19th: TOOWOOMBA CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND W'ender TWINKLING LIGHTS & COUNTRY CHARM 🎄

📅 19-20 December 2026
A second Toowoomba Christmas Wonderland weekender, a week before Christmas. The first one (5-6 Dec) filled very quickly, so here's another go for anyone who missed out. Members on the 5-6 Dec waitlist get first pick, and I'll add you to this event upon posting.

📅 RSVPs close: 21 November 2026, or when minimum 8 RSVP's are claimed. If we don't reach minimum 8, attendees are refunded in full.
No refunds after 10 December, 2026.

🎄 TWINKLING LIGHTS, COUNTRY TREATS AND GOOD COMPANY ✨
We're heading up the range to Christmas Wonderland - a botanic garden transformed with dazzling light displays, festive music and that warm Christmas glow. Add some country-town browsing, a few sweet treats, a much-loved Thai dinner and a night in our motel, and we have a festive weekend away, all from the comfort of our Hiace.

🚐 SATURDAY
🥐 MORNING TEA IN THE COUNTRY: Once we're all on board, we'll head west for a cuppa, a bite and a chin-wag at a favourite country stop along the way.

🏞️ VIEWS FROM THE TOP: Next it's up to the edge of the range, to a quieter, lesser-known lookout with a viewing platform and a wide panorama. Table Top Mountain sits front and centre, with the Lockyer Valley spreading out far below. We'll breathe in the fresh air, snap a group photo or two, and take a moment with the story boards about the area's Indigenous history.

🍽️ LUNCH WITH A TWIST: Lunch together at a popular local spot in historic Drayton, and the twist is slow-smoked BBQ, made by two guys who took their love of BBQ a little too seriously.

🏡 CHECK IN & FREE TIME: After a scenic drive past some of Toowoomba's grand old buildings, we'll check in and have some free time to freshen up and recharge before the evening.

🍜 THAI FEAST: We're off to one of our group's all-time favourite Thai restaurants.

✨CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND: Then it's a short walk from our motel to the gardens for the main event. We'll wander at our own pace as carols and Christmas songs drift across the lawns from the main stage. Each path reveals a new display, and there's plenty to see. Grab a cuppa, pick up a glow wand or a Lions Christmas pudding, and know our entry donation (already covered for you) goes to local charities. Then we'll head back to our accommodation.

🚐 SUNDAY
☕ BREAKFAST: After loading our luggage, we'll walk to a nearby morning Cafe for breakfast.

🌸 JAPANESE GARDEN STROLL: A peaceful morning wander through one of Australia's largest traditional Japanese gardens. Red bridges lead across the lake to three little islands, with waterfalls, a bamboo avenue and quiet seats around the water.

🍫 SWEET TREATS & BROWSING: Lunch at a well-loved chocolate cottage, where our table is pre-booked on the green, under the leafy wisteria arbours. Be sure to check out the chocolate shop for a few Christmas treats to take home.

🎅 CHRISTMAS TREASURES: One last festive stop at a charming little Christmas shop, just right for picking up a new decoration or two, before we head home.

🚐 PICK-UP POINTS (Saturday)
7.30 am Eagleby - private residence with off-street parking (address messaged to confirmed attendees). Please have $15 ready for our kind member/resident on the day for off-street parking.
7.45 am Beenleigh Train Station
8.30 am Redbank Train Station

Upon RSVP, please message me your preferred pick-up spot.

RETURN (Sunday, approximate)
5.15 pm Redbank Train Station
5.55 pm Beenleigh Station
6.05 pm Eagleby private residence

INCLUDED
✔ You don't drive - enjoy the ride together in our Hiace (with lockable enclosed trailer for our gear, in tow)
✔ Fuel and tolls
✔ Pick-up and return at our nominated meeting points
✔ One night's motel accommodation
✔ Saturday night Thai dinner at a group favourite restaurant
✔ Christmas Wonderland entry donation - paid for the group, no need for coins on the night
✔ On-board nibbles and cool water for bottle refills
✔ A scenic drive, Japanese garden stroll, range lookout, chocolate cottage and Christmas shop stops
✔ Pre-event messages closer to the day covering who is meeting where, what to bring and handy tips

AT YOUR OWN EXPENSE
- Saturday morning tea bite and Saturday's lunch
- Sunday breakfast\, lunch and sweet treats
- Drinks
- Shopping and souvenirs

WHAT TO BRING
Overnight bag, comfy walking shoes, hat, sunscreen, a refillable water bottle, a light jacket for the evening, cash and/or card, and your Christmas spirit!

