They’re the “rock stars” of the Southern Downs, and thousands of “groupies” each year make the festival pilgrimage – sometimes travelling hundreds of kilometres – to see them in person.
And they never miss a beat in putting on a show, spreading the love of nature and creating a unique, calming vibe in their “home on the range”.
Morning, noon and night, their excited admirers come by the busload and car-full – friends, couples and generations of families snapping selfies and capturing all the technicolour glory on a grand stage.
The birds, bees and butterflies in Queens Park on a Saturday morning in springtime don’t mind sharing their tranquil setting with Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers fans who wander the meticulously curated flower beds for hours, sit and people-watch under sprawling 100-year-old umbrella pine trees or picnic in the sunshine on the expansive lawns.
Scroll down for plenty more photos and experiences.
The heritage-listed botanic gardens off Lindsay Street is “floral central” every September, with about 190,000 flowers exploding into life over 30 days.
And it’s enough to send the humblest of garden club members and green thumbs into a frenzy.
The kaleidoscope of colour is breathtaking – whether viewed across the picturesque 25ha of the park (that opened to the public in the late 1800s) or the smallest grouping of petals.
From bold pink tulips to the most delicate purple and black pansies, talk stalks of blue delphiniums to the perfectly formed ranunculus (or Persian buttercups), the bloomin’ marvellous displays here are no doubt the main attraction.
But TCOF, as it is affectionately known, is now so much more than just a walk in the park, and in two nights and three days, our extended family group of seven (aged from 24 to 89) barely scratched the surface of the month-long festival program that continues until September 30 this year.
“Eat, laugh, play, stay” is the mantra of the 2021 festival in Queensland’s “Garden City” that fills the senses with flowers, flavours and sound. And many of the events are free.
Of course, it might be enough for horticultural, botanical, environmental and floral enthusiasts to tour stunning private gardens, stroll through public spaces such as the peaceful Japanese Garden (Ju Raku En) with its network of bridges, sign up for twilight tours of Laurel Bank Park, and visit the 150 years of railway history and spectacular landscaping at Spring Bluff Station Gardens.
Or they might want to take on the walking trails of Picnic Point and its almost 65ha on the crest of the Great Dividing Range, wander around the Cobb & Co Museum’s hanging basket display or CBD windows of floral arrangements entered in community competitions, and marvel at the illuminating spectacle of the Night Garden.
But TCOF – now celebrating its 72nd anniversary – has grown to become more inclusive of varied tastes and interests and sprouted many other branches of fun and entertainment to satisfy the hordes of visitors, young and old.
“Festivals within a festival” cover food, wine, beer and cocktail experiences and a three-day music program boasting nationally acclaimed acts.
Walking architectural tours, markets, the Talking Pubs Tour visiting local watering holes, a sideshow alley and nightly fireworks, guided historic cemetery walks and even a Cinema Under the Stars are among other popular attractions.
Toowoomba Region eats satisfies the Instagram foodies as it showcases the diverse range of restaurants, cafes and eateries during the festival. Local wines are highlighted and the specials on offer during the month cover every taste and budget.
Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/scnews2020/
How do $16 slow-cooked beef quesadillas sound with locally grown Coolbardie olives, roast peppers and cheese, served with house-made guacamole from locally grown avocados and lime from Bar Wunder in Ruthven Street.
Or Ortem in Railway Street offers the $20 Veggie Garden (green pea fritters grilled, loaded with assorted baby vegetables, a deep-fried lemon ricotta stuffed zucchini flower, finished with a tangy beetroot relish and basil pesto).
Sweet-tooth heaven is a “re-imagined wagon wheel” ($12) from Cobb’s Coffee Shop in Lindsay Street (a creamy marshmallow with local strawberry jam, encased in a fresh choux pastry and garnished with local chocolate, marshmallows, fresh raspberries and chocolate crumble, and served with creamy chocolate ice cream).
Or maybe invest in an apple crumble éclair ($12) from The Baker’s Duck in Campbell Street (an éclair shell in its signature choux pastry filled with baked, caramelised apple pie filling made from locally sourced Stanthorpe apples, topped with house-made Chantilly cream, salted caramel and crumble mix) if you’re just a bit peckish on the run.
And if you want to be transported to the cool, urban chic of Melbourne’s laneways, try locals’ haunt Ground Up Espresso Bar in Searles Walk where Colombian single-origin coffee and a mushroom Florentine omelette (mushroom, spinach, basil and goats cheese omelette with a sprinkle of parmesan, spring onion and a side of The Baker’s Duck sourdough bread) really hits the spot.
Major events still to come on this year’s program are:
- The Grand Central Floral Parade on Saturday, September 18, in Toowoomba’s CBD with a 10am start time, allowing crowds to enjoy a full day shopping, sightseeing and adventuring (free)
- The historic grounds and lush lawns of the Drayton and Toowoomba Cemetery in Anzac Avenue will host their first twilight movie screening with a double feature in Cinema Under the Stars from 6.30pm on September 25 (free)
- Just in time for the Queensland school holidays, Side Show Alley in Queens Park returns, along with the much-loved Ferris Wheel – open for all ages.
ALL MONTH:
- Floral displays can be found in all parks and public spaces including feature blooms in Queens Park Botanic Gardens and Laurel Bank Park, as well as floral chalk art (free)
- #trEATS regional food trail shines the light on 36 cafes, restaurants, bars and pubs with spring-inspired dishes. Visit tcof.com.au for the menu
- The famed Talking Pubs tours are held every Sunday
- The stunning light-filled Night Garden is in Queens Park Botanic Gardens (free)
- Parkland entertainment features local musicians and entertainers (free)
- Twilight Tours are held in Laurel Bank Park
- The popular dog-friendly Petals and Pups program has more than 20 dog-friendly activities and 27 off-leash parks, as well as dog-friendly cafes, restaurants and accommodation recommendations
- Guided and non-guided walking tours are available
- Cobb & Co Museum will have a packed program for young and old to discover
- Community events, gardening experiences and gardening displays will be happening across the month.
* Toowomba is about three hours drive south-west of the Sunshine Coast. See the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers website for more.
IT’S CARNIVAL TIME
