For ten glorious days in October, the garden city of Toowoomba plays host to a Carnival of Flowers. Australia’s most populated inland city is nestled high in the woodlands, along the crest of the Great Dividing Mountain Range. Boasting more than 150 parks and gardens, Toowoomba enjoys four distinct seasons, rich deposits of volcanic soil, and an altitude suitable for growing an endless variety of trees and flowers.
During the carnival, the city bursts into life with visitors from near and far as they enjoy the Grand Parade of floral floats, marching brass and pipe bands, and street performances. Everyone enters enthusiastically into the various garden competitions. The carnival agenda always culminates with a visit to Queens Park, to enjoy and photograph breathtaking displays of floral designs, set out in a riot of shapes and colours.
A not-to-be-missed visit to Picnic Point and the University of Southern Queensland’s Japanese Garden will further enhance each visit. The carnival’s floral and garden design classes, the accompanying wine and locally grown food festival, superb restaurants and cafes, and concerts galore, all add to Toowoomba’s unique celebration of nature, in all her glory.
I can’t help myself. So many of your place names are so unfamiliar and (let us be frank here) so amusing to me. I’ll never forget the first time I heard “Woop Woop.” Toowoomba is right up there!
But the flowers are glorious, and if I were there, of course I’d go visit to see the wonders. I did grow up near a little town in Iowa called Pella. It’s a Dutch town, and they have a tulip festival every year that’s truly splendid. There’s something about masses of flowers that simply makes the heart glad. Thanks for sharing these.
Yes, Toowoomba is right up there. So many Australian places use the original Aboriginal names, and in this case – Toowoomba means ‘near the swamp.’ There certainly isn’t a swamp in sight today, but once upon a time there may have been.
Hi Mary. Your post just came through on my reader although it appeared to have been published three days ago. This is a beautifully written article on the Towoomba Flower Carnival with lovely photos too. I remember attending it when I visited Towoomba. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you very much for sharing, Mary. 🙂 All the best for your week. Love, Iris.
Thank you, Iris, for visiting. I did experience some difficulty with the WordPress software and I had to trash a post. Everything is fine now. I was delighted to learn you had visited the Carnival of Flowers once. It is a glorious event. I just love it!
This must be such a wonderful event. Lovely.
We wait for the carnival of Flowers every year. I never tire of making the visit to Toowoomba, to luxuriate in its floral beauty. It gives everyone such a lift!
Mary, the glory of creation is strongly evident in this parade of flowers. I especially like the curving border in the third picture.
Blessings ~ Wendy ❀
Thank you, Wendy, for leaving your comment. Flowers do uplift the soul.
I have wonderful memories of taking my mother there one year. But isn’t it in September, or have they changed the dates? Love the photos – you are one talented photographer.
Thanks, Margie, for leaving your comment. Yes, the end of September is correct for the carnival. We visited during the weekend it had just finished, which was in early October.
Mary, the way you have written this post is absolutely delightful, your descriptions so pretty they could be found in a tour book. These flowers I honestly just wanted to nestle right into with camera in hand, spending glorious hours among these bright blooms. What a sight of Pure Joy you gave to me, and for this Gift I am so thankful for. In a season where I live where all the flowers are getting ready for cold winter months to see blooms so bright and alive warmed my Heart. Bless you for touching me with your gentle Beauty today. (((HUGS))) Amy
Thank you, Amy, for leaving this lovely comment. I’m looking forward to visiting your blog again when you have everything up and running once more. It will happen soon, so hang in there.
Mary, I haven’t been down. I have had my blog running. I have a new laptop that I am about to launch and use. I could have sworn you were over at Petals the other day. Hmmm…. this is very odd. What made you think Petals wasn’t up and running? (((HUGS))) Amy
Yes, I did read something about your frustration at running the new laptop. I thought that the photos you had lost were still a problem. I’ll keep tuned in.
Mary, I immediately picked up my camera and started collecting as many flower pictures as I could. And I kept posting as well. I never stopped. I’ve been handed many challenges lately yet I refuse to quit. Love, Amy
Right on, Amy.
Dear Mary, How beautiful – thank you. It is so interesting and wonderful to follow the seasons in different places.
Thank you, Ellen, for leaving this lovely comment. The seasons unfold so wonderfully in all places and often contain delightful surprises.