Darling Downs Overview
The Darling Downs is an extensive lush, rich and fertile area of rolling hills, farms and wineries just over 100km west of Brisbane and bordering New South Wales.
It is a substantial part of South Eastern Queensland which at over 90 000 sq Km occupies over 5 % of the total area of Queensland.
Many food brands found in stores all over Australia are produced in The Darling Downs such as 'KR Darling Downs' the packaged meat producer.
Darling Downs temperate climate also allows grape vine cultivation and the up and coming Granite Belt Wine Region is fast gaining a reputation as a serious wine producer.
The main towns in the region include Toowoomba, Warwick, Goondiwindi, Taroom, Inglewood, Warwick and Stanthorpe.
The Carnival of Flowers
The relatively temperate climate (by Queensland standards) is ideal for horticulture and in particular fruit and flower cultivation.
Each spring the town of Toowoomba is host to the World famous Carnival of Flowers which includes fairs, a street parade of flower covered floats and the crowning of a Flower Queen.
The whole town is adorned with colourful flower displays, flowers are grown on roadside verges and inside roundabouts and many private gardens are opened to the public .
The event is usually held in the last week of September.
Granite Belt Wineries
Darling Downs also includes the area known as 'The Granite Belt Wineries' which is a relatively young and up and coming wine region.
There are about 40 wine produces including Jester Hill Wines, Felsberg Winery, Ballandean Estate, Whiskey Gully Wines.
You will have the chance to tour the wineries as well as taste and purchase the product at the cellar doors.
Where To Stay
For hotels stay in the area please see our Toowoomba Accommodation page and Backpacker accommodation for hostels.
Location
Toowoomba is located in south east Queensland and has a latitude of 28.0°S and a longitude of 151.0° E.
See Route and Distance Calculator for driving times and routes to Toowoomba.
Queensland School & Public Holidays
New Years Day Tue 1st Jan.
Australia Day Mon 28th Jan.
Good Friday 21st March.
Easter Monday 24th March.
Anzac Day Fri 25th April.
Labour Day Mon 5th May.
Queens Birthday Holiday Mon 9th June.
Christmas Day Thu 25th Dec.
Boxing Day Holiday Fri 26th Dec.
(End and start school on preceding and next week day (Mon - Fri) respectively)
School Starts Tue 29th January
Easter Holiday 7th April To 11th April.
Winter Holiday 30th June To 11th July.
Spring Holiday 22nd Sept To 3rd Oct.
Summer Holiday 15th Dec To Jan 21st.
Daylight Saving does not operate in Queensland
Note: Dates for guidance only. Always check with your individual School as variations may occur for individual education authorities or establishments and dates may be subject to change. Always check with relevant State or Territory education department to confirm holiday periods at the commencement of each school year. Not all Public Holidays for individual regions within each state and territory are shown and public holidays falling on weekends are not listed. Not all Public Holidays may be applicable to all employers, organisations etc so always check with your employer, education authority etc which public holidays are applicable.
Toowoomba Climate
These figures are for guidance only:
Approximate Max Average Temperature
Max Average Temperature
Deg C/ Deg F
Winter(June-Aug):20 / 68
Spring(Sep-Nov):29 / 85
Summer(Dec-Feb):35 / 94
Autumn(Mar-May):28 / 82
Approximate Average Monthly Rainfall - mm
Average Monthly Rainfall - mm
Winter(June-Aug): 23
Spring(Sep-Nov): 23
Summer(Dec-Feb): 43
Autumn(Mar-May): 33
