15 free things to do in Southern Queensland Country
From exploring local street art to stepping it out through ancient national parks – our region will keep you busy without the need to tap the debit card.
Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers is back bigger than ever from Friday 13 September to Monday 7 October for its 75th birthday celebration. Each of the four weeks is filled with bunches of different exciting events, making it hard to know when to visit. To assist with this decision we’ve created the ultimate guide to the four weekends of Carnival.
Weekend 1: Fri 13 September - Sun 15 September
Three delicious days filled with food, wine and good times! The leafy surrounds of upper Queens Park are the picture perfect location for this festival celebrating spring!
Taste your way across the weekend with bunches of food stalls, pop up cellar doors and more! Celebrity chef Anna Polyviou will be cooking up a storm on the Farm to Fork stage, and your favourite Aussie bands will be making sweet music over the weekend.
Ferris Wheel (Queens Park)
Jump on board the Ferris Wheel for a blooming gorgeous view of the Botanic Gardens! It’s an incredible experience viewing the flowers from up above, and perfect for all ages! Even well-behaved dogs are welcome to ride.
Starting on 13 September and running all Carnival-long, this is a foodie’s paradise! Participating Toowoomba Region eateries are offering Carnival exclusive springtime dishes - all priced from $10 - $20! Don’t miss out on the one-of-a kind #trEATS!
Weekend 2: Fri 20 September - Sun 22 September
The famous Grand Central Floral Parade is one of Toowoomba’s most iconic events! On Saturday 21 September, watch as floral themed floats, bands and colourful characters wind their way through the heart of the city to Queens Park.
Thrill seeking rides, fairy floss, show bags and your favourite carnival food are available this weekend in lower Queens Park! Plus, three nights of fireworks!
Discover the city’s culinary scene through desserts, cocktails and delicious dinners! Tempt your taste buds with one of three unique tours.
The Chronicle Garden Competition
Discover these stunning gardens, curated by passionate home gardeners who work year-round transforming their private gardens into stunning floral showpieces. The guide listing the garden locations and opening times will be released on Friday 20 September.
Take a stroll through five of Toowoomba’s most beautiful home gardens! A must-see for garden enthusiasts. To respect the gardeners' privacy, the addresses of the five gardens will be released on Thursday 19 September.
Ferris Wheel (Queens Park)
Last call for the Ferris Wheel! Take a ride for a one-of-a-kind view over the Botanic Gardens.
Weekend 3: Fri 27 September - Sun 29 September
Grab your picnic blanket (and a jacket) and make your way to Peacehaven Botanic Park for a screening of Sherlock Gnomes on Saturday 28 September. The perfect excuse to relax under the stars. Plus, it’s free!
Carnival’s foodie tours continue with more Talking Pubs, Sip & Stroll and Dinner Edits this weekend! Book your tickets early so you don’t miss out!
The Chronicle Garden Competition
Blooms await at these stunning home gardens, and this is the final weekend they are open to the public.
These five showpiece gardens are waiting to be discovered - visit one, or visit them all, this is your last chance!
Weekend 4: Fri 4 October - Mon 7 October
Symphony Under the Stars with Queensland Symphony Orchestra
World renowned musicians will be taking centre stage under starry skies for a special Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers 75th birthday celebration! The open-air concert will be performed by Queensland Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Chief Conductor Umberto Clerici in his first trip to the Garden City.
The Queens Park amphitheatre will be filled with a floral symphony on this night to remember.
Discover the last locally-loved hidden gem at the Dinner Edit. Sip & Stroll with handcrafted cocktails, delish eats and a stroll through Toowoomba's streets. Unearth drinks, eats and some banter at the three pubs on the Talking Pubs trail.
Midweek Moments
Of course, you can also visit during the week! While you’ll find the large-scale events fall on a weekend, there’s plenty to see and do at any time. In fact, visiting during the week is great if you’d prefer to avoid larger crowds!
Our top picks - take a Twilight Tour of Laurel Bank, or set your own adventure with Carnival’s self-paced trips or Petals & Pups itineraries (perfect for doggie families!)
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