Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers 2018

Overview

Every year, when spring hits Toowoomba, the regional city becomes the brightest place in southeast Queensland. Blooms blossom, greenery sprouts and flora reaches towards the sun — that's right, it's Carnival of Flowers time.

Running from September 21 to 30, the annual event showcases all of the gorgeous florets, growths and gardens around town, including everything from park tours to ikebana displays to specific shows for orchids, bonsai, clivia and bromelaids. Outdoor dwellers will also find daily live music at Picnic Point, Queens Park and Laurel Bank Park, while pub and dinner walks are also on the agenda — and events that combine petals and pups.

It all kicks off with a three-day food and wine festival across September 21–23, and features an illuminated night garden between September 26–30, so there's no bad time to visit — and you might want to make the trek more than once. Indeed, when it comes to scenic spring sights, there's no prettier place to be. And, given it takes less than two hours to head up the mountain from Brisbane, it's perfect for a weekend day trip. Make a playlist, take a picnic and there's your Saturday or Sunday sorted.

Image: Tourism and Events Queensland