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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An insider’s guide to Noosa’s best-kept winter secrets

As the cooler weather rolls in, head to this popular Sunshine Coast destination to enjoy stunning natural beauty, culinary wonders and mild temperatures.

As southern Australia’s weather starts to cool – the frost visiting every morning and the evening chill descending at dusk – you might reach for your thickest cable knit sweater and warmest blanket. But why not reach for your suitcase and sunglasses and book a ticket to Noosa in winter instead?

Sure, it’s a favourite destination for sun-seeking summer travellers. But as locals will readily tell you, winter is the best time to uncover hidden gems across the region – not only is the weather mild and enjoyable, but the beaches and hinterland are picture-perfect, too. You might even spot a whale or two if you visit from June to September.

Discover how to spend your winter surrounded by Noosa’s stunning natural beauty.

Noosa Rivermouth And Main Beach
Make the most of mild temperatures of Noosa in winter.

Where to eat in Noosa

Known for its dynamic cuisine, Noosa is an overflowing foodie destination. Whatever your tastebuds fancy, the region has it covered.

There are the classic eateries, like lively beachfront Bistro C (try the caramelised pork belly), popular Season Restaurant on Hastings Street (order the spanner crab pasta) and stylish Locale (our pick is the slow roasted White Pyrenees lamb shoulder).

There are also chic new restaurants offering tasty dishes, like the Mediterranean fare at Pelis , Cantonese-inspired dim sums at Sabrosa , organic sourdough pizza from El Capitano , traditional recipes and tequila at Dona Cocina Mexicana and modern Italian-Australian creations from Lucio’s Marina .

diners at Lucio's Marina in noosa in winter
Taste modern Italian-Australian at Lucio’s Marina. (Image: Nickolas May)

Where to stay in Noosa

Once you’re full, you’ll need to find a place to lay your head, and Noosa has no shortage of accommodation options. From five-star resorts with palm-fringed lagoon pools to self-catered apartments and family-friendly budget options, stays in the heart of the action on Hastings Street to sleeping steps from the beach or in more spacious and relaxed accommodation along the river, Noosa offers something for everyone.

There’s the laid-back luxury of Netanya Noosa overlooking Noosa Main Beach, which offers studios, two- and three-bedroom apartments, or the family-oriented Ivory Palms Resort in Noosaville, with its three pools, jumping pillow and playground. Guests also love the versatile RACV Noosa Resort and its numerous pools, waterslides and tennis courts.

For a wildlife experience, hop on a ferry and travel to the eco-friendly Senses Noosa North Shore . Surrounded by 16 hectares of native bushland, the beautiful architect-designed property blends indoor and outdoor living and offers three stunning pools and a spa. Guests can even spot kangaroos and rainbow lorikeets from shaded verandahs.

a beachfront swimming pool at Netanya Noosa
Gaze over Noosa Main Beach at Netanya Noosa. (Image: Lumea Photo)

Things to do on land

There’s no denying it, the main beach – with its creamy-coloured sand, consistent breaks and epic coastline views – is Noosa’s shining star attraction. Bordering this is the wildly popular Noosa National Park, where you can explore over 15 kilometres of walking tracks, including options like the Coastal Walk, Tanglewood Walk and Palm Grove Walk.

A short stroll away is busy Hastings Street, which is full of life during the day and long into the night. Enjoy a little shopping, a late brunch, dinner out and a cocktail as the sun goes down.

Climb onto a fully electric tuk tuk with Noosa e-TukTuk to get an insider’s tour of the region. For a more in-depth exploration, book a bespoke tour with Joel’s Journeys and head to the lush green hinterland, or discover the rugged landscapes of Great Sandy National Park with Sunny Jeeps to spend the day with the wind in your hair and sand underfoot.

woman enjoying the view after hiking through Noosa National Park, noosa in winter
Take in views of the beautiful Noosa Hinterland. (Image: Demy Gavin)

Things to do in the water

Noosa isn’t just about the beach, the national parks and shopping; one of the most popular ways to embrace winter is to explore on water.

You could brave the waves on a surfboard, explore the languid Noosa River on a stand-up paddleboard or even head to the Noosa Everglades for a day adventuring on a boat, canoe or kayak.

Enjoy the winter sunsets aboard the newly launched HV Stillwater , a luxury, hybrid-powered catamaran that glides silently along Noosa’s waterways. You can also book a table on the only floating restaurant on the river – Noosa Cruiser – and dig into freshly cooked cuisine.

For a little more adventure, head out with Kingfisher Safari Co and cruise around the Noosa River Inlet and Lake Cootharaba. Or search for whales and dolphins (from June to September) on a small charter boat tour with WhaleSongs Noosa ; with an onboard researcher to explain what you’re seeing, as well as a hydrophone, you’ll be able to listen to the haunting songs of some of the world’s biggest animals while enjoying a winter’s day in the sun.

women kayaking through Noosa everglades noosa in winter
Explore the gorgeous Noosa Everglades. (Image: Emily Redfern)

Book your winter getaway in Noosa at visitnoosa.com.au.