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Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers
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Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers

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See all things to do
Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers
4.5
About
A breathtaking 10 days of flowers, flavours and sounds, the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers takes over the Southern Queensland city of Toowoomba in the most beautiful of ways each September. The program includes more than 60 unique events and experiences, including award winning parks, stunning private gardens, a street parade bursting with floral colour, internationally acclaimed musical acts, some of the best food and wine to be found in Queensland and a multitude of cultural and natural adventures.
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Restaurants
337 within 3 miles
Cafe Valetta
475
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options • Gluten Free Options
Ice 'N' Spice
666
0.4 mi$$ - $$$ • Indian • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
El Attar Middle Eastern Grill
466
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Healthy • Middle Eastern • Egyptian
Park House Cafe
671
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Cafe • Australian • Vegetarian Friendly
Sofra Turkish Cuisine
1,409
0.4 mi$$ - $$$ • Turkish • Healthy • Vegetarian Friendly
Fitzy's Toowoomba
386
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Bar • Contemporary • Pub
Andrews Toowoomba Butcher & Grill
22
0.3 mi$ • Specialty Food Market • Australian
Ground Up Espresso Bar
358
0.6 mi$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • Cafe • Australian
Encores at the Empire Theatre
183
0.4 mi$$$$ • Australian • Vegetarian Friendly • Gluten Free Options
Muller Bros
201
0.4 mi$$ - $$$ • Brazilian • Barbecue • Wine Bar
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Attractions
49 within 6 miles
Queens Park Botanic Gardens
699
0 ftParks
Queens Park Dog Off Leash Area
1
2.1 ftParks
Queens Park Market
3
0.2 miFarmers Markets
Cobb+Co Museum
641
0.4 miSpeciality Museums
Empire Theatre
177
0.4 miTheaters
The Thomas Memorial
2
0.2 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues
First Coat Outdoor Gallery
11
0.3 miArt Galleries
Laurel Bank Park
524
1.1 miParks
Toowoomba Visitor Information Centre
191
0.8 miVisitor Centers
4 Brothers Brewing
16
0.4 miBreweries
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
66 reviews
Excellent
50
Very good
9
Average
2
Poor
2
Terrible
3
Ursula J
7 contributions
Spring in the Garden City
Sep 2021 • Couples
We live in Toowoomba. Every year we love forward to the Carnival of flowers. We love to see the beautiful parks and gardens. Many clubs and societies, such as Bonsai, patchwork and crafts, various plants, also have wonderful displays. Interesting speakers come to town. There are concerts, food, movies. Something for many varied tastes. The whole place buzzes There are bus tours to the major gardens. Accommodation is at a premium. You need to book ahead. I would
recommend it for your spring tourist calendar.
Written August 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pngsmithy
Toowoomba, Australia30 contributions
The parks & prize winning gardens were amazing 2019.
Sep 2019
As I live here I see these parks all the time, but at carnival time they are fantastic, thanks Toowoomba council. If you want to come 2020 I suggest you book accom. a.s.a.p. I did not see Spring Bluff railway station last year, but they always put on a great floral display, not to be missed. A spectacular display for those who love flowers, and people who love colour.
Written February 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shannon H
1 contribution
Ms
Sep 2019 • Friends
I have supported this event since it started in 2008. This year I purchased a 3 day pass as the single day pass had increased (yet again) and made it not worth while. Each year I have friends from Brisbane stay with me to attend. After the weekend gone the decision has been made- NEVER AGAIN! Grossly overcrowded, no resources to cater for the huge amount of people attending, toilet lineups criminally long and no hope of food in anything resembling a timely manner. A total lack of adequate amounts of seating meant that people were sprawled all over every spare patch of grass ensuring that walking from A to B was a frought complicated nightmare. Ticket holders I know have reported leaving halfway through an event for various reasons, and then informed that despite having a 3 day pass, being refused re-entry because it was too crowded. The breathtaking greed of the council has been highlighted to me time and time again in the aftermath of this weekend. Much like the now defunct gospel festival, this event seems hellbent on pricing people out. Countless couples with children have reported paying for a family pass at a cost of $110 and then not even getting a seat!!!!
Written September 29, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stephen O
Caloundra, Australia63 contributions
FIVE HOUR VISIT - TOOWOOMBA CARNIVAL OF FLOWERS
Sep 2018 • Couples
We stayed in Brisbane and left early in the morning, around 8.15am on Sunday 23rd September knowing that we required to be back in Brisbane around 4pm. we arrived in Toowoomba at around 9.30 am and drove straight to Queens Park fortunately finding a car park curbside quite quickly. We wandered throughout the magnificent gardens taking in the diverse array of flowers, colour and design while awaiting the commencement of the Opera at 10am. The singers were outstanding and enjoyed Carmen, Verdi's Nubuco and Say Goodbye. A truly enjoyable experience if you like opera, which I have never really followed but surprisingly you all know the music and lyrics.

