Six weeks of purple
Purple, and then more purple. For a few weeks each spring the streets of Grafton disappear under it, and the whole town quietly rearranges itself around a tree.
Jacaranda season in Grafton runs from mid October to early November, with peak bloom usually in the last two weeks of October. More than 1,700 jacarandas line the streets and parks, around 37% of the town’s trees. Park at See Park and explore on foot. Free, no bookings, no ticket.
Proudly Bundjalung and Gumbaynggirr Country.
BLOOM STATUS
Updated 16 Sept
Green and leafy for now. First blooms usually show from early October.
Where to see them
Nine spots on an interactive map
Illuminate
Free light show, dusk to 10:30pm
What's on
Festival dates and Jacaranda Thursday
Plan your visit
Parking, toilets, accessibility
Get the map
Print the brochure before you come
Beyond the trees
Fig trees, river, road trips
1,700 trees, one destination
Tap the numbers to explore each spot. Park at See Park and follow the loop from there.
SEE PARK -Â The Best Photo Spot!
Biggest canopies in town, and where Illuminate happens.
OLIVER STREET
A classic Grafton jacaranda street. Best in the morning light.
GRAFTON REGIONAL GALLERY
 Art, the iconic 'purple chair', and printed maps at the visitor desk.
A GREAT BIG FIG TREE
Not a jacaranda, but worth the detour.
SOUTH PONTOON — River access and open views back to town.
1. See Park | The best photo spot
The biggest canopies in town, plus a playground, picnic tables and public toilets. Park here and walk the rest. This is also where Illuminate happens after dark.
Off Turf Street · free parking · accessible pathsÂ
2. Market Square
The festival hub, with Jaca Jill, good shade to sit in and the Clock Tower nearby.
Jaca Bus departs from here during the festival
3. Oliver Street
A classic Grafton jacaranda street, best in the morning light.
Residential street — please park considerately
4. Grafton Regional Gallery
Art, gardens and jacarandas in one stop. The Visitor Information Outlet is inside – pick up a printed map, ask for local tips.
158 Fitzroy Street
5. Grafton Waterfront Precinct
Where the jacarandas meet the Clarence. A flat, easy walk with a pontoon for river access.
Pontoon at Prince Street
6. A Great Big Fig Tree
Not a jacaranda, but worth the detour. Enormous, and a good place to get out of the sun.
Near Memorial Park
7. Fig Trees Galore
A green tunnel of mature figs on the eastern side of town.
Fig Tree Avenue, off Bacon Street · also access from Breimba Street
8. South Pontoon
River access on the South Grafton side, with open views back across to town.
Skinner Street, South Grafton
9. The Bendy Bridge
Walk across for the best view over the river and back toward the jacaranda streets.
Perfect sunset activityÂ
Illuminate
- Where - See Park
- When - Nightly 23 Oct – 12 Nov, 7:30–10pm
- Opening Night - 23 Oct, 6:30pm
- Cost - Free
Grafton Jacaranda Festival
30 Oct – 8 Nov 2026
Grafton Jacaranda Festival · 92nd year
A little piece of yesteryear, or the thrill and roar of the Carnival Capers. Either way, there’s something in there for everyone.
Jacaranda Thursday · 5 November
Main streets close, businesses dress up, and the CBD fills with live music, food trucks, market stalls and a free community breakfast in Market Square.
Plan your visit
- Parking — Around the showground, Grafton Shopping Centre and surrounding streets, outside the main event zones.
- Public toilets — Market Square, Grafton Showground and See Park.
- Accessibility — Market Square has sealed/flat paths, accessible parking and toilets. The Grafton Regional Gallery is step-free. More accessible attractions across the valley →
- Jaca Bus — Hop-on hop-off service from Market Square, the easiest way to get around the festival hub. Timetable published closer to the dates.
- Eat & drink — Cafes, restaurants and everything in between. See what's open →
- Visitor information — We're here to help. Get in touch with the My Clarence Valley team, or drop into the Grafton Regional Gallery to talk to the visitor information team.
Most of these streets are people’s homes. Please park considerately and keep to the footpath.
