Queensland Government Schools SCHOOL PROFILES 2011/2012

Toowoomba
... the Garden City
ABOUT TOOWOOMBA
Sitting high on the Great Dividing Range, around 700 metres above sea level, Toowoomba is known as the
‘Garden City’ of Queensland. Its wide, tree-lined streets, parks, gardens and historic buildings give the city
a touch of old-world charm.
As a result of its safe, friendly environment, clean mountain air, natural beauty and low cost of living,
Toowoomba has twice been voted Australia’s best city in which to live. Toowoomba is the hub of the famous
Darling Downs region and is known as the Gateway to the West. Noted for its grain crops, cotton, vegetables and
timber, the Darling Downs is an important part of Queensland’s agricultural production.
The city is a leisurely 90 minutes drive from Queensland’s capital city, Brisbane, and only two hours from the
beaches of the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.
Student experience
The moment I set my feet on the ground in the Garden
City, Toowoomba, I was surely given a thrill by the rich
abundant image displayed in front of my eyes. This
immediately made me have a greater, more consuming
interest in this city, people and the whole country.
The teachers here are the greatest teachers I’ve ever met;
they all take great responsibility for the learning and
success of their students.
Living with my homestay family has been one of
the coolest experiences I have ever had. I think my
homestay represents most Australian people in that
they are unbelievably polite and eager.
Through the experience of studying and living in
Australia I have renewed my perspective on life and
have become a better person overall. My life in Australia
was a priceless journey that will be forever embedded
in my memory. These two years have
truly been the best time of my life.
Steven Gu Yunchao
China
PLACES OF INTEREST
Picnic Point Lookout is an ideal place to appreciate the
rugged mountain ranges, valleys and native forests of the
Great Dividing Range.
Toowoomba has an amazing array of walking trails, from
the more challenging hikes through the escarpment
parks and mountain ranges to a stroll through wellpaved
parks and bikeways.
Cyclists are also well catered for, with over 70 kilometres
of sealed bikeways passing through city parks and lying
adjacent to scenic waterways.
The prestigious, historical Empire Theatre regularly plays
host to performers from around the world.
TERTIARY EDUCATION PROVIDERS IN THE
TOOWOOMBA REGION
• University of Southern Queensland – Toowoomba
• The Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
• With nearly 90,000 people, it is the second largest
inland city after Canberra
• Its is a key educational hub that provides public and
private education to Queensland’s regional areas
• University of Southern Queensland is a world leader in
distance and online education.