Toowoomba, it’s time to treat yo self! May I suggest you try a staycation? Forget flights, long drives and arguing with the GPS. Stay home and have a weekend to remember.
Don’t roll your eyes. You can have an awesome long weekend in Toowoomba. And, you can do it in style at Potter’s Boutique Hotel.
It doesn’t matter what your reason is. Your birthday. Family reunion. You just got engaged. Hen’s night. You need to hide from a visiting mother-in-law. Maybe, like me, you actually live out of town and are sick of finding a designated driver every time you have a night out. Or maybe you just can’t deal with the dishes in the sink and want to unplug from life for just a little while.
No judging here – you do you. Book yourself a room at Toowoomba’s newest hotel and get relaxing. Potter’s is perfectly positioned mere metres from Toowoomba’s CBD (no fighting for a park!), Grand Central and Laurel Bank Park.
With a variety of rooms on offer it’s great for a girl’s weekend getaway, a family stay or even travelling workers. They have accessible rooms configured for wheelchair access, two bedroom apartments and connecting rooms. And the hotel has a bunch of extra features that should be standard everywhere, but aren’t: free WIFI, free parking, free Netflix, blackout curtains and totally whisper quiet soundproofing.
Over the recent First Coat Festival weekend (19-21 May) I was invited to try out Potter’s Boutique Hotel for myself. I enthusiastically packed my bags, called my Brisbane-based bestie to join me and headed up the Range for a long weekend of stay-cay fun.
Bathroom goodies at Potter’s
Staycation Day 1
Friday 19 May
7am
No work today! My #treatyoself weekend starts before checking in to Potter’s Boutique Hotel with a session at Complete Body Health and Fitness involving an intense amount of squats. This will be completely negated by the foodie adventure I’m about to go on, but will remain fresh in my mind all weekend every time I walk, sit, or generally move. If you’re waking up at Potter’s and need a workout you could join Park Run on Saturdays in Queens Park, if you’re into that kind of thing, or the hotel can supply a yoga mat for you.
9am
Next on the pamper train was a much needed hair appointment at Profile HD.
Their modern, yet quiet and calm salon is tucked in behind the GPO on Margaret Street. Every treatment is started with a quick and relaxing aromatherapy pressure point massage and they have the most comfortable chairs at the basin you’ll ever find.
2pm
The weekend really begins with check in at Potter’s. We have a King Twin room with super comfy beds, a large modern (and so, so clean) bathroom, bar fridge, air con and large flat screen mounted on the wall.
But the real winning features were free WiFi and Netflix! The real kind of free WiFi too, not the useless “complimentary 24-hours maximum 28mb download” kind of free WiFi.
Our sweet set up for the weekend
3pm
After a recent incident with a washing machine I was down a pair of black skinny jeans and it was time to replace them.
So after opening every cupboard and inspecting the bathroom supplies it was time to wander down to Grand Central, only 200m from Potter’s. I have never walked to Grand Central before, ever. It was oddly liberating to not have to worry about car parking.
4pm
Back at Potter’s my bestie has arrived. She approves my H&M and Witchery haul and we head to the onsite bar and restaurant. It’s a cold, foggy, rainy Toowoomba evening, absolutely perfect for staying put and enjoying what Potter’s has on offer. We took full advantage of the complimentary drink, ordered several more and washed it all down with dinner. My vego BFF went for the trio of dips. This made her very happy. As a carnivore I couldn’t pass up the pork belly, which made me happier. You don’t have to be a guest to try the restaurant – it’s open to the public.
Taking advantage of our complimentary drink coupons – Potter’s has Asahi on tap
Dippity dip
Pork belly goodness
8pm
There’s no shame in admitting our favourite BFF bonding activity is watching TV. We spent the rest of the night, cosy in our twin beds watching Netflix and loving life.
Staycation Day 2
Saturday 20 May
9am
Today was about two things: exploring Toowoomba on foot and maximum pampering.
It all started at Little Seed by Firefly. Where else would I take a visiting vegetarian for breakfast? This gorgeous space is looking better than ever, with vegie gardens out the front underneath a string of pretty lights, and inside, a new Brontë Naylor mural gracing the wall.
Little Seed
It was my first visit since the new vegan and gluten free menu and immediately I chose the Buckwheat Pancakes with Caramelised Fruits and Dark Chocolate Sauce ($18). It was presented in a pretty bowl and didn’t last long when I got my hands on it. Yum! My BFF opted for a Purple Power Smoothie Bowl ($18) and we left feeling super virtuous. Like actual healthy people. It was the first and last time all weekend.
Pancakes
Purple smoothie bowl
10am
First Coat time! The amount of talent out and about for the last First Coat Festival was extraordinary. We wandered Toowoomba’s streets and lanes for hours checking out old and new artwork. At one point we found ourselves at The Baker’s Duck, and picked up a chocolate coconut cruffin and a coffee from Anna Shirley’s to fuel our walk.
Our favourites from this year’s bunch of new murals included Lauren Hom’s piece at the Neil Street Bus Interchange, Elysha Rei’s Japanese lady on Gallery Lane, Gene Falknau on Wilcox Lane, and Tristan Kerr’s huge wall in Keefe Street.
Artists (clockwise) Tristan Kerr, Lauren Hom, Gene Falknau and Elysha Rei
Getting some air
Pit stops along the way included a wander through the Toowoomba Farmers’ Market, picking up a First Coat map at the CUA hub in Walton Stores, stopping in to browse and make a massive reading list at The Book Tree and heading in to lust over everything in The Bungalow and Basket.
