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Climate
With scenic views from 700 metres above sea level, Toowoomba has a fresh, less humid climate than Queensland coastal areas. It is one of the few locations in Queensland that has four distinct seasons. Read more...
The garden city
It’s no wonder Toowoomba is known as “the garden city” with more than 1,800 hectares of open space – parks, gardens and sporting fields. Some parks not to be missed include the Japanese Gardens, Laurel Bank Park, Queens Park, the State Rose Garden and Picnic Point. Read more...
Culture
Toowoomba’s cultural hub centres around the Empire Theatres Australia’s largest regional performing arts theatre, seating 1,565. The city is also home to Queensland’s oldest regional public art gallery and Easterfest music festival attracting more than 40,000 visitors in 2008.
The area surrounding Toowoomba is also well catered for with venues for performances, meetings or events. Read more...
Population
More than 121,000 people live in the Toowoomba urban area with over 151,000 in the Toowoomba Regional Council area, offering a wide range of servies to residents and visitors. Only Canberra is a larger inland city.
Heritage
First settled by pastoralists in the 1850s, many of the historical buildings still exist and add to the charm of Toowoomba city. Read more...
Services
Servicing the 151,000 people who live in the Toowoomba Regional Council area, Toowoomba city is serviced by numerous medical centres, practitioners and specialists, and three hospitals. Read more...
Public holidays
As well as the national public holidays, the next Toowoomba Show public holiday is on Thursday 15 April 2010.
Climate
Toowoomba's elevation means a has fresh, less humid climate than Queensland coastal areas. With four distinct seasons, dry winter follows a wetter summer (although this has been dry in recent years).
The average summer temperature range is from 16.6 to 27.6 degrees Celsius with winter 5.3 to 16.3 degrees Celsius.
The elevation means cool nights, so a jacket or coat is recommended at night, even in summer.
Sun protection is advised all year.
The garden city
It’s no wonder Toowoomba is known as “the garden city” with more than 1,800 hectares of open space – parks, gardens and sporting fields. Here are a few highlights suitable for delegate or partner activities.
Japanese gardens
One of the world’s top ten of its kind outside Japan and located at the University of Southern Queensland, the Japanese Gardens is Australia's largest and most traditionally designed Japanese stroll garden. On a 4.5 hectare site, it has an estimated 50,000 visitors every year who stroll the three kilometres of paths and view 230 species of Japanese and Australian native trees and plants. A large lake straddled by signature red curved bridges combine with lawns to provide seamless and restful harmony.
Laurel bank park
On a 4.5 hectare site, this charming park has a collection of exotic trees including English and Spanish oaks, ginkos and Japanese maples. As well as grassed areas large enough for marquees, there are flower gardens, playground equipment and a charming gazebo. A croquet green and hall are on site. Within Laurel Bank Park is the lovely Scented Gardens, designed for the vision impaired, its fragrant foliage enjoyed by all.
Queens Park
Centrally located on Margaret Street, the 26.3 hectare Queen’s Park was given to Toowoomba Council in 1865 and European species of trees were planted shortly after for our current enjoyment in their maturity. The park is a hub for families with extensive playground equipment including an area for those in wheelchairs, green sporting fields, a parterre garden, an off leash dog area, and paths for bike riding and walking. During the Carnival of Flowers, there are displays of flowering bulbs and annuals, and Queen’s Park is the site for the Flower, Food and Wine Festival.
State Rose Garden
This rosarium is located within historic Newtown Park, bounded by Holberton, Taylor, Tor and Pottinger Streets. More than 1,500 roses species include floribunda, hybrid tea, David Austin and climbing varieties. Of special interest are the Titian and Carabella roses, which were bred in Toowoomba.
Picnic Point
This Toowoomba icon overlooks Tabletop Mountain and the scenic farming panoramas of the Lockyer Valley to the east, reinforcing Toowoomba’s location 700 metres above sea level. There are floral gardens, grassed areas for picnics or games, BBQ’s and a cafe, restaurant and conference centre. The park is over 65 hectares and a number of graded and signposted walks start here, ranging from 500 metres to five kilometres.
Culture
Toowoomba’s cultural hub centres around the Empire Theatres Australia’s largest regional performing arts theatre, seating 1,565. The city is also home to Queensland’s oldest regional public art gallery and Easterfest music festival attracting more than 40,000 visitors in 2008.
The area surrounding Toowoomba is also well catered for with venues for performances, meetings or events:
Empire Theatres
A Toowoomba icon, the heritage listed art deco Empire Theatres is Australia’s largest regional performing arts theatre with seating capacity of 1,565. Recently restored to the full glory of its 1930s heyday but with all the technical necessities of the 21st century, the main auditorium hosts performances, events and conferences. On Neil Street, the theatre has disabled access and a number of flexible spaces for registration, meetings, break out and trade displays.
A 20m x 30m landscaped garden is available for outdoor activities or the perfect site for a marquee. The 1877 Empire Theatres Church has been restored and air-conditioned and is a magical, atmospheric venue seating 350 for dinner. Adjoining Encores Restaurant provides onsite catering. Visit the Empire Theatres website for more information.
Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery
The Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery is the oldest public art gallery in regional Queensland, established in 1938. The new custom designed building opened in March 1994, and is owned and maintained by Toowoomba Regional Council. At 531 Ruthven Street, the gallery houses the Lionel Lindsay Art Gallery and Library and the Gallery Shop that stocks an extensive array of gift ideas and art works.
Admission is free, there access for the disabled and the gallery has excellent acoustics for live performances.
Click for more information about the Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery.
Easterfest
Celebrating 10 years in 2008 and attracting more than 40,000 visitors, Easterfest is a music festival (formerly known as the Australian Gospel Music Festival or AGMF for short) held over the long weekend of Easter and attracting international and Australian acts.
Caption: Easterfest 2008. Photographer Andrew Coates
Click here for more information about Easterfest.
Heritage
First settled by pastoralists in the 1850s, many of the historical buildings still exist and add to the charm of Toowoomba city.
Cobb & Co Museum
Located in Lindsay Street, the museum has exhibits of the natural and cultural history of the area. It houses the National Carriage Collection, Australia’s finest collection of horse drawn vehicles. The Theatrette can seat up to 40 theatre style and is equipped with audiovisual equipment and the on-site cafe, Cobbs, seats 50 for lunch.
For more information, visit the Cobb & Co Museum website.
Jondaryan Woolshed
Australia's oldest woolshed still in working order, the woolshed and park house historic buildings, machinery, equipment and collections. It is available for hire for functions and makes the perfect venue for bush dances, dinners, award presentations or trade shows. Visit the Jondaryan Woolshed website for more detail.
Medical services
Servicing the 151,000 people who live in the Toowoomba Regional Council area, Toowoomba is serviced by numerous medical centres, practitioners and specialists, and three hospitals.
- St Vincent’s hospital, Scott Street, telephone 07 4690 4000
- St Andrew’s hospital, 280 North Street, telephone 07 46 314 666
- Toowoomba Base hospital, Pechey Street, telephone 07 4616 6000
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About Toowoomba
