Toowoomba blooms again at Queensland Tourism Awards

10 Nov 2019 Print

Proving that Queensland’s love of all things floral blooms as strongly as ever, the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers (TCOF) has taken out The Richard Power Award for Destination Marketing at the 2019 Queensland Tourism Awards, held at Novotel Twin Waters Resort, Sunshine Coast.

Having won Gold in the Major Festival and Events category for three consecutive years at both the State and National Tourism Awards, and being inducted into the Australian Tourism Hall of Fame in 2018, this is the first time TCOF has entered The Richard Power Award for Destination Marketing category, which recognises creativity and innovation in a fully integrated destination marketing campaign designed to attract visitors to a region or destination.

Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers is synonymous with the Toowoomba Region, with locals embracing what is the biggest tourism-based attraction in the country, welcoming thousands of new and returning visitors every year.

From fresh modern country hospitality exploding with thousands of spring blooms to abundant local produce, the tastiest Queensland-produced wines and public parklands overflowing with natural beauty, and international quality entertainment programs, for 10 days in September, Toowoomba bursts with world-class tourism experiences delivered in a world-class way.

2019 marked the 70th year of the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers and in addition to the estimated 250,000 people who attended across the 10-day period, this year’s event saw a number of impressive results including:

28,117 attendees at Heritage Bank Festival of Food and Wine with hundreds of community members joining the inaugural Carnival Choir More than 80 floats and 1,700 people participated in the 70th Grand Central Floral Parade and drought conditions didn’t deter the competitive streak in Toowoomba Region’s gardeners with more than 120 outstanding entries into the 70th Chronicle Garden Competition The number of coach groups attending during the 10 days increased by a huge 15 per cent with Cobb & Co Museum welcoming a record number The community unearthed some hidden gems for the 70th Anniversary Memorabilia display including priceless crowns and robes worn by former Carnival Queens Toowoomba Orchid Society’s Spring Show was one of the best in many years with over 500 orchids in bloom and all plants sold out Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery hosted bus groups for the first time to showcase the Ikebana displays and specially curated ‘Nature Observed’ exhibition.

Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers – A History

Since its inception in 1949, the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers has flourished and is now an iconic Queensland event. The brainchild of Essex Tait and the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce, Carnival was introduced as a way for the city to use its “Garden City” reputation to promote increased economic activity following the hardships of war.

On October 21, 1950 the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers commenced with a street procession that stretched three miles in length. Led by a bullock team and watched by a crowd estimated to be 50,000 strong, it was a resounding success, as it has been ever since.

Last Updated: Monday, 11 November 2019 08:21