While Toowoomba’s population has ballooned in recent years, the city retains the scenic beauty that earned it the tag of ‘The Garden City’. The lifestyle is a wonderful combination of traditional charm with a modern cosmopolitan edge.
With a blossoming events calendar, a growing food scene and a wide range of leisure activities, Toowoomba is a fantastic place to spend your retirement years.
Distinct Seasons
Sitting atop the Great Dividing Range in south-east Queensland, Toowoomba enjoys four distinct seasons with warm summers, cool winters, and autumns and springs that envelope the city in blankets of colour.
Explore the Parks
It’s not hard to find a beautiful park where you can relax for a while.
The aptly named Picnic point is the perfect place to thrown down a rug and enjoy a bite to eat while taking in the magnificent mountaintop views over the Lockyer Valley.
Flower lovers should visit Laurel Bank Park featuring the Scented Gardens – a ‘garden within a garden’ filled with fragrant blooms, herbs and shrubs made specifically to help the vision impaired to enjoy the beauty of nature.
Queen’s Park was designed by the same person who created Brisbane’s Botanic Gardens and consists of 26.5 hectares of lush lawns, spectacular garden beds and tree lined avenues in the heart of Toowoomba.
For more information visit Toowoomba Regional Council’s Parks & Gardens website.
Catch a Show at the Empire
Toowoomba’s theatre lovers enjoy a procession of first-class shows in Australia’s largest regional performing arts complex, the Empire Theatre.
Hosting shows from popular music acts through to ballet, musicals, plays and comedy, the lavish art-deco styling of the Empire Theatre combined with its state-of-the-art technology makes for a magical and memorable experience.
See what’s on at the Empire Theatre
Step Back in Time
Experience and learn about the pioneering days of transport in Australia at the Cobb & Co Museum where you can immerse yourself in a variety in interactive displays, exhibits and heritage trade workshops.
The Cobb & Co Museum is also home to the National Carriage Collection which consists of 47 horse-drawn vehicles that played vital roles in Queensland’s development.
History and architecture buffs can also enjoy a historical walk at their leisure. The Toowoomba Regional Council has developed several self-guided tours for those wishing to explore the heritage of the city.
While you’re out exploring the Darling Downs, the Woolshed at Jondaryan is also a ‘must-do’ for those appreciate Australia’s pioneering spirit.
Wine Down at Preston Peak
A short drive out of town, Preston Peak Winery offers the perfect combination of fine wine and spectacular views. If you’re up for some exploration you will find several other boutique wineries in the district.
Appreciate Great Art
The Toowoomba Regional Gallery hosts many visiting exhibitions and is the permanent home to several significant collections that include paintings, rare books and manuscripts, antiques, photographs and drawings.
Those looking for a different art experience can also take in the Toowoomba Street Art Trail which takes in over 50 murals that add a colourful thought-provoking element to what used to be dull unused spaces.
Golf & Bowls
If you enjoy a round of golf, both Middle Ridge Golf Club and City Golf Club are within a short distance of Glenfield Grange. The South Toowoomba Bowls Club is also close by.
Dining & Entertainment
For those who enjoy finer cuisine, Toowoomba has a dining scene to rival any capital city first class restaurants dotted around the city. When your taste buds require something simpler, it is easy to find a cafes, pubs and clubs with a variety of dining options.
You will also find that many of the sporting clubs in the city host live music acts to take you back to when music was great. Many of the clubs also host activities such as bingo games.
Facilities
Toowoomba has a major public hospital and two private hospitals along with plentiful general and specialist medical practices.
Shopping is abundant with several major shopping centres including two just down the road from Glenfield Grange.
Great Local Events
The Carnival of Flowers in September is Toowoomba’s biggest annual event celebrating the floral beauty that fills the city. These days the carnival is a series of cultural events spread out over approximately nine days with the highlight being traditional Carnival of Flowers Parade.
But you won’t have to wait until September. Toowoomba’s events calendar is filled with fantastic things to do all year round.
The Perfect Location
When you retire at Glenfield Grange you will be perfectly located to make the most of the wonderful Toowoomba lifestyle. Then when you are done exploring and just want to relax, retreat to your peaceful villa in one of Toowoomba’s quietest and most scenic suburbs, Middle Ridge.
You’ll love it here.