Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers
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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4.5
68 reviews
Excellent
52
Very good
9
Average
2
Poor
2
Terrible
3
Ursula J
13 contributions
Sept 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.
recommend it for your spring tourist calendar.
Written 30 August 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
Sept 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 12 February 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
Sept 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 29 September 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, Australia60 contributions
Sept 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.
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 24 September 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, Australia194 contributions
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 16 August 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, Australia65 contributions
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.
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 11 October 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
Sept 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 5 October 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
Sept 2018
Gardens were well worth the visit this time if the year, nearby restaurant (Valetta) beautiful heritage premises & amazing food.
Written 3 October 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, Australia8 contributions
Sept 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.
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 29 September 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
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 2 October 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.
Does anyone know if electric carts/buggies etc for elderly are available for hire...please supply phone contacts do we can hook two...Frid & Sat....thanks so much Judy
Written 18 September 2019
I'm sure it's the 1st weekend it's on.
Written 4 August 2019
haidjack
Brisbane, Australia
After today 30/09/2018 is there anything on in Toowoomba for the flower festival??
Written 30 September 2018
Preston Peak Winery, Cobb and Co Museum, the flowers will still be in blooming until late October in Queens Park in the City Centre and Laurel Bank Park on West Street. Take a trip out to the new International Airport as it is now going to be a Qantas Pilot Training School.
There are many things to do and there is an excellent Information Centre.
Written 2 October 2018
21 Sept to 30 Sept 2018 according to the website
Written 20 September 2017
Next weekend will be my first trip to the Carnival of Flowers. because of mobility issues and pain I wish to catch the shuttle bus from picnic point and arrive at the end of the parade route on saturday afternoon at about 3:40pm. Is this possible time wise and location wise from the bus stop off points? and is there room to see the floats at the end of the route if i turn up later?
Written 9 September 2017
where would be the closest place to stay to get to the carnival easily
Written 28 August 2017
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