The 8 best things to do in Toowoomba

If the wind doesn’t take your breath away, the sweeping views from Toowoomba’s heritage-listed Picnic Point will. Perched atop the Great Dividing Range, this panoramic lookout offers stunning vistas of Table Top Mountain and the Lockyer Valley. Picnic Point also includes 160 acres of well-manicured parklands, including a colourful avenue of mature hoop pines and South Queensland kauris, ten scenic bushwalking trails, and a tranquil waterfall area. Pack a picnic to enjoy on the lush green lawns, fire up the free barbecues for a sausage sizzle, or grab a refreshing drink from the café.

You might not expect to find one of Australia’s largest outdoor street art galleries in a town like Toowoomba, but here we are. It’s hard not to run into one of the vibrant murals splashed across the city’s lanes and streets, with the bulk of the large-scale artworks located along Searles Walk, Union Street and Bank Lane. You can plan your own path by using this handy, interactive street art map.

More than 40 million petals splash colour like confetti across Toowoomba’s major parks for the city’s annual Carnival of Flowers. Now in its 75th year, the festival spans four spring weekends, with highlights including the Grand Central Floral Parade, #trEATS: a regional food trail of floral-inspired dishes, the Festival of Food and Wine, Cinema Under the Stars and Chronicle Garden Competition. As always, the major floral displays are in the Botanic Gardens, Queens Park and Laurel Bank Park, but wandering pretty much anywhere will take you past a photogenic curation of petals. 

Known as the jewel in the crown of the Darling Downs, The Empire shines as the largest performing arts precinct in regional Australia. Originally built in 1911 as ‘Empire Pictures’, this Art Deco gem has been beautifully restored into a vibrant entertainment hub. It now hosts a dynamic lineup of film, drama, music and dance performances from the greatest local and international acts. You’ll be just as charmed by the talent on stage, as you are by the theatre’s twinkling skylights, grand proscenium arch and original exposed brick walls. Cue the standing ovation.

What better way to lap up Queensland’s sunshine – with more than 300 sunny days a year – than by planning a picnic in the park? With its stunning floral displays, scented gardens, barbecue areas and croquet lawns, Laurel Bank Park is the perfect spot to roll out your rug and crack open the snacks. Another city hot spot is the 25-hectare Queens Park and Botanic Gardens, where you’re spoilt with plenty of picturesque green patches for lounging around with cheese, crisps and even a cheeky bottle of choccy milk. 

Ja Raku En isn’t just one of Toowoomba’s best-kept secrets; it’s also one of Australia’s largest and most traditional Japanese stroll gardens. The name roughly translates to 'enjoy peace and longevity in a public place', and that’s exactly what you should do here. You can stroll through the 4.5 hectares garden in peace and quiet, stopping to relax under the maple trees, watch the swans glide across the central lake, or meditate on the well-manicured lawns.

When you need a break from the Queensland heat, head to this natural and cultural history museum. Cobb and Co’s main drawcard is its National Carriage Collection, which includes horse-drawn coaches, vintage buggies and transport memorabilia from days gone by. The museum is also a kids’ playground with dress-ups, a Coach Stop play area and an interactive Sciencentre. Big kids can also get hands-on with traditional workshops, covering everything from furniture making and blacksmithing to leather plaiting and stained glass leadlighting. 

You’ll feel on top of the world after tackling this short but steep one-kilometre trail to the peak of Table Top Mountain (Meewah). This hike is not for the faint-hearted, with lots of large steps over the Camel's Hump and a scramble just before the summit. Standing 700 metres above sea level, the peak offers almost 360-degree views of the Lockyer Valley and beyond. As Table Top is a site of significant cultural importance to the Traditional Owners, visitors are asked to respectfully consider their decision to climb the mountain.