Bloom & Explore: Brisbane Getaway with Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers

BRISBANE GETAWAY featuring Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers

Thursday 18 September 2025 - Monday 22 September 2025

Day 1 (LD) PORT MACQUARIE TO BRISBANE                                                                 Thursday 18 September 2025

Welcome to our 5-day Brisbane tour, featuring the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers. We travel to Urunga for our morning tea stop at the Honey Place. Heading up the coast we arrive in New Italy for lunch at the Tastes of New Italy Café and this afternoon we have a short break before making our way into Brisbane and checking into our hotel for the next 4 nights.

lunch at Tastes of New Italy Café | dinner at the Hotel

Hotel Grand Chancellor Brisbane | 4 nights - subject to availability

Day 2 (BLD) RIVER CRUISES AND CITY HISTORY                                                                     Friday 19 September 2025

After our big day amongst the gardens, we had a little sleep before heading out to the Cultural Centre Pontoon to join River City Cruises for a morning tea cruise on the Brisbane River. Sit back and relax as our captain will give an informative commentary while we cruise past Brisbane’s most iconic sights including the Kangaroo Point Cliffs, City Centre and the Story Bridge. Next, we visit Newstead House, a beautiful heritage-listed building. Here, we will enjoy a delicious lunch while learning about the history of the property and the surrounding area. We will be seated on the verandah overlooking a section of the Brisbane River, which provides a perfect backdrop for a relaxing and informative talk. This afternoon we visit Ormiston House – one of the best remaining examples of colonial architecture in Queensland.

Lunch at Newstead House | Breakfast and dinner at the hotel

Day 3 (BLD) TOOWOOMBA CARNIVAL OF FLOWERS                                                       Saturday 20 September 2025

Up early this morning to make the most of the day in Toowoomba.  Its “Garden City” image comes from the fact that it has rich fertile soil, and a unique climate and its position on the edge of the Great Dividing Range presents ideal conditions for growing flowers. Since its inception in the 1950s, the famous “Carnival of Flowers” has attracted thousands of visitors to the area to enjoy the colourful gardens, flower shows and exhibitions. Upon arriving we make our way to our seats for Australia’s most unique Street Parade - the Grand Central Floral Parade. Spectacular floats decorated with live flowers fit the chosen theme for the year, plus bands, marching groups, and carnival characters. The Parade winds through the city and we enjoy it from a prime viewing location on reserved tiered seating. There is so much to see and colours to absorb! For lunch, we visit Toowoomba's most notable tourist attraction, the Cobb & Co Museum which is part of the Queensland Museum. Wander through the charming National Carriage Collection and discover how the 47 horse-drawn vehicles played an important role in Queensland's development. This afternoon we visit several of the private gardens that have entered the Carnival of Flowers Open Garden Competition, including the award-winning garden before returning to Brisbane slightly later than usual.

Breakfast and dinner at the hotel | Lunch at Cobb & Co Museum

Day 4 (BHTD) BRISBANE                                                                                                             Sunday 21 September 2025

This morning, we explore the city of Brisbane on a sights tour, we’ll get to the Brisbane River and other landmarks before arriving at Customs House for our elegant High Tea. The beautifully restored building is operated by The University of Queensland as a cultural, educational and heritage facility. Behind the grand Corinthian columns, you will find exquisite boardrooms and a stunning ballroom. Our next visit in Brisbane is to the Commissariat Store Museum, which is Queensland’s oldest habitable, and most significant heritage building. The lower two floors of this magnificent building were convict-built during 1828 and 1829. The third floor, now the main entrance from William Street was added in 1913. Afterwards, we return to our hotel.

High Tea at the Customs House | Breakfast and dinner at the hotel

Day 5 (B) HOMEWARD BOUND                                                                                      Monday 22 September 2025

Sadly, our tour has come to an end. So, with many wonderful memories of our packed holiday, we head home. Stopping along the way to purchase lunch and convenience breaks. Arriving late afternoon after a holiday spent travelling with friends.

Breakfast at the hotel | Lunch at own arrangements and cost

Tour Inclusions

•            4 night’s hotel accommodation

•            4 hotel breakfasts

•            4 hotel dinners

•            4 included lunches – see below

•            Visit and Morning Tea at The Honey Place, Urunga

•            Lunch at Tastes of New Italy Cafe

•            One Way Cruise to Newstead Park with River City Cruises, Brisbane

•            Lunch and guided tour at Newstead House, Brisbane

Tour Inclusions

•            Entry to The Commissariat Store Museum, Brisbane

•            Parade seating at the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers

•            Entry and lunch at the Cobb & Co Museum, Toowoomba

•            Visit to 5 private/exhibition gardens at the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers

•            Locally guided tour of Brisbane

•            Champagne High Tea at Customs House, Brisbane

•            Entry to Ormiston House, Brisbane

$2,163 pp twin share

$2,715 total pp single sup

$350 deposit pp

For more information or to book;

Phone:                02 6583 3330

Email:                 admin@portbus.com.au

Website:                    https://www.portbus.com.au

Book Online:     https://events.humanitix.com/brisbane-toowoomba-25

Please Note

•            Price is based on a minimum of 30 passengers. If our numbers fall below the 30 paying passengers, this tour may need to be recosted.

•            Price is valid for the above tour dates only and includes GST.

•            Morning teas or afternoon teas are not included unless specified.

The itinerary may be subject to change without notice. Whilst every effort is made to adhere to the itinerary as provided. Port Bus reserves the right to alter the touring and attractions as dictated by circumstances and conditions outside the company’s control. Alterations may be made to ensure the smooth running of the tour. Every attempt will be made to ensure alterations do not adversely affect the operation of the tour. Port Bus will not be held responsible for weather-based cancellations, or those closures made at the venue’s discretion.

Cancellation fees will be levied relative to the amount of notice given:

42 days or more—loss of deposit

29-41 days:  50% of fare plus deposit

30 days before and the Day of departure: 100% of the fare.