Is Toowoomba Worth it? Pros & Cons to visiting for First-timers!

Toowoomba is contained within the Darling Downs Region and praised for its beautiful gardens, historical significance, street art, and country living. But is Toowoomba Worth visiting and what are the reasons that draw me there?

After living here for over seven years, I’ve noticed many aspects that might appeal to some people and others that may not. Surprisingly, it’s the largest inland city in Queensland, so you would think it would have lots of options.

Therefore, in this blog post, I’m going to share with you some informative local insights and reasons I like visiting Toowoomba. Ultimately helping you know whether it can live up to your expectations and be your next holiday destination.

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Is Toowoomba Worth Visiting?

Overall, I know Toowoomba is worth visiting for its stunning gardens, historic memorabilia, with a laid-back country vibe. Plus, I think it’s a haven for tourists who are looking for a tranquil and specific experience the town offers, like the Carnival of Flowers event.

However, Toowoomba is a rural inland city, which is significantly different from the bustling nightlife of major cities like Brisbane (where I live).

Therefore, if being let down is the last thing you want, know that Toowoomba Boasts many attractions and exciting activities catering to many people. But, before planning your trip, it’s worth weighing up the pros and cons of visiting Toowoomba, so you can decide if it’s the right destination for your interests and travel style.

This table below should help you out with that:

✅ 13 Reasons to visit Toowoomba!

So, is Toowoomba going to interest you? Well, keep reading below and check out why I like it and some reasons why I don’t!

➡  Find Toowoomba Stays HERE with Booking.com

1. It’s the heart of the Darling Downs.

Toowoomba is the heart of the Darling Downs region (one of the major regions in Queensland) and is located 1 hour & 45 minutes west of Brisbane in Southeast Queensland.

So, it’s a great place to be if you want to experience the typical rural lifestyle, so close to the states capital.

It’s also the largest and second most populous inland city in Australia (After Canberra), with over 100,000 residents and about 800,000 of local and foreign tourists.

2. The Carnival of Flowers is held here.

If there’s one major thing that tourists anticipate in Toowoomba, it’s the annual Carnival of Flowers Festival. Every year, during the month of September, tourists flock to the town to see bright and colourful flower displays in several botanical gardens.

The main scenic areas during this time are private displays in the city-wide competition, as well as the public displays at Laurel Bank Park, Queens Park, Picnic Point, and additionally the Spring Bluff Railway Station.

Aside from visiting botanical gardens and seeing the city lit up in colour, you can also enjoy the main event running over a single weekend. This includes live music, food carts, rides, and, of course, the parade, which is a big hit with the kids!

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3. It holds a lot of history.

Toowoomba is home to several historic infrastructures that are spread out in the entire town. Some that are popular with tourists are the Cobb & Co, Springs Bluff Railway Station, and the Highfields Pioneer Village.

The Spring Bluff Railway Station is a 150-year-old infrastructure north of the town. It’s a heritage-listed railway that used to run between Ipswich and Toowoomba and is now preserved for its historical and local significance.

Next is the Highfields Pioneer Village that displays old-school memorabilia, such as windmills, a fire brigade museum, wooden pioneer toys, a heritage chapel, and penny farthings. It’s only 17 minutes from the Spring Bluff Train Station, so you can visit both on the same day.

Lastly, there’s the Cobb & Co Museum, which is home to the National Carriage Collection. It’s located south of the town and is actually part of Brisbane’s Queensland Museum.

Some of the displays you can see in this closed facility are horse-drawn carriages, an array of vintage vehicles, outback memorabilia, leatherwork, blacksmithing, and silversmithing.

4. Streets are painted in Art.

Toowoomba locals seem so inclined towards arts, aside from their beautiful gardens, they also boast impressive spray-painted street art that you can easily find on different areas and laneways.

I admit that some of them are a little disappointing due to the graffiti that ruined the artwork. However, those that are fully intact left me in awe, especially the larger ones, which almost cover the entire wall of the buildings.

If you want to see some of this iconic street art, take a walk along Duggan Street, Searle’s Walk, Bank Lane, Mark Lane, and near the Empire Theatre car park.

5. It’s known as the Garden City.

A trip to Toowoomba is not complete without visiting at least one botanical garden in the area (even outside of Carnival time).

This rural town is famous for its several impressive botanical gardens, which include Laurel Bank Park, Queen’s Park Botanical Gardens, Lake Annand Park, and Ju Raku En Japanese Gardens.

Laurel Bank Park is a 4-hectare attraction located 5 minutes from the main street. It has manicured gardens, walking paths, a gazebo, picnic tables, a large marque barbeque area, and playgrounds, making it a favourite place for family or friends get-togethers.

