Picnic Point Toowoomba: Lookout, Walks, Playgrounds and Parking

Picnic Point Toowoomba is a free clifftop parkland on the edge of the Great Dividing Range, with long views east over the Lockyer Valley, a waterfall, playgrounds, BBQs and bush walks along the escarpment. It is the lookout most people mean when they say “Picnic Point” in Toowoomba, and it is a short drive from the city centre.

The parkland is a collection of connected spaces, not one small lookout: the main lookout, a picnic square with a shaded playground, Lions Park, Heller Street Park and a stretch of bushland with walking tracks. Most families spend an hour or two, and you can easily make a half day of it.

The Picnic Point lookout and views

The main Picnic Point Lookout sits at the highest point of the parkland. A curved retaining wall works as a promenade, and there is seating, a shelter and a directional plaque on a stone plinth, with lawns and gardens around it.

The view looks east over the Lockyer Valley, and on a clear day Table Top Mountain stands out in the distance. It is at its best early, when the sun comes up over the valley.

There are two other designated lookouts in the parkland: Tobruk Memorial Drive Lookout and the lookout at Lions Park. Bob Dodd Lookout is on the Tobruk Walking Circuit.

The waterfall, gardens and flagpole

Below the lookout there is a waterfall and garden area with a lawn and a gazebo, which is also used for weddings. Couples have left padlocks on the railing at the top of the waterfall.

In Picnic Point Square, opposite the Heller Street Park toilets, you will find the Q150 flagpole, a gazebo and a children’s playground shaded by large trees.

Playgrounds, BBQs and picnics

There are several playgrounds across the parkland for younger and older children. The shaded one in Picnic Point Square is the easiest to reach from the main car parks. Lions Park has climbing structures and a practice tennis wall.

For a barbecue, head to Heller Street Park, which has gas BBQs, gazebos, picnic tables, a car park and toilets.

At Lions Park, Happy Harry train rides run on Sundays from midday to 3 pm in the warmer months, weather permitting, for a gold coin donation to the Lions Club.

Food and drink

There is a cafe and function centre beside the main lookout, Picnic Point Cafe. Check that it is open before you go, and bring water and snacks if you are not sure.

Walks at Picnic Point

Bushland tracks run down the escarpment from the parkland. All are Grade 3 bushwalking except the Bridle Trail, and any walk that drops down the range means a climb back up.

Walk	Length	Time	Notes
Lions Walk	167 m one way	5 minutes	Short loop from Lions Park
Rainforest Gully Walking Circuit	671 m loop	10 minutes	Rainforest gully
Tobruk Walking Circuit	1.5 km loop	30 minutes	Includes the Rainforest Gully and Bob Dodd Lookout
Fantail Walk	900 m one way	35 minutes	Part bitumen with stairs, 80 m drop, uphill on the way back
Quail Walk	1.4 km one way	40 minutes	Downhill, can return via Firetail Walk
Pardalote Walk	1.85 km one way	45 minutes	Along the escarpment edge
Firetail Walk	2.1 km one way	45 minutes	160 m drop from Lions Park, uphill on the way back
Picnic Point Circuit	6.4 km loop	1 hour 40 minutes	Challenging, about 160 m change in height

The Picnic Point Bridle Trail (1.6 km one way, about 20 minutes) is shared by walkers, mountain bikers and horse riders. For what to carry on a longer walk, see our guide to hiking in South East Queensland.

A short history

Toowoomba set aside the first 38 acres here in 1886 and named it Picnic Point. A kiosk opened in 1921 and the lookout platform followed, and the place is now on the Queensland Heritage Register.

Is Picnic Point dog friendly?

Yes, on a leash. Picnic Point is not one of Toowoomba Regional Council’s dog off-leash areas, and council requires dogs to be on a leash everywhere outside those areas.

Planning your visit

• How long: 30 to 60 minutes for the lookout and a play; 2 to 3 hours with a bush walk and lunch.
• Best time: early morning for the sunrise view over the valley; Sundays for the train rides in the warmer months.
• Cost: no entry fee is listed. The train donation is extra.
• What to bring: water, a hat, sunscreen and sturdy shoes if you are walking down the range.
• Accessibility: Tobruk Memorial Lookout has disability parking and 10-minute parking next to the lookout. Council lists no other accessibility details.
• Toilets: at Heller Street Park, opposite Picnic Point Square.

Getting there and parking

Picnic Point is at 168-200 Tourist Road on the eastern edge of Toowoomba, about 125 km by road from the Brisbane CBD, about 110 minutes by car. From Queens Park it is about 10 minutes by car.

There are several car parks around the ring road at the east end of Tourist Road, plus designated car parks at Lions Park on Tourist Road, at Heller Street Park off Heller Street and along Tobruk Memorial Drive, where there is 10-minute parking beside the lookout. A car park at the east end of South Street gives access to the southern trails.

No bus route to Picnic Point is listed. Check the Translink Journey Planner or call 13 12 30. More detail on the reserve is on the council’s Picnic Point Bushland Reserve page.

Nearby

• Queens Park Toowoomba – botanic gardens and playgrounds, about 10 minutes away by car.
• Laurel Bank Park – another of Toowoomba’s garden parks.
• Bunya Mountains National Park – rainforest walks and wallabies, about 1 hour 45 minutes by car from Picnic Point.
• Mt Coot-tha Lookout – Brisbane’s free city view, if you want to compare skylines.
• Mount Gravatt Lookout – a summit lookout with a cafe, closer to Brisbane.

Browse more lookouts, nature walks and things to do in Toowoomba.

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