The Sprint Route
The Sprint Route is an easy, leafy drive and travels past some quiet places for picnics, or even for a spot of fishing.
If you’re chasing a bloomin’ good time, here’s where you can see flowers in Southern Queensland Country this year in Spring!
Laurel Bank Park, Toowoomba
In case the warmer weather, longer days, and bursts of colour from fresh blooms hasn’t given it away, Spring has sprung across Toowoomba.
The change of season also heralds one of Toowoomba’s premier events – the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers.
What started out as a celebration to boost the Garden City’s economy after the hardships of World War II, is now one of the City’s largest and longest-running festivals, attracting close to 350,000 visitors each year.
If you’re chasing a bloomin’ good time, here’s where you can see flowers in Southern Queensland Country this year during Spring.
The Botanic Gardens, Queens Park, Toowoomba
If the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers was a movie, the Botanic Gardens in Queens Park would be the main character.
The gardens are pruned, primed, and prepped all year round leading up to its Spring floral showcase.
Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to marvel at the hundreds and thousands of bright and colourful buds on show at the award-winning gardens surrounded by avenues of stately trees, Wisteria arbours and acres of lush green lawn.
If you want to take in all the action from above, make such you take a trip on the Ferris Wheel.
The Botanic Gardens, Queens Park, Toowoomba
Laurel Bank Park, Toowoomba
Stop and smell the roses at Laurel Bank Park, which features Scented Gardens, specially designed for the visually impaired.
This fragrant floral oasis features perfectly maintained gardens, Australian native trees, plus two croquet lawns, children’s play areas and plenty of picnic and barbecue spots.
Take in an aerial view of the annual display, which embodies a different theme each year, from the viewing platform in the park.
This garden is open for the entirety of the Carnival at no extra cost.
Laurel Bank Park, Toowoomba
St Luke’s Anglican Church, Toowoomba
Put your petal to the metal and make for St Luke’s Anglican Church for six days of live music from 20 September - 25 September.
The concerts are put on daily in the church hall, which also showcases phenomenal floral arrangements hand-crafted by St Luke’s Floral Group.
Be sure to treat yourself to the artisan stalls, relax with a refreshment and take home your own flowerpot.
Bring a gold coin donation to support the show and live entertainment.
TAFE Horticultural Pavilion, directly behind Cobb+Co Museum
If you don’t know your chrysanthemums from your clivias, get ready to learn with a display of world-class clivias at the TAFE Horticultural Pavilion for the 19th Toowoomba Clivia Society Inc Show.
Wander through the spectacular displays and browse an extensive range of plants for sale.
Learn how to pot it like it’s hot from the experts onsite and grow your own South African clivia plant at home.
Toowoomba Exhibition Gardens
It’s not just the Garden City’s parks which are transformed, but backyards across Toowoomba.
Meet their makers and learn the secrets from the gurus in charge of Toowoomba’s finest gardens 20 – 29 September 2024.
Purchase your tickets at any of the gardens* on the day.
- To respect the gardeners privacy outside of the opening dates, the addresses of the 5 gardens will be released on Thursday, 19 September.
Bunkers Hill State School, Westbrook
If you’ve only got enough in the tank for a day trip, make sure you hit the road on 22 September 2024 just in time to say ‘aloe’ to the one-day-only Succulent Fest.
With indoor and outdoor options including lithops, bromeliads, cottage and even edible flowers and herbs on offer – we can almost guarantee you’ll be leaving with a few succulent souvenirs.
Bring along a $2 coin for entry and extra cash for plants.
Japanese Garden Ju Raku En, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba
Want to step away from the hustle and bustle of the festival and take a moment for some R&R?
Make your way to the Ju Raku En Garden at the University of Southern Queensland, best known as Toowoomba’s most tranquil and peaceful garden.
With an exquisite mix of Japanese and native Australian flora, and perfectly manicured hedges, bushes, and lawns everywhere you look, this garden is one of Australia’s largest and most traditionally designed Japanese stroll gardens.
Enjoy the fresh running mountain stream and waterfall, dry garden, central lake, azalea hill, wandering the three kilometres of paths.
Find your inner peace and tranquillity at this site for free and daily during the Carnival.
Japanese Garden Ju Raku En, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba
The Chronicle Garden Competition
Just when you think you’ve seen it all, you won’t be-leaf your eyes at this year’s Chronicle Garden Competition entries.
These dedicated home gardeners, businesses and schools work tirelessly to bring the ultimate floral and greenspace experiences to life.
Winners are announced in the 20 September edition of The Chronicle Newspaper, but if you’re feeling spontaneous, pick up a copy when you arrive at any TCOF Info Hubs or at the Visitor Information Centre to map out the must-see gardens from there.
The gardens are open from 20 - 22 September and 27 - 29 September 2024.
Sacred Heart Primary School Hall, Toowoomba
For more succulent fun, head to the Toowoomba Bromeliad and Succulent Society Inc Annual Show and Sale.
Keep 21 – 23 September 2024 free, to admire the impressive bromeliads, cacti, succulents, and foliage on show at Sacred Heart Primary School.
Cultivation demonstrations kick-off from 8:00am – 4:00pm daily, with thousands of plants (and tools) on offer to expand your garden at home.
Kids can get in for free, otherwise it’s $4 for adults.
Looking for more things to see and do in Toowoomba?
To help you discover the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers, here’s everything you need to know before you go.
And while you’re in the region, check out our guide to spend 48 hours in Toowoomba.
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