Discover Toowoomba's thriving arts scene. Explore the Regional Art Gallery, Empire Theatre, and creative venues across Queensland's Garden City with our local guide.
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Toowoomba's arts and culture landscape is anchored by two outstanding regional institutions: the Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery (one of Queensland's finest regional art galleries) and the Empire Theatre (one of Australia's most magnificent heritage performing arts venues). The city's arts scene benefits from its position as the undisputed regional capital of the Darling Downs and southwest Queensland, with a cultural catchment extending from Roma to the NSW border that supports ambitious arts programming and significant community arts investment.
Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery — the Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery (Little Street, Toowoomba CBD) holds one of the finest regional art collections in Queensland, with outstanding holdings of Australian colonial and contemporary art and a strong collection of Queensland art across all periods. The gallery presents a major program of temporary exhibitions and the annual Toowoomba Royal Show Fine Arts Exhibition is one of Queensland's most significant regional art competitions. Entry is free.
Empire Theatre — the Empire Theatre (Neil Street, Toowoomba CBD) is one of Australia's most magnificent heritage performing arts venues: the 1911 theatre was rebuilt in 1933 in an extraordinary Art Deco style and provides 1,600 seats in one of regional Australia's finest performing arts environments. The Empire hosts major national touring productions, the Toowoomba Philharmonic Society, the Toowoomba Choral Society, and the annual Queensland Symphony Orchestra regional touring season. The heritage interior restoration is extraordinary.
Carnival of Flowers — the annual Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers (September) is one of Queensland's major community events and Australia's largest floral festival, with the Queens Park and the city's public and private gardens providing spectacular spring flower displays and the carnival events program covering live music, arts exhibitions, garden tours, and food and wine events. The Carnival of Flowers has been held annually since 1950.
Cobb and Co Museum — the Cobb and Co Museum (Lindsay Street, Toowoomba CBD) houses the National Carriage Collection (the world's finest collection of horse-drawn vehicles, with over 60 vehicles including genuine Cobb and Co mail coaches) in an outstanding purpose-built museum facility. Entry is charged.
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