Coronation Park
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Laurel Bank Park: A Toowoomba Oasis
Discover Laurel Bank Park in Toowoomba: a garden oasis with floral displays, scented gardens, and year-round beauty.
Laurel Bank Park, a heritage-listed park in the heart of Toowoomba, Queensland, offers a tranquil escape with manicured gardens, mature trees, and unique attractions like a scented garden for the visually impaired. This 4.3-hectare park is a must-see destination, especially during the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers.
Plan your visit
A brief summary to Laurel Bank Park
Opening times, essentials, and a few local tips gathered into one calmer, easier-to-scan planning section.
Plan your visit
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Getting There
Walking
From the Toowoomba City Library on Victoria Street, walk southwest along Victoria Street, then turn left onto Ruthven Street. Continue south on Ruthven Street, then turn right onto Herries Street. Walk west along Herries Street for approximately 400 meters. Laurel Bank Park will be on your left. This is approximately a 15-20 minute walk. No cost involved.
Public Transport
From the Toowoomba Bus Station on Ruthven Street, several bus routes service the area near Laurel Bank Park. Check local bus schedules for the most direct route to the park. Disembark at a stop along Herries Street near the park entrance. A single bus fare within Toowoomba costs approximately $2.50 - $3.50 AUD.
Taxi/Ride-share
From Grand Central Shopping Centre, a taxi or ride-share to Laurel Bank Park is a short trip. The journey typically takes 5-10 minutes, depending on traffic. Expect to pay around $12 - $18 AUD for the ride.
Local tips
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Visit during the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers in September for spectacular floral displays.
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Explore the scented garden, designed for the visually impaired, with its fragrant plants and herbs.
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Enjoy a picnic or barbecue in the park's designated areas.
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Take your time to appreciate the park's mature trees and seasonal transformations.
Discover more about Laurel Bank Park
Laurel Bank Park is a premier park in Toowoomba, providing a serene oasis near the city center. The park's history dates back to 1932 when Samuel George Stephens, known as 'the man of flowers,' donated the land to the city. Stephens had developed the gardens since 1904 and requested it remain a park, not a sporting facility.
The park features manicured gardens, mature trees, and a scented garden designed for the visually impaired. The scented garden, established in 1980, is a joint initiative between the Toowoomba City Council and the Rotary Club of Toowoomba East. Other attractions include children's play equipment, barbecue and picnic areas, and two croquet lawns. Laurel Bank Hall, built during World War II as a mess hall for US naval troops, now hosts community meetings and can be hired.
Throughout the year, Laurel Bank Park offers spectacular seasonal transformations. Deciduous trees display vibrant colors in autumn, stark branches in winter, and lush growth in spring and summer. The park is renowned for its floral displays, especially during the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers in September. Each year, the gardens embody a different theme for the Carnival, with a viewing platform providing aerial views. The park also hosts the Summer Tunes program, offering free live music performances.
A brief summary to Laurel Bank Park
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