Grafton Jacaranda Festival 2026: A Purple Detour Off the Waterfall Way
Every spring, a river town in northern New South Wales turns purple. More than 1,700 jacaranda trees bloom along Grafton's streets at once, the footpaths go lilac with fallen petals, and the town throws Australia's oldest floral festival to celebrate. Most people drive straight past on the Pacific Highway. Slow down, and you'll find heritage streets, a wide river with more than 100 islands, and a festival that has been running since 1935.
At a glance
Festival dates: 30 October to 8 November 2026
Peak bloom: usually late October to early November
Where: Grafton, Clarence Valley, northern NSW
Getting there: about 1 hour from Coffs Harbour, 3 hours from Brisbane, 7 hours from Sydney
Best for: slow travellers, photographers and anyone who likes a country-town festival
Why Grafton is the jacaranda capital
Jacarandas came to Australia from South America in the 1850s. In the late 1800s, Grafton's seed merchant and nurseryman Henry Volkers was told to plant jacarandas and only jacarandas, and the town never looked back. By the 1920s visitors were coming just to see the trees, and in 1935 the first Jacaranda Festival was held over two nights on Jacaranda Avenue. It's been running ever since, which makes it the longest-running floral festival in the country.
The 2026 Jacaranda Festival
The festival runs from 30 October to 8 November 2026, with major events and plenty of fringe ones across the ten days. Check the full program on the Jacaranda Festival website before you go.
Illuminate in See Park: the trees in See Park on Turf Street are spot-lit after dark through jacaranda season, and the opening weekend brings live music, a licensed bar under the purple canopy and a youth lantern parade. Bring a picnic and stay for dusk.
The crowning in Market Square: Grafton has crowned a Jacaranda Queen since 1943. Since 2022 the role has been open to everyone, with a King, Queen or Ambassador chosen for their local knowledge and community spirit.
Jacaranda Thursday: Grafton traditionally takes a Thursday afternoon off during the festival. In 2026 it's proposed for 5 November, so expect a town in party mode.
Parades, markets and fringe events: street parades, markets, music and community events fill the program. Some are ticketed, most are free.
Slow travel tip: the trees put on their best show on still, sunny mornings, when the light comes through the canopy and the petals haven't been trampled yet. Walk early, then retreat to a café when the day crowds arrive.
Where to see the jacarandas
See Park: the easiest place to start, with parking, lawns for picnics and the lit-up trees at night.
Jacaranda Avenue: where the first festival was held, and still one of the prettiest purple tunnels in town.
Around the Saraton Theatre: the 1920s theatre on Prince Street framed by jacarandas is a classic Grafton photo.
Residential streets: wander the side streets and you'll find purple everywhere, but remember private gardens are private. Stay on the footpath and be respectful.
One more local tip: don't eat the petals. The jacaranda ice cream sold in town is berry-flavoured and contains no actual jacaranda.
More to do in Grafton
Walk the heritage trail: Grafton's grand Victorian and Edwardian buildings line Victoria Street, around the courthouse precinct and the old bank buildings.
Christ Church Cathedral: a striking red-brick Anglican cathedral designed by John Horbury Hunt. Open daily and free to visit.
Grafton Regional Gallery: in historic Prentice House on Fitzroy Street, with a good gallery store for jacaranda souvenirs.
The double-decker bridge: opened in 1932, the old Grafton Bridge carries cars on top and trains underneath.
The Clarence River: paddle across to Susan Island Nature Reserve, reached only by boat or canoe, or just watch the river from the town's riverside parks.
Make it a road trip
Grafton sits at a handy crossroads. Head south to Coffs Harbour and turn inland on the Waterfall Way through Bellingen and Dorrigo's rainforest, then climb up to Armidale and the New England tablelands. Or follow the Clarence River downstream to Maclean and the beach town of Yamba.
Getting there
Fly: into Coffs Harbour (about 1 hour south) or Ballina Byron (about 1.5 hours north), then hire a car.
Train: the Sydney to Brisbane XPT stops at Grafton.
Drive: about 7 hours from Sydney, 3 hours from Brisbane, 3 hours from Armidale and 2 hours from the Gold Coast.
Where to stay
Browse places to stay on Booking.com in Grafton, Yamba and Coffs Harbour. Grafton books out in festival week, so reserve early or base yourself in Yamba and drive in.
This post includes affiliate links. If you book through them, Best Bits Travel may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Plan your trip
Best time: late October to early November for peak bloom; weekdays are quieter than festival weekends.
Book early: accommodation in Grafton fills up fast during the festival.
Check the program: event dates and times can change, so confirm on the festival website.
Allow: at least one night to see the trees in morning light and the lit-up park after dark.
FAQs
When is the Grafton Jacaranda Festival 2026?
From 30 October to 8 November 2026. The jacarandas usually peak from late October into early November.
How many jacaranda trees are in Grafton?
More than 1,700, according to the local council's count, most of them lining the town's streets.
Is the Grafton Jacaranda Festival free?
Many events are free, including seeing the trees and the lit-up See Park. Some festival events are ticketed, so check the program.
How far is Grafton from Sydney and Brisbane?
About 7 hours' drive from Sydney and 3 hours from Brisbane. The nearest airport is Coffs Harbour, about an hour south.
Why does Grafton have so many jacarandas?
In the late 1800s, local nurseryman Henry Volkers was instructed to plant only jacarandas, and the town has been planting them ever since. The first festival was held in 1935.
