Get ready for the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers this weekend

Toowoomba gardeners have put their best petal forward with the region’s biggest multi-week events ready to kick off.

Queens Park floral display. File Picture: Kevin Farmer

Hundreds of thousands of tourists will flock to Toowoomba throughout the next few weeks as businesses and gardeners prepare for the biggest event of the year.

Gardeners across town are pruning, picking and planting their final touches ahead of the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers, kicking off this Friday September 13.

“The flowers are the heroes, the gardens are the heroes,” Southern Queensland Country Tourism CEO Peter Homan said.

“There’s the smells, the colours – the bees are buzzing, the birds are cooing, everything is just feel good.”

More than 150,000 seeds, bulbs and seedlings have been planted by council gardeners across the city, with both major displays at Queens Park and Laurel Bank Park now reaching full bloom.

“It shows the power of the petal,” Councillor James O’Shea said.

“The flowers don’t happen without the gardeners,” Mr O’Shea said.

“If you see a gardener, go up and say to them thank you … it is certainly appreciated.”

Alongside the impressive council garden displays, more than 50 private gardens will open their front gate to visitors from September 20.

“They’re looking quite magnificent despite our challenges over winter,” The Chronicle Garden Competition garden liaison officer Mike Wells said.

“There’s huge dedication, it (preparation) starts straight after the last year’s Carnival finishes.

“They allow people to come through, trample their lawns and view their gardens.

“A large amount of time goes into producing a garden for people to come and see and love.”

In celebration of the 75th anniversary of the competition, some of this year’s entrants have added a special flare to their shrubbery.

“There were many gardeners who have actually created a 75th year display,” Mr Wells said.

“I recommend everyone go and see them – some are quite quirky and fun to look at.”

Accommodation providers across Toowoomba have reported a record number of bookings with limited space remaining.

“We are pretty much booked out Saturday and Friday and Sunday isn’t far behind,” Quest Toowoomba front desk supervisor Kerry Donnelly said.

“There’s very limited availability for the rest of the month really.

“It’s booked out a lot quicker than last year which is good to see,” she added.

“We’re expecting around that 400,000 mark; we think that would be a really great result,” Mr Homan said.

“There’s no stopping this event, it just keeps growing.

“You’ve just gotta get out and about and amongst it.”