Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers

DAY 1

ALBURY – BRISBANE THURSDAY 17TH SEPTEMBER, 2026
Welcome to our tour to Brisbane and the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers. Group to assemble at the Albury Airport at 11.30am for our 12.35pm departure on direct Qantas Flight QF1972 to Brisbane arriving at 2.30pm. We collect our luggage and meet with our local coach operator who takes us on a sightseeing drive through Brisbane and arrive at the Mount Coo-tha Lookout - the highest hill in the city. From here we will be able to see the Glasshouse Mountains and the Lamington National Park before heading to our Brisbane Hotel for the night. D
Accommodation: Hotel Grand Chancellor, Brisbane Ph: (07) 3831 4055

DAY 2

BRISBANE – TOOWOOMBA FRIDAY 18TH SEPTEMBER
We head head inland towards Ipswich this morning to Watercress Creek Olives and Limes. Born from a long farming history with its beginnings as a dairy farm the Pine Mountain property now produce a delightful range of olive products, chutneys and jams which we can sample during the talk, tour and morning tea. Back on board we head to Pohlmans Nursery for a tour of the facility. Step aboard the Gum Tree Valley Express Train to explore this amazing wholesale nursery. Find out how they use cutting-edge technology and industry best-practice to grow consistently high-quality plants. We continue into Gatton for lunch and a wander through the Queensland Transport Museum which is home to a magnificent display of transport vehicles with display cabinets brimming with models, and even a fire engine and crop-dusting plane. Afterwards we make our way to Toowoomba and our accommodation.
Accommodation: Platinum International (3 Nights), Toowoomba Ph: (07) 4634 0400

DAY 3

TOOWOOMBA CARNIVAL OF FLOWERS SATURDAY 19TH SEPTEMBER
Today we explore Toowoomba.  Its “Garden City” image comes from its rich fertile soil, a unique climate and its position on the edge of the Great Dividing Range which presents ideal conditions for growing flowers. Since its inception in the 1950’s, the famous “Carnival of Flowers*” has attracted thousands of visitors to the area to enjoy the colourful gardens, flower shows and exhibitions. First, we look at Queens Park, before making our way to our Gold Reserved Seats for Australia’s most unique Street Parade - the Grand Central Floral Parade. Spectacular floats decorated with live flowers, fitting the chosen theme for the year, plus bands, marching groups and carnival characters. The Parade winds through the city and we enjoy it from our prime viewing location.  There is so much to see and colours to absorb! For lunch we visit Toowoomba's most notable tourist attraction, the Cobb & Co Museum which is part of the Queensland Museum. Wander through the charming National Carriage Collection and discover how the 47 horse-drawn vehicles played an important role in Queensland's development. This afternoon we visit some private gardens that have entered the Carnival of Flowers Open Garden Competition, including the award-winning garden.

DAY 4

EXPLORING THE AREA SUNDAY 20TH SEPTEMBER
This morning, we visit Picnic Point Lookout. Perched on the edge of the Great Dividing Range, we’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the Lockyer Valley and Tabletop Mountain before continuing to the heritage listed Spring Bluff Railway Station. The spring exhibit is absolutely stunning with thousands of visitors each September enjoying the magnificent display with an array of poppies, ranunculus, stock, snapdragons, petunias and many other annuals bursting into colour under the warm sunshine. From here we visit the bustling community of Highfields, just a short distance north of Toowoomba on the New England Highway. We stop at the Village Green – home to various speciality shops and cafes to purchase lunch and look through the various shops. This afternoon we visit the DownsSteam Tourist Railway and Museum for a tour of the facility including a look at the spectacular Dreamtime Journey Coach that was painted by an indigenous inmate of the Westbrook Correctional Centre as part of his prison rehabilitation program. Following a great day of sightseeing we return to our motel.

DAY 5

TOOWOOMBA – BRISBANE MONDAY 21ST SEPTEMBER
Departing Toowoomba this morning we make our way to Brisbane to New Farm for a guided tour through the renovated Brisbane Powerhouse. Discover the history from the late 1920s when the Brisbane Powerhouse supplied electricity for Brisbane’s tramway system, right through to when underground artists, performers and the homeless inhabited the abandoned power station from the 1970s to the early 2000s. The building now holds 1,250 performances and events each year, with a varied program of festivals, visual arts, music, theatre, comedy, dance, film, in-conversation and digital arts. Following our tour, we enjoy lunch at Mary Mae's Bar & Kitchen, located at the powerhouse and overlooking the Brisbane River. From here we make our way to the Brisbane Botanic Gardens. The 17 hectare heritage listed gardens is Queenslands oldest heritage garden which borders the Brisbane River and edge of the city. A guide will take us on a walking tour of the gardens before we ride on The Wheel of Brisbane. This giant Ferris wheel provides a unique and fun way to see the city from above, allowing us to soak up the stunning 360-degree views of the city.
Accommodation: View Brisbane (3 Nights), Brisbane Ph: (07) 3862 1800

DAY 6

BRISBANE TUESDAY 22ND SEPTEMBER
We kick off our day with a sightseeing tour of Brisbane. With a sub-tropical climate, gardens, parks and an ever-changing contemporary skyline, Brisbane is a great place to escape to. Late morning we join River City Cruises for a cruise on the Brisbane River including morning tea. Sit back and relax as our captain gives informative commentary while cruising past Brisbane’s most iconic sights including the Kangaroo Point Cliffs, City Centre and Story Bridge. Lunch today is at Breakfast Creek Hotel before visiting Newstead House. Once the finest home in the colony of Moreton Bay, boasting a reputation for hosting lavish parties, it was considered the heart of Brisbane’s social scene. Built in 1846, it is now Brisbane’s oldest standing European residence and tells the story of early colonial life in Brisbane. After a great day, we return to our hotel with time to relax before dinner.  

DAY 7

THE SCENIC RIM WEDNESDAY 23RD SEPTEMBER
For our final day on tour, we are in for a treat as we explore the Scenic Rim, set in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range and surrounded by World Heritage Listed National Parks. Our first stop is at Towri Sheep Cheese. Entertained with a sheep-milking demonstration, we’ll also partake in a cheese tasting spread and earn the difference between sheep, cow and goat cheese!  Summer Land Camel Farm is our next interesting attraction where we learn about the history of camels in Australia and the powerful immune proteins contained in camel milk. Our tour takes in the interesting farming operations, a ‘camel meet’ and lunch. The Scenic Rim is also home to many fruit and vegetable crops and as we tour through the region we will see fields full of colourful produce such as carrots, onions, beans, corn, beetroot, potatoes and more.  We return to Brisbane after a fantastic day.  

DAY 8

BRISBANE – ALBURY THURSDAY 24TH SEPTEMBER
After breakfast we complete our checkout formalities and transfer to the Brisbane Airport for our Qantas Flight QF1971 departing 9.50am arriving Albury 11.55am with wonderful memories of splendid colour and stories.

TOUR COST

$4675.00 Per Person Twin / Double Share
$5500.00 Single Supplement

INCLUDES

Economy Class Airfares Qantas Flight Albury—Brisbane and return
Coach travel for duration of tour
Accommodation on basis as booked
Meals as indicated on itinerary
Entrances to attractions and cruise as per itinerary
Goods & Services Tax

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner