A Hive of Activity

 As anyone who has been reading my blog for a while would know, September is the month when our city becomes a hive of activity as thousands of tourists descend on the area to view the spectacular parks and gardens that come into bloom at the beginning of Spring. 

As the Carnival of Flowers normally doesn't start until the last few weeks of September and this year the Council decided to hold it for the whole month, presumably to help the tourism operators who have been affected by the lack of visitors from the lockdown areas recently, my hubby and I decided to view Queens Park to see if the flowers were blooming yet. 

While there are a few plants that haven't flowered as yet most of them are and the park was very busy indeed.

Of course the weather was sunny and warm which helped attract visitors from Brisbane and the surrounds I dare say. You can always spot a tourist and there seemed to be many of them walking through the park and taking photos. 

The Farmers' Market is just across the road and many people were crossing over to check that out too and it was actually quite crowded in the walkways so we didn't stay there long. 

If you do intend to visit Toowoomba during the Carnival I would suggest you allow for a few hours to fully enjoy Queens Park. You can see what events are on in the park by going to the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers website. 

Also during your visit a nice place to grab a coffee is Emerge Cafe which is a social enterprise cafe employing youth who need a helping hand. It is in the street across from the Toowoomba Railway Station.

If it is a nice warm day then walk through the cafe and out the back where there are tables and chairs in the shade and you will be surrounded by the most beautiful bromeliads.....

...and the occasional blue wren etc. that flies in. They broms certainly look a lot healthier than ours do  which were badly hit by the dreadful frost we had towards the end of winter. Check out the opening times on the cafe's Facebook page. 

This week a friend and I are checking out the scones at the Croquet Club at Laurel Bank Park. I believe they are open from 8am to 3pm from Friday to Monday until the 26th September. I love Laurel Bank Park and look forward to viewing the gardens and seeing what the theme is this year. If you can't find a park nearby find Clifford Street between Herries and Hill Streets then turn into Laurel Lane and follow that along until you come to the park and there is nearly always a parking area in that spot depending on what time of day you visit. Of course the earlier the better as lots of busses seem to arrive around 10am or so. 

Enjoy your visit if you do decide to visit. The weather this weekend is supposed to be warm and sunny and hopefully there won't be any of those annoying winds.