Spring Bluff: Station Gardens, Spring Flowers, Picnics and Parking

Spring Bluff is a heritage railway station and garden on the range north of Toowoomba, free to visit every day, and famous for its spring flower display. It has picnic areas, barbecues, a playground and a short loop walk around the station.

Most people come in September for the poppies, snapdragons and other spring beds, but the gardens and picnic spots are open all year, so a visit to Spring Bluff works as a quiet half-day outside Toowoomba the rest of the time too.

The Spring Bluff station gardens

The old Spring Bluff Railway Station is heritage listed and has over 150 years of railway history behind it. The station closed in August 1992. Today it is kept up by a trust of Toowoomba Regional Council, Lockyer Valley Regional Council and Queensland Rail, and the landscaped gardens around it are free to walk through from dawn to dusk.

The springtime display includes poppies, ranunculus, stocks, snapdragons and petunias. It is part of the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers, when the gardens are at their best.

The main garden area has steep grassy slopes and steps, so it is not fully accessible. If you are visiting with a pram or a wheelchair, expect some effort. The park’s only accessible toilet is on the rail platform, reached by a gravel path.

A little history behind the name

The locality takes its name from the station. In 1890 the name Spring Bluff was chosen for the spring water and sandstone bluff in the area. The station was built in the 1860s as a stop for trains climbing from Brisbane to Toowoomba, and floods in early 2011 closed it for several months of repairs.

Few people live here: the 2016 census counted just 6 residents. That is part of the appeal. Apart from the Carnival weeks, the gardens are a quiet stop on a day out from Toowoomba or Highfields.

Picnics, BBQs and the playground

The park has picnic tables, picnic shelters, park benches, toilets and both wood and bottled gas barbecues. There is also a playground and a barbecue area with seating, so it suits a family lunch. Bring your own food and drinks: the Spring Bluff Cafe is currently closed.

Walks at Spring Bluff

The Spring Bluff Walking Circuit is a 545 m loop that starts at the picnic area. It takes about 20 minutes and is rated Grade 3. Stay on the formed track.

For longer walks and bush scenery on the same range, see Ravensbourne National Park and the lookouts along the Toowoomba Range.

Is Spring Bluff dog friendly?

Toowoomba Regional Council says dogs must be kept on a leash at Spring Bluff Park. During the Carnival of Flowers the gardens are marked as no pets, so leave your dog at home in September.

Planning your visit

• How long: 1 to 2 hours for the gardens, a picnic and the loop walk.
• Best time: September for the flowers. The Carnival gets busy, so go early.
• Cost: free.
• What to bring: food and water (the cafe is closed), sunscreen, a hat and shoes with grip for the grassy slopes.
• Accessibility: steep grassy slopes and steps in the main garden; the accessible toilet is on the rail platform via a gravel path.

Getting there and parking

Spring Bluff is about 15 km north of Toowoomba. From the New England Highway, head towards Highfields, turn right onto Murphys Creek Road and follow it for about 10 km, then turn left onto McCormack Drive and climb about 600 m to the station. The address is 59 McCormack Drive, Spring Bluff. The drive from Toowoomba is about 20 minutes, and from the Brisbane CBD about 2 hours (about 134 km by road). The road up is steep and Toowoomba Region says it is not suitable for caravans.

There is parking at the station entrance.

There is no regular public transport. During the Carnival of Flowers, Queensland Rail runs a scenic shuttle train from Toowoomba Railway Station, so check Queensland Rail for that year’s dates and tickets.

More detail is on the Toowoomba Region Spring Bluff page and the Carnival of Flowers Spring Bluff page. Details can change, so check before you go.

Nearby

• Spring Bluff Railway Station – the heritage station itself and its history.
• Queens Park, Toowoomba – the city’s botanic gardens and playgrounds.
• Laurel Bank Park – a scented garden and playground in Toowoomba.
• Picnic Point, Toowoomba – a lookout and walks on the edge of the range.
• Lake Perseverance – another green stop in the Toowoomba region.

Browse more public gardens or everything in Toowoomba.

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