📍26 Best Free, Popular And Secret Things To Do In Toowoomba. (2024.)

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LOOKING FOR THE BEST FREE, POPULAR & SECRET THINGS TO DO IN TOOWOOMBA?

Toowoomba is a stunning regional city perched atop the magnificent continent-spanning Great Dividing Range. Located 127km west of Brisbane along the Warrego Highway, this charming country destination’s unique position 700m above sea level means it is abundant with beautiful viewpoints overlooking the vast Locker Valley.

Known as the Garden City, it is also famous for its stunning streetscapes and gardens, which look especially phenomenal in September when the magnificent Carnival Of Flowers turns the mountaintop city into a vibrant and colourful landscape.

Whether you time your visit around the festival or not, there’s so much more to this unforgettable place than meets the eye. From the lovely lookouts to the picturesque tree-lined streets, the fantastic walking trails, peaceful lakes and heritage attractions, here is a comprehensive list of all the best free, popular and secret things to do in Toowoomba I’ve discovered on my numerous visits to this unforgettable city.

👉 My top 3 picks for what to do in Toowoomba & surrounds:

  • Hike Tabletop Mountain for magnificent panoramic views.
  • Enjoy views overlooking the Lockyer Valley from the Picnic Point Parklands.
  • See the untouched landscape of the Valley of the Diamonds.

Planning Your Trip? Use My Favourite Resources!

Tours/Experiences: I recommend Viator.
Accommodation: I recommend Booking.com.
Renting Vehicles: I recommend RentalCars.com.

Best Things To Do In Toowoomba. (City.)

Free Things To Do In Toowoomba.

1. See Toowoomba’s Best Lookout.
Picnic Point Parklands.

Picnic Point is Toowoomba’s most iconic tourist attraction. And with stunning views showcasing the Lockyer Valley countryside, it isn’t any wonder why. The most notable feature of the landscape is Tabletop Mountain. The easily distinguishable mountain, with its noticeably unique flat peak, is not just a fascinating-looking landmark but is also home to one of the best hikes in the region, with the longer trailhead starting nearby. (See more about it in the National Parks & Bushland Reserves section below.)

However, Picnic Point isn’t just a lookout and the start of a walk either. It’s also a picturesque park and outdoor space with two playgrounds for the kids, plenty of picnic tables, numerous floral gardens, short walks and even a hidden waterfall. There’s also a restaurant and cafe which overlooks the beautiful view and is available to hire for special events.

All this along with its ease of access makes this a lovely place for all visitors, from those looking for picturesque scenery, folks looking for somewhere to have a gathering with family and friends, people wanting a peaceful place for a picnic, a play area for kids to burn off energy or a romantic location to take your partner at night. It’s certainly somewhere I always visit whenever I’m in Toowoomba as no trip here feels complete without enjoying this quintessential part of the city.

One of the must-do things to do in Toowoomba is to visit the lookout at Picnic Point.
View of Table Top Mountain from Picnic Point.

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    2. Discover Another View Of The Mountain.
    Tobruk Memorial Drive Lookout.

    If the views of Table Top Mountain from the Picnic Point Parklands entranced you and you want to enjoy views of it closer, Tobruk Memorial Drive Lookout places the striking mountaintop front and centre. It’s a particularly fantastic place to be if you’re into photography. And if you come at the right time of year, you can even capture the sun or the moon rising over the mountain in what would make an incredible shot.

    Tobruk Memorial Drive Lookout is another great place in Toowoomba to view Table Top Mountain.
    You can also get great views from Tobruk Memorial Drive Lookout

    3. See Toowoomba In Its Garden State.
    Toowoomba Carnival Of Flowers. 

    Toowoomba isn’t known as the Garden City for nothing, and when it’s Carnival Of Flowers season, it knows how to put on a showcase! Every year during September, the Darling Downs metropolis becomes floral heaven. There are flowers of every colour in full bloom vibrantly displayed in public parks and select private residential properties all across the city.

    Lovingly nurtured and tended to, these places showcase the art of gardening in all its glory, and none-so-more is it on display than in Queens Park. The extensive array of flower beds and floral arrangements featured here brilliantly brings the landscape to life in what is a visual feast for the eyes.

