Travelling to Toowoomba is a little bit like travelling back in time. This is the perfect destination to escape to if you’ve had enough of the hustle and bustle of big city life. But don’t worry – you don’t have to let go of all your creature comforts and services. Toowoomba is a contemporary town but it still manages to maintain its historic charm.
It will take you around an hour and a half to reach Toowoomba from Brisbane (the closest big city and the capital of Brisbane). The first thing you will note when you arrive is the Great Dividing Range which overlooks the city. The next thing you will notice is how tidy the town is (Toowoomba even won Australia’s Tidy Town competition a few years ago!).
People stop off in Toowoomba for all sorts of reasons. Many people are visiting tourists, others are making a stop off on a longer journey, others are travelling for work and for some it is a convenient place to spend the night seeing as though Toowoomba marks the intersection of three of Queensland’s major highways.
The town has a population of around 200,000 people and generally, temperatures are pleasant most of the year round. In summer it can get very warm, in winter it can get very cool so make sure you’re prepared if you are travelling at this time.
There is plenty to keep tourists busy in Toowoomba. Some of the most popular tourist sites are the city’s 150 parks. Most are well manicured and feature beautiful floral displays, exceptional picnic areas and first-class sporting facilities. The city also hosts a number of major festivals including the annual flower festival each September. If you are visiting at this time, you are in for a treat!
The city has a rich history and there are a number of historical sites that are well worth a look. The best way to get up to speed with the history is to take the ‘historic city walk’ organised by the Tourist Information Centre or visit the Cobb and Co museum. If history and museums aren’t your thing, you could take a number of different hikes along various tracks in the areas surrounding the ranges.
At the end of a busy day there are plenty of local restaurants to replenish your energy stores and there are so many different accommodation options in this transport hub that you might have trouble narrowing down the options! There are rooms to suit all travellers and budgets. Whether you prefer flash hotels, comfortable motels, cosy B&Bs, fun backpacking facilities or pristine caravan parks, Toowoomba’s accommodation has got you covered.
It’s easy to get to and from this city and it’s equally as easy to get around the city itself. The beauty of Toowoomba is that it is a leisurely regional town with all the big city conveniences and none of the associated hassles. It’s far enough away from the big smoke to leave the hustle and bustle behind but close enough to provide easy access to major cities like Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast.
If you are after a city with a thriving nightlife, a hard beating pulse and a bustling heart, then Toowoomba probably isn’t the place for you. But, if you’re after a stunning, tranquil and peaceful escape complete with rustic charm then it’s the perfect option for your next travel adventure. Fresh air, chirping birds, relaxed atmosphere and friendly locals. This is what Toowoomba is all about. You can learn lots more about the city in the pages that follow.