🎄TOOWOOMBA CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND WEEKENDER - TWINKLING LIGHTS & COUNTRY CHARM

TOOWOOMBA CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND WEEKENDER - A FESTIVE OVERNIGHT ESCAPE TO THE GARDEN CITY FOR THE OPENING WEEKEND OF CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND!
Wow!! This event filled very quickly indeed. If you missed all the Rsvp action since posted 4pm 23rd Oct, please rsvp to the waitlist, as may be possible to do a 2nd similar weekend 19/20 if accomodation is available for us

📅 5-6 December 2026
RSVPs Close: Thurs 19 November 2026 (or when 11 places are claimed)
No refunds after Thursday 26 November 2026.

🎄 Twinkling lights, country treats and good company.

Toowoomba at Christmas - is magical! We're heading up the range for the opening weekend of 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 cosy night in our motel, and we have a wonderful 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. By the time we're back in the Hiace, the chatter will be flowing and that weekend-away feeling is in!

🏞️ VIEWS FROM THE TOP : Next it's up to the edge of the range, and no, it's not the well-known Picnic Point as we're heading a little further along to a quieter, lesser-known lookout, where a viewing platform reaches out from the ridge for a wide, uninterrupted panorama. Table Top Mountain sits front and centre, with the Lockyer Valley spreading out far below and beyond. 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
Then 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! It's a relaxed, hearty, pull-up-a-chair kind of lunch, ideal for swapping stories and settling into weekend mode.

🏡 CHECK IN & FREE TIME
After a scenic drive past some of Toowoomba's grand old buildings, we'll check in to our motel in leafy East Toowoomba and enjoy some free time to freshen up, enjoy a cuppa and recharge before our big festive evening.

🍜 THAI FEAST
We're off to one of our group's all-time favourite Thai restaurants - members from our last Toowoomba trip loved it so much they've been back just for the food!

✨CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND
Then a short stroll to the gardens for the main event - Christmas Wonderland on its opening weekend!
We'll wander at our own pace as carols and Christmas songs drift across the lawns from the main stage, where local school choirs and bands perform. Each path reveals a new display.. and there's plenty to see while we take it all in and feel that childlike Christmas magic again.
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, including the Toowoomba Hospital Foundation and Toowoomba Hospice. Then, filled with extra festive spirit, we'll head back to our accommodation.

🚐 SUNDAY
☕ BREAKFAST ACROSS THE ROAD
After loading our luggage, we'll pop across the road for breakfast at a lovely local cafe. No driving and no rush, just a good coffee, a hearty brekky and plenty of chat about the joy of the lights last night.

🌸 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. Stroll and chat together or find your own tranquil spot. It's a lovely, slow-paced reset after our big night out.

🍫 SWEET TREATS & BROWSING
Lunch at a well-loved chocolate cottage, where our table is pre-booked out 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. It's a sweet way to wrap up our weekend: browsing together, pointing out favourites, and picking up a little keepsake that'll bring back our Christmas getaway every time you trim the tree.

🚐 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 in East Toowoomba (own room or twin share)
✔ 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
✔ Plenty of laughs, conversation and festive fun together

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 : $370
Twin share : $310 per person (limited twin rooms - please message me at time of RSVP if you'd like the share option)

National Australia Bank
BSB : 084-961
Account : Natalie M Stewart
Account Number : 308470164
Reference JOY/ your name
$ see room schedule below
I'll send you a quick message once your transfer lands to confirm your booking.

ROOMING SCHEDULE:
3.5 Motel rooms ; free wi-fi, smart TV, refrigerator, m/wave, tea/coffee makers, ensuite.
OWN MOTEL ROOM - $370 per person
1. CAROL
2. SUE
3. JOAN
4. HELEN
5. LEANNE
6. STEVEN
7. JANET
8. ANN
9. ANNETTE
10. NATALIE

TWIN ROOM - 2 beds - $310 per person
n/a
n/a

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 19 November 2026\, or when 11 places are filled.
- Minimum RSVPs = 7 ; Maximum RSVPs = 10
- Cancellations after 19 November 2026 will incur a $35 Cancellation/Amendment fee.
- Twin share relies on two members sharing. If there's no twin share partner by 19 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 26 November 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.
- In the unlikely event the outing is cancelled due to insufficient numbers\, 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. The seat nearest the sliding door is reserved firstly for anyone with mobility challenges.
- 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 ... ✈️