Toowoomba, located in Brisbane’s pretty hinterland, is known as The Garden City. That’s because of its many breathtaking gardens, parks and green spaces.
These are reason enough to visit Toowoomba. But there’s so much more to the city, which is one of Queensland’s oldest metropolises – and the biggest one inland.
In fact, there are all kinds of adventures to be had, whether you want to immerse yourself in incredible views and soak up street art, or let off some steam at an indoor trampoline park and challenge your friends or family to a break out room.
Here are five fun things to do when you’re in Toowoomba.
GO LOOKOUT HOPPING
Toowoomba is the gateway to the Great Dividing Range, which means one thing: views that go on for miles and miles … and miles.
Wherever you wander, you’ll find them. But it helps to know where the best lookouts are.
The most well-known is Picnic Point Parklands. You can spend hours here staring over Tabletop Mountain, backdropped by Lockyer Valley. Plus, the views aren’t the only reason to visit. There are also gardens, walking trails and a waterfall.
Other lookouts to add to your itinerary include Tobruk Memorial Drive, where you’ll see Tabletop from another perspective, and, if you’re keen on a road trip, Ravensbourne National Park, which is an hour’s drive to the north-east.
LOSE YOURSELF IN STREET ART
In 2014, Toowoomba hosted the First Coat Street Art Festival, which saw artists from all over the world spend three days covering the city in stunning paintings.
Ever since, Toowoomba has been a magnet for art lovers. Visit Club Lane to see a spectacular owl created by Reals and Meks, Mark Lane to spend some time with Amz’s reimagining of Gandalf the Wizard and Bank Lane to check out Damien Kamholtz’s vision of the three wise monkeys.
The streets aren’t the only place where you’ll find inspiring art in Toowoomba. Be sure to leave yourself time to wander through the Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery, home to more than 400 works by Australian artists. Other galleries in the city include Murphy’s Creek Arts Centre, made. Creative Space and Art Frenzi.
JUMP AT KLOUD9INE TRAMPOLINE PARK
Whether you want a workout that’s so much fun you’ll forget you’re exercising, or the kids need to let off some steam, make tracks for Kloud9ine, Toowoomba’s extremely popular indoor trampoline park.
There are areas for jumpers of all ages and levels of experience. In Kloudzone, you’ll find 70 interconnected trampolines, along with obstacles and bull rush games. But, if you – or someone else in the car – is feeling particularly competitive, book into the dodgeball arena. Then, for those want to get tricky, there’s the Stunt Bag. Last but not least, expert jumpers should show off in the Pro Zone.
Fair warning: Kloud9ine gets busy, so it’s smart to reserve a ticket in advance.
BREAK OUT OF THE TICK TOCK ESCAPE ROOM
Toowoomba might be famous for its open spaces, but it does closed ones just as well. One of the most fascinating – and possibly terrifying – is the Tick Tock Escape Room.
Here, you and your travelling companions will spend an hour trying to break free. Choose between three rooms: ‘The Naughty List’, ‘The Cabin’ and ‘Room 204’. Each transports you into a detective story of its own, via jaw-dropping design, special effects and unexpected events. The only way out is by confronting, and solving, the riddles, puzzles and mysteries thrown at you.
EXPLORE TOOWOOMBA’S LEGENDARY GREEN SPACES
Begin your adventures in Ju Raku En, the largest Japanese garden in Australia. This sanctuary is designed around a central lake and features 230 species of plants – both Japanese and Australian. There are three kilometres of trails to wander along, and a stream, waterfall and dry garden to explore.
Next on the list should be the Toowoomba Waterbird Habitat in Rangeville, on the city’s eastern outskirts. Among its 19 acres, you’ll find lakes, lagoons, islands and grasslands, where all sorts of birds roam, including ducks, ibises and herons.
Finally, for magnificent flowers in summer, brilliant autumn leaves in autumn and stunning trees all-year-round, spend some time in Queens Park. This heritage-listed botanic garden was established in the 1870s.
GETTING TO TOOWOOMBA
Toowoomba is 90 minutes’ drive west of Brisbane. If you’re travelling from Sydney, it’ll take you around 10 hours.
Short on time or visiting from further afield? Catch a plane to Toowoomba Airport and hire a car with SIXT.
