Every year, during the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers, Toowoomba celebrates its reputation as the Garden City with the most spectacular display of spring flowers. Visitors travel far and wide to see the city’s gardens in full bloom at Australia’s longest-running floral event, which dates back to 1950. Here are the top five special things that make the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers so great, like the food and wine festival or Night Garden in Laurel Bank Park.
1. History Of Toowoomba Carnival Of Flowers
The Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers has thrived since its inception in 1949 and has become an iconic Queensland event.
Carnival was created as a way for the city to use its “Garden City” reputation to promote increased economic activity following the hardships of WWII by Essex Tait and the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce.
The Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers began on October 21, 1950, with a three-mile-long street procession. It was a resounding success, led by a bullock team and witnessed by an estimated 50,000 people.
The Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers was awarded the Gold Award for Major Festival and Event at the Queensland Tourism Awards (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018) and the Australian Tourism Awards (2016, 2017, 2018). Furthermore, the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers was honored with Hall of Fame status at the 2017 Queensland Tourism Awards and the 2018 Australian Tourism Awards.
Attendance at the 10-day event has increased dramatically recently, with 294,000 people attending in 2019.
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2. Special Things In Toowoomba Carnival Of Flowers
You’ll get a true sense of Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers
This festival caters to foodies and flower lovers, and we’re not just talking about a Devonshire tea with roses.
Toowoomba’s massive Festival of Food & Wine returns this year on September 9 – 11 with three days of local flavors pulled fresh from the pastures, vineyards, and orchards of Southern Queensland Country – alongside a line-up of some of Australia’s best bands.
Find feasts all month long with #trEATS, a region-wide food trail for all food lovers to celebrate the amazing Toowoomba dining scene, with restaurants and cafes launching an exclusive #trEATS special springtime menu with bites ranging from $10 to $20.
However, the delectable fare does not end there, as gourmet food tours are held throughout the month. Join a hosted progressive dinner tour (2 & 17 September), have a Tipsy High Tea in the historic Spring Bluff Railway Station (3 September), or take the popular Talking Pubs Tour to see the town’s historic watering holes (various dates throughout the month).
It’s an opportunity to express yourself creatively
The Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers is an explosion of creativity and color – just look at the thoughtfully designed themed gardens at Laurel Bank Park.
But you don’t have just to sit back and admire. Fill your days with cooking demonstrations, live garden presentations, workshops, and interactive sessions if you’re not a wallflower and prefer to immerse yourself in new experiences.
Celebrity chefs and gardening experts such as Miguel Maestre, Adam Liaw, Charlie Albone, and Dave Franklin have previously taken the stage to share their knowledge. Keep an eye out for who will be here this year.
After dark, the festival continues
When the sun goes down, Ergon Energy’s Night Garden brings Queens Park Botanic Gardens to life with light displays and illuminations. It runs every evening from September 1 to September 30, 6-8.30pm. From the 17th to the 19th of September, fireworks will light up the sky.
Take a twilight tour of Laurel Bank Park (various dates) or bring your picnic blanket to Cinema Under The Stars, a free community event on September 24 with a line-up of classic movies shown on the leafy lawns of Drayton and Toowoomba Cemetery throughout the month.
If your kids are looking for an adrenaline rush, take them to Sideshow Alley (16,17,18 September) for thrill rides, show bags, evening fireworks, and festival food favorites like fairy floss and dagwood dogs.
There’s plenty to keep the kids occupied
Who says adults have to have all the fun? There’s plenty to keep kids happy outside of Sideshow Alley.
The Cubby House is a particular play area for children to explore, create, and design to their hearts’ content.
Bring your teddy bear to Picnic Point Parklands for the Teddy Bears’ Picnic, a kid-favorite event (24 September). There will be more than just a cake or two, as well as interactive games, coloring pages, carnival tattoos, and roving entertainers. And, beginning September 29, children can get their hands dirty and let their imaginations run wild with Thrive on Arts’ creative workshops.
Do you want a bird’s-eye view of the garden displays? Take a ride on the Ferris Wheel, which will be spinning in Queens Park from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Friday, September 16 to Sunday, September 25.
Get a front-row view of the parade
Mark your calendars: the iconic Grand Central Floral Parade will return on Saturday, September 17th. Come watch street performers, roving entertainers, and floral floats make their way through the heart of Toowoomba to Queens Park beginning at 10 a.m.
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