GLORIOUS

~ BY DAY ~

SPECTACULAR

~BY NIGHT~

Grafton’s Jacaranda Season is a Spectacular Sight

We like to think of Grafton’s 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.

When is Grafton’s Jacaranda Season?

Jacaranda season is surprisingly brief, which only makes the experience more rare and memorable. Generally speaking, the purple blossoms start to show themselves in early-to-mid October. The second half of October sees the streets and parks of Grafton look like something out of a dream, with the trees in full bloom. (And that dream becomes even dreamier at night in See Park when “Illuminate” lights up the Jacarandas!) By mid-November, the roads and footpaths are carpeted in fallen purple blossoms as the Jacarandas prepare to don their lighter, green summer outfits.

How about the Grafton Jacaranda Festival?

The Grafton Jacaranda Festival occurs over the last week of October and the first week of November. Whether you’re seeking a little piece of yesteryear, where locals still line the main street of Grafton to watch (with a purple ice cream in hand) the annual float parade, or you love the flamboyance and pageantry of drag queen bingo – Grafton’s Jacaranda Festival has something for everyone. One of the most popular days is “Jacaranda Thursday”, where main streets close, local businesses dress up and people meander throughout the CBD, soaking up the atmosphere.

To view the most recent schedule of events, click here.

Where are the Jacaranda trees around Grafton?

It might be easier to ask ‘where aren’t the trees?’ With more than 1700 Jacaranda trees in town, there are streets after streets lined with these glorious trees 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.)

Where and when is Illuminate?

The enchanting blossoming of the Jacaranda trees, usually only visible by day, is now a spectacular at night!

The incredible evening experience, Illuminate, allows you to admire the trees in See Park while they’re spot-lit to stunning effect daily from dusk to 10:30pm. The magnificent reflections over the pond bring additional sparkle that kids – and the young at heart – love.

See the Jacaranda trees illuminated from Friday, 20 October until Friday, 10 November.

Things to do in and around Grafton’s 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 Grafton’s 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. (Check out some of our favourite road trips!)

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 Grafton’s 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 JACARANDAS: SPECTACULAR BY DAY, SENSATIONAL BY NIGHT!

Presumably, you’re here for Jacaranda Season, so number one on this list HAS to be experiencing the glorious, dreamlike ambience of Grafton’s Jacaranda-lined avenues and parks. Too much purpleness is never enough! The map above gives you a good indication of the streets to see. And while the sun does a splendid job showing off the trees in the daytime, our night-time ILLUMINATE project lights these ethereal blooms in the most magical way imaginable – make sure you stay the night! The trees are lit nightly – 7:30(ish)PM to 10:30PM in See Park, for the entire season.

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 is home to part Gallery, part Visitor Information Centre) is an art piece in itself. Enjoy the quietude of the courtyard, take the perfect selfie on the famous “big purple chair” and browse the gift shop for your Grafton Jacaranda merch.

03 HANG OUT AT THE COOL SIDE OF TOWN

Speaking of creativity … South Grafton’s authentically retro main street has a quirky boho vibe. Eclectic cafes, recycled clothing stores mix with rural supply providers. Murals and arty street blisters reflect local Gumbaynggirr history and culture. The boulevard by the marina provides shade, BBQ and picnic facilities. You might even catch a play or local musician at the new Grumpys Rock Cafe on Skinner Street.

04 GET ON THAT BIG BEAUTIFUL RIVER!

OK, enough creativity for the moment! Do you have some sort of floating craft in your possession? Perhaps a small tin boat or kayak? If so, make sure to get on our big, beautiful river! It’s an easy(ish) paddle from town around Susan Island (depending on the tide!) Susan Island is a registered significant site to the Aboriginal women of the Clarence Valley. Or paddle downriver and discover a shipwreck! Keen eyes will spot the remains of the Induna, which served as a rail-ferry before the bridge was completed in 1932. If being on the water isn’t your thing, how about a nice picnic next to it? Grab a coffee and some cake, grab your blanket and admire the view from the sidelines.

Pontoons located Prince St Grafton or Skinner St South Grafton.

05 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. Combine new and old by looping over both neighbouring bridges to get those daily steps up, plus there are great photo opportunities from this high up. Access the footbridge off Fitzroy or Greaves St Grafton or Bridge Lane South Grafton

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

06 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 coordinates 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). Time machine on the blink? Dont panic. Step back in time, figuratively and literally, with a visit to the Schaeffer House Museum or the Remember When Cottage instead.

07 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 views.

Breimba Street Grafton, access ‘Fig Tree Ave’ from Bacon Street. Green space is at corner of Breimba and Pound Street.

08 TAKE A PIECE OF JACA HOME WITH YOU

Yes, the Jacaranda season may only last a few weeks, and we know this just isn’t long enough to enjoy the purple haze. Thankfully there are some great places, selling some great Jacaranda-inspired things that you can take home with you. While you stop by at the Visitor Information Centre, have a browse through the Grafton Regional Gallery store, where you will find an array of locally sourced products and Jaca-inspired gifts. Jacaranda HQ Store is also a one-stop shop for all your jaca merchandise and you’ll find lots of Grafton- themed gifts dotted in stores on both sides of the bridge so keep your eyes peeled.

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 EXPLORE MORE!

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 well-kept secret of the Clarence Valley hinterland is just a short (and very picturesque) drive away.

Great road trip ideas are to be found at www.myclarencevalley.com

Make your visit to see Grafton’s Jacarandas a truly memorable experience!

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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Grafton’s Jacaranda Season is a Spectacular Sight

When is Grafton’s Jacaranda Season?

How about the Grafton Jacaranda Festival?

Where are the Jacaranda trees around Grafton?

Where and when is Illuminate?