Colour Explosion

24.9.25 

Return to Toowoomba's sensational public gardens. 

Yes, my camera was endlessly clicking and deletions have been few. It had been several years since my last visit. The gardens previously were lovely but suffering from dry winters. This year has seen endless downfalls and on a perfect. sunny mild day, the Hungry Hikers and all visitors, delighted in the massed colours.

One would have to travel long distances south to find spring colour to beat that created by Toowoomba's council and gardeners. Its elevation, mild climate, rich volcanic soil and high rainfall, create ideal conditions for the gardens to thrive. 

We haven't had rain for 6 weeks and my poor attempt at a spring garden is suffering badly.

Entrance to Queens Park Garden.

The gardens from a temporarily erected viewing platform.

Laurel Bank Gardens

Numerous private gardens were open for the public to visit. Below is a collage of a 'back yard' garden.

96 year old gardener Les, relates that when asked how he is so active for his age, he tells people that at the end of the day he relaxes with a beer. If the Mrs isn't watching, he will sneak a second one. His garden was extensive, colourful and enhanced with soft classical music playing. His energy to maintain it is  impressive!

I do hope you have enjoyed this second visit to the sensational colours of Toowoomba's Carnival of Flowers.

I would love to read your comment.

Bliss Amongst the Flowers

 24 September - Carnival of Flowers, Toowoomba.

It has been 4 years since the Hungry Hikers visited this amazing festival of colour. Even so, I made the decision on leaving home, that I wasn't going to take photos but just enjoy the beauty. On arrival that lasted all of 2 minutes. On a stunningly glorious day of only 22C, and greeted by a dazzling mass of colour at Spring Bluff Station, I just couldn't keep the camera from clicking. This post is of the Hungry Hikers enjoying the day.

First sight.

And the colour explosion begins.

This year the HH'ers have set a goal of 10 km plus to be walked each week. We knew we would be pushed to cover that distance today, so when we saw a 500m circuit we hit the trail.

A dance or two added a few more steps.

Coming off trail a small waterfall and a bed of clivias greeted us.

It had been a 6 am start so it was time now for a cuppa amongst the beauty. This week I was the provider. I brought a few flowers from my garden.

During the carnival, a train brings festival goers in Toowoomba, down the mountain to Spring Bluff Station to picnic and enjoy the colour, before returning back to the top. We were almost through our cuppa when the blast of the engines horn alerted us to its imment arrival.

Leanne quickly found a viewing spot.

Next destination - The Museum of Toowoomba, where we took a Penny Farthing bike ride, [well perhaps not] and viewed the 40 floral hanging baskets entered by children's groups.

We crossed the road opposite the museum to enter the spectacular colour palletes of Queen's Park.

Laurel Bank Park was also filled with colour.

Blogger has made a mess of uploading my photos. Doubles and triples and out of sequence.

Two private open gardens were viewed next.  This was the first private garden we visited. Les, 96 and 4 months has lovingly tended it for 40 years. More about this garden in my next post.

Second private garden. This one had this lovely small courtyard to relax in.

We unfortunately had a deadline to be back in Brisbane at 4 pm. At 1pm we drove to Picnic Point for our lunch whilst enjoying  the view along the Brisbane Valley. A quick look at the flower beds here and a purchase of an ice-cream, then saw us headed home to the noisy busy city and for me a traffic jam.

My own tiny bed of colourful sweet peas, restored my joy of our wonderful day in Toowoomba.

Life is incredibly hectic at present. This week I haven't been able to respond to your comments, but thank you.

I would love to read your comments.