    And best of all, most of the displays across the city are free to attend and seeing the landscape transformed into a sea of colour makes it the highlight of the event calendar and one of the most unmissable things to do in Toowoomba if you’re here this time of year. It’s certainly one of my favourite times to go see the mountaintop city.

    Note: Two of Brisbane’s biggest events, Brisbane Riverfire and Brisbane Festival are also on during September, so if your trip involves visiting these two neighbouring cities, I highly recommend planning a trip to attend all three!

    The Carnival Of Flowers is Toowoomba's hallmark festival.
    The Carnival Of Flowers showcases beautiful displays of colourful flowers.
    A tulip up close.
    A tulip up close.
    So if you love beautiful gardens, coming to Toowoomba during the festival is a must.
    So if you love beautiful gardens, coming to Toowoomba during the festival is a must.
    A bee enjoying the nectar from a flower.
    A bee enjoying the nectar from a flower.

    4. See A Beautifully Manicured Historical Train Station.
    Spring Bluff.

    If you’re looking for a stunning parkland that’s quiet and away from it all, but also not too far to visit, then Spring Bluff is a fantastic place to go and enjoy a peaceful escape.

    Set at an old historic railways station, it is no longer a place to go up and down from the mountaintop city, but there’s still the occasional coal train using the tracks to haul fossil fuels from A to B. That’ll satiate the train lover inside all of us, but there’s more to this place than just choo-choos passing by. 

    This stunning attraction has since been transformed into a beautiful outdoor space with gorgeous flower beds and manicured lawns proudly reflecting the city’s status as Australia’s Garden City. The beautiful floral arrangements make it the perfect setting for having romantic lovey-dovey picnics with your significant other while the open space makes it a great place to hold fun family gatherings.

    Note: Sometimes the city hosts scenic joy rides during the Toowoomba Carnival Of Flowers.

    Spring Bluff on Toowoomba's outside is a beautiful place to visit.
    The historic Spring Bluff Railway Station is no longer a working train station.
    Explore the picturesque gardens and  enjoy the lovely scenery.
    But is now a beautiful sprawling garden.

    5. Drop By Some Roadside Lookouts.
    Lions Scenic View Rest Area & Blue Mountain Hotel Carpark.

    If you’re heading in or out of Toowoomba on the north side along the New England Highway, don’t forget to stop by the two roadside lookouts: Lions Scenic View Rest Area and the Blue Mountain Hotel Car Park.

    The rest area is a more formal lookout with picnic tables and bins so you can relax and absorb the scenery a little longer, while the other is, as the name suggests in the car park of the Blue Mountain Hotel. But they’re good spots to stop as they both have lovely, slightly differing sweeping views of the eastern slopes of the Great Dividing Range.

    👉 Note: Lions Scenic View Rest Area is only accessible from the north. It’s best to head up a bit further and U-turn to see both of them as they’re not too far away from each other.

    Paid Tourist Attractions.

    6. Learn About Toowoomba’s History.
    Cobb & Co Museum.

    Toowoomba’s hallmark tourist attraction is the Cobb and Co Museum. This extensive facility has numerous exhibitions showcasing different aspects of the region’s history

    The National Carriage Collections displays 47 types of horse-drawn carriages used to transport people and items before the invention of cars to places the railway lines couldn’t service. The Sciencentre explores the science of energy and how it converts in different ways, while culturally, there’s the Binangar Centre, which focuses on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders’ relationship with the land and their storied history.

    Going even further back than before indigenous people existed were enormous reptiles and marsupials who lived between the dinosaurs and humans. Extracted from various locations across the Darling Downs, some of those fossils are on display in the Megafauna section of the museum, where you can see some of what remains of these giant animals.

    With so many intriguing exhibits and a variety of things to see and do, it’s one of the best things to do in Toowoomba with kids as it’s a great way to engage their inquisitive minds entertained for hours while learning valuable things about the region’s heritage at the same time.

