Carnival of Flowers Toowoomba

On the weekend, I battled the hideous roadwork & headed up the Range to Toowoomba to visit the Fam.  It also happened to be Carnival of Flowers weekend.

The Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers started in 1949 and is amazing.

The brainchild of Essex Tait and the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce, Carnival was introduced as a way for the city to use their “Garden City” reputation to promote increased economic activity following the recent hardships of war.

On October 21, 1950 the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers commenced with a street procession that stretched three miles in length. Led by a bullock team and watched by a crowd estimated to be 50,000 strong, the Parade was a resounding success. The Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers subsequently became firmly cemented as an annual event in the region’s community calendar.

 

TAKEN FROM THE WEBSITE:www.tcof.com.au/history/2-history-of-the-iconic-queensland-event-toowoomba-carnival-of-flowers 

 

 

 If you have never done a trip to Toowoomba (or Woomby as I call it) I highly recommend it.
In saying that, I would NOT recommend going in Winter. It is bullshit FREEZING cold with yucky sleet & wind.
However, in Spring it is incredible. Toowoomba is known as The Garden City and certainly lives up to its name.  The city is filled with a gazillion parks filled with every flower and plant you can think of with so much colour your eyes nearly explode!
 

THERE ARE EVEN NUDE BUM STATUES!

 

 

Mummsy, my brother, sister in-law & my 1 year old nephew decided to go to one of the parks called Laurel Bank and have a picnic.   Incredibly, we were able to find a glorious spot in the shade away from the crowds.  After a yummy feed of roast chook on a roll we had a wander around.

 

 

 

Laurel Bank Park the park is home to the tranquil Scented Gardens. This unique 'garden within a garden' was created by Toowoomba City Council and the Rotary Club of Toowoomba East from ideas presented by the Downs Association of the Blind, and occupies approximately 0.5 hectare of the park's 4.5 hectare area.

Fragrant blooms, herbs and shrubs grow in raised beds, inviting visitors to take in the subtle perfumes as they walk by, or sit and absorb the atmosphere.

I'M NOT SURE WHO RON IS,  BUT HE LIKES WRAPPING HOSES AROUND HIMSELF...

 

To say that it was a beautiful day would be an understatement!  The gardens were simply incredible and as Mummsy & I ambled around we couldn't help but Ooooh & Arrrr at the stunning floral displays.

A swing band playing the best of Glen Miller just added to the atmosphere.

I'm afraid my garden of geraniums (poor man's orchids) is a very poor example of horticulture in comparison!! LOL

 

The best part of the day was chasing after my cheeky monkey nephew Bronson who just LOVES to run and climb and touch things.  My brother reckons it's like living with a stoner flat mate.

All he does is eat and point at things & laugh!

He is such a good boy and he had a ball running around and sticking his hand in his Mum's cup of ginger beer while scoffing down a huge pear.

MY NEPHEW - BRONSON

So if you are looking for something to do in the next couple of months you should pop on up to Toowoomba. It's about a 2 hour drive from Brissy.  The road works are pretty shit but once you get up there it is great.

I will also add that the vintage shopping is FAN-FRICKING-TASTIC!

Not so much for clothing but for household stuff.  O-M-G.

I got 1950s shadow box, curtain drop & table cloth for the ridiculous price of $12 total!

 

 

 

I've instructed Mummsy that we should have a picnic in a new park every time we come to visit & then go for a noice stroll around. 

(except in the terrible Toowoomba winter when only the truly mental go outside).

 

There is something about lying under a tree on a picnic blankey surrounded by flowers that is very good for the soul I think. :)

 

 

 

 

xoxoxoxoxoxo