Top Things to Do in Toowoomba - Gardens, Street Art & Country Charm

Top Things to Do in Toowoomba - Gardens, Street Art & Country Charm

Perched at the top of the Great Dividing Range, around 130 kilometres west of Brisbane, Toowoomba is Australia’s second-largest inland city and one of Queensland’s most charming regional destinations. Known as the Garden City, Toowoomba is celebrated for its stunning parks and gardens, grand historic buildings, colourful street art and a thriving food scene.

Whether you’re visiting for a weekend escape or a longer country road trip, Toowoomba offers a relaxed mix of nature, culture and great food, all wrapped up in a welcoming regional atmosphere.

Top 10 Things to do in Toowoomba - Queensland

Wander through Queens Park and Botanic Gardens

Spanning more than 25 hectares, Queens Park and Botanic Gardens have been enjoyed by locals and visitors since the late 1800s. These beautifully maintained, State Heritage-listed gardens are the heart of Toowoomba’s Garden City reputation.

Every September, the gardens take centre stage during the Carnival of Flowers, when spring blooms fill the park with colour. However, even outside festival time, the gardens are well worth a visit. When we visited in January, the Alfred Thomas Memorial decorative garden beds were bursting with vibrant red and yellow flowers and looked incredible.

Highlights include manicured lawns, flowering garden beds, native plantings, a rose walk and the formal Parterre Garden — perfect for a leisurely stroll.

Enjoy the Views from Picnic Point Lookout

No trip to Toowoomba is complete without a visit to Picnic Point Lookout. Just a short drive from the city, this popular spot offers breathtaking views from the top of the Great Dividing Range across the Lockyer Valley and out to Tabletop Mountain.

After admiring the panorama from the lookout near the café, wander down to the tranquil waterfall area below. Built in 1965, this rainforest-style garden features lush palms, a cascading waterfall, a gazebo and large stepping stones that invite you to explore.

The Picnic Point precinct also includes a café, picnic tables, playgrounds, walking tracks and plenty of parking.

Discover Toowoomba's Street Art

As we wandered through Toowoomba’s CBD streets and laneways, we were surprised by the sheer amount of street art on display. More than 80 murals have been created by nationally and internationally recognised artists, adding colour, creativity and character to the city.

Exploring the street art is an easy and fun way to see Toowoomba from a different perspective — keep an eye out as you stroll through laneways and side streets.

Picnic at Spring Bluff Railway Station

Around 15 kilometres north of Toowoomba on Murphy’s Creek Road, the Spring Bluff Railway Station is one of the region’s most picturesque heritage sites. Built in the 1860s, the station played an important role during the steep railway climb from Brisbane to Toowoomba.

Today, it’s loved for its beautifully landscaped gardens and historic railway buildings. After exploring the station, head up to the picnic area, where a small creek runs through the grounds alongside playgrounds, BBQs, picnic tables and shelters — an ideal spot for a relaxed lunch.

Eat Your Way Around Toowoomba

Toowoomba is a food lover’s paradise, with a vibrant café culture and an impressive selection of restaurants. Trendy cafés are tucked into laneways throughout the city, serving excellent coffee and creative menus.

One of our favourites was The Ground Up Café, hidden down Searles Walk off Ruthven Street. We enjoyed great coffee and a delicious breakfast of eggs Benedict and egg and bacon spring rolls, all while sitting outdoors surrounded by colourful street art.

Explore Cobb + Co Museum

Located beside the Botanic Gardens, the Cobb + Co Museum is a modern, interactive space showcasing Toowoomba’s rich history. Open daily from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm, it’s one of the city’s standout cultural attractions.

Inside, you’ll find the National Carriage Collection, featuring 47 beautifully restored horse-drawn vehicles that played a key role in Queensland’s development. The Sciencentre adds hands-on fun, with interactive exhibits exploring the science of energy.

The museum also has a café, gift shop, children’s play areas and regular workshops.

Explore More Parks & Gardens

True to its Garden City title, Toowoomba is home to many beautiful green spaces. We particularly enjoyed Laurel Bank Park and the Japanese Garden (Ju Raku En).

Laurel Bank Park features manicured lawns, flowering displays, mature trees, topiary, playgrounds, water features and picnic areas — making it a favourite with locals.

The Japanese Garden, located beside the University of Southern Queensland, is the largest and most traditionally designed Japanese garden in Australia. Opened in 1989, it covers more than three hectares and features a central lake, red arched bridges, waterfalls, a mountain stream and around 230 species of Japanese and Australian plants.

Visit the Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery

Established in 1938, the Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery is the oldest public art gallery in regional Queensland. Located on Ruthven Street, it’s open from Wednesday to Sunday, 10.30 am to 3.30 pm.

The gallery is home to the Lionel Lindsay Art Gallery, featuring more than 400 significant Australian artworks. Contemporary exhibitions rotate monthly, while historical exhibitions change several times a year, ensuring there’s always something new to see.

Admire Toowoomba's Heritage Buildings

Toowoomba’s streets are lined with elegant heritage-listed buildings that reflect its prosperous 19th-century past. As you wander the city, you’ll spot many architectural highlights, including:

• The Toowoomba City Hall was built in 1900, it has undergone several renovations and is still used for functions and events today.

• The former Toowoomba Post Office on Margaret Street was built in 1880 and is now a cafe.

• The old Toowoomba Court House was officially opened in 1878, it is now a private residence.

• The heritage-listed Empire Theatre, built in 1911, is Toowoomba’s local theatre for contemporary performing arts and entertainment.

• The Strand Theatre opened in 1916 and is Queensland’s longest continually operating cinema.

• St Luke’s Anglican Church was built in 1897, and the church and the heritage-listed church hall are still in use today.

As you wander around the streets of Toowoomba you will see more fascinating heritage buildings.

Wander around the Farmers Market

Held every Saturday morning near the windmills at the Cobb + Co Museum, the Toowoomba Farmers Market is a must-visit for food lovers.

Here you’ll find fresh regional produce straight from the farmers, including fruit and vegetables, meats, bread, pasta, jams, honey and herbs. Add artisan pastries, great coffee, plants, flowers and live music, and it’s easy to see why this market is so popular.

Why Visit Toowoomba?

Toowoomba is a city that surprises visitors with its depth and variety. From award-winning gardens and scenic lookouts to street art, heritage architecture and a thriving food scene, it offers something for every type of traveller.

Whether you’re exploring as part of a Queensland Country road trip or enjoying a weekend escape from Brisbane, Toowoomba delivers a relaxed, colourful and genuinely enjoyable experience — one that keeps visitors coming back season after season.

👉 Click here for more things to do in Queensland Country