    7. Uncover The Regions Railway History.
    DownsSteam Tourist Railway & Museum.

    For people looking for insight into Toowoomba’s railway heritage, head to the DownsSteam Tourist Railway and Museum. This volunteer-run facility consists of two sections: the Drayton Station & Workshop Precinct and the Museum

    The former precinct showcases the stations, storage sheds and turntables that make the railway system work, while the museum displays historical artifacts, carriages and other relics of the train network bygone days. It’s a great place to take the family and get them to appreciate the most popular mode of transport from yesteryear where they will relish the opportunity to get up close and personal with such behemoths of railway engineering. There’s also a lovingly tended garden on the grounds, which makes the fun attraction an even more inviting place to visit. 

    👉 Open Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays 9 am-3 pm. Donation Entry.

    Top National Parks & Bushland Reserves.

    Between the peaks and the plains, the great region has many incredible places to explore that’ll have you coming back again and again or wishing you had more time to explore them all. So if you’re looking for what to do in Toowoomba’s nature department, here are the must-visit national parks and bushland reserves that’ll impress.

    8. Take Up A (Hiking) Challenge.
    Table Top Mountain Bushland Reserve.

    If you’ve been up to Picnic Point to look at the view, you would have noticed the pancake-top mountain dominating the landscape on the right. Aptly named Tabletop Mountain because of the distinctive flat shape of its peak, the mountain is not just one you can gaze upon but also what I consider to be the region’s number #1 hike.

    Depending on how you like your walks, ascending Tabletop can either sound exciting or intimidating as depending on your skill level, it’s a challenging trail that involves a fair amount of rock hopping, steep ascents along loose stones and scrambling to make it to its peak. It’s a solid workout but all that effort to get to the top rewards you with stunning uninterrupted panoramic views of the plains and undulating landscape of the Lockyer Valley and Darling Downs.

    The demanding walk, combined with the picturesque sweeping vistas from the summit makes this hike one of the best and most satisfying things to do in Toowoomba for adults.

    👉 Note: You can start this trail at the car park closest to the peak, or from the Picnic Point Parklands where you can begin a longer and more difficult hike.

    Hiking Table Top Mountain is one of the best and most challenging things to do in Toowoomba.
    The reward for hiking up Table Top Mountain…
    Table Top Mountain rewards hikers with sweeping views of Toowoomba and the Lockyer Valley countryside.
    …is expansive panoramic views of Toowoomba and the Lockyer Valley.

    Crows Nest National Park.

    A national park you cannot go past if you’re in this region is the stunning, rocky wilderness is Crows Nest National Park. The breathtaking outdoor attraction lies less than an hour north of Toowoomba, and while it’s only a tiny national park, what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in beauty.

    While it essentially only consists of one walk, it has numerous picturesque lookouts and river stops along, including the incredible Valley Of The Diamonds. But you can do the shorter sections depending on your fitness level and what you want to see or do them all in one fell swoop.

    9. Discover A Boulder-Filled Landscape.
    Kauyoo Pool & The Cascades.

    The first deviation along the 4.5km return trail to Koonin Lookout is Kauyoo Pool and the Cascades. The Cascades consists of a small waterfall trickling its way over a stunning, boulder-filled landscape. At the base of it lies Kauyoo Pool, a shallow part of Crows Nest Creek perfect for frolicking in the water while admiring the beautiful scenery.

    And if you’re lucky, you may even spot one of the national park’s elusive rock wallabies. These cute furballs can bound their way up sheer cliffs with astonishing ease. I was fortunate enough to spot two of them doing these super impressing manoeuvers at sunset, which was like watching mountain goats, so if possible, time your visit at then to get the best chance of seeing them. Sunrise is another time of day when they are likely to be hanging around. Luckily, you can camp at the national park! More on that below.

    Kauyoo Pool and the Cascades are a  beautiful spot in Crows Nest National Park.
    Looking down at Kauyoo Pool across the Cascade boulders.

    10. Wild Swim At A Stunning Creek.
    Bottlebrush Pool.

    Another place to go wild swimming in Crows Nest National Park is at the next stop, Bottle Brush Pool. The waters are a bit deeper here, so you can have a more immersive experience soaking in the picturesque scenery of Crows Nest Creek. It’s a lovely place to float on your back and watch the clouds converge and dissipate for a while or, if you come prepared, might be a great spot to go snorkelling.

