R&H Suburb Profile TOOWOOMBA

Toowoomba is a picturesque city in Queensland’s south east, about 132km west of Brisbane. Nicknamed ‘The Garden City’, it is Australia's second largest non-coastal city after the capital Canberra and is the commercial and economic hub of the Darling Downs.

Clinging to the edge of the Great Dividing Range escarpment at an altitude of 700m above sea-level, the city has views of Table Top Mountain and the Lockyer Valley region. Toowoomba enjoys four distinct seasons. Rich volcanic soil helps maintain city’s 150 public parks. Winter temperatures seldom go below freezing, however snow has been reported on higher parts of the city on rare occasions. Light frosts are experienced several nights each winter.

Major industries include manufacturing, wholesale and agriculture. Toowoomba’s other major employers are retail trade, health and community services, and education. The Australian Defence Force is also present, with the city providing housing and amenities for personnel based at the Oakey Army Aviation Centre and Borneo Barracks at Cabarlah.

With more than 23 private schools, a technical college, and university, Toowoomba is considered a major educational centre.

There are extensive bus services on weekdays. Weekend services are limited. There are frequent inter-city bus services between Toowoomba, Brisbane and other centres. Toowoomba is not included in TransLink, the Southeast Queensland integrated public transport system. Toowoomba is serviced by Toowoomba Airport, used by the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the Darling Downs Aeroclub.

Toowoomba has one public hospital (Toowoomba Base Hospital) and two private hospitals (St Andrew's Toowoomba and St Vincent’s). There is also the Toowoomba Hospice, a community based private health care facility providing palliative care.

Rugby league is the most popular sport in Toowoomba. Other popular sports include soccer, Australian Rules, cricket, archery, swimming, tennis, softball, baseball, basketball, netball, hockey and gridiron.

Toowoomba is nationally renowned for its annual Flower Festival, held in September.