Everything you need to know about Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers
What started as a floral celebration to boost the Garden City’s economy after the hardships of World War II, the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers has grown into an iconic Queensland event.
Distance: 894 Kilometres
Time: 168 Hours
Self-drive this 900 kilometre picturesque country loop from Brisbane through Southern Queensland Countries valleys and vines.
Start on top of Mt Tamborine within the clouds, surrounded by lush rainforest and antique trinket shops and cafes. Once you spend some time sampling handmade beer and wine from the local microbrewery and cellar doors you will want to extend your trip to discover the nearby World Heritage-listed Lamington National Park.
Overnight in a timber cottage overlooking the Gold Coast skyline en route to Queensland's premier wine destination - the Granite Belt - with the largest granite rock formations in the Southern Hemisphere. Join a cellar door tour or vineyard-hop yourself; sampling award winning wine and fresh produce handpicked straight from the paddock.
Continue north through the Darling Downs and Toowoomba and descend into the Kingaroy, with cottage accommodation neighbouring olive groves, rolling vineyards and patchwork paddocks. Stroll local art galleries and country market stalls before heading for the hills of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland and popular coastline of Noosa.
STOP1
Stanthorpe to Warwick
If your visit coincides with Stanthorpe's Apple and Grape Harvest Festival, you can kick off the shoes and crush some grapes for next year's drop and sample free apples as you stroll streets alive with multi-cultural entertainment. Spend some time discovering the National Parks surrounding Stanthorpe. See enormous spectacular granite rock formations, wildflowers during spring, deserted huts and awesome views along the many walking and driving tracks.
For the afternoon, explore the local wineries and cellar doors enjoying the taste of award winning beverages and local produce. Clink your glass as you converse with resident wine makers and their families who have for years dedicated their time to creating these flavoursome cool climate wines.
Visit a bushranger hideout - Donnelly's Castle - near Pozieres. Climb amongst the rock formations that made Captain Thunderbolt's imaginary castle during his colourful career across the New England Tableland. Take in the great views from the lookout and picnic facilities - no wonder he was at large for the longest of all bushrangers.
STOP2
Warwick to Toowoomba
Pull over for morning tea in Allora, a delightful little town set on the banks of Dalrymple Creek and once the home for author of Mary Poppins, Pamela Travers. Walk off the cake along the heritage trail following the creek and learn about the Allora story from the 33 sites on the way.
Glengallan Homestead, a two-storey sandstone mansion was described as the 'finest and best finished in the Colony', when its first wing was completed in 1867; Cockatoo Cottage, ruins of a shepherd's sandstone cottage, or maybe visit Ghost Gate Road, where a farm gate mysteriously opens and closes without human help!
At Rudd's Pub have a meal and hear the tales of Steele Rudd - Arthur Hoey Davis - author of the popular Dad 'n' Dave stories. Take a short stroll from the pub and learn about Sister Elizabeth Kenny known for her revolutionary treatment for the victims of polio. Sister Kenny and her mother are buried in the Nobby Cemetery.
Then into Toowoomba, on top of the Great Divide to book into one of the fine accommodation houses in the capital of the Darling Downs only 38 kilometres from Nobby.
STOP3
Brisbane to Mt Tamborine
Fly into Brisbane or direct into the Gold Coast at Coolangatta, less than an hour's drive from the legendary Surfers Paradise - long regarded as Australia's most popular holiday destination. With its healthy, outdoor lifestyle and positive enjoyment of life this is not just a young persons Mecca any more - it's a playground featuring an abundance of experiences for every desire.
Stroll National Parks as they sweep around headlands retaining important Aboriginal heritage from a time far past. Play a round or two of golf, or the casino or theme parks or galleries or diving? - it's 24-hours worth of excitement bursting with colour and animation.
Set off for the green behind the gold, less than half an hour away another world awaits. Walk through Queensland's oldest national park; sample some of south-eastern Queensland's finest wines, view waterfalls, glow worms and maybe even reclusive lyrebirds. Quicken the pace and jump off a cliff in a tandem hanglider or float away on the air currents with champagne in hand in a bright hot air balloon. Get a feel for the rainforest as the masseurs' hands knead your troubles away in an exclusive B&B tucked away in this idyllic setting.
