The Post Office was one of the first Government functions to be established in a locality, and the need for regular communication was closely followed or sometimes preceded by the Police Station.

[1] The period between 1859–1879 marked the separation of the Post and Telegraph Departments and a wide range of buildings appeared throughout Queensland to accommodate both functions.

The original tender was for a building constructed of bond brick, however this was later altered to allow for the front tower and one wing (the Court House side) in cut stone at a new price of £8100.

The new building opened in 1880, with delays due to wet weather, and provided separate facilities for each service, and residential quarters for both the Postmaster and Telegraph Officer.

[1] The Toowoomba Post Office is a typical example of the Classical Revival style of architecture popular during this period and forms part of a government precinct which includes the Court House and Police Station.

[1] The most substantial alterations occurred in 1968 when much of the original fabric, including external cast iron balustrades, timber valances, chimneys and hearths, and 1904 glazing to arcades, was replaced or removed.

Everything apart from the 1908 and 1915 telephone exchange sections were removed from the rear of the building and replaced with a flat roofed mail room and loading dock.

The originally open space formed by the U-shape of the front section and wings is covered with a flat roof with a sky light in the centre.

A series of arches divided by engaged pilasters with egg and dart moulding to the capitals are located across the face of each arcade.

[1] The main section of the building has a corrugated iron hipped roof, with decorative stone and timber brackets evenly spaced underneath the eaves.

The most intact areas are the rooms at the western end on the first level and the clock tower, which still contain early joinery details.

[1] All details to other areas of the building have either been removed or are covered by subsequent additions, making it difficult to define the original layout.

The Toowoomba Post Office is evidence of the importance of the town as a major inland centre, and of its recognition as such by the government.

A precinct of Government buildings is formed by the Post Office, the adjacent Toowoomba Court House and the Police Station in Neil Street.

The Toowoomba Post Office is of considerable aesthetic significance due to its landmark qualities and for its high degree of design and workmanship, including the exterior stonework.

The place has strong associations with past and present residents of the Darling Downs as the primary centre for communication, by mail, telegraph or telephone since 1880.

[1] The place has a special association with the life or work of a particular person, group or organisation of importance in Queensland's history.

It also has special associations with Government architect F D G Stanley who was responsible for the design and construction of Queensland post offices from 1872–1880.