Blog

Explore Toowoomba in real time with our carefully curated guide. Your new go-to for all-thing history, arts and culture in Toowoomba and surrounds. 


US Submarines and Toowoomba

US Submarines and Toowoomba

Did you know that the city of Toowoomba, some 130kms inland from the mouth of the Brisbane River, was once a US Submarine base. Thoughts of this strange fact came back to the Toowoomba Trails crew when reading recently about the visit of the USS Ohio, a guided missile submarine (pictured), to the Port of Brisbane.   





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Toowoomba's Best Coffee

Toowoomba's Best Coffee

In a nod to its growing street art scene, you’ve probably heard Toowoomba referred to as ‘the Melbourne of Queensland.’ Yet the city’s cultural landscape has grown far beyond its murals and laneways. As someone who has spent years living in Melbourne and far too much coin exploring its endless cafés, I can confidently say Toowoomba’s coffee scene is holding its own. Here’s a tried-and-true list of my favourite places to take a coffee break, in no particular order, just great coffee all round.





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Toowoomba, the Melbourne of SE Queensland

Toowoomba, the Melbourne of SE Queensland

From the outside, Toowoomba might seem like a sleepy country town, but step inside, and you’ll find a big heart, vibrant soul, and growing creative scene comparable to big cities like Melbourne.





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Another hidden gem

Another hidden gem

Toowoomba's World War 2 history is everywhere for the intrepid history buff to seek out. 





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The Volunteer Air Observer Corps in Toowoomba

The Volunteer Air Observer Corps in Toowoomba

Toowoomba's World War Two history is all around us, you just have to know where to look. One of the tangible links to Toowoomba's war time history is the clock tower at the City Hall. It was here that a group of volunteers carefully combed the skies looking for and recording every aircraft that flew over the city. Fortunately none of them were enemy aircraft.





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A Journey Through Toowoomba’s Street Murals

A Journey Through Toowoomba’s Street Murals

The Melbourne of Queensland – well that’s Toowoomba. Its Victorian Era laneways are rife with a gritty urban scene personified by a myriad of coffee shops, eateries and of course bright urban art. Indeed Toowoomba’s laneways provide a canvas for renowned local, national and overseas street artists to showcase their skills.





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Physiognomy and the Toowoomba Gaol.

Physiognomy and the Toowoomba Gaol.

We often judge people on first appearances – hairstyles, body decoration, dress and posture all combine to shape a ‘first impression’. Often first impressions fade once we get to know someone but imagine if you were permanently judged based on how you looked.  This Blog explores the links between Toowoomba's Gaol, physiognomy and prison reform.





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A Hidden Masterpiece

A Hidden Masterpiece

Every now and again you come across a piece of history that very little people experience, yet its story offers a myriad of fascinating insights. The is so true of the Railway Honour Boards at the Toowoomba Railway Station.
The Railway station is my fasvourite place in Toowoomba, simply because of the stories that it can teall. Non bettet than the Railway Honour Boards





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