Grafton's Jacaranda Season - Clarence Valley

Grafton’s Jacaranda Season. It’s time to tick it off your bucket list.

It’s 2022 and it’s time to visit Grafton’s Jacaranda Season. It’s been on your bucket list for ages and this is the year to put that little tick (or big tick if that’s more your style) beside it.

We always like to think of Jacaranda Season as an opportunity to connect with a sense of wonder – seeing the trees do their purple freeze-frame fireworks display; a tree-lined avenue looking like something out of an impressionist painting; or just glancing up and seeing the sky through a curtain of purple blooms – there’s nothing like these moments to plug us into a sense of gratitude for the here and now.

After early consultation with the trees, it’s looking like the official season will be from 20 October through to 10 November. However, nature has been really off on its own path lately, so if we get an update we’ll let you know.

OK, so existential musings aside, here’s some information about Grafton’s amazing, sublime and gorgeous Jacaranda Season!

When can I see the trees?

Jacaranda season is surprisingly brief, which only makes the experience more precious. Generally speaking, the purple blossoms start to show themselves in early-to-mid October.

The second half of October sees the Jacaranda-lined streets and parks of Grafton look like something out of a dream, with the trees in full bloom. By early November, the roads and footpaths are carpeted in fallen purple blossoms as the Jacarandas prepare to don their lighter, green summer outfits. As mentioned before: 20 October to 10 November is Grafton’s ‘Official’ Jacaranda 2022 season.

Where are the trees?

It might be easier to ask ‘where aren’t the trees?’ There are streets after streets lined with Jacarandas around Grafton. Whether you want to take a stroll, ride a bike or drive a car, we would like to make your experience as easy as possible. Below we have a link to a downloadable map so you can easily ‘lose yourself’ in the purple haze, (without, er, literally getting lost.

Things to do in and around the Jacarandas

Although you can spend all day just admiring the magic of the Jacarandas and soaking up their simple beauty, Grafton offers some lovely activities to make your stay memorable.

First of all, you should be warned that – for reasons unknown to science – time spent in the company of Jacaranda Trees makes a person ravenously hungry. We’re happy to advise that Grafton has a splendid array of cafés, eateries and restaurants that will relieve you of this condition.

Further to this: there’s always the option of picking up some delicious produce from a cafe, emporium, farmers market, or deli, and having a good old-fashioned picnic in your own patch of purple. (Tip for young players, if you’re looking to prove your romantic credentials with a partner, organising a picnic under a Jacaranda Tree is an extremely worthwhile investment of your energies)

And speaking of old-fashioned – remember books? Pick up a novel, perhaps one set in Grafton itself (“The Mint Lawn”, for example, written by our Clarence Valley Ambassador Gillian Mears), stretch out, start reading under the trees and let the blossoms fall as you while away the hours. You’ll feel like a character in your own novel.

If you’re more of an up-and-at-‘em kind of person (or couple, or family), perhaps the Jacarandas might fuel your sense of adventure. Use Grafton as a base from which to discover the delights of the Clarence Valley. (See this three-day itinerary to get you started).

OK, here’s a parting though (it’s a bit left-field, but go with us on this): Maybe one of the best things to do while visiting the Jacarandas is actually – just for a moment or two – to try to ‘be’ like a Jacaranda.

Think about it. Jacarandas (well, all trees, really) are excellent at just … being. So take a moment, put your device aside, take a few calming breaths and see if you can just … ‘be’.

It’s never easy to switch off the constant internal chatter of our minds, but in the company of these incomparably lovely trees, who knows, maybe we can find a moment or two of stillness.

Where are we?

Take me there

Jaca map

View map

Charming grafton

Charming Grafton

A place to stay

01 SEE THE PURPLE TREES!

Presumably you’re here for Jacaranda Season, so number one on this list HAS to be experiencing the glorious, dreamlike ambiance of Grafton’s Jacaranda-lined avenues and parks. Too much purpleness is never enough! The Jaca Map (see link above) gives you a good indication of the streets to see.

02 GALLERY VISIT!

Once your senses have been invigorated by the Jacarandas, a visit to the Clarence Valley’s hub of fine art – The Grafton Regional Gallery – is a must. Prentice House (the heritage building that contains the gallery) is an art piece in itself. Plus you can pick-up more Clarence Valley information while you’re here at our Visitor Information Centre located at the Grafton Regional Gallery, 158 Fitzroy Street.