STOP4
Toowoomba to Noosa
Toowoomba, with its four distinct seasons, is affectionately dubbed the Garden City. In spring the city is clothed in a kaleidoscope of colours as flowers bloom and the annual Carnival of Flowers gets under way. Take the drive tour of the city past magnificently restored buildings and see Australia's largest collection of horse-drawn vehicles at the Cobb & Co Museum. Stop at Picnic Point lookout for a terrific view.
Take the back road through picture postcard dairy country, interspersed with rainforests into Maleny, Montville and Mapleton and include a few of the myriad of sightseeing attractions on offer. There's galleries and craft shops, Mary Cairncross National Park attractive Mapleton and Kondalilla Falls and the Obi Obi Gorge for starters. You are assured a holiday Noosa style when you park the car on arriving in this premier destination. There's an air of sophistication yet a laid back carefree mood as you wander the streets in this beautiful seaside town where every visitor is made important. No matter what your budget, there is something here for you - spend the night in a luxury five star villa or in a tent under the stars.
STOP5
Mt Tamborine to Boonah
Head down the mountain to charming Canungra and check out the historic hotel. Wander the vineyards, see Killowen homestead, maybe inspect the remnants of the Lahey's Canungra Tramway Tunnel.
Stock up with fresh fruit and veg from road side stalls as you continue your way to quaint Boonah set in the heart of the scenic rim. Discover the delights of this most picturesque area surrounded by seven National Parks tendering unsurpassed views across superb scenery of rugged mountains and peaceful lakes.
See the sights along one of the many scenic drives and walks or mount up on horseback and discover some real hidden treasures. Up the tempo sky diving, gliding, mountaineering or abseiling down one of the impressive peaks.
Get right into life in the great outdoors at Lake Moogerah and Lake Maroon with a spot of fishing, parasailing - there's an abundance of water sports to choose.
For your nights lodging tonight bunk down with the wildlife when you put up the tent or check into one of the exceptional B&B's that dot the countryside. Sit back and sip as the sun works its way down spattering the landscape in golden hues.
STOP6
Noosa to Brisbane
Breakfast on Hastings Street under tall shady trees as shop keepers open up boutiques in ready for trading. Smell the aroma of fine coffee wafting up through the air while the waters of Laguna Bay gently break on the sand right next door. Stretch the legs on a stroll along the seaside boardwalk or take the track to the National Park just at the end of the street with some remarkable views. There's a hoard of sandy sheltered beaches within the park to enjoy including Alexandria Bay, Noosa's nudist beach and the site each year for the Nude Olympics. Drive up to Laguna Lookout on Noosa Hill for an unspoiled view over rainforest, lakes, secluded bays and coves and the Noosa River before bidding Noosa farewell.
See the sights of the Sunshine Coast beaches as you venture towards Brisbane or alternatively you can catch a plane from the coast if you prefer. Just an hour before Brisbane is Bribie Island - Queensland's only offshore island linked by a bridge. As you cross over the Pumicestone Passage check out the hundreds of birds that call it home and notice the fishing boats bobbing along - there's some excellent fishing around here.
STOP7
Boonah to Stanthorpe
Make your way past farms, through the forest, over rivers and gently sloping hills to Queen Mary Falls. Here pretty Spring Creek flows swirling in pools before plunging over the spectacular 40 metre cliff plummeting to the rocks below. Take a moment to reflect - this is the head of the longest river system in Australia - the Murray Darling King Parrots, Then back in the car for next is Warwick - the Rose and Rodeo capital and the birth place of the legendary shearer Jackie Howe. The streets of Warwick are lined with some of Queensland's finest sandstone buildings.
Follow the road passing vineyards and orchards yielding stonefruit, peaches, apricots, apples and berries, south to Stanthorpe, the heart of The Granite Belt region. Boasting more than 45 wineries it has earned the right to be acknowledged as Queensland's wine capital.
Check in at a gorgeous Bed & Breakfast tucked away from the rest of the world. Dine on produce grown locally at one of the restaurants -absolutely mouth watering! Then sit back as the temperature falls and the flames of the fire dance in the grate - this is a place for cuddling.
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