Perhaps best known for it’s jaw-dropping annual Flower Festival, Toowoomba, aka the Garden City is nevertheless most stunning in autumn, in our humble opinion.
When the weather starts cooling and the trees start turning, Toowoomba transforms into a cosy, fiery wonderland, and it’s possibly the closes place to Brisbane where you can revel in the red, orange and yellow hues of the season!
If you’re looking for a meticulously curated experience, you must wander through Queens Park when the leaves are falling. Spot rich autumn colours from the massive trees that line the area as you walk its trails, and you can even make a stop at its all-abilities playground if you’ve got little ones with you.
Another choice spot to catch the coloured leaves is Ju Raku En Japanese Gardens, which is home to 3km of paths, lush water features, plus plenty of Japanese and native plants. And, with wonderfully fragrant gardens and lovely gazebos to rest at, Laurel Bank Park is another top choice to be enveloped by gorgeous hues.
Another, more developed option is Picnic Point, which sits on the edge of a plateau and boasts breathtaking views over the Lockyer Valley. Here, you’ll find an array of walking trails, a café and a restaurant, as well as plenty of space for a picnic (as the name of the location suggests).
From there, there are several trails you can embark on, if you’re looking for a slightly less manicured autumn experience. Pardalote Walk is maybe the easiest one, for those looking for an easy stroll, while Redwood Forest Walk is a bit more challenging at almost 4km. The towering trees and their reddening leaves will have you out of breath more than the hike itself!
You can also saddle up and go on a lovely, family-friendly horseback ride, taking in the idyllic, autumny countryside as you go.
And, if you still have time after your wanderings and you’re there on a Saturday, be sure to visit the Toowoomba Farmers Market to find some seasonal local food and crafts to take home with you… maybe a hot bevvy to warm you up after your fall adventure!
