Darling Downs HOG

Toowoomba is a great city to shop ‘til you drop, dine late and discover the best things in life. It is a treasure-trove of tradition and culture. Crowning the edge of the Great Dividing Range 800 metres above sea level, Toowoomba is renowned for its architecture and open spaces that overlook the Lockyer Valley.

One of city’s famous vantage points is Picnic Point, from where you can explore the graded walks along the range escarpment, or sit back, relax and take in the view. Toowoomba really is Queensland’s Garden City, with more than 150 public parks and gardens. In spring the gardens are an extravaganza of colour, and the city celebrates with its Carnival of Flowers, held each year in the last full week of September.

From mid-January to mid-February the city is again ablaze with floral colour. From March to May mellow tints of red and gold mark the Autumn Showing, when you can enjoy a carriage ride through Queens Park amongst the blanket of fallen oak and willow leaves.

Toowoomba’s history has been preserved in its buildings. The magnificently restored art deco Empire Theatre attracts regular performances. A well signposted drive for visitors will take you past the city’s finest architecture, including City Hall, the National Trust Royal Bull’s Head Inn and ‘Heritage Street’, Russell Street.

A visit to the Cobb & Co Museum is a must as it houses Australia’s largest collection of horse-drawn vehicles. Garden-lovers will be kept busy exploring the city’s internationally themed gardens – the University of Southern Queensland’s Japanese Gardens, the Wetlands of the World and the New Zealand-themed park at Lake Annand. If you favour a stroll among the flowers, visit the meticulously tended Botanic Gardens at Queens Park. Take time out to smell the flowers in Laurel Bank Park.

Temperatures for Toowoomba

Toowoomba has moderate summer temperatures. The summer high temperature for Toowoomba is approximately 27 °c. The summer low temperature is approximately 16 °c.

Toowoomba has mild winter temperatures. The winter high temperature for Toowoomba is approximately 17 °c. The winter low temperature is approximately 6 °c.

Darling Downs are situated along in Southern Queensland, along the New South Wales border. The beautiful landscape is extremely fertile agricultural land is home to a number of pretty, historic towns and the only wine growing region in the whole of Queensland.

West of Brisbane is Ipswich, which hosts some glorious old buildings from its early convict days. Ipswich also gives access to both the Southern Queensland border, and the Great Dividing Range

Heading south west from Ipswich towards Warwick, you will cross the Great Dividing Range and the Main Range National Park at the spectacular Cunningham's Gap. Cunningham's Gap is the starting point for many of the excellent bushwalking trails through the National Park. There is also a small camping ground at Cunningham's Gap, which you can book through the Ranger Ph: (07) 4666 1133.

Warwick is a farming town, and is the second oldest town in Queensland. There are a number of historical buildings around the town, with Pringle Cottage and Museum being a popular place to visit. If you are travelling through during October, then you should stop for the towns annual Rodeo. West of Warwick is Goondiwindi, which is off of the Newell Highway which travels between Brisbane and Melbourne. There is an interesting museum which you can visit, as well as a small wildlife park at Boobera Lagoon.

South of Warwick is Stanthorpe, which is the main town within the fruit and wine growing region of the Granite Belt. There is a small selection of accommodation in Stanthorpe, as well as a god museum and art gallery. In July the town holds the rather unique Brass Monkey Festival to celebrate being the coolest town in Queensland. From Stanthorpe you should definitely visit the spectacular Girraween National Park, which continues over the New South Wales border becoming the Bald Rock National Park. There are a number of great walking tracks around the park which can fill a few hours to a few days.

If you continue north west from Ipswich, you will reach Toowoomba which is a very pretty city, hosting a selection of old and beautiful buildings. Several places to visit around Toowoomba, include the interesting Cobb and Co Museum, the wonderful Raku En Japanese Garden, and the Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery. All are worth going to, and Toowoomba makes a pleasant place to stop for a couple of days.

Continuing west towards the rugged Queensland Outback you will pass the exciting Jondaryan Woolshed, and the fabulous Miles Historical Village. The final town you will come to in this area is Roma, which is a cattle and sheep town which also supplies both gas and oil.