Your guide to the Carnival of Flowers main events

THE 2013 Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers has started. To help you plan your weekend, here is guide to all the major events.

Toowoomba looks spectacular during the Carnival of Flowers. This year will be no exception. Picture: Kevin Farmer

THE 2013 Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers has started. To help you plan your weekend, here is guide to all the major events.

MAIN EVENTS 

The Chronicle Garden Competition

• Sept 20-29
• 9am-5pm
• Private gardens, Toowoomba and surrounds
• Garden map available for purchase from Visitor Information Centre, 86 James St (Warrego Hwy) from Sept 20
• Entry free
• 1800 331 155/4690 9300

>> TOOWOOMBA'S 'WOW FACTOR'

The Chronicle Exhibition Gardens

• Sept 20-29
• 9am-5pm
• Five private gardens in Toowoomba.
• Brochure with map available from Toowoomba Visitor Information Centre, 86 James St (Warrego Hwy) from Sept 20
• Adults 5 gardens $12; 3 gardens $9; 1 garden $4
• 1800 331 155/4690 9300

Debra Bywater and Stacey Bell sample wine at the Ergon Energy Flower, Food and Wine Festival, Queens Park. Picture: Peter Hackney

Ergon Energy Flower, Food & Wine Festival

• Sept 20-22
• 10am-10pm Friday & Saturday; 10am-9pm Sunday
• Upper Queens Park, cnr Margaret & Lindsay Sts, Toowoomba
• Adults $25 (gate price), concession $20, children $12 (3-15 yrs), under 3 free

Heritage Bank Live Concert Series

• Sept 20-22
• Part of the Ergon Energy Flower, Food & Wine Festival, Upper Queens Park, Margaret & Lindsay Sts, Toowoomba
• Admission included in entry to Ergon Energy Flower, Food & Wine Festival: Adults $25 (gate) (pre-purchase online only), children $12 (3-15 yrs), under 3 free

>> QUEENS PARK TRANSFORMED FOR CARNIVAL

>> SPRING BLUFF READY TO SHINE THIS CARNIVAL

Prize-Winning Gardens Galore Tours

• Sept 20-29
• Tours depart cnr Ruthven & Spring sts, Kearneys Spring at 8.30am, 9.30am, 12.30pm and Toowoomba Visitor Information Centre, 86 James St (Warrego Hwy) at 9am, 10am, 1pm & 5.30pm (depending on tour)
• 4687 5555

Parkland Entertainment

• Sept 20-29
• 11am - 3pm
• Queens Park Gardens (Margaret St), Laurel Bank Park (Herries St), Picnic Point (Tourist Rd)
• Full program: www.tcof.com.au
• Free

Action from sideshow alley during last year's Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers. Picture: Peter Hackney

Sideshow Alley & Fireworks

• Sept 20-22
• Fri 4-10pm, Sat 10am-10pm, Sun 10am-8.30pm; times subject to change
• Fireworks Sept 20 - 8.30pm; Sept 22 - 7.15pm
• Frogs Hollow, Lower Queens Park, cnr Margaret & Hume sts, Toowoomba
• More info: www.tcof.com.au

Free City Circuit Bus

• Sept 20-24
• 9.45am-4.45pm
• Bus departs every 30 minutes (except Sat 21 Sept - first bus departs 2.45pm) from Toowoomba Visitor Information Centre, 86 James St (Warrego Hwy), St Luke's, Gardentown, Grand Central, bus interchange, Queens Park
• 46875555

Garden to Garden Shuttle Bus

• Sept 20-24
• 9am-4pm
• Shuttle bus departs every 30 minutes from Toowoomba Visitor Information Centre, 86 James St (Warrego Hwy)
• Adults $5 (each hop-on) $40 all-day pass
• 4687 5555

Grand Central Floral Parade - Sept 21

• 3pm NEW TIME (duration 90 minutes)
• Toowoomba CBD. Parade route: Herries St, Ruthven St, Chalk Dr, Hume St, Godsall St Oval, Queens Park
• Free

Spring Bluff comes alive for the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers. Picture: Peter Hackney

Steam Train Excursion - Brisbane to Toowoomba (includes coach tour of prize-winning gardens)

• Sat 21 Sept: 6.45am-6.45pm
• Sat 21 Sept: 6.45am-7.15pm
• Sun 22 Sept: 7.20am-7.45pm
• Departs Roma St Railway Station, Brisbane
• Cost ranges from $59 (child) to $350 (family)
• 3252 1759

Steam Train Excursion - Toowoomba to Helidon

• Sat 21 Sept: 1.45pm-4.45pm
• Sun 22 Sept: 3pm-5.30pm
• Departs Toowoomba Railway Station, Railway St
• Adults $30, children $15
• 3252 1759

Free Park and Ride

• Sept 21-22, 9.30am-4.30pm, express 4.30pm-10.30pm
• Kearneys Spring Historical Park, Spring St, Toowoomba
• Free
• 4688 6912/131 872

Carnival Classic Cars

• Sept 21, judging from 11am, winners announced shortly after 2pm
• Godsall Street Oval, Queens Park, cnr Godsall & Hume Sts, Toowoomba
• Free
• 0432 331 496

Carnival of Flowers 2012

VIEW GALLERY

Spring Bluff Rail Excursions (diesel-hauled)

• Sept 22-28
• Trains depart Toowoomba 9am and 1pm each day
• Toowoomba Railway Station, Station St
• Adults $20, children $10 (4-15 years), under 4s not occupying a seat free
• 4631 3381 or buy tickets at the station

Twilight Tours

• Sept 23-25, 6.30pm (1 hour)
• Bring a torch
• Laurel Bank Park, Herries St, Toowoomba
• Adults & children: gold coin donations
• Bookings essential: 131 872

Silver Bullet Luncheon Express

• Brisbane to Toowoomba
• Sept 25, 8.15am-6.40pm
• Departs Roma St Railway Station, Brisbane
• Adults $130, concession $115, children $65 (4 - 15 yrs), under 4 free
• 3252 1759

Toowoomba looks spectacular during the Carnival of Flowers. This year will be no exception. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Pictures in the Park

• Sept 27-28, 6.30pm-8.30pm
• Laurel Bank Park, Herries St, Toowoomba
• Free entry, refreshments available to purchase
• 131 872

Kids' Day Out

• Sept 29, 9am-1pm
• Upper Queens Park, Margaret & Lindsay Sts, Toowoomba
• Free
• 132 872

The information contained in this schedule of events is obtained from sources believed to be accurate. While all reasonable care has been taken to ensure accuracy, The Chronicle will not be liable for any errors or omissions.
Note: Events subject to change; for latest information go to www.tcof.com.au

Originally published as Your guide to the Carnival of Flowers main events