When the singing finished at 10.30am we jumped back in the car and drove to St Pats Cathedral, where we were married 40 years prior on this very day, the 23rd September 1978. We looked at all the floral displays there and reminisced before heading onto Laurel Bank Park and wandered throughout the wonderful floral gardens, scented gardens, and sculpture hedgerows before grabbing a coffee and a sausage roll from the Lions Club volunteers, where we were served within 3 minutes, whereas all the other outlets were taking up to 3/4 of our to get coffee and cake, at about 5 times the price. We then sat down for about an hour and watched the locals and visitors do all those ol'time country dance steps to a wonderful band. Many people and dancers had dressed very appropriately for the occasion with floral fabrics and colourful hats and shoes, that was the men however the woman also look spectacularly colourful. It was a great experience and relaxing watching everyone enjoying the dances under the shade of an ancient tree. Great Vibe. at about 3pm we set off to Brisbane having really enjoyed our fleeting visit to the Carnival of Flowers..Next year is the 70TH ANNIVERSARY of the CARNIVAL OF FLOWERS so we will make the effort make it back then and spend more time.

Terrific event not to be missed.
Written September 24, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
trix59
Margate, Australia171 contributions
Why can we not book accomodation
Aug 2018
Why do the hotels motels not have prices up are they waiting for the best price . They have lost me, we actually have family in toowoomba but thought we would book our whole family in accomodation. No thanks we would rather support the local restaurants while carnival of flowers is on and stay with family.
Written August 16, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gale L
Brisbane, Australia68 contributions
Not to be missed.
Oct 2017 • Friends
This was my third visit and I will be back. Reading the other reviews I am surprised at some who go on about what was lacking. If you visit the information centre the ladies there are very helpful about what's on where etc. You can get maps to see the award winning gardens and street art, recommendations as to parking near the parks and pick up some quality souvenirs.
This year we went just after the main week so could not tour the private award winning gardens but visited the parks-- not so crowded and easier to take photos- and had lunch at one of the local pubs which was tasty and great value then check out some of the murals in town too. There are some great cafes to try also.
In previous years we have stayed in Toowoomba over night to enjoy the full experience as there is so much to see and do. You need to book hotels well in advance.
A bit of planning can make this a fantastic experience. To see the work and planning that has gone into the beautiful displays is wonderful. The colours and varieties of flowers are gorgeous and some of the themes executed very cleverly.
Written October 11, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kristine V
63 contributions
Festival of flowers
Sep 2019 • Friends
There are a lot of tours to get there but if you go really early you can just drive and park close to botanical gardens or park at the main park In Toowoomba and get a free shuttle to garden or pay around $10 to get a bus tour.However your getting there, wear comfortable shoes and take a picnic blanket or chair. The most amazing gardens I’ve ever seen, but so much more.The day I went there were markets with fresh produce. There’s a wine and concert area that you can pay to go into. There’s a set up of a side show area with stacks of rides, showbags and food. There is quilt and craft activities and displays.The float parade are so good but very crowded, Make sure you get a good spot along the main road or up on the park hill where all the floats will end up. You can even wait till the parade is over and go up to the top oval and get clearer photos of or with floats.You need to give yourself a full day and possible into the night to see everything. If you plan on staying overnight you must book early as accommodation books out quick.For all ages, so much to do and so much fun.
Written October 5, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PandoraGeebung
Geebung3 contributions
Queens Park
Sep 2018
Gardens were well worth the visit this time if the year, nearby restaurant (Valetta) beautiful heritage premises & amazing food.
Written October 3, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul S
Victoria Point, Australia7 contributions
avoid the Night Garden
Sep 2018 • Family
the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers is a world-class event ... the entire city gets on board ... there's flowers in every park and plenty of private gardens.
We travel each year from Brisbane to Toowoomba to view the fare on offer. However, this is the first year that there has been an exhibit named "the Night Garden" ... we found this event to be of extreme poor dollar value. It is a fenced off area, approx 100m by 100m. At $16 per adult, it is over-priced. To give a comparison, you would most likely have someone in your suburb who does a Christmas Light display that is free and far more aesthetically stunning.
Written September 29, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kaymag28
Brisbane, Australia11 contributions
Not what I was expecting
Oct 2017 • Family
The flowers were absolutely beautiful! The park is great to walk through and find a comfy piece of grass to relax. This was the first time we've been to the carnival, I really thought they would have more entertainment and stuff there. I atleast through there would be florist there and we could purchase some fresh flowers. It took us about 30/45 minutes to walk around and see all the flowers and then that was kind of it. Not much else to do, we made the trek from Brisbane so it was a little disappointing. Definitely recommend going at least once, I will more than likely never go again.
Written October 2, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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