Bloomin’ beautiful: Where to see flowers during Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers
In case the warmer weather, longer days, and bursts of colour from fresh blooms hasn’t given it away, Spring has sprung across Toowoomba.
The change of season also heralds one of Toowoomba’s premier events – Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers.
What started out as a celebration to boost the Garden City’s economy after the hardships of World War II, is now one of the City’s largest and longest-running festivals, attracting close to 350,000 visitors each year.
If you’re chasing a bloomin’ good time, here’s where you can see flowers in Queensland Country this year during Spring.
The Botanic Gardens, Queens Park, Toowoomba
If Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers was a movie, the Botanic Gardens in Queens Park would be the main character.
The gardens are pruned, primed, and prepped all year round leading up to its spring floral showcase.
Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to marvel at the hundreds and thousands of bright and colourful buds on show at the award-winning gardens surrounded by avenues of stately trees, wisteria arbours and acres of lush green lawn.
If you want to take in all the action from above, make sure you take a trip on the Ferris Wheel.
Laurel Bank Park, Toowoomba
Stop and smell the roses at Laurel Bank Park, which features scented gardens, specially designed for the visually impaired.
This fragrant floral oasis features perfectly maintained gardens, Australian native trees, plus two croquet lawns, children’s play areas and plenty of picnic and barbecue spots.
Take in an aerial view of the annual display, which embodies a different theme each year, from the viewing platform in the park.
This garden is open for the entirety of the Carnival at no cost.
Toowoomba Exhibition Gardens
It’s not just the Garden City’s parks which are transformed, but backyards across Toowoomba.
Meet their makers and learn the secrets from the gurus in charge of Toowoomba’s finest gardens 9am - 5pm daily, 18 – 27 September 2026.
Purchase your tickets at any of the gardens on the day! All proceeds from ticket sales go back into local charities.
Japanese Garden Ju Raku En, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba
Want to step away from the hustle and bustle of the festival and take a moment for some R&R?
Make your way to the Ju Raku En Garden at the University of Southern Queensland, best known as Toowoomba’s most tranquil and peaceful garden.
With an exquisite mix of Japanese and native Australian flora, and perfectly manicured hedges, bushes, and lawns everywhere you look, this garden is one of Australia’s largest and most traditionally designed Japanese stroll gardens.
Enjoy the fresh running mountain stream and waterfall, dry garden, central lake, azalea hill, wandering the three kilometres of paths.
Find your inner peace and tranquillity at this site for free and daily during the Carnival.
The Chronicle Garden Competition
Just when you think you’ve seen it all, you won’t be-leaf your eyes at this year’s Chronicle Garden Competition entries.
These dedicated home gardeners, businesses and schools work tirelessly to bring the ultimate floral and greenspace experiences to life.
Pick up a copy of The Chronicle Newspaper when you arrive at any Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers Info Hubs or at the Visitor Information Centre to map out the must-see gardens from there.
The gardens are open from 9am - 5pm, 18 September - 27 September, 2026.
Spring Bluff Gardens
Heritage-listed Spring Bluff Railway Station combines over 150 years of railway history with landscaped gardens that will stop you in your tracks! The springtime garden exhibit is a real showstopper, with thousands of petals putting on a magnificent display – poppies, ranunculi, stocks, snapdragons, petunias and many more annuals burst into colour under the warm sunshine.
Queensland Rail operate the Spring Bluff Shuttle, a scenic return rail trip departing from Toowoomba Railway Station twice daily from Saturday 19 to Sunday 27 September. Keep an eye on their Facebook page to see when tickets go on sale!
Newton Park & Queensland State Rose Garden
In the centre of Newton Park you will find the award winning Queensland State Rose Garden, home to over 2000 roses and over 250 cultuvars planted in various displays and collections. The garden features floribunda, hybrid tea, David Austin, and climbing varieties. Of special interest are the Reithmuller Rose varieties, including Titian and Carabella roses, which were bred by Toowoomba-born David Reithmuller. Other collections include the Heritage Roses in Australia Collection and the Alister Clark Rose Collection, as well as other heritage and commemorative roses.
While the roses typically bloom from October to April (peak bloom in October-November), the garden is certainly still worth a visit during the Carnival of Flowers.
