Head east of Brisbane and up the Great Dividing Range to find Toowoomba, a charming inland city in the Darling Downs region of Queensland. Nicknamed the ‘Garden City,’ Toowoomba is home to beautiful parks, vibrant city streets and strong sense of community.
Whether you're here to study at school, university or TAFE, the Toowoomba region has all the facilities and country charm you could hope for. It's no wonder this thriving city is an ideal destination for students and visitors alike.
Where is Toowoomba?
Toowoomba is the beating heart of the stunning Darling Downs region, about an hour-and-a-half’s drive west of Brisbane. Perched on the edge of the Great Dividing Range, Queensland’s largest inland city has stunning views of the Lockyer Valley, one of the state’s primary agricultural production regions, and a picturesque setting that combines the best of both city and country life. With a temperate climate, Toowoomba experiences mild summers and chilly winters, which makes it a comfortable place to live and study year-round.
Getting to Toowoomba is easy. The city is well-connected by major highways, including the Warrego Highway, which links Toowoomba to Brisbane and the east coast. The drive from Brisbane to Toowoomba takes about 90 minutes, and is a scenic route through the hinterland.
For those who prefer to travel by air, the Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport has regular domestic flights to Sydney and other regional areas of Queensland. The airport is just 25 minutes from the city centre, making it easily accessible for both residents and visitors.
Public transport within Toowoomba isn’t as vast as Brisbane, but you will be able to get around the city and surrounding suburbs thanks to the extensive network of buses. Taxis and rideshare services like Uber are also available.
Come to Toowoomba and you’ll be spoilt with numerous nature trails, historic churches, a fantastic coffee culture and street art, as well as endless opportunities to uncover Toowoomba’s history.
Study in Toowoomba
You can live and study in Toowoomba very easily thanks to a few different educational facilities. International students often come to the Garden City to study at the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ), which is the region’s largest higher education provider. UniSQ has a wide variety of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines, including engineering, health, education, the arts and more.
In addition to UniSQ, there’s a TAFE Queensland campus in Toowoomba that delivers vocational education and training in multiple fields. TAFE Queensland takes a more hands-on approach to learning in order to equip students with the skills needed to have a long and fulfilling career in the real world.
Local and international students can also take advantage of Toowoomba’s wide selection of primary and secondary schools, both public and private, that provide a strong educational foundation for younger students. Many of these schools are renowned for their high academic standards and wide range of extracurricular activities.
Studying in Toowoomba gives students a chance to experience academic excellence and a high quality of life. The city’s educational institutions offer support services like academic assistance and career counselling, as well as social activities so international students can easily transition into their new, welcoming community.
What to do in Toowoomba
Toowoomba is a city filled with plenty of exciting activities and things to do. So whether you are interested in getting outdoors and seeing natural wonders, or visiting different places for cultural experiences, there's always something to explore in the Garden City.
Must-see sights
Toowoomba has lots of must-see sights that act as a key meeting place for locals. Picnic Point at the top of the hill is a hugely popular spot, with stunning views of the Toowoomba Range and Lockyer Valley, walking trails and picnic areas. Beyond Toowoomba’s city streets and within the UniSQ grounds you’ll also find the Ja Raku En Japanese Garden, one of the largest and most traditionally designed Japanese gardens in Australia. It’s a place to escape to and enjoy the meticulously landscaped grounds.
Outdoor activities
Outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty to love about Toowoomba. You can hike Table Top Mountain during the day, giving you panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. The Garden City’s numerous parks and gardens, such as Queens Park and Laurel Bank Park, are perfect settings for walking, jogging or just relaxing.
Events and festivals
With the largest regional centre in the Darling Downs, the Garden City is known for its exciting events and annual festivals. The annual Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers is a big highlight on many people’s calendars, featuring stunning floral displays, parades and a variety of entertainment around the city. Other popular events include a street art festival, the Toowoomba Royal Show, the Toowoomba Marathon and the Festival of Food and Wine, which is part of the broader Carnival of Flowers offering.
Eat and drink
As a multicultural city, Toowoomba has a wide selection of diverse food and drink options. From cosy cafés to fine dining restaurants, there’s something to suit every palate. The city’s laneways and heritage buildings house trendy eateries, while local markets on weekends have fresh produce and artisanal goods.
Living in Toowoomba
Living in the Toowoomba region gives you all the laid-back country charm of a regional town, but plenty of fantastic amenities and educational facilities as well. With beautiful parks and a rich history, Toowoomba offers a high quality of life with a lower cost of living compared to Brisbane. Plus there are so many ways to spend your weekends, whether that’s outside at the City Golf Club or exploring the National Carriage Collection at the nearby Cobb+Co Museum.
The Garden City’s excellent healthcare and education facilities make it a great place to live, work and study. So if you’re looking for a city that has a friendly atmosphere and plenty of opportunities to thrive, Toowoomba should be top of your list.