 Queensland edition introduces outdoor spas, wine tasting sessions, a Classic Car and Bike Show, and an expanded entertainment program, alongside beloved returning elements – Women’s Circles, the PJ Parade, live mediumship readings, and comedy nights.

Why Ultimate Girls Weekend Is Unlike Any Other Festival

• More than a music festival: live music and entertainment sit alongside yoga, sound healing, craft workshops, comedy shows, mediumship readings, and an outdoor cinema
• Wellness meets entertainment: sunrise yoga, women’s circles, guided meditation and Reiki coexist with a cocktail bar, live performances, and the PJ Parade
• Learn, relax, create and celebrate: a single day might include a watercolour workshop, a women’s circle, marketplace browsing, a tarot reading, and a comedy show
• Suited to solo travellers, friends and mother-daughter trips: the community atmosphere makes it easy to connect, whether attending alone or in a group

What Your Festival Pass Includes

Every ticket includes access to the full program of workshops, talks, and activities at no additional cost.

Over 80 Workshops, Talks and Activities

The 2026 Queensland program includes over 80 workshops, talks, and activities, with the full program spanning more than 100 individual sessions across the weekend. No pre-booking is required for most workshops – simply arrive around 10 minutes before the session starts. Craft workshops have limited spots, so arriving early is recommended. Most workshops run twice across the weekend.

Featured Program Elements

• Connection and Reflection: Women’s Circles, Open Mic Sessions
• Movement: Yoga and meditation, dance fitness, belly dancing, burlesque, hula hoop
• Healing: Sound healing, drumming circles, Reiki (group sessions)
• Craft: Paint and Sip, rock painting, watercolour, jewellery making, clay creations, tie-dye
• Entertainment: Live mediumship readings, comedy shows, live music, outdoor cinema
• Signature Nights: PJ Parade, 80s Dress-Up Night (new for 2026)
• Cultural: Welcome to Country and Aboriginal Cultural Celebration

Explore the Self-Care Hub

The Self-Care Hub is a separate space dedicated to pampering, healing, and reading sessions. Bookings are donation-based, starting from around $50 for a 25-minute session, paid directly to the healer or reader. Bringing cash is recommended, as some practitioners may not have card facilities. Pre-bookings are expected to open before the event, and early booking is recommended for popular modalities.

Available modalities include:

• Massage and pampering treatments
• Tarot, psychic and mediumship readings (private, 25-minute sessions)
• Reiki and energy healing
• Aromatherapy
• Astrology readings
• Holistic counselling (free counselling also available through the First Aid tent)
• Tibetan singing bowl sound healing (private sessions)
• Creative therapy
• Beauty and facial treatments

Discover the Festival Marketplace

The marketplace brings together a curated selection of Australian women-owned small businesses and independent makers, including:

• Handmade jewellery
• Pottery and ceramics
• Crystal collections
• Homewares (candles, textiles, prints)
• Fashion and clothing – including festival-friendly pieces for the 80s dress-up night
• Beauty products (natural skincare, handmade soaps)
• Wellness products (essential oils, herbal teas, supplements)
• Books and gifts
• Artisan creations

Food and Drinks Throughout the Festival

Multiple food trucks operate across the festival, with dietary needs including vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options catered for. A nightly cocktail and mocktail bar gives attendees a place to relax and socialise, and wine tasting sessions are a new addition for 2026.

New Experiences for the 2026 Festival

• Outdoor spas – a new luxury addition set in the bushland surroundings of Ivory’s Rock
• Classic Car and Bike Show – a fun, unexpected addition to the lifestyle weekend
• Wine tasting sessions – a refined evening option alongside the cocktail bar
• Expanded entertainment program – headlined by the new 80s Dress-Up Night
• Even more workshops – the biggest program yet, with over 80 confirmed sessions

Planning Your Festival Weekend

Arrival and Check-In

On arrival, drive directly to the ticket checkpoint and stay in your car for processing – have your general admission and car pass tickets ready to scan. The road through the grounds is one-way with a strict 5 km/h speed limit.

Parking and Car Passes

Anyone staying onsite needs a car pass, purchased in advance – one per vehicle, not per person. Day pass attendees don’t need a car pass and park in a dedicated day pass area.

What to Bring

• Yoga mat
• Notebook and pen
• Cushion or blanket
• Refillable water bottle (free water taps marked with blue flags)
• Camping/glamping gear and all-weather clothing if not in a cabin
• 80s outfit and pyjamas for themed nights
• Comfortable shoes
• Cash (EFTPOS not available at all stalls; Self-Care Hub is donation-based)
• Insect spray and sunscreen
• Festival ticket and photo ID

Weather Considerations

The festival runs during Queensland winter – typically dry and mild during the day, cool in the evenings. Late July at Peak Crossing can drop noticeably at night, so layers and warm bedding matter if camping or glamping. The event proceeds in all weather unless directed otherwise by emergency services.

Festival Etiquette

• Respect presenters and facilitators
• Arrive for workshops around 10 minutes early
• Leave quietly if exiting a session early
• Contribute to the community atmosphere

Suggested Three-Day Festival Itinerary

Friday – Arrive, Explore and Connect: Gates open 7:30 am; set up accommodation, browse the marketplace, attend the Welcome to Country and Aboriginal Cultural Celebration, join an evening Women’s Circle, and enjoy live entertainment.

Saturday – Wellness and Creativity: Morning yoga, daytime workshops and craft sessions, a Self-Care Hub booking, then the PJ Parade, comedy shows, the nightly bar, and the new 80s Dress-Up Night.

Sunday – Reflection and Inspiration: Morning meditation, final workshops, last marketplace browsing, and a closing ceremony at the main stage at 3 pm before the festival wraps up around 4 pm.

Why Ivory’s Rock Is the Perfect Festival Venue

Ivory’s Rock is set over 1,700 acres of Australian bushland in the Scenic Rim region, with rolling hills, open spaces, and native wildlife creating a genuine sense of escape. The mostly flat, well-maintained grounds make it accessible for a wide range of attendees. Peak Crossing is roughly 25-30 minutes from Ipswich and 50-60 minutes from central Brisbane, making it a practical destination for the whole South East Queensland corridor. For those not staying onsite, Ipswich CBD is close enough for an easy daily drive.

Tips for Making the Most of Ultimate Girls Weekend

• Download or collect the program and circle your must-do sessions early
• Wear comfortable clothing, but pack your themed-night outfits too
• Stay hydrated using the free water stations (marked with blue flags)
• Be open to meeting new people – connection is a core part of the experience
• Try something outside your comfort zone, whether a drumming circle or a mediumship reading
• Leave time for rest and reflection – unstructured time is as valuable as any workshop

Your Base for Ultimate Girls Weekend: Stay at Central Motel Ipswich

If you’re planning to attend Ultimate Girls Weekend 2026 but prefer a comfortable bed and a proper hot shower over tent pegs and sleeping mats, Central Motel Ipswich is exactly what you’re looking for.

Located right in the heart of Ipswich, the motel puts you within easy striking distance of Ivory’s Rock at Peak Crossing – about 25 to 30 minutes by car. It’s a practical, affordable option for day pass holders and festival-goers who want the best of both worlds: the full festival experience during the day, with a peaceful night’s sleep and a proper breakfast in a comfortable room.

Rooms book out quickly around major local events, so if you’re planning to be in Ipswich for Ultimate Girls Weekend, don’t leave your accommodation to the last minute.

Central Motel Ipswich website: https://www.centralmotelipswich.com.au/