Grafton’s Jacaranda Season. It’s time to tick it off your bucket list.
It’s 2021 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 21 October through to 11 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.
Where are the trees?
Things to do in and around the Jacarandas
Where are we?
Where are we?
Take me thereJaca map
Jaca map
View mapCharming grafton
Charming Grafton
Read MoreA place to stay
A place to stay
Read More
Jacaranda Season top 10!
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 TO SUSAN ISLAND
Enough culture for the moment! Hire a kayak and get on our big, beautiful river! 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. Or just paddle around the 23 hectare island. 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.Pontoons at end of Prince St Grafton or Skinner St South Grafton.
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.
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!
🇦🇺 Grafton is particularly famous for the purple blooms. A 6.5 hour road trip north of Sydney is where you'll find Grafton's streets and parks blanketed in purple from the town's 2000 plus jacaranda trees. Covid-19 may have forced the cancellation of Grafton's annual 10-day Jacaranda Festival this year but that doesn't stop these purple beauties from blooming.
💐 Jacaranda season is in full swing between mid-October to mid-November.
⚡️ Don't forget to tag your images with travellerau , #travellerau or #travelleraudream to give us permission to feature.
👀 To read more on where to find these beauties and some tips on how to photograph them by rhodeswelltravelled , hit the link in our bio.
📸: laurenepbath
#nsw #lovensw #newsouthwales #newsouthwalesaustralia #nswtourism #visitnsw #nswaustralia #australiaroadtrip #holidayathome #australiagram #roadtrip #spring #australianroadtrip #australiagram_nsw #australia_oz #grafton #graftonjacarandas #jacarandas #jacarandaseason #northernrivers #northernriversnsw #seeaustralia #australia_shotz #lovensw
It's that time of year that makes it rain in purple. ☂️
The crowds have eased here in the Jacaranda City. What better time to come and enjoy the jacaranda trees and the purple streets of Grafton.
Petals are falling on the walkways, park lands and roads creating a purple carpet for as far as the eye can see. Surround yourself in the beauty.
📷 : @peeedah
#newsouthwales #seeaustralia #GraftonNSW #GraftonJacarandas #clarencevalley
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
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.
Without making a fuss, I’m going to politely remind everyone that I don’t support horse racing and I’d prefer if you didn’t ask me for suggestions as to what you should wear to horse racing events.
For the 9th year in a row I’m saying #nuptothecup
I have been invited to some epic high profile events that have a focus on fashion but ultimately it’s linked to the racing industry which values animals on the basis of financial return, which means profit is often put before kindness and horses are never the winners.
Trust me there’s many times I’ve been tempted to say yes because I love dressing up and socialising. Have found it very hard this year in particular to say no to invites.
Horses are intelligent and emotional animals with unique personalities. They can recognise human emotion, they can even learn to communicate their preferences to us. I just won’t support the racing industry.
I have a long history working with animals and consider myself to be quite educated in the matter, but I’m not here to lecture you.
There are plenty of other ways to have a fun day out and many occasions where you can get dressed up.
Tomorrow I’ll be finishing of the last 6hours of my solo drive from Brissy to Melbs in Veronica the Vitara. It’s 5 sleeps until the curvyau prom night 🎉 so it’s going to be a busy busy week. There’s tickets available if you’d like to come get dressed up.
Took this pic in #grafton (with my phone on a timer balanced on the dash of my car) wearing my new kmartaus dress - it’s a linen blend and super comfy. A snug bit on the (.)(.) and I have popped a tee underneath.
#curvyau #styleover30 #travelatanysize #lifeinfullcolour #aussiecurves #plussize #celebratemysize #selfconfidence #beautyforall #styleandcurve #inspiringconfidence #brisbaneblogger #youtube #sundaymorningview #jacaranda #graftonjacarandas #melbournecup2019
Grafton Jacarandas 2020 💜💜💜
The enormous old Jacaranda trees bloom in Grafton towards the end of October and into early November filling the streets with clouds of soft purple, mauve and lilac hues 💜
Everywhere you look is filled with purple blossoms 💜
The city is easy to walk or bike around and the Jaca Map from myclarencevalley points out the best locations to wander and experience this purple city 💜💜💜
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#graftonjacarandas #myclarencevalley #purpleflowers #jacarandatrees #visitnsw #seeaustralia #beautifuldestinations #northernrivers_nsw #jacarandafestival #jacarandaseason #jacarandaflowers #visitrurandregionalaustralia #visitthebush #divine_worldplaces #thetravelbootcampcommunity #holidayherethisyear #travellerau #escapesnaps #breakfree_olympus #purplelife #armchairtravel #travelmemories #newblogposts #womentravelers #curioustraveler #travelblogger #dontstoptraveling #travelphotography📸 #travelwriter
💡ILLUMINATE SEE PARK! Don’t miss it from 7:30 to 10:30pm each night at See Park, starting tonight 21 to Sunday 24 October and then again from Friday 29 October to Monday 8 November, locals and visitors alike will be able to enjoy the Jacaranda Trees well after the sun has set!
📸 capturedchapters
📍 See Park Grafton, NSW
#graftonjacarandafestival #graftonjacarandas #myclarencevalley #newsouthwales #loveNSW #seeaustralia #exploreyourbackyard #holidayherethisyear
“Illuminate” An Australian Government bushfire recovery initiative. Project managed by Clarence Valley Council and installation by Summertime Electrical and Security.
Now is still a perfect time to come and visit the Clarence Valley to immerse yourself in the abundance of Jacaranda trees in Grafton, NSW.
Streets upon streets create beautiful purple canopies above your head as you wander, twirl or dance along.
Come and see what all the fuss is about, we promise you won't be disappointed 💜
📸: @lubicazbonak
#graftonjacarandas #clarencevalley #newsouthwales #loveNSW #seeaustralia #exploreyourbackyard #holidayherethisyear
What a wonderful time of year -- jacaranda season!
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This gorgeous picture was taken by justinemcclymont in Grafton, NSW. Thank you, Justine, for sharing the jacaranda love! 🙂🌱💜
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#jacaranda #northernriversnsw #grafton #graftonjacarandas #purple #purpleflowers #blooming #abcaustralia #organicgardenermag #gardenshelptheplanet
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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
