Nugent Park, Hilltop Crescent, Blue Mountain Heights - Playground, BBQ and picnic facilities, toilets and walking track, drinking fountain, water tap.

Norris Playground, Skyline Drive, Blue Mountain Heights - Playground, drinking fountain.

Toowoomba's Bushland Parks are the subject of a thoughtful management plan to maintain them as havens of wilderness and preserve the natural features of the escarpment bushland. At the same time the parks allow visitors, of varying fitness levels, the opportunity to enjoy the natural attractions which make the parks so special.

The various walks offer an insight into the flora and fauna of the region. The landscapes range from eucalypt forest to rainforest; from sandstone shelves to grassland. To minimise damage to the ecology of the area, regulations apply.

The Bushland Parks are easily accessed from the city's eastern streets. These unspoilt areas offer spectacular views and the chance to appreciate the unique topography of the edge of the mountain range.

Unfortunately, last summer's floods wreaked havoc on many of the graded walks and have resulted in the closure of several. All park users are urged to obey signs at park and trail entrances.

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Apex Park, at the eastern entrance to Cecil Plains, adjacent to the Cecil Plains Weir on the Condamine River - The area provides for public access to the river for fishing and camping. Camping is permitted for a period of up to three days. Picnic shelter, toilets (disabled access), BBQ's, small concrete boat ramp (accessed on the southern side of the railway line adjacent to the old Cecil Plains Cotton Gin site - camping is not permitted in this area).

Henry Stuart Russell Park, Taylor Street, Cecil Plains adjacent to the library - Picnic shelter, toilets (at rear of library) and covered playground area.

Bullocky's Rest & Applegum Walk, New England Highway Crows Nest - Waterbird habitat, picnic area and bird watching (look around the trees and see if you can spot the nesting boxes that have been placed here). A walking track links Bullocky's Rest with Hartmann Park 1.5 km away. The track follows creeks most of the way with a detour to the lookout over the Pump Hole. Often you can see a tortoise or two floating in the water. Spectacular wildflowers are out in full bloom during late winter and spring. Common ones are purple flowered hoveas, magnificent orange spikes of the hairpin banksias, creamy spears of grass trees, masses of yellow wattles, the white stars of flannel flowers and massed beds of pink trigger plants.

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Haden Park, Kann Street, Haden - Picnic tables, barbecue, playground, toilet block. Small but pleasant, opposite the Haden Store and Post Office.

Scenic Lookout, Haden Range, Haden - Picnic area, shelter shed with scenic views over the district from just north of Haden.

Charles & Motte Rogers Reserve, Community Court off O'Brien Road, Highfields - Bushland park around Aquatic Centre and Cultural Centre, with a 700m walking track.

Davidson Arboretum, Cawdor Road or Flamingo Road Highfields - Features many plant varieties, mostly temperate deciduous trees and a labyrinth.

Denaid Park, Denaid Street - Highfields Playground.

Harris Park, Merrol Street, Highfields - BMX track, half-court basketball, drinking fountain, water tap.

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Lake Annand is a pleasant water attraction which has been created along Toowoomba's East Creek. At just 2 hectares, Lake Annand Park is one of the more compact of the city's recreation spaces, but in popularity terms its appeal is wide.

The development of the park has been carried out along carefully planned lines. There is a New Zealand influence in many of the plantings and features. The lake itself showcases a pulsating fountain, reminiscent of the geysers familiar to those who have visited New Zealand. A simulated lava flow has been fashioned in one area of the park, and distinctive plants such as flax add to the theme.

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Ted Franke Playground, Main Street Meringandan - Picnic facilities, toilets, playground.

Tom Volp Park, Main Street, Lake Drive Meringandan - Cricket pitch, BBQ facilities, toilets with disabled access, also large dam, bird watching, multipurpose court. The local community helped install some of the facilities. Community events held in the park include the Meringandan Spring Festival. The dam complete with island supports a variety of birds. Young people on an environmental program planted trees on the island and put up nesting boxes. Named after Tom Volp, a long serving Council employee.

The park was initially laid out in a pattern intended to mirror the design of the Union Jack. Avenues of trees crossed the park from corner to corner, linking with trees planted around the perimeter. Today the essence of this original plan can still be seen, and is being paid due regard in the ongoing task of enhancing Newtown Park.

In World War II the park's convenient spaces were utilised by military forces. Today the only trace of their operations is the timber building on the park's north east corner which is now used for community purposes. For some years a caravan park also occupied part of the park area.

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Council operated parks abound throughout Toowoomba Regional Council, offering recreational opportunities for all ages.

For the closest location to you, refer to the listings below.

National parks

Queen's Park (26.3 ha), formerly a Crown Reserve, was handed over to the control of the Toowoomba Council in 1865. At about this time the services of Walter Hill, government botanist and superintendent of the Brisbane Botanic Gardens, were being made readily available to councils and others who wished to establish parks and gardens.

Mr Hill was brought to Toowoomba and, as well as designing and planning the development of Queen's Park, he advised the council on street tree-planting and supervised much of the work. Many of the trees planted in Queen's Park were imported by him from Europe, Asia, and many other parts of the world. Hill Street was named in his honour.

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The State Rose Garden in Newtown Park has more than 1,500 roses planted, with many more to be planted over coming years. This rosarium is being continually upgraded as a living memorial to the people of this city and the district in general.

This special garden has been one of the most successful community projects in Toowoomba, with residents and volunteers contributing more than $340,000 in the form of donations or in-kind support - machinery, equipment and skills. Toowoomba City Council has contributed $250,000 for capital improvements to the gardens and the new toilet block.

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Gore Memorial Park - Approximately 10 km east of Millmerran on the national arterial Gore Highway, adjacent to the historic heritage listed All Saints Church at Yandilla, the oldest building in the Millmerran area - Toilets and sheltered picnic table.