Despite its location within the Darling Downs farming region, Toowoomba feels far from an agricultural outpost. The city’s streets are peppered with Victorian-era architecture, and the odd art deco building, including more than 50 heritage-listed sites. A glut of gorgeous, manicured gardens, including more than 150 public parks, lie within the city’s boundaries. And it’s also home to a university, a cathedral, a number of annual festivals, a notable local museum and a thriving international restaurant scene, among other attractions. No mean feat for a city of just 134,000.
Queensland’s largest inland city perches on the western slopes of the Great Dividing Range, some 700 metres above sea level, and overlooks the green patchwork of the Lockyer Valley. So once you’ve wandered around and uncovered the charms of Toowoomba city, the great outdoors is waiting on its doorstep too.
Green thumbs and budding botanists will be in flora heaven in Toowoomba thanks to a plethora of public parks and surrounding number of bushwalks that lead to breathtaking views. Perhaps the city’s most famous attraction, the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers is the longest-running floral event of its kind in Australia. Just as satisfied will be patrons of the arts and history, with Toowoomba’s burgeoning street art scene and galleries, heritage-listed art deco theatre. Find out our full list of unique experiences and fun things to do.
Queensland’s Garden City is home to a number of accommodation options, whatever your budget and needs. Find the uber-contemporary, familiar ease of a chain apartment hotel, boutique options, or even a no-frills caravan park. This curated selection of Toowoomba accommodation will offer something for everyone.
The Toowoomba restaurant scene is thriving and features a surprisingly vast supply of cafes. From a hole-in-the-wall skateshop-cum-coffee-house to a social enterprise cafe that showcases the works of local artists, and a Melbourne-esque laneway cafe with an inventive menu, start the day right at one of the best cafes in Toowoomba.
Located 125 kilometres west of Queensland’s capital, it takes approximately 90 minutes to reach Toowoomba from Brisbane by road. Alternatively, direct train services depart from Brisbane Roma Street twice weekly onboard The Westlander, and the journey takes just shy of four hours. Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport also operates direct flights to Melbourne, Townsville, Brisbane, Western Queensland and Sydney.
The so-called Garden City is in full bloom come spring, when the Annual Carnival of Flowers takes place (September). Situated 700 metres above sea level, Toowoomba is typically cooler than many other towns and cities in the Sunshine State and features warm summers and cool winters.
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