Friends! Ready for streets that glow purple? Wrapped by the Clarence River, Grafton mixes graceful architecture with jacaranda-lined avenues, art-filled heritage spaces, and easy day trips to forests, gorges, and long, quiet beaches.

Come for the bloom season, stay for river walks, galleries, and scenic drives that make planning blissfully simple.

When To Go

Late October to early November brings the Jacaranda Festival, when hundreds of trees flower. Expect street performances, markets, fun runs, and open gardens. Many events are free; special programs cost around $5–25. Book stays 8–10 weeks ahead. Outside festival weeks, Grafton is calm and great value, with motels and riverside apartments from $90–160 per night.

Bloom Central

Base yourself near See Park for classic purple canopies over ponds, lawns, and a waterfall feature. Facilities include shaded playgrounds, BBQ shelters, and restrooms. Parking is free; plan 45–90 minutes for photos and a picnic. Arrive before 9:00 or near sunset for soft light and smaller crowds during bloom season.

Heritage Walk

Pick up the Grafton Heritage Trail map at the Clarence Valley Information Centre. The easy loop links 25 sites, from Queen Anne villas on Victoria Street to interwar buildings and a castle-like gaol façade. Allow 1.5–2 hours with photo breaks. Many streets are shaded, so it's an enjoyable walk year-round.

Schaeffer House

Explore Schaeffer House, home to the Clarence River Historical Society. Rooms display regional textiles, photographs, furniture, and curios from daily life. Entry costs $5–10; allow about an hour. The brickwork and joinery reveal early-1900s craftsmanship that defined much of Grafton's architecture.

Art Fix

The Grafton Regional Gallery, inside 1880s Prentice House, presents over forty exhibitions each year, including the Jacaranda Art Award series. Entry is usually free; special shows cost $5–12. Expect calm verandas, a regional art shop, and rotating displays by North Coast artists. Plan 60–90 minutes.

Riverside Icons

Walk across the new Grafton Bridge for panoramic water views, then return via the heritage Bendy Bridge from 1932. Its double-deck structure and preserved lifting span are unique in New South Wales. The full loop takes 45–60 minutes, with benches and shady rests along the way.

Showpiece Cinema

On Prince Street, the Saraton Theatre impresses with its Art Deco auditorium seating nearly a thousand guests. Watch new releases or live performances; tickets cost $10–28. Arrive early to appreciate the curved detailing and original lighting before the show.

Yuraygir Coast

An hour east, Yuraygir National Park protects 65 kilometres of pristine shoreline. Break the multi-day coastal trail into shorter loops to lakes or dunes. Day-use parking is $6–8 per vehicle. Facilities are minimal, so pack water, snacks, and sun gear for quiet, uncrowded walks.

Nymboida Wilds

Southwest of town, Nymboida National Park winds through deep valleys and fast rivers. Guided canoe runs cost $85–120 for half-day trips with gear provided. Walking trails near access points make great 2–4-hour excursions. Check river levels before visiting—they rise quickly after rain.

Rainforest Loop

Further inland, Washpool National Park sits within the Gondwana Rainforests World Heritage Area. The half-day Washpool Walk follows creeks beneath towering trees and dense fern undergrowth. Access is free apart from park fees at car parks ($6–8). Surfaces can be slippery; wear good shoes and bring a light rain jacket.

Ulmarra Detour

Fifteen minutes downriver, Ulmarra feels paused in time. Stop at Coldstream Gallery in its 1907 building for ceramics, paintings, and woodcrafts (free entry; workshops from $30–60). Add bakery treats and a quiet riverside seat before returning to Grafton.

Clarence Gorge

For more adventure, book a farmstay northwest of town to access Clarence Gorge, a private-land area of waterfalls and rapids. Expect short bushwalks to lookouts and options for canoeing on calm stretches. Stays usually cost $110–180 per night. Bring sturdy shoes and follow site safety notes.

Greens & Views

Play a round at Grafton District Golf Club, a hillside course with sweeping valley views and resident birdlife. Green fees are $25–45 for 18 holes; carts cost extra. The clubhouse veranda offers relaxed post-round meals and cold drinks.

Easy Planning

Stop by the Clarence Valley Information Centre for maps, park updates, and event listings. Staff can help book accommodation or tours, and there's free Wi-Fi for on-the-go planning. In town, casual cafés serve mains for $12–20 and coffee with cake for $6–9.

Sample Day

Morning: Heritage Trail walk, Schaeffer House, and coffee on Prince Street.

Afternoon: See Park picnic and jacaranda photos, then a bridge-loop stroll.

Evening: Film or concert at Saraton Theatre—book ahead for main-auditorium seats.

Conclusion

Grafton is gentle travel done right: a purple-tinted walk under jacarandas, a gallery hour in a gracious home, and a scenic drive to the coast or rainforest. Which moment will you seek first—a dawn stroll beneath blossoms, a river crossing with long views, or a quiet seat in a grand old theatre?