A guide to the best Toowoomba accommodation

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Whether you’re in town for business or pleasure, these seven Toowoomba hotels, caravan parks and holiday homes deliver the goods.

Queensland’s Garden City is home to a number of accommodation options, whatever your budget and needs. From the familiar ease of a chain apartment hotel, to a more boutique option, or even a no-frills caravan park, this curated selection of Toowoomba accommodation will offer something for everyone.

1. Avenue Motel Apartments

Avenue Motel Apartments
Avenue Motel Apartments make for a solid base in Toowoomba.

The modern rooms at Avenue Motel Apartments make for a solid base in Toowoomba. Situated in South Toowoomba, less than a 10-minute drive from the city centre, the property caters to all kinds of needs, whether you’re travelling as a family and on the hunt for a large room with multiple beds, or the option to have interconnecting rooms; travelling for work and looking for a self-contained room that features a work desk (the executive queen); or if you have extra accessibility requirements that necessitate wide room entry and a wheelchair-accessible bathroom (the easy access queen). Each and every room features a small kitchenette, and some rooms offer balconies or private courtyards too.

Address: 790 Ruthven Street, Toowoomba, QLD, 4350
Website: avenuemotelapartments.com.au

2. Potter’s Boutique Hotel

Potter’s boutique hotel
Potters is conveniently located in the city centre.

Open since February 2017, the 54-room Potter’s Boutique Hotel is of a similar ilk to Avenue Motel Apartments. Rooms feature a modern look, with clean lines, plenty of natural light, and a white and grey palette with blonde wood and pops of burnt orange. Pick from a king or twin room, or a two-bedroom apartment.

Conveniently located in the city centre, Potter’s is less than a 10-minute walk from Toowoomba’s cafes, shops and restaurants. It’s the perfect spot for a weekend getaway, with a late checkout of 5pm on Sundays (subject to availability). There’s also a restaurant on-site, open for breakfast and dinner, Tuesday to Saturday.

Address: 258 Margaret Street, Toowoomba City, QLD, 4350
Website: pottershoteltoowoomba.com.au

3. Quest Toowoomba

church facade of Quest Toowoomba
Quest Toowoomba is all party in the front, business in the back.

A chain hotel with a twist, the Quest Toowoomba is all party in the front, business in the back. Housed partly within a heritage church building that features an impressive double-height lobby decked with vast swathes of marble and modernist light fittings, the guest apartments all sit within the adjoining purpose-built property at the back. Choose from a studio with a kitchenette, or a one-, two- or three-bedroom apartment with a full kitchen and laundry facilities, some boasting parkland views. There’s an onsite gym and almost everything of note in Toowoomba is within walking distance.

Address: 133 Margaret Street, Toowoomba, QLD, 4350
Website: questapartmentstoowoomba.com

4. Toowoomba Motor Village

Sunshine at Toowoomba Motor Village.
Sunshine at Toowoomba Motor Village.

If you’re looking for pet-friendly camping and caravanning sites close to Toowoomba’s CBD, the Toowoomba Motor Village might just be your best bet. Located three kilometres south of the city centre, the holiday park is within walking distance of plenty of local shops and take-away restaurants, and backs onto a quiet park with walking and cycling trails too. This popular option is known for its clean facilities and friendly staff.

Address: 821 Ruthven St, Toowoomba City, QLD, 4350
Website: toowoombamotorvillage.com.au

5. Toowoomba Showgrounds Caravan Park

Toowoomba Showgrounds Caravan Park.
Try the Toowoomba Showgrounds Caravan Park.

Looking for an economical, no-frills caravan park to pitch up to for a night or three? Try the Toowoomba Showgrounds Caravan Park. Set amid spacious grounds, 15 minutes’ drive from the CBD, the park’s rates start from $25 a night for two adults and two children and there’s no need to make an advance booking either – just make sure the grounds aren’t closed for any special events beforehand. The site is also pet-friendly, and offers caravanners hot showers and a dump point. No camping allowed.

Address: Toowoomba Showgrounds, Glenvale Rd, Glenvale, QLD, 4350
Website: toowoombashow.com.au/caravans

6. Oaks Toowoomba Hotel

Corporate-chic at this Toowoomba hotel.

With its white, black and grey colour palette, there’s a bit of a corporate-chic vibe to this Toowoomba hotel. It’s one of the city’s newest kids on the block, opening in July 2020, and one of the few in Toowoomba to offer guests a swimming pool; there’s also a small gym, a restaurant, and a pub. The five-storey development houses 102 rooms, all with private balconies, ranging from a 29-metre-squared room for two, up to a three-bedroom, 84-metre-squared apartment that can sleep up to seven. And it’s right in the thick of the city too.