But the most iconic attraction in the park is the scented garden, which was designed by The Downs Association of the Blind for the visually impaired.

Another garden you can visit is the Queen’s Park Botanical Gardens, which is within walking distance of the main street. It’s a heritage-listed botanic garden developed by government botanist, Walter Hill, in 1800. The trees in this park are imported from Europe, Asia, and other parks of the world, which you can admire while riding a bike or walking with your furry pet.

Four minutes south of Queen’s Park is Lake Annand Park. It’s one of the best recreational parks in the area, with biking tracks, a fountain, and a curved bridge over the water. What’s makes this park different than those previously mentioned is that you can feed friendly ducks here!

Finally, one of my favourites is the Ju Rake En Japanese Gardens, near the university and 11 minutes southwest of the main street. This 4.-hectare tranquil park is one of the largest Japanese Gardens in the whole of Australia.

Here, you can find different Japanese plant displays, bridges, ducks, and more.

6. There are some good walking Trails.

Toowoomba is visited for its natural wonders, so you can find several walking trails in the town that will lead you to the lookouts with 360-degree picturesque views.

One of the popular walking trails in Toowoomba is the Table Top Mountain Walking Trail, which is about 13 minutes southeast of the town. It’s a 2-kilometre uphill hike that will lead you to the Table Top Mountain Bushland Reserve, a flat peak that doesn’t grow any trees.

I haven’t gone up on this trail yet, but some tourists said that some sections of the trail are steep, has uneven ground, and not clearly marked.

Another popular one is the Crow’s Nest National Park Trail, which is a 35-minute drive north of the town. It has lookouts, rainforests, and waterfalls that you can enjoy as you hike.

Plus, if you’re lucky, you may spot endangered brush-tailed rock wallabies, peregrine falcons, platypuses, and lace monitors.

7. Budget-Friendly Accommodation

Although Toowoomba is a rural town, there’s a wide range of accommodations in the area given that it’s a popular country destination. I suppose this caters to the thousands of people who visit in droves at carnival time.

➡  Find Toowoomba Stays HERE with Booking.com

From caravan parks to camping grounds, hostels, motels, and luxury hotels, Toowoomba offers endless options to different types of tourists. I tend to base myself in the city areas most of the time. Otherwise, the southern areas are close to where I used to live.

However, it can be hard to find suitable accommodation during school holidays and busy periods, especially during the Carnival of Flowers Festival. So, I recommend that you book your accommodation ahead of your visit.

8. Tons of free things to do

Toowoomba is not only a haven for nature lovers, but also to budget travellers! There are plenty of free activities, from visiting botanical gardens to hiking in national parks.

To give you an idea, here’s a list of some of the attractions you can see and activities you can do at Toowoomba at no cost:

• Visit the Spring Bluff Railway Station
• Spot numerous street art along the road
• Admire the old architectural buildings at Russell Street
• Get a fantastic view of the region from the Picnic Point
• Check out locally sourced goods at the Farmer’s Market
• See the displays at the Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery
• Hike the Crow’s Nest National Park, Bunya Mountains National Park or Table Top Mountain Trail
• Take a leisurely stroll at the Laurel Bank Park or the Japanese Gardens
• And a lot more!

9. Suits those that don’t like the heat

Due to its elevation, the climate in Toowoomba is on the cooler side most of the year. In fact, it has a cooler climate than the rest of Queensland, so expect to see lots of foggy days and needing jumpers during your visit.

The town is on the crest of the Great Dividing Range of Australia, and is about 680 to 700 metres above sea level. During wintertime, temperatures can drop to 5 degrees Celsius, and I’ve seen it as low as 0, causing frost.

So, make sure to pack your thick jackets with you!

Fun fact: Some higher regions in Toowoomba experience snow occasionally during winter, but it can melt pretty quick!

10. Dine overlooking the valley.

Driving 7 minutes southeast of the main street will lead you to Picnic Point. It’s one of the popular tourist destinations in the area, where you can enjoy a great meal while overlooking the Lockyer Valley and Table Top Mountain.

Aside from the café that serves delicious meals and refreshing drinks, there are also gardens, playgrounds, picnic areas, and a lookout point in the area. And if you’re up for some thrills, you can explore some of the hiking trails at Picnic Point, where you can see a waterfall and spot local wildlife along the way.

11. It’s a foodie Heaven.

If you love checking out local restaurants or food places, there are numerous cafés, fast food places, and restaurants you can find in the town centre or near tourist attractions. But some that I can recommend are the Fitzy’s and Walton Stores.

Fitzy’s is a great dining spot at Margaret Street for date nights. This pub has a warm, welcoming atmosphere, delicious meals, and a wide variety of reinvigorating beers. If you’re dining, make sure to try some of the crowd’s favourites, which are the Darling Downs Steaks, Tasmanian Salmon, and Grilled Barramundi.

