If Toowoomba in spring isn’t on your bucket list yet, we need to have a chat!
Queensland’s most spectacular floral celebration is back 18 September – 5 October, and Queensland.com reckons it’s worth the trip. (We may be biased, but they’re not!)
From jaw-dropping park displays and private gardens to a street parade that stops traffic and a weekend dedicated entirely to food and drink, there’s genuinely something here for everyone. Here’s ten bloomin’ great reasons to visit Toowoomba this spring.
1. Feast your way through the festival season: Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers kicks off festival season, with FEASTival as its crowning jewel — a two-day celebration of all things yum and the very best the region has to offer, perfect for the whole family. Follow it up the following weekend with the Australian Camp Oven Festival in Millmerran, the nation’s biggest camp oven cooking event, just over an hour’s drive from Toowoomba.
2. Explore the city’s laneway street art: Wander the CBD’s laneways to discover more than 100 large-scale murals, a legacy of the First Coat Street Art Festival that’s seen national and international artists turn the city into one of the country’s largest outdoor gallery spaces. Grab a coffee along the way and make a morning of it.
3. Ride the rails and visit Spring Bluff Railway Station: Heralded as one of the prettiest railway stations in the country, this heritage-listed station dates to the 1860s and is famous for its stunning landscaped gardens. Hop on the special train during Carnival for a scenic ride through the range to soak it all in. Queensland Rail usually releases tickets for sale in August, so keep your eyes peeled!
4. Dine on “Queensland’s Best”: Visit The Baker’s Duck and Super Rooster, two Toowoomba icons who recently took out the top gongs for Queensland’s Best Bakery and Queensland’s Best Burger, respectively.
5. Light up the school holidays at Sideshow Alley: Spinning rides, classic sideshow games, dagwood dogs and fairy floss: ten days of good old-fashioned fun for the whole family. Catch one of the two fireworks weekends lighting up the Toowoomba sky. Free entry, with coupons for rides and activities available for purchase.
6. Step back in time at Queensland Museum Cobb+Co: Wander through the National Carriage Collection, home to Australia’s finest collection of horse-drawn vehicles and a glimpse into 19th-century Australia. Kids will love the coach stop play area, and there are hands-on heritage workshops for the whole family too.
7. Discover the region’s foodie side: Let’s be honest, Toowoomba’s food scene is already known for punching well above its weight, and come springtime, it gets even better! Local cafes, restaurants and pubs whip up exclusive springtime creations, with a full schedule of one-off foodie experiences including Weekend Table and #treats.
8. Visit the Hamlets: Escape to the High Country and visit the string of villages nestled north of Toowoomba, from Highfields to Cooyar, home to wineries, restaurants, gift shops and B&Bs. For something more active, the Hamlets are also home to Crows Nest and Ravensbourne National Parks, where you’ll find scenic bushwalks, creeks and lookouts through the Great Dividing Range.
9. Find peace at Ju Raku En Japanese Garden: Explore one of Australia’s largest and most traditionally designed Japanese stroll gardens, tucked away on the University of Southern Queensland campus. Wander past the lake and bridges, among 230 species of Japanese and native plants, for a peaceful escape from the crowds. Early spring sees the cherry blossoms and azaleas bloom in a soft wash of pink and white, timed perfectly with Carnival itself.
10. Catch the Grand Central Floral Parade: Toowoomba’s most iconic annual event sees street performers, carnival characters and roving entertainment escort stunning floral floats through the heart of the city to Queens Park. Free to watch and beloved by visitors of all ages.