    11. See Where The Creeks Converge.
    Crows Nest Falls.

    About halfway to Koonin Lookout lies a lookout that peers down into a small gorge and is where Crows Nest Falls and several other waterways converge with Crows Nest Creek.

    12. Gaze Upon The Valley Of The Diamonds.
    Koonin Lookout.

    For most of the trail, it’s fairly flat, but at the end of the 4.5km return trail, it’s steep and leads to the highlight of Crows Nest National Park. Koonin Lookout is a spectacular vantage point that gazes down into the breathtaking Valley Of The Diamonds, a stunning vista named so because of how the creek at the bottom of the mountainscape glistens like diamonds. It’s a beautiful sight. 

    But what makes Koonin Lookout even more intriguing is there’s no sign of human civilization. It is as wild and pristine as it gets, and it’s rare to see something like that, especially in this day and age and in a small national park so close to towns, cities and rural areas and undoubtedly one of my favourite places near Toowoomba to visit because of that.

    Seeing the Valley Of The Diamonds in Crows Nest National Park is one of the coolest things to do in Toowoomba.
    The breathtaking untouched Valley Of The Diamonds.

    13. Extend Your Stay.
    Crows Nest Falls Camp Ground.

    Although Crows Nest National Park is small, it has plenty to offer. Between walking, wild swimming, looking for rock wallabies and any other activities you might like to do like photography or birdwatching, a day there might not be enough. Luckily, there’s the Crows Nest Falls Campground

    Stay longer and ensure you have enough time to get the most out of this spectacular Toowoomba attraction. Maybe even add a few things to the list. Checking out the stars, searching for nocturnal animals, or sitting around the campfire and playing some music are some fun night activities you can add to your extended stay.

    Ravensbourne National Park.

    Not too southeast of Crows Nest National Park lies another beautiful nature escape, Ravensbourne National Park. Although it’s not as spectacular, there’s a handful of things to do there that make coming here worthwhile.

    14. Gaze Out At The Lockyer Valley.
    Gus Beutel Lookout.

    Ravensbourne’s Gus Beutel Lookout is a lovely place to stop on your meandering drive to get to the national park. The scenic spot provides easterly views of the gently undulating hills of the Lockyer Valley and is amongst the nicest places to visit near Toowoomba to crack open a picnic basket or fire up a BBQ. There’s also the short, family-friendly Cedar Block Circuit walk nearby if you want to stretch your legs and get a feel for Ravensbourne’s ecosystem.

    Sunset views from the Gus Beutel Lookout
    The lovely views of Lockyer Valley Hills.
    Having a picnic at the Gus Beutel Lookout is one of the bestthings to do near Toowoomba.
    It’s a great place for a picnic.

    15. See A Cool Sandstone Overhang.
    Palm Creek Circuit.

    For those who want to explore the national park on foot, Palm Creek Circuit offers a moderately long walk that visitors can comfortably fit in a day. Explore the rainforest, the creek and rocky outcrops, but don’t forget to detour to the Sandstone Overhang. It’s an interesting geographical feature and one of the most intriguing things to see in Ravensbourne National Park.

    The sandstone overhang in Ravensbourne National Park is a unique feature near Toowoomba.
    The sandstone overhang is a cool formation worth making the effort to get to.

    Best Places To Visit Near Toowoomba.

    Looking beyond the city, regional Toowoomba appears to have a few lakes and not much else. But that’s not the case. While it’s not jam-packed with places to see, there’s still a handful of things to do near Toowoomba that make venturing beyond the city worthwhile.

    16. Picnic By A Beautiful Lake.
    Cooby Dam.

    Cooby Dam is one of the three lakes that supply Toowoomba with water, but it’s also a lovely place to have a BBQ, picnic and outdoor activities with the family. 

    Kayaking, sailing, row boating and windsurfing are some fun things people enjoy doing from the launch area at Loveday Cove, while the Dam Wall Picnic Area and nearby walking trail are perfect for those who prefer to keep their feet firmly out of the water.

