Queens Park Toowoomba is a free, State Heritage-listed park of more than 25 hectares in the middle of Toowoomba, with formal botanic gardens, two playgrounds, BBQs and an off-leash dog area. It is open every day at any time, so you can drop in for a picnic, a walk through the garden beds or a play while you are in town.
The park has been open to the public since the late 1800s. Big shade trees, open lawns and sealed paths make it an easy half day for families, and it is the home of Toowoomba’s spring flower festival, the Carnival of Flowers.
Queens Park Botanic Gardens
The Botanic Gardens are the formal part of the park, at the corner of Campbell and Lindsay Streets. Expect garden beds, statues and fountains, with the Alfred Thomas Memorial, a naval cannon, an Emma Miller memorial plaque and a Wollemi Pine among the plantings. The themed gardens include a rose walk, camellia, cycad, palm, parterre and endemic native gardens.
The beds are planted with seasonal colour. About 50,000 seedlings and bulbs go in each year for the Carnival of Flowers, Toowoomba’s spring flower festival, so the gardens are at their showiest in spring. The Carnival of Flowers runs from mid September to early October, and the 2027 dates are 17 September to 4 October. During the carnival there are live music and food trucks, with a quiet hour from 10 am to 11 am Monday to Thursday when music pauses. The festival’s own site, tcof.com.au, has its program.
Playgrounds at Queens Park
There are two playgrounds. The children’s play area off Margaret Street has equipment for all ages, including a flying fox, a hamster wheel, swings and a seven-metre-high tower with climbing and slides. The all-abilities playground off Lindsay Street has a Liberty swing for wheelchair users, a dome climbing structure, a toddler swing, an accessible rotating platform and musical chimes.
Each has an amenities block with parent and disabled facilities close by, plus barbecues and picnic tables, so either one works as a base for the day. Browse more playgrounds.
Picnics, BBQs and toilets
Barbecues (electric and bottled gas), picnic tables, shelters and seating are at both the Margaret Street and Lindsay Street playgrounds. Public toilets are near the Godsall Street ovals and at Frog’s Hollow beside Margaret Street, and the two playground amenities blocks have parent and disabled facilities.
Sealed walking tracks and bicycle paths run through the park, and the hard-surface paths suit prams and wheelchairs. Away from the gardens the park opens out into large tree canopies and open lawns, with sports ovals on the Godsall Street side, so there is plenty of room for kids to run around. There is also an amphitheatre, and the Godsall Street ovals are popular for summer cricket.
The park is split into three areas: the Botanic Gardens, Vera Lacaze Memorial Park and the greater park area. If you want a quiet spot, the lawns away from the playgrounds are the place to spread a rug.
Is Queens Park Toowoomba dog friendly?
Yes. Leashed dogs are welcome in the park. The unfenced off-leash area is near the Godsall Street entry, with shaded trees, seating, picnic tables, drinking fountains, dog water bowls, bag dispensers and bins. See more dog parks.
History and landmarks
The land was granted in 1871 after an earlier site was swapped, and in 1872 funding was secured to fence it and set up a botanic garden. Edward Way was the first curator, appointed in 1874. Richard Ross Harding, curator from 1883 to 1917, drew up a new plan, opened sections to the public from 1885 and planted the camphor laurel avenue. The whole site is State Heritage-listed.
The Alfred Thomas Memorial, a naval cannon, the Emma Miller memorial plaque and a steamroller are scattered through the park, and there are sports ovals as well.
The Toowoomba Historical Society is based in the former parks superintendent’s house on Lindsay Street, beside the Botanic Gardens.
Planning your visit
- How long: an hour for the gardens, or a half day with a playground and a picnic.
- Best time: spring for the flowers, especially during the Carnival of Flowers (mid September to early October). The park is open at any hour.
- Cost: free.
- What to bring: food, water, a hat and sunscreen.
- Accessibility: hard-surface paths, accessible toilets and a wheelchair swing at the Lindsay Street playground.
Getting there and parking
Queens Park is at 43-73 Lindsay Street, Toowoomba. It is about 125 km by road from the Brisbane CBD, about 110 minutes by car without traffic. Park on the streets around the park: Lindsay, Margaret, Campbell and Godsall Streets.
Local buses are run by Translink. No stop or route for Queens Park is named by council, so check the Translink website or call 13 12 30 for current routes.
More detail is on Toowoomba Regional Council’s Queens Park page. Details can change, so check before you go.
Not to be confused with Queens Park Ipswich, a different park with a nature centre and cafe.
Nearby
- Picnic Point Toowoomba – Toowoomba’s lookout on the edge of the range.
- Laurel Bank Park – another Toowoomba park for a picnic and a wander.
- Bunya Mountains National Park – a bigger day out in the hills.
- Brisbane City Botanic Gardens and Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha – more gardens back in Brisbane.
Browse more public gardens or everything in Toowoomba.
Quick answers
Is Queens Park Toowoomba free?
Yes. Entry to the park and Botanic Gardens is free.
What time does Queens Park Toowoomba open?
It is open every day at any time.
Is there parking at Queens Park Toowoomba?
There is street parking on Lindsay, Margaret, Campbell and Godsall Streets.
Does Queens Park Toowoomba have a playground?
Yes, two: one off Margaret Street with a seven-metre tower, and an all-abilities playground off Lindsay Street.
Can I take my dog to Queens Park Toowoomba?
Yes, on a leash, with an off-leash area near the Godsall Street entry.
Are there toilets and BBQs?
Yes. Toilets, including accessible ones, and electric and gas BBQs are at the playgrounds.
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