TOOWOOMBA

IIt started with the rich, red soil in which Toowoomba’s founding fathers planted lines of street trees to welcome new arrivals. Now the centre of Queensland’s Darling Downs has become Australia’s Garden City, with a decades-old annual flower competition and an established reputation as a horticultural centre.

Toowoomba’s diverse gardens and large block sizes have become a major attraction of its prestige property market. David Snow from Peter Snow and Co Real Estate says the expansive gardens seen across many parts of the city enhance the appeal of its property and lifestyle. “The inherent and enduring value of a quality garden and mature trees is something that has always been appreciated, and there is even greater appreciation now,” he says.“People are understanding the importance of good garden design.”

Perched on Queensland’s Great Dividing Range, Toowoomba has a strong civic history of gardening that has spilled over to its properties. Its award-winning Carnival of Flowers marks its 71st outing this year, making it the longest-running horticultural event of Fertile ground Toowoomba’s reputation as the Garden City is among its many attractions for prestige property buyers

Opposite: The heritage-listed Weetwood on Tor Street, East Toowoomba; Weetwood’s pool Above: Campbell Street home, built in 1896, sold recently for $1.9 million (top); Golf Course Drive, Middle Ridge

ROSANNE BARRETT

its kind in Australia. It sparks interest from across the community, with city gardens and private residences competing for the accolade of best landscaping.

Another gardening event, and fundraiser, Toowoomba Exhibition Gardens, opens some of the city’s best gardens to the public for a small fee. Since it started in 1973, the program has generated more than $700,000 for charities. President Michael Frainey says the local weather patterns promote the growth of an unusual blend of both subtropical and cooler-climate plants.

“It’s the altitude and climate here – it gives us a more four-season climate,” he says. “The soil is excellent and well drained, and will grow anything. We’ve got a mixture of cooler and subtropical plants.”

Frainey says that commonly grown plantings include subtropical hibiscus, Leucospermum, jacaranda and bulbs, while proteacae, grevillea and waratahs are also popular. Among the cooler plantings are crab apples, cherry, pears and dogwood. “There are just so many varieties of plants in town,” he says.

But Frainey concedes that the current drought conditions – which as in many districts have led to water restrictions – and a very hot summer are taking a toll on all the gardens.

The city’s premier park, Queens Park and Botanic Gardens, sprawls over 25ha in East Toowoomba, where many of the city’s prestige homes are located. The city administration has unveiled a $12 million multi-stage masterplan for the gardens that includes improved lighting and stormwater management, upgraded surfaces and paths, and new play areas.

Also close to the private schools Fairholme College, Toowoomba Anglican College and Preparatory School and Toowoomba Grammar School, the precincts of East Toowoomba and Middle Ridge offer established and often historic properties with seasonal gardens.

Last year there were 10 sales of more than $1.5 million in East Toowoomba and five in Middle Ridge. The property price record was set with the 2017 sale of the award-winning contemporary home Mauna View for $3.6 million. Designed by Noosa architect Paul Clout, the five-bedroom residence offered “resort-style” gardens, including palms.

Webster Cavanagh principal Andrew Webster says Toowoomba still has its traditional agricultural base of rural families and retirees from northern NSW and western Queensland, who bring their green thumbs with them.

“A lot of people from out west come into Toowoomba and now they can grow a much wider range of plants than they previously could,” he says. “Along the escarpment areas people are very houseproud and that is where a lot of the nicer gardens are.”

Webster says Toowoomba as a city has changed significantly over the past decade, with important infrastructure upgrades.

“In the past 10 years it has gone from being a rural town to agriculture being a distant fourth in terms of bringing income into Toowoomba,” he says. “The top three sectors now are medical, finance and education.”

The opening of the Second Range Crossing late last year is also benefiting the city centre as it created a road for heavy vehicles to use rather than the cross-city thoroughfare.

Webster says Weetwood, a home on an 8000sq m block at 423-433 Tor Street in East Toowoomba, was a particular beneficiary of the traffic reductions.

The 1888 architect-designed home, which is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register, is surrounded by grassed areas, with bougainvillea and mature plantings across the site. It backs onto Toowoomba’s Clifford Gardens racetrack. The five-bedroom home has an asking price of more than $1.6 million.

Another heritage home, on Campbell Street, also recently sold for $1.9 million. Built in 1896, it included a classical garden across its 2130sq m, including a fountain and water features.

Also for sale is a more contemporary residence at 10 Golf Course Drive, Middle Ridge, offering more than 800sq m of living area including five bedrooms. On 6000sq m with views, it also features manicured lawns and hedging and a delicate Japanese-style garden.

Inside, the home is large and solid, with high ceilings and marble features. The list price for the property is $2.25 million.