Goombungee Jacaranda Day returns after hiatus
Goombungee Jacaranda Day returned in full force in 2024, as more than 5000 people descended upon the Toowoomba region town, and more are expected to visit in the coming weeks. See all the photos here.
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Almost every year for the past 30 years, the population of a small township in the Toowoomba region swells to six times its normal size, as visitors flock to the town’s iconic Jacaranda Day.
Goombungee’s population rests at just over 1000 people, but on their annual Jacaranda Day at the weekend, the town welcomed more than 5400 people, according to Rosalie Shire Historical Society president, Denise Iseppi.
What makes Goombungee special is a median strip on the town’s main street, lined with Jacaranda trees, which by early November means the road is carpeted in purple.
On November 2, the Rosalie Shire Historical Society hosted their 30th annual Jacaranda Day, which Ms Iseppi said was an explosion of action with the iconic parade, performances, exhibitions, art, markets, food and more.
She said the Jacaranda festival was one of many festivals which filled the social and cultural agenda of the town.
“We have lots of little celebrations in town, they’re all exceptionally important to our community,” Ms Iseppi said.
However, while the trees bloomed for free, she said this year’s festival could only have gone ahead with the help of funding and volunteers.
Most residents will remember Jacaranda Day was cancelled less than two weeks out in 2023, but Ms Iseppi said this year organisations and volunteers rallied so the event could go ahead in all its glory.
“I have to thank the wonderful volunteers who stepped up to the mark this year,” she said.
Ms Iseppi, who has lived in Goombungee for close to 40 years, became emotional when talking about the importance of Jacaranda Day.
“To me personally, it’s just lovely to see this tradition continue on,” she said.
For her, the highlight is the parade, but Jacaranda Day is really just a day for the “community to come together to enjoy the day under the jacarandas and silky oaks.”
“For a little country town, it’s quite amazing.”
She said they were expecting higher-than-normal tourist numbers in the coming weeks as the jacarandas stood in bloom.
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Originally published as Goombungee Jacaranda Day returns after hiatus
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