Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers looks to an even bigger event in 2023 as organisers relate to its record 2022 attendance figures
The numbers are in, and it seems flowers still have the power to entice record crowds at one of Australia’s most popular events, the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers.
The committee has released attendance figures for the 2022 event, and it shows how previous records have been smashed. The total number of attendees increased an astonishing 28% to 364,775, with 121,535 overnight stays generated.
Overall, the event generated $22.61 million in direct and incremental spending in Queensland.
Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor Cr Paul Antonio enthused, “For the second year, Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers was celebrated over all 30 days in September 2022, headlined by 190,000 spectacular blooms, flourishing under the hands of an army of Council gardeners. The result was more attendance and revenue figures broken as people from all over Australia converged on our Garden City.
“The continued expansion of this iconic event has generated extraordinary financial and social benefits for the community. Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers is a significant economic performer for the region and Queensland, and we look forward to our 2023 event, and then, in 2024, celebrating 75 years of flower power,” Mayor Antonio added.
Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe also talked about how the event continued to go from strength to strength.
“Flower and event-lovers are voting with their feet and proving the success of expanding the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers into a month-long event,” Stirling Hinchliffe said.
“This brings huge benefits to the local community with accommodation providers, tourism experiences, retailers and local restaurants all bustling throughout September with that $22 million boost.
“That’s why the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers is supported as a major event and key feature of our “It’s Live in Queensland” events calendar. I encourage visitors to start planning and booking their travel now for the 2023 event,” Stirling Hinchliffe added.
Successful highlights from 2022 included
- The Botanic Gardens in Queens Park welcomed 196,109 visitors (up 8.36% from 180,976 in 2021, a Covid-19 year).
- Laurel Bank Park welcomed 93,128 visitors (an increase of 9.92% compared to 84,722 recorded in 2021) as well as five sold-out After Dark tours.
- Toowoomba’s number one social event of the year, the Festival of Food and Wine, welcomed 14,921 people over the three days of music, food and wine which saw nine national music acts perform alongside nine local acts, and local produce celebrated. The event also led the way for sustainable practices – all stallholders were required to again use only compostable serve ware, cups, straws, bags and packaging.
- Visitor Information Centres managed a total of 18,681 visitor enquiries during September, a staggering 96% higher than in 2021 and an 8.7% increase to pre-Covid figures of 2019.
- In its fifth year, the Night Garden powered by Ergon Energy Retail featured 26 lighting displays, attracting 15,436 visitors, 72 per cent more than in 2021.
- Some 60,000 people lined the streets to watch the Grand Central Floral Parade on Saturday 17 September at the earlier time of 10am, allowing fans to explore the city for the rest of the day. The 2022 theme being “Reflect, Connect and Sparkle”. 2512 participants walked the parade route from 66 entrant organisations!
- This year’s regional food trail #trEATS (Toowoomba Region EATS) featured a record number of floral-inspired dishes – 43 in total – from cafes, restaurants and bars all priced between $10 and $20. From a dessert representation of Toowoomba’s famous Table Top Mountain by Muller Bros, to a reimagined tiramisu featuring Persian rose fairy floss and a flower petal lollipop from Cobb + Co Museum
- The inaugural Teddy Bear’s Picnic at Picnic Point on 24 September welcomed more than 1500 teddy bear fans. Tambo Teddies (who manufacture products in Toowoomba) showcased their iconic bears and supported the event with a mad hatter-style stage show.
- More than 3000 movie enthusiasts supported the Movies Under the Stars program at Newtown Park.
- Foodies Tours sold out with almost 200 tickets sold.
- The Heritage Bank Parkland Entertainment program showcased ALL local artists and performers over four weekends.
- Sideshow Alley – was hugely popular again this year with crowds of well over 20,000 in attendance.
Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers 2023 will run from 1 to 30 September 2023, with the full program unveiled on Thursday 27 April 2023. See more at: tcof.com.au
