Known as the garden city, Toowoomba’s country charm and growing urban culture makes for a vibrant and enchanting destination that’s sure to impress.
From exploring fascinating museums, street art, stunning gardens, secret laneway café’s and outdoor adventures, to sipping craft brews and cocktails or catching a show at the Empire Theatre, there is so much to see and do in Toowoomba
With more than 100 large murals by nationally and internationally acclaimed outdoor artists, Toowoomba’s bare walls have been transformed into the largest outdoor gallery in Australia!
Colourful and quirky, they offer a great backdrop for photos. Grab a coffee and your camera and find your favourite.
One of Toowoomba’s must-see tourist attractions, the Cobb & Co Museum will take you back in time to the era of horse drawn vehicles through a modern, interactive display. Wander through the charming national carriage collection and discover how the 47 horse-drawn vehicles played an important role in Australia’s development. The café has a delicious assortment of handmade treats and hearty meals too!
Location: 27 Lindsay Street, Toowoomba.
As the largest performing arts precinct in regional Australia, the Empire Theatre not only boasts classic art deco architecture and grand proscenium arch, but a highly anticipated calendar of national drama, comedy, music and dance tours. No matter your taste you’re sure to find something exciting at the Empire Theatre. Tours of the impressive building are also available.
Location: 54-56 Neil Street, Toowoomba.
With an impressive range of restored trains and exhibits to explore, the DownsStream Tourist Railway Museum is the home of the Great Divide Scenic Railway. Community based and solely volunteer run, their café is in a restored carriage that makes for a truly unique dining experience.
Location: 16 Cambooya Street, Drayton.
No trip to Toowoomba is complete without taking in the breathtaking, panoramic views of the Great Diving Range eastward to the Lockyer Valley. Only a short drive from the Best Western Tuscany on Tor Motor Inn, the Picnic Point precinct has a café / restaurant that overlooks the escarpment, a waterfall, fantastic playgrounds and short scenic bushwalks.
Location: 162-202 Tourist Road, Rangeville.
Toowoomba – an ancient meeting place, is home to some fascinating locations that provide not only a truly unique heritage experience, but opportunity to learn more about the history and culture of the local Indigenous community. Discover garden displays that showcase an impressive array of Indigenous flora used by local Aboriginal communities, ceremonial sites that hold significant importance and an informative bush walk that offers great scenery and views east over the Great Dividing Range, including Mount Tabletop (Meewah).
One of Australia’s largest and most traditionally designed Japanese ‘stroll garden’, Ju Raku En (which roughly translated means ‘to enjoy peace and longevity in a public place’) is as tranquil and peaceful as gardens come. Located at the University of Southern Queensland, this garden features a mountain stream and waterfall, 3km of paths and 230 species of Japanese and Australian native trees and plants.
Location: University of Southern Qld, parking area 5.
Showcasing an awe-inspiring garden collection of seasonal plants, set against a lush backdrop of extensive lawns, shrubs, and majestic avenues of towering trees, a stroll through the State Heritage-listed Queens Park and Botanic Gardens is an absolute must for any visitor to the Garden City. Home to the award-winning Carnival of Flowers festival each year, the 25 picturesque hectares of beautiful parklands includes excellent BBQ and picnic facilities, impressive playgrounds for kids of all ages and sealed walking tracks.
Location: 43-73 Lindsay Street, East Toowoomba
Situated in a tranquil rural setting the Darling Downs Zoo is a sanctuary of wildlife and breeding centre for endangered species from around the world. Located 45 minute south of Toowomba the zoo features giraffes, lions, monkeys, zebras, meerkats, snakes and more, with daily events like animal feeding and talks from guides that the whole family will love!
Location: Corner of Gatton-Clifton Road & Baines Road, Pilton.
As one of Toowoomba’s premier parks covering an area of 30 acres (12ha), with more than 2100 roses, the award-winning Queensland State Rose Garden is another must-see location – and only minutes’ walk from the Best Western Tuscany on Tor Motor Inn. Popular for revelling in the delights of the gardens, enjoying family activities, and participating in sport or fitness pursuits, the Queensland State Rose Garden includes a children’s playground and barbeque area, sports ovals with croquet lawns and cricket pitches, a number of pathways linking across the park and a collection of murals, plaques and rest areas dotted throughout.
Location: 147 Taylor Street, Newtown.
From farmers markets and exclusive boutiques to Grand Central Shopping Centre and surrounding retailers in the CBD precinct, there is a plethora of choice here in Toowoomba when it comes to shopping! A stroll through the streets and laneways if full of temptation with spas and salons, jewellers, bookshops, and homewares all mingled together to create a vibrant and bustling place of activity. Toowoomba is a mecca for vintage finds too, with op shops, art and architecture everywhere you turn. And there’s plenty of quality cafés and restaurant to help fuel your body while you browse and shop.
Toowoomba Farmers Markets Location: 27 Lindsay Street, Toowoomba (Cobb & Co Museum).
Grand Central Shopping Centre Location: Dent St & Margaret Street, Toowoomba.
Lifeline Emporium Location: 302 Ruthven Street, Toowoomba.
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