03 KAYAK AROUND SUSAN ISLAND

Enough culture for the moment! Hire a kayak and get on our big, beautiful river! Susan Island is a registered significant site to the Aboriginal women of the Clarence Valley and the Nyami Julgaa are the cultural custodians of the island. It’s an easy paddle from town to Susan Island, where you can visit the subtropical rainforest Nature Reserve with massive Moreton Bay Fig trees.

04 BRIDGE WALK

Sure, you can do the Sydney Harbour Bridge Walk, but the Sydney Harbour Bridge doesn’t change direction on a jaunty angle halfway along now does it? This makes the Grafton Bridge Walk clearly superior to its Sydney imitator. And that strange thing in the water, at the south-west end? … It’s a shipwreck! Here lie the remains of the Induna, which served as a rail-ferry before the bridge was completed in 1932.

Once Induna’s services were no longer required, it sank of a broken heart. (Not true.) Access the footbridge off Fitzroy or Greaves St Grafton or Bridge Lane South Grafton

05 TIME TRAVEL! (SORT OF)

Until we iron out some bugs with our backyard time machine, Grafton’s Walking and Cycling Heritage Trail is still the best way to visit another era. Set your co-ordinates to 1884 and marvel at the Christ Church Cathedral – (revolutionary at the time for breaking away from established religious design), or 1893 (The imposing Grafton Gaol). The many private residences let you imagine what life was like in this thriving country town in the 1900’s.

The Walking and Cycling Heritage Trail booklet is available at the Clarence Valley Visitor Centre.

06 STROLL FIG TREE AVENUE

The Jacarandas may get all the glory but trust us, this garden city has got more than one tree up its sleeve! This magnificent avenue of giant fig trees is a National Trust listed site. They form an arch about 30 metres above the asphalt, making it a lovely cool spot to wander and wonder. There’s a little green space for a snack or a picnic, where you can take in the water.

07 WITNESS A FREAKY NATURAL PHENOMENON

Each dusk, the sky over the Clarence River becomes a swarming black beast as Susan Island’s flying fox colony wake from their daytime slumber and go in search of their evening meal … (of fruit). Watch the spectacle from a riverside pub (The Crown Hotel in Grafton or Walkers Marina Hotel in South Grafton) or Memorial Park.

08 HANG OUT AT THE COOL SIDE OF TOWN

A little bit vintage, authentically retro, South Grafton’s main street has a quirky, interesting vibe.

Eclectic cafes, recycled clothing stores mix with rural supply providers. Colourful murals and arty street blisters reflect local Gumbaingirr history and culture. The boulevard right by the river marina provides shady trees, picnic facilities and BBQs. And you might catch a play or local musician at the Pelican Playhouse, Skinner Street, South Grafton

09 EAT AND DRINK!

We should have put this at number two after the Jacarandas! Here in G-Town there are myriad epic places to eat, drink and relax. There’s top class coffee, great seafood (the coast is only a hop, skip and jump away), and all your dietary requirements will be catered for.

10 ROAM THE REGION!

And why not extend your stay and experience the delights of the Clarence Valley. Grafton’s not far from the coast, including the gorgeous coastal towns of Yamba, Wooli and Iluka (only 40 minutes away) and the rather well kept secret of the Clarence Valley hinterland is just a short (and very picturesque) drive. Make sure you have a look through our My Clarence Valley site to discover all of the amazing things you can do to make your visit to the Jacarandas truly memorable experience.

Delve into a little purple. You’ll feel better for it.

The great outdoors

Day trips

Towns and villages

Eat, drink and be happy

EYE CANDY

Check out our Instagram feed below for a taste of what you’ll find in Clarence Valley.
And then, make sure you come and see for yourself!

@MyClarenceValley

#graftonjacarandas

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Dec 22

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I was very excited to see Jacaranda trees still blooming on south coast in December! On this painting I’ve captured place at Grafton during two weeks of Jacaranda season. 102x102cm, acrylic on canvas. Available from my studio. $2150 Free Shipment Australia wide. SOLD. ...

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Oct 29

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“Jacaranda Fever ”. 61x61cm; acrylic on canvas. Blooming trees at Grafton. 💓 Available from my studio. ...

