Going Bush Toowoomba
Exploring Our Region's Best Bushwalks
Local Links: Get Connected
Here are some of the people & groups who share a close connection with Toowoomba's natural spaces and places. Click on the links to get involved or to learn more.
If you can recommend any other relevant groups/websites, please let me know and I will add them to this list.
Going Bush
on Facebook
Visit/like/follow the Going Bush Toowoomba Facebook page for more bushwalking photos/news + get notifications when a new trail guide is added to the site.
Toowoomba Regional Council
Visit the TRC website to view a PDF copy of the Walks & Trails booklet, locate other recreation spaces & off-leash areas, or contact a friendly ranger.
Cr. Tim McMahon
Tim McMahon is our local councillor for Environment and Community. He is very approachable and generous with his time, so email if you have a relevant issue/query.
Toowoomba Bushwalkers Club
This club organises a range of field outings, including day walks and overnight camps that cater for most skill levels. They also host social activities and publish a monthly newsletter.
Happy Hikers Toowoomba
This group meets weekly for local walks, and organises longer Adventures throughout the year. A portion of the fee per walk supports local/national environmental organisations.
Ravensbourne Ramblers
This walking group welcomes people in and around Ravensbourne to join them for a casual or regular walk/hike/ramble. They meet twice a month, and their outings are followed by coffee.
Hike to Heal at Mt Peel
The Hike to Heal is a community organisation that runs an annual scavenger hike at Mount Peel, raising awareness about suicide prevention and positive mental health. Entry fees support Lifeline Darling Downs counselling service.
Toowoomba Field Naturalists Club
This club holds regular field outings, and also hosts meetings with informative talks about natural history, presented by specialists (both professional and amateur) and members.
Friends of the Escarpment Parks
This non-profit community group works closely with the Toowoomba Regional Council to assist in the management, maintenance and development of Toowoomba's bushland escarpment parks for public use.
Friends of Peacehaven Botanic Park
This group of volunteers works with Toowoomba Regional Council to create and maintain the botanic gardens in Highfields. Their native plant nursery is open to the public on Thursday & Saturday mornings.
Crows Nest Community Nursery
This group of volunteers supports native wildlife by propagating indigenous trees, shrubs and ground cover plants that occur naturally within/beyond our regional boundaries. The nursery is open to the public on Thursdays.
Native Plants Queensland
A community-based organisation committed to growing, conserving and studying Australian plants. The Toowoomba Branch meets on the third Friday of each month, and holds regular outings to study native plants.
Toowoomba Plants Blog
Patricia Gardner is an experienced and highly-respected local naturalist. Her blog features plants indigenous to the basalt soils of inland south-east Queensland, suitable for use in gardens.
BirdLife Southern Queensland
BirdLife Southern Queensland is an independent, not-for-profit bird conservation organisation, whose aim is to create a bright future for Australia's birds. The Darling Downs Chapter is convened by local ornithologist Scot McPhie.
Friends of LFW Toowoomba
Friends of Land For Wildlife Toowoomba is a community organisation whose priority is to lobby Toowoomba Regional Council to fund and procure delivery of a LFW program in our area.
iNaturalist
This citizen-science website/app is a place to record your animal/plant observations, share data with fellow naturalists and discuss your findings with others in the community.
Questagame
This citizen-science gaming app is a fun way for people of all ages to explore the biodiversity in their local region, and add to the shared body of knowledge we are building as environmental scientists.
eBird
This citizen-science website/app is a tool to explore birding hotspots near you, share your sightings with the birding community and view your archived stats, photos and sounds.
Amaroo Environmental Education Centre
This government organisation delivers environmental and Indigenous education programs for school students (P-12), teachers and the wider community.
Gummingurru Aboriginal Corporation
These traditional custodians care for Gummingurru, a ceremonial Bora site located on Jarowair country. They are reviving cultural knowledge by 'resurrecting' extensive stone arrangements that have been buried in the soil.
Other Useful Links
Bushwalking Guides - more information to help you choose a great walking trail...
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Parks & Recreation Areas Guide - Highfields, Crows Nest, Ravensbourn
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Main Range National Park Map - Cunninghams Gap & Spicers Gap Sections
Regional Visitor Guides - explore other local activities & accommodation ideas...
Visitor Information Centres - phone/email/visit in person to access local experts who are a rich source of local knowledge...
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Stanthorpe Visitor Information Centre