The Toowoomba region is situated on the Great Dividing Range, at the intersection of three major highways - the Warrego, New England and Gore. The area has a diverse economy and is within an easy drive of Brisbane and the Sunshine and Gold Coasts. As well as four distinct seasons, it offers the best of urban and regional environments.
Toowoomba Regional Council area is part of South East Queensland and the productive Darling Downs, and is the gateway to the resource-rich Surat Basin Energy Precinct.
Of the 74 Queensland local government areas, the TRC area is the ninth largest after Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Moreton Bay, the Sunshine Coast, Logan, Townsville, Cairns and Ipswich covering an area of 12,973 sq km.
The population of the region in 2009 was 159,098 persons. Major enterprises include manufacturing, health and community services, retail and agriculture. The TRC area boasts numerous events and attractions that draw both domestic and international tourists. These include Easterfest; Hampton High Country Food & Arts Festival in May; Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers in September; and the biennial Australian Camp Oven Festival in October.
