Antique Weekend Drive. Brisbane to Toowoomba Take in a little culture and history as you travel through Ipswich and Toowoomba.

Transcription

1 Antique Weekend Drive Brisbane to Toowoomba Take in a little culture and history as you travel through Ipswich and Toowoomba.

2 Brisbane to Toowoomba Antique Weekend Drive This trip makes for a relaxing weekend away, with a leisurely drive through Ipswich and up to Toowoomba to experience the beauty of the Garden City. With only minimal driving this is the perfect weekend away for those who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city life. Brisbane-Ipswich (50km) Ipswich Antique Centre Leave Brisbane and follow the Ipswich Motorway to the centre of Ipswich and visit the Ipswich Antique Centre, located at 86 East Street. The multi-dealer centre is housed in the landmark heritage listed building, the Congregational Sunday School Hall, built in Their ever changing range of antiques and collectables covers the full spectrum from Australian, English, Country and Retro, Furniture to jewellery, collectables, bric-a-brac, china, glassware, prints and posters, boys toys and Australian pottery. 2

3 Ipswich Art Gallery (500m) Just nearby is the Ipswich Art Gallery, located in a restored colonial building on Nicholas Street, in the heart of the CBD. The old town hall which was built in the 1860s is home to the Gallery which presents a program of changing exhibitions and heritage displays making it one of the largest and most visited regional art galleries in Australia. The Gallery offers something for everyone including selected national touring exhibitions, works by local artists, highlights from the City of Ipswich Collection, displays of Ipswich s social history and the ever-popular Children s Gallery. Continue on from Ipswich along the Warrego Highway to the city of Toowoomba, perched atop the Great Dividing Range. Ipswich-Toowoomba (90km) Toowoomba truly is Queensland s Garden City. With over 240 public parks and gardens it is the thriving gateway to the Darling Downs. The city is renowned for its open spaces, historical architecture and friendly country atmosphere, but don t be fooled, Toowoomba also has a wealth of fine dining, cultural centres and great shopping to satisfy the most discerning visitor. 3

4 Toowoomba offers a wide range of accommodation options from hotels to B&B s so there is sure to be something to suit any traveler. Many are situated close to the CBD which makes them ideal for exploring the shops and dining of down town Toowoomba. Park Motor Inn Toowoomba Located at 88 Margaret St, opposite beautiful Queens Park, the Park Motor Inn is conveniently positioned close to the CBD. Beccles on Margaret B and B Located at 25 Margaret St, Beccles on Margaret B and B provides modern facilities in a custom Queensland bungalow, with modern facilities. Highlander Motor Inn Located at James St, enjoy relaxing in the spa or heated pool after a day s sightseeing. 4

5 Picnic Point Park and Look out Picnic Point is a must see spot in Toowoomba. It s the ideal place to appreciate Toowoomba s high location on the top edge of the Great Dividing Range with sweeping views over the valley. A stroll around the landscaped gardens will reveal waterfalls, rotundas and quiet grassy seclusions. The park offers ample parking, picnic and barbeque areas and fantastic playground facilities. You can stop for breakfast and take in the view from the onsite cafe which is open 7 days or if you re feeling energetic there are some very long walking tracks which lead down the range and all the way to Table Top Mountain. Queens Park Queens Park is a picturesque park, just a short walk from Toowoomba s Central Business District, and home to the Easter Gospel Music Festival and Toowoomba s famous Carnival of Flowers which is held in September each year and highlights the city s gardens, food, wine and entertainment. The park offers large expanses of grass ideal for kicking a footy or a game of cricket, along with shady picnic areas with modern playground facilities. The park hosts the Queens Park Craft Market on the third Sunday of each month from 8am to 2pm. 5

6 City Hall and the Regional Art Gallery The Toowoomba City Hall was the first ever built in Queensland back in As the town prospered there was need for a larger hall with the current City Hall opened in Just next door you will find the Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery. The Gallery is the permanent home to over 400 significant Australian artists and an outstanding collection of rare books and manuscripts. The gallery also focuses on twentieth century Australian paintings, drawings, prints, photographs, ceramics, and small scale sculpture with new contemporary exhibitions each month. Entry is free and the gallery is open Tuesday to Sunday. Margaret Street Shopping If you are looking for some retail therapy Margaret Street is Toowoomba s main shopping street. The precinct comprises modern shopping centers Grand Central and Garden Town, along with on street boutique shopping, cafes and cinemas. Images courtesy of Tourism Queensland unless otherwise stated. 6