ONE FINE DAY

A tour of Toowoomba, Qld

OPENED IN 2015 by Dan and Edwina Farquhar, The Finch cafe has become a local favourite for its cool, Melbournesque vibe, industrial good looks and modern Australian menu with a Southeast Asian twist. Here, owner Dan shares his perfect day in the hip hub of Toowoomba.

THE NITTY GRITTY:

Where exactly:

Around 132 kilometres west of Brisbane, in the Darling Downs region of southern Queensland. Population:

Approx. 167,000 What it’s all about:

Sitting on the edge of the Great Dividing Range,Toowoomba is more than a quaint country town.This sprawling hub is the country’s second largest inland city after Canberra, home to 150-plus parks and gardens, the iconic Cobb+Co Museum and charming tree-lined streets with historical architecture. But it also has an urban edge with a buzzing cafe culture, epic street art and a fascinating cultural and events calendar.

DAN’S HIT LIST:

6am: Rise and shine Star t the day just before dawn with a climb up TABLE TOP MOUNTAIN (1) to catch the sunrise over the LOCKYER VALLEY.The early morning is worth it for the views! 7.30am: Early bird

Pop into THE FINCH CAFE (2) for a well-earned coffee and brekkie. Be sure to try my favourite – the local roasted Goombungee mushrooms. 9.30am: Market days

If you’re here on a Saturday, wander through the FARMERS’ MARKETS [at the Cobb+Co Museum] on Lindsay Street where you can pick up the best seasonal produce and chat with the growers. 10.30am: Art and interiors Visit the TOOWOOMBA REGIONAL ART GALLERY on Ruthven Street, which exhibits local artists. And afterwards, pop down the road to MAGNOLIA HOME & GIFT and THE CUMQUAT TREE for some home interiors retail therapy. HAROLDS FINISHING TOUCHES (3) is another great store to check out while in town. 12pm: Seoul food

Visit KAJOKU for lunch (4). It’s almost hidden from the street but upstairs you’ll find an authentic eatery serving the best Korean [and Japanese] food in town. 2pm: Garden leave

Wander through QUEENS PARK or LAUREL BANK

PARK (5) to check out the gardens that give Toowoomba its nickname,The Garden City. 4pm: From the rooftops

Swing past GEORGE BANKS, a bar and bistro housed in a historic bank building, and enjoy a beer or two at the rooftop bar. 6pm: Pizza party

For dinner you can’t go past local favourite PICCOLO PAPA PIZZERIA.The Porcini eTartufo pizza is sublime.