    17. Have Some Fun On The Water.
    Lake Cressbrook.

    Another supplier of Toowoomba’s H20 is the even larger Cressbrook Dam. Situated northeast of the city, the impounded water storage body is an excellent lakeside escape thanks to its picnic and BBQs, walking trails, kid’s playground, and launch site for boats, kayaks, canoes and other watercraft. 

    But where it one-ups Cooby Dam is that there is also a campground for those who wish to enjoy spending time by the lake longer. The best thing about is it is pay-on-arrival, so if you decide to stay overnight at the last minute, you can (provided it’s not already full). I highly recommend it because when I camped with my dad, there were many, many kangaroos during the day, and at night, we were visited by a sneaky possum. Plus, if it’s a clear night, the stargazing is excellent.

    A boat sits on the shores of Lake Cressbrook.
    It is great for boating.
    My Dad in a hammock at the Lake Cressbrook campground.
    And has a lovely lakeside campground.
    Two make kangaroos fighting at Cressbrook Dam.
    And seeing native animals.

    18. Take A Break And Peer Across A Beautiful Lake.
    Lake Perseverance.

    Situated near Lake Cressbrook, Lake Perseverance is a picturesque waterway and the last of the three reservoirs that supply drinking water to Toowoomba.

    While you can’t access the water to do water-related activities, it’s still a lovely place to stop if you’re passing through the area and going to places such as Ravensbourne National Park, Lake Cressbrook or Crows Nest National Park.

    The pretty lake has a stopping area on either side of the dam wall, which provides southern views of the gorgeous lake and the small cliffs surrounding it. The western pit stop even has a secret short walk to a steel lookout that overlooks the lake’s northernmost parts, while slightly further up the road, is another stopping bay that provides an additional perspective of the top section of the waterbody.

    Another thing to do in Toowoomba is gaze out at Lake Perseverance.
    The rocky cliffs around Lake Perseverance (Taken with IR filter)
    Lake Perseverance.
    The view from the roadside stop. (Taken with IR filter)

    19. Taste Locally Brewed Beverages.
    Crows Nest Soft Drinks, Crows Nest.

    When people travel, they like to try the fruit and fad of the land and one of the top places to visit near Toowoomba along that vein is the Crows Nest Soft Drink shop at Crows Nest. This small, local business makes and sells traditionally made soft-drink beverages

    While the company has changed hands several times and even a name change (they used to go by Crows Nest Cordials), they still make their drinks virtually the same way they have for over 50 years. Try some typical soft drink flavours or take your tastebuds on an adventure and taste the more unusual flavours such as musk, mandarin and portabello.

    👉 Note: Not open Sundays.

    20. Learn About Local War History.
    Australian Army Flying Museum, Oakey.

    For those heading further out west towards the humble country town of Dalby and are interested in aviation history and would like to pay their respects to the pilots of yesteryear, Oakey’s Australian Army Flying Museum is a great tourist attraction near Toowoomba to visit. 

    With artifacts, stories and memorabilia recovered from various war efforts, the museum is a sobering reminder of Australia’s fight for freedom. It reminds us to express gratitude for all those who gave their lives trying to preserve it.

    Best of all, it’s free, making it a great place to teach younger members of the family or foreign friends about the trials and tribulations of the country’s war efforts so that their sacrifices won’t go unremembered as the years pass. 

    Oakey is home to the Army Flying Museum.
    Oakey is home to the Army Flying Museum.

    👉 Note: Entry is free, but donations are accepted. Open Wednesday – Saturday.

    Best Secret Places In Toowoomba.

    21. Get Even More Mountain Views.
    Webb Park.

    There are a fair few locations around the Garden City to see Tabletop Mountain, but Webb Park is one of the secret places in Toowoomba that showcases the unique peak from a different perspective. However, because the park sits opposite a school, it’s best to avoid visiting it during school hours on Monday to Friday.  

    22. Take A Short Scenic Drive.
    Prince Henry Drive.

    Near Webb Park lie even more lookouts all lumped together. Prince Henry Drive, further north, is a picturesque circuit road on the outer limits of the mountaintop city. On this short drive around one of Toowoomba’s most scenic suburbs lies a handful of lookouts where you can gaze down at the Lockyer Valley landscape.

