Toowoomba (also referred to by locals as "Woombie" or "T-ba") is a regional centre in the Australian state of Queensland.
Understand
It's 130 km west of Brisbane on the escarpment of the Great Dividing Range; travel time is approximately 90 minutes by road. After Canberra, Toowoomba is the second largest inland city in Australia.
Get in
By plane
- 1 Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport (formerly Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport; WTB IATA) (is located 17km west of Toowoomba). Despite its former name the airport is 130 km from Brisbane and is not a practical alternative to Brisbane Airport (BNE IATA).
There are few passenger flights operating from the airport. Services include:
- QantasLink operates direct services to Sydney. There are 2 flights on weekdays and 1 flight a day on weekends.
- Regional Express (REX) operate services from Brisbane to Toowoomba and onwards to the rural towns of St George, Cunnamulla, Thargomindah, Charleville, Quilpie, Windorah, Birdsville, Bedourie, Boulia and Mount Isa.
Airport transportation
- Car Hire companies are represented at the airport. Given this is not a major airport it may be advisable to reserve a vehicle in advance.
- Taxis are available from the airport into Toowoomba City however considering the considerable distance from the CBD, commuters should expect at least a $50 fare.
- No public transport services exist for the airport.
By train
Toowoomba does not have frequent rail services. Queensland Rail's Westlander service passes through the city twice a week on its journey between Brisbane and Charleville. Travel time by train between Brisbane and Toowoomba is approximately 3.5 hours, making the train journey substantially longer than the 90 minute trip by car or bus.
- The westbound service departs Brisbane at 7:15PM on Tuesday and Thursdays, travelling through the night to arrive in Toowoomba at 11PM.
- The eastbound service departs Toowoomba at 7AM on Thursday and Saturday, arriving in Brisbane at 11:30AM.
The east bound service descends down the Toowoomba Range in the early morning, offering excellent views of the rugged landscape.
- 2 Toowoomba railway station, Railway St.
By car
- You can drive to Toowoomba via one of the three highways that run through the city: the A2 Warrego Highway from the east and west, or the A3 New England Highway from the north or south, also the A39 Gore Highway from the south west.
By bus
Regular bus services are available between Toowoomba and Brisbane and Toowoomba and towns to the west.
- Greyhound Australia operate frequent services between Toowoomba and Brisbane with some services connecting to Brisbane Airport. Greyhound also operate less frequent services between Brisbane and Roma via Toowoomba and have a service between Toowoomba and Sydney that travels via an inland route.
- Murrays Coaches operate services between Brisbane and Toowoomba and onwards to the small town of Miles, west of Toowoomba. Some services connect through to Brisbane Airport.
- Bus Queensland operate services under Government contract that travel between Brisbane and Charleville and Brisbane and Mt Isa via Toowoomba.
Get around
- There are two taxi companies operating in Greater Toowoomba: Garden City Cabs and Yellow Cabs. Both companies have very reasonable metered fares compared to capital cities.
- Silver Service is a lesser-used taxi service that offers fully qualified drivers and is often regarded as a pricier but better service.
- A limited bus service operates in Toowoomba, with 6 bus routes covering the city. For the most part frequencies are hourly, increasing slightly for the AM and PM peak period. On Saturdays some routes are less frequent and others do not operate. No routes operate on Sundays. Information on timetabling and fares is available from the Queensland Government website.
See
- Picnic Point, a beautiful outlook on the edge of 'The Range'.
- Spring Bluff Railway Station, a former railway station with excellent gardens and picnic areas.
- Queens Park and Botanical Gardens
- Cobb and Co Museum
- 'Ja Raku En' The University of Southern Queensland's Japanese Garden
- Milne Bay Military Museum
- Toowoomba Railway Station Building
- Crows Nest National Park
Do
- There is a tourist drive around the City, there are distinctive signs that mark this route.
- Empire Theatre, 54-56 Neil St, toll-free: 1300 655 299. Established in 1911, watch a show at the heritage-listed threatre. The seating capacity is 1,565.
- Visit the Sunday Markets at the Toowoomba PCYC
Festivals
The Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers is hosted by the city in late September each year. Commencing in 1949 the Carnival capitalises on the city's reputation of being the 'Garden City'. While there are many events that make up the carnival period, Toowoomba is known for its annual garden competition and the carnivals street parade.
Buy
- Toowoomba has a very spread out and lively city centre, brimming with small shops and cafes. There are also many shopping centres littered through the suburbs, two notable ones being Grand Central in the City and Clifford Gardens in Newtown.
- The Linen Chest, 211 Margaret Street, Toowoomba, ☏ 61 7 4638 4931. 9AM - 5PM. A large range of stunning womens wear and accessories by Australian and International designers. Includes Mother of the Bride, Racewear, Party wear and a great selection of formal and informal designer wear
- 1 Clifford Gardens, Corner James Street and Anzac Avenue, ☏ 61 7 4634 1371. Clifford Gardens is one of two major shopping centres in Toowoomba
- 2 Grand Central, Corner of Margaret and Dent Street. Grand Central is Toowoomba's main shopping centre and features higher end stores.
Eat
- Sss Bbq Barns. Steakhouse with great atmosphere, food and service
- Angel Cafe. A local cafe with fantastic meals on South Street.
Drink
- Due to Toowoomba's large student population, there are a number of clubs and nightclubs in the city centre itself, they are mostly in the eastern half of the CBD area.
- Preston Peak Wines, 31 Preston Peak Lane (ten minutes south of Toowoomba on the New England Highway), ☏ 61 7 46309499. W-Su 10AM-5PM. Great views, with a simple menu designed to complement their wines.
- Spotted Cow, North end of Ruthven St. A pub with a huge selection of local and imported beers and wines. Staff knowledgeable to assist even the most amateur drinker
Sleep
Toowoomba has a large number of hotels and motels due to its strategic location on the crossroads of 3 major highways. You will see these as you drive through the city.