The Venue

Gabbinbar Homestead is a heritage-listed estate in Toowoomba, established in 1866. Sitting on Giabal Country at the highest point of Toowoomba’s range, ‘Gabbinbar’ means ‘beautiful place’ in Gaibal language. In 1880, Gabbinbar became a social hub and place to discuss politics, including Australia’s Federation, before being used as the Governor of Queensland’s summer resort between 1906-1909. It was then occupied May 1942 to July 1943 by the 2/1st Corps Field Survey Company AIF during WW2. The discovery of the first funnel-web spider antivenom also has ties to Gabbinbar through Toowoomba’s 'Spider Man’, Pat Walker, who supplied spiders from its grounds to the Commonwealth Serum Laboratory. Extensively restored in 2011, the Homestead is now renowned for its charming Federation-style architecture and magnificent gardens with groves of Jacaranda, Bunya pine and Moreton Bay fig trees. Annika cried walking up the driveway – yes, it's that beautiful! We hope it takes your breath away, too.