    Jubille Lookout, Katoomba Point Lookout, Prince Henry Drive Lookout & Lovers Outlook provide lovely views where you can stop, get out and drink in the scenery. (Sometimes the lookouts and parking spaces are easy to miss. So keep your eyes peeled.)

    23. Enjoy Lunch At A Lesser-Known Lookout.
    Mount Kynoch.

    If you’re in the city’s northern parts and looking for a place with a more relaxed vibe than being right next to the main road, as with the Lions Scenic View Rest Area and Blue Mountain Hotel Car Park, head to Mount Kynoch.

    Unlike the two previously mentioned lookouts, Mount Kynoch is on the western side of the road and accessible by car in either direction, but it still faces east, so the views are similar. This one, however, is a sizeable park and has a larger space to unfurl a picnic blanket and let the kiddos play on the playground for those towing a young family. There’s also a toilet there, so if nature calls while you’re admiring nature, you needn’t go far to answer it. Bonus.

    Note: The view isn’t as good as it used to be. It is now more blocked by the trees.

    24. Find Serenity.
    Ju Raku En Japanese Gardens.

    If you’re wondering what to do in Toowoomba for kids, the Ju Raku En Japanese Garden at the University Of Southern Queensland (USQ) is a stunning oriental escape young children will especially love. 

    Open to the public so everyone can enjoy the ponds and the peace, the precinct in the south of the city captures the exquisite mystical charm of the beloved Pacific country. With stunning architecture and beautiful ponds, it’s a fantastic place to unwind and take life at a slower pace while feeling like you’re a world away. 

    It’s also a magnet for water birds, and baby ducks are often spotted enjoying the picturesque landscape, so photographers, bird watchers and families will especially appreciate the gardens the most.

    The Japanese Gardens is another of Toowoomba's things to do you shouldn't miss.
    The Japanese Gardens are a lovely place to escape.
    Sometimes you can see ducklings swimming in the pond.
    Sometimes there are ducklings too.
    Ibis hanging out on a tree.
    Ibis’ taking up residence at the gardens.
    Three ducklings hanging out in the pond.
    And they are so cute.

    25. Explore A Picturesque Waterway
    Buaraba Creek Walking Trail. (Ravensbourne National Park)

    For folks looking for little-known trails in the Toowoomba region, the Buaraba Creek walk is great for those looking for a longer walk. The 6.2km return walk takes in the Rainforest Circuit and Palm Creek Circuit before becoming a one-way-in, one-way-out track to a picturesque creek. 

    26. Visit The Former Home Of A Famous Australian Writer.
    Mary Poppins House, Allora.

    Everyone loves the beloved whimsical tale of Mary Poppins, the delightfully righteous caretaker moulding rambunctious kids into studious, respectful children. Well, the author of that book, PL Travers, used to live in the greater Toowoomba region in the sleepy town of Allora for a time. You can now visit the famous writer’s heritage-listed home by taking a guided tour through her former residence, however, it’s only available through appointment.

    Note: P.L. Travers was born in the Queensland city of Maryborough. The very building where she was brought into the world is now a major attraction dedicated to her and her beloved whimsical works.

    27. Discover A Remnant Rainforest.
    Palms National Park. 

    Between Cooyar and Yarraman is another one of the most intriguing hidden places to visit in Toowoomba called Palms National Park.

    Driving through the region, you’ll notice endless miles of land dedicated to agriculture. One might surmise that before the land was plundered and turned into fields of farms some type of bushland would have dominated the landscape, so it’s pretty shocking when you stroll into Palms National Park and learn that it wasn’t.

    Walking inside this tiny remnant rainforest saved from logging hammered home to me just how much our species has altered the land and how little of the original landscape is left. But it makes places like this even more special as it made me wonder just how vast an area was previously rainforest.

    28. Drop By A Picturesque Park.
    Yarraman Weir Park, Yarraman.

    If you’re starting to get the munchies and looking to chow down on some grub in nature, that usually means plonking your booty down at a park. Sometimes they can be great, but often they’re pretty blah. But should you find yourself out Yarraman way, there’s a little-known park off the main road that is a beautiful hidden gem you should visit, whether you’re there to chomp into some grub or stretch the legs.