1pm
It was time to treat our tired feet. We cruised into Pure Indulgence in Grand Central for a signature pedicure. No sitting up here – you get to lay down while your feet are expertly cared for. Other #treatyoself options I’ve tried and loooved are treatments from the lovely girls at Laser Clinics Australia, the always beautiful facials at Ella Bache and pedicures at Oasis Day Spa. And if you need me to further research pampering treatments in Toowoomba I’m happy to try every facial, massage, and pedicure I can find to give you an informed opinion. Bliss.
3pm
This next experience took our weekend of indulgence to an extra awesome new level. The lovely Stacey from Mirror Mirror Make Up Artistry met us in our room at Potter’s to make us look glam for our night out.
Stacey very kindly explained every step to us make-up challenged chicks. She’s one of Toowoomba’s most in-demand make up artists and had just come to us from a wedding – one of her signature services. Stacey and her team also create all the looks you’ll see on the runway at the annual City Heart Fashion Event. If you’re having a hen’s night, getting married or just want to look extra luxe for your night out book Mirror Mirror Make Up Artistry and let them work their magic! We loved our looks! Find out more about how Stacey made us look selfie-worthy here.
5pm
Our fancy pampering experience had us feeling pretty good from head to toe. It was time to get out and about! A short ($6) Uber ride from Potter’s you’ll find Toowoomba’s newest hotspot, 4 Brothers Brewing. Uber drivers will drop you off in the World Gym carpark (too trusting of the GPS), but it’s actually right next door. Lodged between the gym and the old Dairy Farmer’s factory it’s a suitably industrial chic setting for the brewery.
My bestie is a beer girl, and actually brews her own, so I left it up to her to taste. She gave the thumbs up to their Pale Ale and Mango IPA, and I kept myself occupied with the mini air hockey game. Just a side note single ladies, we were almost the only girls there, so give up Tinder for the night and just head to the brewery.
4 Brother’s Brewing
7pm
The main event! My first choice for showing my Brisbane-based BFF a great night out in Tbar had to be The Office and The Chelsea Bar.
If you haven’t checked it out since its reopening you’ll find the main bar looks familiar, but has a few new touches – like a gorgeously soft new mural by Ocre Designs. The laneway looks stunning – new black and white flooring and of course, that essential roof to keep us warm and cosy, with some toasty heaters in place too.
The Office
They promised us a revamped menu and they’ve delivered – it’s been cleverly designed to cater for groups of all sizes. Our choices were Roast baby zucchini with salted lemon, parsley and cottage cheese ($8), Southern fried chicken thigh with pickled radish and hot sauce mayo ($10), Quesa manchego and creamed spinach croquette ($4 each), Tomato fondue, goats cheese, picked basil and toasted Turkish ($10) and Shoestring fries with malt vinegar mayo and sea salt ($8).
The food was crazy delicious. Here’s a tip – eat out with a vegetarian because then you don’t have to share the Southern fried chicken thigh, which was crispy and succulent. Totally my pick!
After stuffing ourselves on this smorgasbord of goodness we snuck up the laneway into The Chelsea Bar. The much hyped speakeasy themed secret bar lives up to the talk. Seating only 28, the furnishings are lush, the drinks list the best you’ll see in town. There’s an extensive selection of wine, whisky, beer and cocktails you simply won’t see anywhere else. Great conversation, excellent alcohol, friendly service: consider The Chelsea Bar your new favourite spot. I could have sat there all night.
The Chelsea
And handily, it’s a short walk back to Potter’s from The Office, even in heels, even after champagne.
Strap your stilettos on and make your next night out at The Office and The Chelsea, I give it all the thumbs up.
Staycation Day 3
Sunday 21 May
Kinda getting used to this luxe life tbh
10am
How’s this for an amazing add on? Potter’s offer a super late 5.30pm check out on Sundays – for free. Tell your friends and family they can take that late flight out of Wellcamp!
Sadly, it was time for our mini break at Potter’s to come to an end. But our adventure wasn’t over. Breakfast was at Café Valetta and strategically chosen because of a) the chocolate chip pancakes and b) the proximity to Queens Park where the Million Paws Walk was taking place.
Pancakes and puppies – perfect!
Yes I did have pancakes twice in one weekend, thanks for noticing
After this little slice of heaven, we headed out to the Hampton Festival, another little slice of heaven. Under a stunning blue sky day we wandered the many foodie stalls, listened to live music and learned how to pair beer with food in the Chef’s Tent with BeerMatt and Paul West. We picked up a haul of caramelised balsamic vinegar, persimmons, and Lucille’s Kitchen snowflake continental biscuits.
Hampton Festival
1pm
Crow’s Nest and its beautiful National Park is just minutes from Hampton. We finished our afternoon with an hour of strolling around Crow’s Nest Falls and the rock pools, before it was time to get back in the car and head back to reality.
See Toowoomba, you can have an epic weekend in your own town! And, you can show your out-of-town buddies an awesome time too. I’d love to hear your tips on your favourite #treatyoself things to do in Toowoomba – feel free to leave a comment!
You can book your staycation at Potter’s via their website pottershoteltoowoomba.com.au and be sure to follow them on Facebook for all their latest news.
I was a guest of Potter’s Boutique Hotel, all opinions are honest and my own. Special thanks to Potter’s, The Office and Stacey from Mirror Mirror Makeup Artistry for kindly providing their services so I could include them in this review. Massive shout out to Southern Queensland Country Tourism for making the weekend happen.
