What’s Happening?
With just over two weeks remaining, Toowoomba Regional Council’s horticultural teams are completing the city’s Carnival garden displays. Crews are putting the final touches on public parks and garden beds before visitors arrive.
Work is underway at Queens Park Botanic Gardens, Laurel Bank Park, Picnic Point and Spring Bluff Railway Station. Newtown Park and colourful garden beds throughout the central business district are also part of the preparations.
Council team members involved in preparing the displays include:
- Gary Arnold – Coordinator, Public Gardens
- Jamie Jensen – Queens Park Supervisor, Horticulture
- Gemma Page – Laurel Bank Park Team Leader
Together, their teams are preparing the public spaces to present the colours of spring across the Garden City.
Why It Matters
Visitors see the gardens at their seasonal best during Carnival, but the work begins months beforehand. Council crews carefully plan, plant and maintain the displays throughout the lead-up.
Gary Arnold said Carnival preparation was among the most rewarding periods of the year.
“People see the finished product during Carnival, but there’s an enormous amount of planning and care involved in getting everything ready,” Mr Arnold said. “Our teams take great pride in creating gardens that residents enjoy year-round and that visitors travel to experience during Carnival.”
Local Impact
The work keeps important public spaces attractive for residents while supporting one of Toowoomba’s major visitor events. During Carnival, a free park-to-park bus will connect Queens Park Botanic Gardens with Laurel Bank Park.
Gemma Page said sharing the gardens with residents and visitors made the preparation worthwhile.
“Carnival is our biggest showcase, but these gardens belong to the community every day of the year,” Ms Page said. “We take enormous pride in creating spaces that people can enjoy, whether they’re visiting for Carnival or simply spending time in our parks.”
By the Numbers
- Thousands of plants are coming together across regional parks and gardens after months of planning and ongoing care.
- The Carnival runs from 18 September to 5 October, giving visitors more than two weeks to see the displays.
- Both tour programs operate five days each week, with different schedules at Queens Park and Laurel Bank Park.
Zoom In
Preparing the displays requires careful timing because flowering schedules can change with temperatures, rainfall and other weather conditions. These factors become particularly important during the final weeks before Carnival.
Jamie Jensen said the living displays required regular monitoring and adjustments.
“You can plan everything down to the finest detail, but these are living displays,” Mr Jensen said. “We’re constantly monitoring conditions and making adjustments to ensure the gardens look their best when Carnival begins.”
Behind the Blooms tours will run at Queens Park Botanic Gardens throughout the entire Carnival. Council gardeners will guide visitors through the gardens from Monday to Friday each week.
At Laurel Bank Park, the popular Twilight Tours will return from Tuesday to Saturday each week. The tours provide another perspective on one of Carnival’s most visited garden destinations.
Zoom Out
The Carnival is Toowoomba’s biggest annual garden showcase, but Council maintains these public spaces throughout the year. The displays reflect the work required to keep the Garden City’s parks ready for residents and visitors.
The Queensland Government supports the 2026 Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers through Tourism and Events Queensland.
What To Look For Next?
Council gardeners will keep monitoring the weather and adjusting the displays as Carnival approaches. Their work will continue until visitors begin arriving on 18 September. Visitors can then join the garden tours and travel between the two main parks using the free bus service.
With spring officially underway and the countdown on, Toowoomba’s gardeners have one message for visitors.
“Get ready, spring is about to burst into colour across the Garden City.”