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Oct 30

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Jacaranda Season in Grafton New South Wales is absolutely sensational 🤩 view from my drone 🙌🏽
#dronephotography #dronefly #naturephotography #landscapephotography #grafton #newsouthwales #graftonjacarandas #graftonjacarandafestival #seeaustralia #myclarencevalley #abcmyphoto ...

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Oct 27

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Breaking up the work day with a wander through jacaranda-lined streets. Recharge and reset.

Grey sky jacarandas are my favourite. Particularly that intense steely grey-green right before it storms. Nature at her showiest 💜

Have a wonderful Wednesday, friends x
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#myclarencevalley #grafton #graftonjacarandas #graftonjacarandafestival #stetwalk #amediting #takeabreak #lunchtimewalk #underthestairseditorial ...

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Nov 2

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Christ Church Cathedral, Grafton framed in jacaranda graftonjacarandafestival 💜
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#jacaranda #jacarandas #seeaustralia #myclarencevalley #tourismnsw #NewSouthWales #aussiephotos #aussie_images #exploringaustralia #australia_oz #nature_brilliance #allbeauty_addiction #flower_igers #raw_flowers #bns_flowers #flowersandmacro #bns_nature #fiftyshades_of_nature #tv_australia #gw_australia #total_australia #abcmyphoto #nature_perfection #tree_brilliance #your_trees #tree_magic #graftonjacarandafestival #graftonjacarandas #bendigobank #snapsharewin ...

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Nov 10

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Happy Hump Day! Another shot from over the weekend of the beautiful jacaranda 💜💜
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#jacaranda #jacarandatree #jacarandas #grafton #graftonjacarandafestival #seeaustralia #abcaustralia #fiftyshades_of_nature #nature_perfection #nature_brilliance #nature_skyshotz #bestnatureshot #newsouthwalesaustralia #tourismnsw #holidayherethisyear #allbeauty_addiction #bns_nature #bns_flowers #exploringaustralia #exploreaustralia #igscflowers #ig_discover_australia #raw_flowers #aussiephotos #aussie_images #australia_shotz #myclarencevalley #graftonjacarandas #ww_australia #gw_australia ...

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Nov 4

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Purple rain, purple rain 💅🏾🎶🟣 ...

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Oct 30

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Purple everywhere atm graftonjacarandafestival 💜
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#jacaranda #jacarandas #seeaustralia #myclarencevalley #tourismnsw #aussiephotos #aussie_images #exploringaustralia #nature_brilliance #allbeauty_addiction #flower_igers #raw_flowers #bns_flowers #flowersandmacro #bns_nature #igscflowers #fiftyshades_of_nature #tv_australia #gw_australia #total_australia #abcmyphoto #nature_perfection #tree_brilliance #your_trees #tree_magic #graftonjacarandafestival #blackmilkclothing #graftonjacarandas #bendigobank #snapsharewin ...

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Nov 13

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I love how the street is called Jacaranda Ave 💜💜
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#jacaranda #jacarandatree #jacarandas #grafton #graftonjacarandafestival #seeaustralia #abcaustralia #fiftyshades_of_nature #nature_perfection #nature_brilliance #nature_skyshotz #bestnatureshot #newsouthwalesaustralia #tourismnsw #holidayherethisyear #allbeauty_addiction #bns_nature #bns_flowers #exploringaustralia #exploreaustralia #igscflowers #ig_discover_australia #raw_flowers #aussiephotos #aussie_images #australia_shotz #myclarencevalley #graftonjacarandas #ww_australia #gw_australia ...

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Nov 8

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Gwydir Highway graftonjacarandafestival 💜
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#jacaranda #jacarandas #seeaustralia #myclarencevalley #tourismnsw #NewSouthWales #aussiephotos #aussie_images #exploringaustralia #australia_oz #nature_brilliance #allbeauty_addiction #flower_igers #raw_flowers #bns_flowers #flowersandmacro #bns_nature #fiftyshades_of_nature #tv_australia #gw_australia #total_australia #abcmyphoto #nature_perfection #tree_brilliance #your_trees #tree_magic #graftonjacarandafestival #graftonjacarandas #bendigobank #snapsharewin ...

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Want to know more about the Clarence Valley's Jacaranda Season? Of course you do!

Part of me wants to keep it a secret,
part of me wants to tell everyone I know,
the Clarence Valley is paradise.

ADRIANNA BUTLER

Grafton’s Jacaranda Season. It’s time to tick it off your bucket list.

When can I see the trees?

Where are the trees?