Good to know
Are the jacarandas out in Grafton right now?
Check the bloom status at the top of this page – we update it through the season. As a guide, the first blooms usually appear in early October, with peak bloom in the last two weeks of the month.
Which are the best streets in Grafton for jacaranda photos?
See Park has the biggest canopies, plenty of room to shoot, and no traffic to worry about. From there it’s a short walk to Pound Street, Grafton’s official jacaranda street, and on to Oliver Street and Market Square for street scenes with the Clock Tower under the blooms. Nine spots are marked on the map below.Â
When is the best time to visit Grafton for jacaranda season?
The last two weeks of October are usually peak bloom. Jacaranda season runs from mid October to early November, though exact timing shifts each year with the weather. Early November is still worth the trip, when the blooms start falling and the footpaths turn purple.
Where's the best place to stay during Jacaranda Season?
Staying in Grafton puts you within walking distance of the jacaranda streets and See Park, which matters for Illuminate after dark. There’s a mix of motels, pubs, caravan parks and self-contained options
Browse places to stay in Grafton →
Grafton books out, there’s plenty nearby. South Grafton is just across the bridge, Ulmarra is a short drive upriver, and Maclean and Yamba or Wooli puts you near the coast. Each is worth a stay in its own right.
The Busways 380 runs between Yamba, Maclean, Ulmarra and Grafton, arriving at Market Square in the middle of the jacaranda streets. Note that Opal cards aren’t accepted and services are limited, so check the timetable before you plan around it — particularly for Illuminate, which runs into the evening.
Book early either way. Accommodation fills quickly through the festival.
Is Jacaranda Season the same as the Jacaranda Festival?
No. Jacaranda Season is up to six weeks of trees in bloom, from mid October to early November. The Grafton Jacaranda Festival is a program of events within that, running 23 October to 8 November 2026. You don’t need to visit during the festival to see the trees.
Where are the best places to see the jacarandas in Grafton?
See Park has the biggest canopies and is where Illuminate happens after dark. From there it’s a walkable loop through the CBD taking in Oliver Street, Market Square and the waterfront. Nine spots are marked on the map on this page.
Where should I park in Grafton during jacaranda season?
Park at See Park. There’s plenty of free space and it keeps traffic away from residential streets. Most of the best viewing is within walking distance from there.
How do I get around Grafton without a car?
Half a day covers the trees. The self-guided walking loop through Grafton’s main jacaranda streets and historical precinct is over 4km, and you’ll want time for photos and coffee along the way.
Stay the night and you get Illuminate at See Park after dark, which is a different experience entirely. With two days you can add the Gallery, the fig trees, the riverfront, and a run out to Ulmarra or the coast.
Is Grafton Jacaranda Season free?
Yes. Jacaranda Season and Illuminate are both free, with no bookings or tickets required. Some individual Jacaranda Festival events are ticketed.
How long do I need in Grafton for jacaranda season?
Taxis and ride-share. Grafton Taxis on (02) 6642 3622, or 131 008 for the national booking line. Rabbit Ride-Share covers Grafton, Yamba and Maclean on 0455 700 300, and also runs airport shuttles. Book ahead during the festival.
Buses. Busways runs local services, and the 380 connects Yamba, Maclean and Ulmarra, arriving at Market Square. Opal cards aren’t accepted and services are limited. 380 timetable →
During the festival, the Jaca Bus runs hop-on hop-off from Market Square.
How many jacaranda trees are there in Grafton?
More than 1,700, which is around 37% of the town’s trees. They line streets and parks across the CBD and See Park, with the densest canopies in the older residential streets.
Know when they bloom
A few emails a season, nothing else.
Beyond the trees
The jacarandas are the headline act, but there’s plenty else worth your time while you’re here.
Day trips
Day trips
ExploreA place to stay
A place to stay
Take a lookEat & drink
Eat & Drink
Yes pleaseTop 10 Must do
THINGS TO DO
See the ListFor a few weeks each year the trees do their purple freeze-frame fireworks display, and it’s hard not to slow down and look up. We hope you get a moment of that while you’re here.