Not far from Fitzy’s is Walton Stores, which is said to be the smaller-scale version of Eat Street in Brisbane. This is the place to be if you want to enjoy some live music while sipping a nice wine on a Saturday or Sunday night.

12. The Cuckoo Clock

If you want to go further from the town, there’s the Black Forest Hill Cuckoo Clock Centre in Cabarlah, a 20-minute drive north of Toowoomba. Here, you can find a vast collection of German-made cuckoo clocks.

It’s a great place to visit if you’re curious about what goes into making a cuckoo clock. And if you ever get tired driving to this place, you can grab a morning tea or coffee from the nearby Wild Honey Café.

13. You can hike the Bunya Mountains.

The Bunya Mountains is an isolated section of the Great Dividing Range is 1.5-hour drive away from the town. It has been on my travel list for a long time, and I’m glad that I was able to visit this wonderful place during one of our trips.

The best way you can admire the beauty and tranquillity of Bunya Mountain is by hiking along one of its trails. During your hike, you can see a vast array of Bunya trees, stunning waterfalls, and, of course, the iconic large Bunya nut.

Take it that one step further, and you can stay here in a mountain lodge and wake up every morning to the crisp, fresh air and Rainbow Lorikeets on your Balcony. However, most of the chalets and lodges in the area require a minimum two-night stay and can be pretty pricey.

❌ 3 Reasons When to skip it!

1. It can get VERY cold!

As mentioned above, the temperatures in Toowoomba during winter can drop to 5 degrees Celsius, making it on off the coldest places in Queensland during this season.

This leads to frost, wet roads, a lot of overcast weather and the icey winds that cuts through any jumper like a knife.

So, if you don’t like cold climates, Toowoomba may not be for you.

However, if you still want to visit the stunning botanical gardens in the town and nearby natural wonders, visit during summer when the temperature is much more tolerable.

2. The Country Atmosphere

Toowoomba is a rural town that is slow-paced most of the time. It’s not to say that service is lacking – it just means I’ve found it a less assertive environment compared to living in Brisbane.

I’m not sure it’s as appealing to the younger crowds, and there are no adrenalin activities to keep you entertained. So, if that is something you don’t think you’ll enjoy, I could think of plenty of other destinations in Queensland that might suit you better.

3. There is limited Nightlife.

As a former resident in my younger years, I never had an issue with finding nightlife in Toowoomba. But there is a lack of options and certainly not in scope with anything you’ll find in places like Brisbane.

If you want to enjoy a few drinks at night, check out some of the pubs in the town centre. Better yet, visit during the Carnival of Flowers Festival, as there are a lot of events held in the area during this time.

Do you need a car to get around?

The need for a car when visiting Toowoomba largely depends on your itinerary. Most of the attractions in the town are pretty close to each other. So, you can see some of these on foot or by riding the available Translink public Bus transport.

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However, if you plan to visit Table Top Mountain, Crow’s Nest National Park, Clock Centre, or Bunya Mountains. I think having access to a car will make your travel faster and more convenient.

Is it safe?

You may find contrasting answers when searching whether Toowoomba is safe to travel. Some claim that it’s very safe even at night, and others say that the crime and violence rate has increased significantly over the years.

Overall, I think Toowoomba is moderately safe to visit.

You are less likely to encounter problems when travelling around Toowoomba during the daytime. However, it’s best to avoid the streets at night so as not to provoke dangerous situations. And, If you have a parked car on the street, make sure that it’s locked.

How Many Days do you need there? 

For first-time visitors, I recommend a two to three-night stay in Toowoomba. This allows you to appreciate its unique lifestyle and see what makes it a great place to visit.

With that said, spending a week wouldn’t be out of the question for most visitors either. Especially if you’re spending more time relaxing and catching up with friends.

I’m not sure you can do it all in one day, but I suppose it could be easy to do if you were visiting for something specific. Or you’re just there to check out the city sights within a few blocks of the main street.  

Wrap Up!

Overall, Toowoomba may not fit everyone’s preferences, but I still think it’s worth visiting for its beautiful botanical gardens and history at least once in your lifetime. Even though it was once my home, it always feels like a whole different place when visiting.

However, if you want to discover other towns, please read my other Queensland travel guides. This includes planning and research, with other activities to do and itineraries to follow!

• 5 Day Brisbane Itinerary in South East Queensland
• Best Day Trips from Brisbane & South East Queensland
• Exposing the Downsides to a Great Barrier Reef Pontoon Tour
• Tips to know BEFORE planning a Queensland Road Trip
• Brisbane at night, Fun things to see and do
• Fun things to do on the Sunshine Coast
• Best Day trips from the Sunshine Coast