Address: 25 Annand Street, Toowoomba, QLD, 4350
Website: oakshotel.com/toowoomba

7. Pinbarron Cottage (Stayz)

Pinbarron cottage Toowoomba
Pinbarron is a restored period cottage.

When the promise of exclusivity (and a home away from home) beckons, plump for this gorgeous three-bedroom Queenslander. Situated on a tree-lined street in East Toowoomba, Pinbarron is a restored period cottage that has almost every conceivable amenity you could need, not to mention oodles of charm to boot (think window seats, open fireplaces, polished timber floors, high ceilings throughout, and a semi-covered front verandah). You’ll feel like a local in no time.

Website: stayz.com.au

8. Nightcap at Federal Hotel

Nightcap at Federal Hotel toowoomba
Cross the road for tasty pub grub.

While the Federal Hotel is already a favourite of locals for its classic pub grub menu, its accommodations across the road at Nightcap holds everything travellers need for an accesible stay in the centre of town. Find all the country comforts, plus self-service laundry facilities. Not to mention, you can order room service straight from the Federal Hotel’s bistro menu.

Address: 111 James Street, Toowoomba
Website: nightcaphotels.com.au 

9. Burke and Wills Hotel Toowoomba

Book into the newly renovated Burke & Wills Hotel for a mixture of old-school extravagance and service with modern comforts. Right in the heart of Toowoomba, guests are only a short walk from all local attractions, and guests laud the friendly and reliable service.

Address: 554 Ruthven Street, Toowoomba
Website: burkeandwillshotel.com.au

10. The Arbour Boutique Apartments

The Arbour Boutique Apartments toowoomba
The Arbour brings a new level of luxury to Toowoomba.

The Arbour brings a new style of luxury short-stay accommodation to Toowoomba. With only 11 rooms, choose from one and two-bedroom self-contained apartments, nestled among the leafy surrounds of East Toowoomba. Decorated for understated luxury, neutrals with pops of dark colours keep things classic and soothing.

Address: 27 Scott Street, Toowoomba
Website: arbourapartments.com.au

Chloe Cann
Chloe Cann is an award-winning freelance travel and food writer, born in England, based in Melbourne and Roman by adoption. Since honing her skills at City St George's, University of London with a master's degree in journalism, she's been writing almost exclusively about travel for more than a decade, and has worked in-house at newspapers and travel magazines in London, Phnom Penh, Sydney and Melbourne. Through a mixture of work and pleasure, she's been fortunate enough to visit 80 countries to date, though there are many more that she is itching to reach. While the strength of a region's food scene tends to dictate the location of her next trip, she can be equally swayed by the promise of interesting landscapes and offbeat experiences. And with a small person now in tow, travel looks a little different these days, but it remains at the front of her mind.
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8 experiences that make Moreton Bay the best getaway

From the moment you arrive in Moreton Bay, stunning natural vistas, fresh and tasty dining, history and more invite you to stay and play.

Untouched national park, mirror-like lagoons and endless stretches of beaches all make Moreton Bay experiences feel like you’ve stumbled across a secret Queenslanders collectively vowed not to tell. Yet it’s easily accessible. Explore further and discover hinterland farms, ancient rainforest, fresh seafood and more: there’s something on offer for every pace, interest and generation.

Just 20 minutes from Brisbane Airport, it’s hard to believe how underrated this Queensland getaway is. Here’s your ultimate guide to rediscover play with unmissable experiences in Moreton Bay.

1. G’Day Adventure Tours, Bribie Island

G’Day Adventure Tours’ Sea to Table Experience
Explore Bribie Island with G’Day Adventure Tours.

G’Day Adventure Tours’ Sea to Table Experience should be your first agenda item in Moreton Bay. Take a 4WD journey through the sandy tracks of Bribie Island’s beaches to the still, glassy waters of the island’s lagoons. Glide over perfect replicas of paperbarks and fluffy blue clouds mirrored in the lagoon waters in your kayak. Listen as native birdsong echoes around you.

Then, it’s on to Fort Bribie. During the Second World War, these concrete bunkers – now slowly being enveloped by the dunes – were the last line of defence for Moreton Bay.

End the day with a sun-dappled beach picnic of locally caught Queensland prawns and famous Moreton Bay bugs. As you head home, watch the dolphins playfully dart in and out of the surf.

