Everything You Need To Know About The 75th Toowoomba Carnival Of Flowers
In season
The arrival of spring in the Sunshine State means your social calendar is coming into bloom, with lush events and experiences to make the most of the fresh breeze in the air. And one such festival you absolutely can’t miss is the iconic Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers – back for a 75th birthday party to knock your socks off!
Flourishing since 1949, the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers has grown into an annual extravaganza for all ages, in an explosion of colour and local festivities. This year, the floral spectacular will be taking over Toowoomba’s sprawling epicentre from 13 September to 7 October, meaning you have four weekends to experience the dazzling line-up!
Queens Park
You’ll find the hub of the carnival at Queens Park Botanic Gardens, which is set to host the Festival of Food & Wine, and the finishing point for the Grand Central Floral Parade. The charming gardens is most recognisable for its beautiful camphor laurel lined avenue, so you can take advantage of picture-perfect moments on a backdrop of bright flower beds and stately trees, or snag a birds-eye view on the majestic ferris wheel.
Laurel Bank
Follow your nose to the west of the city centre, and you’ll be greeted by a spectacular floral display and scented garden. From the croquet lawns to the animal topiaries, and childrens’ play area, Laurel Bank will have the whole family busy soaking the beauty in, while the Twilight Tours on Monday to Friday from 13 to 30 September will let you discover the secret world of the parklands by night, led by a gardener. You can also expect food trucks and live music to make the most of the gorgeous surroundings.
The Chronicle Garden Competition + Private Gardens
The Garden City is home to thousands of passionate green thumbs, who work year-round to impress guests with their stunning floral showpieces. Keep an eye on the The Chronicle newspaper’s Friday 20 September edition to see the winners of the Garden Competition, who will open their spaces to the public on 20 – 22 September and 27 – 29 September. There are also an array of specially selected Exhibition Gardens on display from 20 – 29 September, bountiful with inspiration. For more info, head here.
Public Gardens
While you’re in town, make sure to swing by Toowoomba’s breathtaking landmarks in full bloom. There’s Picnic Point with panoramic 180-degree views stretching from deep gorges to Scenic Rim. Find your Zen at the University of Southern Queensland’s Japanese Garden or step back in time at the heritage-listed Spring Bluff Gardens, home to over 150 years of railway history and beautifully landscaped gardens.
Festival of Food & Wine
Of course, all that exploring is bound to work up an appetite, but the Festival of Food & Wine will have you sorted. Serving up the goods from Friday 13 to Sunday 15 September, dig into the world-famous produce of Southern Queensland to the tune of some of Australia’s finest musicians (Pete Murray! Kate Ceberano! James Reyne! Mashed N Kutcher!) in the Queens Park Botanic Gardens. Discover complimentary tasting sessions featuring cheese, wine, craft beer, and spirits, as well as Farm to Fork demonstrations with award-winning pastry chef Anna Polyviou to level up your hosting skills. There’ll also be a kid zone for the little ones, cellar doors for the vino lovers, and a cocktail bar pouring up seasonal specials. Get your tickets here.
Grand Central Floral Parade
Trust us, you’ll want front row seats as floral floats, colourful characters and stilt walkers make their way through the CBD to Queens Park for the 75th Grand Central Floral Parade. Kicking off at 10am on Saturday 21 September, the free parade is always an icon, plus you can check out the Itty Bitty Floral Parade proudly displayed in Grand Central Shopping Centre from 14 – 30 September.
Sideshow Alley
Want some thrills alongside the daffodils? Then head to Lower Queens Park for rides, fairy floss, dagwood dogs, and show bags on 20 – 22 September. Across the three nights, the skies over Toowoomba will light up with breathtaking fireworks displays, as well as plenty of entertainment throughout the day.
Memorabilia Display
It wouldn’t be a 75th birthday party without a trip down memory lane, which is why you can visit Civic Square during the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers to enjoy a blast from the past in the form of photos, footage, story telling, and much-loved memorabilia from over the decades. Psst, it’s also where you can grab some Carnival merch!
Symphony Under The Stars
The Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers is seriously pulling out all the stops for their 75th birthday including a very special performance by the full Queensland Symphony Orchestra on Friday 4 October. Featuring several classics in the iconic Queens Park Amphitheatre, let the music whisk you away under a wondrous canopy of stars. Get your tickets here.
For more info on the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers, head here.
What: Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers
Where: Toowoomba, Queensland
When: 13 September to 7 October 2024
Need to fill up your social calendar this season? Check out our guide to the spring racing carnival here.
Imagery: Tourism and Events Queensland