    Yarraman Weir Park, situated near the Yarraman Station along the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, is a surprisingly picturesque and serene park on the outskirts of the town of the same name. Featuring a small meandering river that feeds the weir, this slightly awkward-to-get-to spot is the perfect place to take a break and soak in some scenery. It’s one of the best-kept secret places in Toowoomba that makes you feel like you’re a world away from the bustling little town where it resides.

    Yarraman Weir Park is a surprisingly picturesque place hidden in Yarraman
    Yarraman Weir Park is a surprisingly picturesque place hidden in Yarraman.

    Accommodation: Where To Stay In Toowoomba.

    Toowoomba has a fantastic range of accommodation options. From luxury hotels and apartments to more modest motels and camping in national parks and parking at rest areas, there’s something for everyone. 

    ➡️ Avenue Motel Apartments.

    Those looking for a modern place with crisp, contemporary stylings to head back to after a day exploring Toowoomba will love Avenue Motel Apartments.

    Sitting right in the heart of the city, it is not only a luxurious place to spend the night, but the generously sized, recently refurbished rooms are fantastic for those who want somewhere homely with all the creature comforts to come back to. 

    ➡️ Crows Nest Motel.

    If you’re looking to head away from the city but still want somewhere comfy to lay your head, another great option is to head up north to Crows Nest.

    The Crows Nest Motel is a modest place just south of the town along the New England Highway and is a lovely secluded place with lots of open space. It’s the perfect place to rest after exploring Crows Nest National Park.

    Camp Grounds.

    ➡️ Crows Nest Falls Camp Ground. $
    Crows Nest National Park. (Book with QPWS.)

    Speaking of Crows Nest National Park, people who prefer sleeping under the stars will appreciate Crows Nest Falls Camping Area inside the small national park. There are only toilets and a shower cubicle (you bring your own shower), but campfires are allowed, so it’s a great way to get back in touch with nature.

    It’s also a fantastic place for spotting wildlife, and there are even places to go wild swimming nearby making it one of the best places near Toowoomba to camp.

    ➡️ Lake Cressbrook. – $.

    Another picturesque place to go camping is at Lake Cressbrook. Residing northeast of Toowoomba, it’s a fantastic place to spend the night, particularly if you enjoy water-based activities. 

    Kayaking, sailing and boating are some of the activities you can enjoy on the water, while on land, you can go for a walk, bird watching or have a picnic or BBQ. It’s a very serene place to be. What also makes it a great camping spot is that it’s close to Crows Nest National Park, Ravensbourne National Park, and Lake Perseverance. You can make a whole trip out of visiting these places and have somewhere beautiful to come back to each night instead of driving and finding a new place every time.

    👉 Pay for camping at Lake Cressbrook when you arrive.

    Free Overnight Stays In Toowoomba.

    ➡️ Yarraman Weir Park.

    Up in the northernmost part of the Toowoomba region lies a beautiful little-known rest area. Yarraman Weir Park in the township of Yarraman is where the old weir restricts the creek of the same name, and the park next to it is now a free overnight rest area for budget travellers. It’s surprisingly picturesque and a great place to stop by even if you don’t spend the night.

    ➡️ Yarramalong Weir Reserve. – Free.

    If you’re looking for somewhere quiet, serene and in the middle of nowhere, a gorgeous place to camp that goes under the radar is the Yarramalong Weir Reserve. Situated not far off the Gore Highway between Toowoomba and Millmerman southeast of Pampas (locality), the reserve is perfect for those who crave a quintessential road camping experience. 

    Note: The Condamine River that runs through the weir looks dramatically different between seasons. When there hasn’t been much rain, the river bed shows a lot, so if possible, visit here after a decent amount of rain.

    ➡️ Other Overnight Stays.

    If you’re less concerned about the scenery and just want a place to park the car or the motorhome and sleep for a while, there are numerous places in the greater Toowoomba region where you can rest your eyes and catch some zzzs.

    North of the city, Hampton has Chapman Park, Cooyar has Swinging Bridge Park, while east of Yarraman is Harland Park.

