Private oases that are open to the public have been at the heart of Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers for 50 years.
Celebrating a half century of exhibition gardens this year are 5 fabulous home gardens, including the pride and joy of Cheryl and Ian Feeney.
The couple will show off their beautiful 2-acre garden of sprawling lawns, tall timbers, a productive orchard of more than 17 trees and magnificent spring colour, including vibrant magnolias.
Individual entry to each garden costs just $5 – with money raised going to worthy local charities.
The Feeneys are donating their proceeds to Base Services, a fabulous not-for-profit organization that feeds Toowoomba’s homeless and offers hospitality training to homeless youth at their very own café in Ruthven Street – Second Shot.
Second Shot will man a coffee van at the Feeney’s garden while it’s open during the carnival.
Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers runs the entire month of September – with exhibition gardens open from the 15th to the 24th September.
Tickets can be purchased at the gardens on the day (cash only).
For a bigger floral hit, head to the city’s major parks and gardens. At Queens Park, city gardeners have planted 35 to 40 thousand seedlings and about 5,000 bulbs, all by hand – and all perfectly timed to erupt into colour for the carnival. There’ll also be Gardeners Lounges operating at each major park – where visitors can pick the brains of city council horticulturalists.
And if a picnic among the petals is on your mind – why not head to The Store Room in Toowoomba?
This home décor and gift store-come-café is a participant in the Tooowoomba Regional Eats program (or #trEATS) for the festival.
The Store Room stocks all-Australian quality gifts, art and homewares – and, this year, is offering a selection of petit fours created by a local pastry chef for #trEATS.
Head to the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers website for a full list of events and activities during September: www.tcof.com.au
