Petals & Pups

Petals and Pups 2023 is the official dog-friendly program of the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers, completely dedicated to hounds and their humans, and in salute to Toowoomba’s first canine Ambassa-dog, ‘Puppy’ the Pomeranian.*

With the program featuring more than 20 dog-friendly activities and 27 off-leash parks, and with the city home to 19 dog-friendly accommodations, it's one of the best places paws in the petals, petals!

Over 190,000 blooms have been planted across the city’s major parks and public spaces to create a spectacular canvas of colour for the celebrations, with the Petals and Pups program a highlight for owners of pups of all shapes and sizes:

For the Cultured Canines 

If spending a weekend strolling through perfectly manicured gardens, taking in amazing art, and indulging in a long lunch (all with your canine companion by your side) sounds like your perfect day, then this is the paw-fect option for you. Start the day getting lost in the laneways of Toowoomba, exploring the fantastic street art scene before heading to lunch for a paws-itively paw-fect feed. With energy recharged, head to the off-leash dog park at Queens Park before admiring the petals in the Botanic Gardens.

For the Pampered Pups

It’s not too far-fetched if you want to spoil your pup while getting all the Instagram pictures at TCOF this year.

Beginning with a puppycino alongside your cappuccino before a day at the doggie day spa, shop until you drop with some dog-friendly local luxe shopping (Hello Harolds Finishing Touches). After that ruff day full of self-care, you and your loved little one can take in the blooms at Laurel Bank Park.

For the Adventure Dogs 

You’d be barking mad not to take advantage of the options for action-packed trailblazers at TCOF this year. After a hearty breakfast, take your pooch on a bushland adventure at Garnett Lehman Park before watching the sunset while free ranging at Dr Alex Horn Park.

Toowoomba locals will tell you the café scene is worth sticking around for! Plan your day around stopping in for fresh local produce filled eats and master-brewed coffee at some of the region’s best dog-friendly cafés.

• Burrow Café – 117a Bridge St, East Toowoomba
• Cafe Valetta – 96 Margaret St, Toowoomba
• Gip’s Restaurant – 120 Russell St, Toowoomba
• Ground Up Espresso Bar – 501 Ruthven St, Toowoomba
• Milk & Honey Espresso Bar – 6 Ann St, Toowoomba
• New Brew Café – 102 Taylor St, Toowoomba
• Ortem Café & Events – 15 Railway St, Toowoomba
• Parkhouse Café – 92 Margaret St, Toowoomba
• Picnic Point Restaurant – 165 Tourist Rd, Toowoomba
• Travellers Coffee House – 189 Hume St, Toowoomba
• The Chocolate Cottage – 10475 New England Hwy, Highfields
• The Finch – 2/469-473 Ruthven St, Toowoomba
• Urth Cafe 195 Hume St, Toowoomba

To ensure your pooch day is pawsome make sure you pack a water bottle, bowl, leash, harness, poop bags, familiar food and snacks and a ball or frisbee to chase around the gardens.

Need to know - Find full itineraries, dog-friendly accommodation options and directions here. 

*Who was Puppy? The much-loved Puppy led the Toowoomba Thistle Pipe Band in the very first Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers parade in 1950. The Pomeranian belonged to the band’s drum major, Mr Hugh Morgan and was suited up in a coat in the band’s tartan pattern. The statue commemorating Puppy stands at Picnic Point (164 Tourist Road) and is the picture paw-fect spot for pooches amongst the local scenery.

Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers is a valued partner of Must Do Brisbane.com