    Down south, there is Federation Park in Vale View and Nobby Town Park Rest Area at Nobby, while in the western part of Toowoomba, Cecil Plain’s Apex Park and Walpole Park in Millmerran are all spots where you can get some shut-eye.

    Frequently Asked Questions.

    What Is Toowoomba Known For?

    Toowoomba is known as the Garden City thanks to the prolific amount of shady trees lining the streets and lovingly tended to flower beds decorating the parklands and sidewalks.

    Each year it hosts the iconic Carnival Of Flowers event, showcasing spectacular floral displays that bring in thousands of visitors.

    It also takes the title of Queensland’s largest inland city, and its position atop the Great Dividing Range means Toowoomba’s looks are beautiful and plentiful. 

    Where Is Toowoomba In Australia?

    Perched just short of 700m above sea level atop the Great Dividing Range, Toowoomba is 127km west of Brisbane by road. It takes an hour and 40 minutes to drive there along the Centenary Highway, Ipswich Motorway and Warrego Highway.

    What To Do In Toowoomba.

    If you’re wondering what there is to do in Toowoomba and whether its worth visiting, the answer is there is quite a lot. Discover historical museums, beautiful parklands, challenging nature walks, serene lakes and stunning lookouts. You can’t forget the lookouts.

    So whether you’re travelling with your significant other, the family, your friends or going solo, Toowoomba has numerous fantastic tourist attractions that make it worth visiting.

    How To Get To Toowoomba.

    There are several different ways to get to Toowoomba. You can go by car, touring bus or flight. The most convenient way, however, is to go by car as no trains go to the regional city, even from Brisbane.

    Car/ Vehicle.

    As a major regional city, Toowoomba lies at the intersection of several highways, the Warrego Highway (A21) & Toowoomba Bypass (A2), and the New England Highway (A3) so it’s an easy place to find. 

    There is, however, a toll on the Toowoomba Bypass (A2), which you can pay online or with a Linkt pass, and provides a quick and easy way to avoid the city, which is especially handy for people driving big rigs.

    But for tourists, traversing through the city is what you want to be doing, so the scenic but steep-in parts Warrego Highway (A21) is the most suitable option if you aren’t driving something long and/or heavy. Plus, there’s no toll on that route.

    Toowoomba Bypass
    The Toowoomba Bypass is a tolled road.

    Bus.

    Another way to get to and from Toowoomba is by bus. The touring company Greyhound provides luxury bus rides to the mountaintop city from Brisbane, which will take about one hour and 50 minutes.

    Can You Fly There?

    Qantas, Rex and AirNorth all service Toowoomba’s Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport. There are direct flights from places such as Sydney, Melbourne, Townsville, and Charleville, while connecting trips from Darwin, Mt Isa, and other western Queensland towns mean there are plenty of ways to get to Toowoomba by air.

    Once you get there, taxis and shuttle buses can take you the remaining 20km to the city.

    What Is the Driving Distance From Brisbane To Toowoomba?

    Driving from Brisbane to Toowoomba is a 127km trip one way and would take about one hour and 45 minutes on a good traffic day.

    What’s The Best Way To Get Around Toowoomba?

    As for getting around Toowoomba itself, there is a limited bus service that goes around the city and to Highfields and Crows Nest, but to explore the region’s attractions properly, having a car or campervan for your own personal use is the best option.

    What Is There To Do With Kids In Toowoomba?

    There are plenty of fun things to do in Toowoomba for kids. The Picnic Point Parklands has playgrounds that children clamber up and play on. They’ll delight at seeing the ducks and water dragons at the serene Ju Raku En Japanese Gardens while camping at Crows Nest National Park or Lake Cressbrook provides opportunities to see what animals are hanging the campsites around such as possums and wallabies.

    Conclusion: Best Places To Visit In Toowoomba.

    Those looking for a country escape will find that Toowoomba is an incredible, unique and unforgettable city in the Darling Downs region of Queensland. And with numerous scenic lookouts, picturesque gardens, stunning walking trails, fascinating heritage attractions and peaceful lakes, it’s easy to see why as there is no shortage of excellent fun things to do in Toowoomba for adults and kids of every age.