COST
\ PAYMENT IS REQUIRED with your RSVP to SECURE YOUR SPOT \
Own room : $390
Twin Share (2 beds) weekend: $330 per person (only 2 twin shares available in 1 twin room)
These prices are slightly higher than our 5-6 Dec weekender because accommodation costs more closer to Christmas.

TO DO's :
a) if you'd like one of the 2 twin share places, please message me when you RSVP
b) please also message me your preferred meet spot per above info.

PAYMENT IS REQUIRED with your RSVP to SECURE YOUR SPOT

National Australia Bank
Account : Natalie M Stewart
BSB : 084-961
Account Number : 308470164
Event price: (see room schedule above for your amount own/twin).
Reference : JOY2 /your name
I'll send you a quick message once your transfer lands to confirm your seat is locked in

ROOMING SCHEDULE:
3.5 Motel rooms ; free wi-fi, smart TV, refrigerator, m/wave, tea/coffee makers, ensuite.

OWN MOTEL ROOM - $390 per person
1. GAYLE
2. TANIA
3. KAT
4. LU
5. NARELLE
6. KAREN
7.
8.
9. NATALIE

TWIN ROOM - 2 beds - $330 per person
10a. CHRISTINE
10b. SHIRLEY

REFUNDS & CONDITIONS
- Please ensure your Meetup notifications are switched ON for updates.
- Full payment is required at time of RSVP.
- If you invite a +1 guest\, please pay on their behalf.
- This event closes to RSVPs on 21 November 2026\, or when minimum 8 RSVP's are attained.
- Minimum RSVP's 8 : Maximum RSVP's 11
- Cancellations after 21 November 2026 will incur a $35 Cancellation/Amendment fee.
- Twin share relies on two members sharing. If there's no twin share partner by 21 November 2026\, you may be required to pay the $60 own/twin room difference.
- If you cancel after bookings close\, I will endeavour to sell your ticket for you\, but no guarantees. Reselling tickets is a courtesy\, not an entitlement. Tickets may not be passed on to another person without prior approval.
- Refunds are directed to your bank account only.
- No refunds will be issued after Thurs 10 December 2026.
- If you resign or are removed from the Meetup group\, the Cancellation/Amendment fee still applies\, even if the adventure has not yet commenced.
- In the event of any changes or amendments to the adventure or itinerary\, or reallocation of hosts\, there are no refunds.
- If the outing is cancelled due to insufficient numbers (fewer than 8 paying members)\, full refunds will be directed to your bank account.
- Failure to arrive on time will void your ticket entirely with no refunds.
- Meals\, drinks and purchases\, unless specifically mentioned as included above\, are at your own expense.
- Seat Rotation: To ensure everyone enjoys window views and a fair experience\, please swap seats after rest stops so everyone has fair window\, front and rear opportunities.
- Motion Sickness: If you're prone to motion sickness\, please bring your own travel medication that works for you (prescription medication works best\, as natural remedies like ginger are usually less effective) and take it before we set off\, so you can join in the seat rotation with everyone else.
- As always\, spread kindness\, courtesy and friendship - not only within our group but also to motel staff\, restaurant staff\, retailers and fellow visitors.
- No smoking\, vaping or mobile phone calls/internetting while in company - please be as tech free as possible!
- The weekend will still go ahead if it rains.
- In the very rare event that a member's behaviour is significantly disruptive and impacts the group's experience\, the host reserves the right to discontinue that member's participation\, including any unused portion of the ticket such as accommodation or return transport. No refunds will be provided in these instances\, and the member will be responsible for their own return arrangements and associated costs.

✨TWINKLING LIGHTS with COUNTRY CHARM

🎄 CHRISTMAS CHEER WITH FRIENDS

NEVER TRAVEL ALONE AGAIN ... ✈️