Grafton is a gracious, historic city in the Clarence Valley farming district in the state of New South Wales in Australia. It is situated on the broad Clarence River and surrounded by river flats. Grafton is a thriving regional city with a relaxed country town feel.

Grafton is famous for its Jacaranda trees (Jacaranda mimosifolia) from South America, which were first planted in 1879 by a local seed merchant Mr H. A. Volkers who was contracted to do so by the Grafton Council. The town is shrouded in a carpet of mauve blossoms when the trees flower in spring. Apart from the hundreds of street-plantings, there are 24 parks in Grafton with more than 6,500 Jacaranda trees!

See also the Grafton Jacaranda Festival

Just east of Grafton, Yuraygir National Park is a sensational strip of coast teeming with wildlife. It also boasts pristine beaches, high dunes, paperbark lagoons, freshwater creeks that spill into the sea, and some of the best coastal walking tracks in the State.

 

The nearby towns of Yamba, Maclean and Iluka are a recommended visit to complete your Northern Rivers experience.

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Current July 2023 LH