Dog-friendly itineraries and 190,000 blooms ready at the country's most beautiful event
As if petal power was not enough! Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers (TCOF) also features Petals and Pups 2021 – its official dog-friendly program, completely dedicated to hounds and their humans and in salute to Toowoomba's first canine Ambassadog, 'Puppy' the Pomeranian.
In what is shaping up to be the event that all of Queensland needs, TCOF is being celebrated across all 30 days of September, in a welcome extension of the historical 10-day event, allowing more people to spend more time in the floral-filled parks, public spaces and gardens, to taste the flavors of the region and to stay a little longer.
Over 190,000 blooms have been planted across the city's major parks and public spaces to create a spectacular canvas of colour for much needed celebrations in September.
The pawsome Petals and Pups program boasts more than 20 dog-friendly activities and 27 off-leash parks, as well as dog-friendly cafes, restaurants and accommodation recommendations.
Dogs have always been a part of the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers. At the very first Carnival parade in 1950 the Toowoomba Thistle Band's drum major, Mr Hugh Morgan, set the benchmark with his tartan-clad pooch 'Puppy' marching alongside the ensemble. Today a statue commemorating 'Puppy' stands in the iconic Picnic Point parkland which overlooks Toowoomba's scenic panorama of the Great Dividing Range.
Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers' Petals and Pups program:
Cultured Canine Itinerary - if spending a weekend strolling through perfectly manicured gardens, taking in amazing art and indulging in a long lunch (all with your canine companion in tow) appeals, then this is your pawfect pick. The days starts with some laneway love, exploring Toowoomba's fantastic street art scene, before a visit to Picnic Point where a selfie with the famous bronze statue of "Puppy" is a must. From here, it's a lazy lunch, before an off-leash play at Queens Park and then some petal time in the Botanic Gardens.
Pampered Pup Itinerary – a fur-bulous day of Instagrammable indulgence! This begins with a puppyccino (and cappuccino for the human), before some doggie day spa time (a signature cut and blow dry perhaps) followed by some well-behaved dog-friendly local luxe shopping (hello Harolds Finishing Touches) before taking in the blooms at Laurel Bank Park.
Adventure Dog Itinerary – it's barking brilliant for action-packed trailblazers and starts with a hearty breakfast, a bushland adventure at Garnett Lehman Park, a snack (and a great single origin coffee for humans) before free ranging at Dr Alex Horn Park (great for sunsets)!
FULL ITINERARIES, DOG FRIENDLY ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS AND DIRECTIONS AT TCOF.COM.AU
View the dog off leash maps and plan your visit – here
Pet Friendly Places to Eat:
Toowoomba locals will tell you the café scene is worth sticking around for! Plan your day around stopping in for fresh local produce filled eats and master-brewed coffee at some of the region's best dog-friendly cafes.
- Bar Wunder – 424 Ruthven St
- Burrow Café – 117a Bridge St
- Gips Restaurant – 120 Russell St
- Ground Up – 501 Ruthven St
- Home Grown Health – 11 Railway St
- Milk & Honey Espresso – 6 Ann St
- New Brew Café – 102 Taylor St
- Pony Espresso Coffee Bar – 2a Bowen St
- Travellers Coffee House – 189 Hume Street
- The Finch - 469-473 Ruthven St
- Urth Café – 195 Hume Street
- Cafe Valetta – 96 Margaret St, Toowoomba
- Ortem Café & Events – 15 Railway St, Toowoomba
- Parkhouse Café – 92 Margaret St, Toowoomba
- Picnic Point Restaurant – 165 Tourist Rd, Toowoomba
- The Chocolate Cottage – 10475 New England Hwy, Highfields
Travel Essentials
To ensure your pooch day is pawsome make sure you pack a water bottle and bowl, leash and harness, poop bags, familiar food and snacks and a ball or frisbee to chase.
Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers 2021
1 – 30 September 2021
The FULL PROGRAM is LIVE, tickets on sale now at tcof.com.au
Accommodation, day trip and longer stay itineraries are all available.
Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers is supported by the Queensland Government via Tourism and Events Queensland and is a feature on the It's Live! in Queensland events calendar.
Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers – A History
Since its inception in 1949, the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers has flourished and is now an iconic Queensland event. The brainchild of Essex Tait and the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce, Carnival was introduced as a way for the city to use its "Garden City" reputation to promote increased economic activity following the hardships of war. On 21 October 1950, the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers commenced with a street procession that stretched three miles in length. Led by a bullock team and watched by a crowd estimated to be 50,000 strong, it was a resounding success, as it has been ever since.
Awards and Accolades
Gold winner 2019 Queensland Tourism Award for Destination Marketing
State Finalist 2019 Australian Tourism Awards for Destination Marketing
Australian Tourism Hall of Fame Inductee 2018 Major Festivals & Events
Queensland Tourism Hall of Fame Inductee 2017 Major Festivals & Events
Gold winner 2018, 2017, 2016 Australian Tourism Award for Major Festivals & Events
Gold winner 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015 Queensland Tourism Award for Major Festivals & Events
Most Supportive Community Event 2017 Queensland Wine Awards
Event category Winner 2015 Parks & Leisure Australia Awards of Excellence
Gold winner 2014 Queensland Tourism Awards for Festivals and Events