2. Morgan’s Seafood at Scarborough

Morgan’s Seafood
It doesn’t get fresher than Morgan’s Seafood. (Image: Ezra Patchett)

Right on the Scarborough Boat Harbour, you’ll find Morgan’s Seafood . Between the luxury yachts, you’ll also spot trawlers and fishermen delivering their day’s catch right to Morgan’s. The family-owned and operated spot is one of the best places to try the region’s eponymous Moreton Bay bug. Or, sample more of the area’s direct-from-the-boat seafood fresh at their oyster and sushi bar. If you’re lucky, your visit might coincide with a day they’ve caught tuna.

Picture fish caught that day, prepared and then served to you as fresh sashimi as the sun sets over the unique silhouette of the Glasshouse Mountains.

3. Woorim Beach, Bribie Island

woorim beach bribie island
Hang 10, or relax, on Woorim Beach.

On Bribie’s eastern coastline, you’ll find Woorim Beach : aka the closest surf beach to Brisbane. Find a place on the sand by the patrolled area or wander further south to find a quiet spot and while the day away between the shaded dunes, the pages of your book and the peaceful sound of rolling waves.

Ask any local where to grab lunch, and they’ll direct you to Bribie Island Surf Club Bistro . Tuck into a fresh, local seafood platter, just metres from the beach.

4. D’Aguilar National Park

D’Aguilar National Park
Admire the landscapes of D’Aguilar National Park.

D’Aguilar National Park is a 40,000-hectare slice of greenery that stretches from urban Brisbane right up to Woodford (home of the Woodford Folk Festival). The vast expanse of park is home to ancient rainforests, eucalypt forests and shaded swimming spots hidden within gorges and under waterfalls. The area is significant for the Jinibara and Turrbal people, with ceremonial bora rings and dreaming trails all found within the park.

Carve out some time in your itinerary to explore the park’s many trails. The Maiala day-use area is the perfect starting point for walks for all levels of ability.

5. Arcade Wine Bar

arcade wine bar moreton bay
Sit down to a menu inspired by Italy.

Opposite the Redcliffe Jetty and down a laneway, you’ll find an unassuming wine bar. Venture inside and quickly fall in love with Arcade Wine Bar , one of the region’s most beloved local haunts.

Owners Danilo and Matt have a combined 50 years of sommelier experience, which they have poured into the menu, styling and wine list. More than just a hole-in-the-wall wine bar, Arcade Wine is an enoteca (a wine repository), whose walls are lined with bottles upon bottles of Italian wine varietals from every corner of Italy.

Settle in with a wine and work your way through the menu inspired by Danilo’s native Italy: traditional meatballs, their quick-to-sell-out terrine, or a selection of Italian cheeses, charcuterie and arancini.

6. Wamuran & Loop Rail Trail

Away from the ocean, tucked in the hinterland, is the Wamuran & Loop Rail Trail . Perfect for cyclists or walkers, the trail was built to showcase the history of the Caboolture to Kilcoy rail corridor (last operating in 1964) and makes for the perfect family day out. The trail runs for 10.5km and connects Wamuran and Caboolture via an accessible path.

Pass through former railroad, bridges and shaded bushland as you cut from A to B. Plus, visit in winter for a detour along the way to one of the many pick-your-own strawberry farms.

7. Farm Visits

Beaches, mountains and history make an enticing combination. But Moreton Bay also brings hinterland, family-friendly farms to the table. Trevena Glen is one of the area’s most loved, with bunnies, ponies, sheep, alpacas (and more) available to visit for the kids. For the adults, book a horse-riding session and be treated to a grazing platter as you watch the sun set over the mountains of D’Aguilar National Park.

At White Ridge Farm , find camels, putt-putt, train and tractor rides and all kinds of animals. The entire farm is paved, making it accessible for all.

8. Miss Sprinkles

Miss Sprinkles Gelato moreton bay
Pick your scoop at Miss Sprinkles Gelato.

An ice cream at the beach is one of life’s most perfect pleasures. While in town, stop by Miss Sprinkles for the locals’ pick of homemade gelato on the Scarborough foreshore.

The gelato here is made the authentic Italian way and scooped up just across from the beach. Or, settle in at their kitschy pink wooden tables for traditional gelato in the sunshine.  Aside from the homemade gelato, you’ll also find tarts, pies and even doggie gelato.

To start planning your Moreton Bay trip, or for more information, head to visitmoretonbay.com.au.