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A PLACE OF HERITAGE AND SOUL?
Grafton: city of trees, with its charms hidden from the highway, rewarding those who venture within. A place of beauty, heritage and soul. It's the beating heart of the Clarence Valley. Proudly Bundjalung and Gumbaynggirr Country.
Grafton is famous for its Jacaranda trees, so it's no surprise that experiencing the glorious, dreamlike ambience of Grafton's Jacaranda-lined avenues and parks during the Jacaranda Season in late October is one of the must-see events of the year. Purple Rain is the soundtrack as you explore the Jaca-lined streets, with petals falling like festival confetti. Feel, see and taste the purple and celebrate the longest floral festival in Australia as we head into the 90th Jacaranda Festival in 2024.
Talking of festivals, Grafton is fast becoming a celebration city and earning its place on the live entertainment map. The annual July Races is another date to save in your diaries, and if you’re more into dancing than prancing, concerts, such as the recent Groove on the Grass and Prince Street Marketta, are the perfect excuse to show off your dance moves.
Jacarandas may get all the glory, but trust us; this garden city has more than one tree up its sleeve. Fig Tree Avenue is a place where fairy tales really do exist, as you wander through a 30m arch of giants. Blessed with broad avenues and pretty architecture, walking or cycling along the streets and pathways lets you absorb and feel Grafton's retro country town charm.
We don't call Grafton our heritage hub for nothing. 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 the 1800s and marvel at rich Victorian and Edwardian architecture through the CBD and over the bridge to South Grafton.
South Grafton's main street has been described as "little-bit vintage and authentically retro," which is exactly what it is. Its quirky vibe, eclectic cafes, recycled clothing stores, and colourful murals reflecting local Gumbayngirr history and culture dot the streets with colour. Home to popular live music venues such as Grumpys Café, South Grafton will leave you anything but grumpy!
Take a walk over the famous "Bendy Bridge" and enjoy the views of the Mighty Clarence and Susan Island from the best vantage point. Built in 1932, the Grafton Bridge is an old girl nearing her 100th birthday. We wonder if she'll get a letter from the King?
If you'd rather be on the water than over it, throw a paddle or kayak in the river at Memorial Park and paddle around the 23-hectare Susan Island, a subtropical rainforest Nature Reserve with, no surprises, massive Moreton Bay Fig trees.
We'll resist the temptation to bang on about how epic the Clarence River is, but we'll just say it's known as The Highway of the Water for a reason. Discover the magic for yourselves, as these broad waters allow you to sail, boat or fish from Grafton through to Yamba and Iluka if you let it. Or experience the thrill of The Clarence Canoe and Kayak Trail, Australia's longest white-water trail, in the Grafton hinterland.
It's not all white knuckles and getting wild and wet, though; Grafton can be a place of quiet reflection and is home to the Grafton Regional Gallery, a hub of fine art. Occupying Prentice House, a heritage-listed building and a piece of art itself, the gallery is proud to exhibit works such as the Archibald Prize and host the biennial Jacaranda Acquisitive Drawing Award (JADA). Stay amongst it in the new resident cottage, which is perfect for being close to town. It's just somewhere you have to Van Gogh.
A thriving hub for artists and art enthusiasts, visual storytelling bursts through the Gallery walls and onto the Grafton streets, where you can follow the trail of award-winning street art. Exploring the Grafton CBD will uncover a plethora of captivating artworks by both local talents and visiting artists. Notably, there is a mural by the esteemed Blak Douglas, winner of the 2022 Archibald Prize, beneath the Balun Bindarray Bridge, while the historic Grafton Bridge is the backdrop to the Grafton Bridge Art Precinct. This outdoor gallery evolves with time, fuelled by the dedication of street artists and local projects that embrace various perspectives and inspirations. Winner of Silver in the Australian Street Art Awards for Best Monument or Memorial, the Clarence Valley truly is a painted paradise.
With its rich history and flourishing art scene, Grafton celebrates the beauty of its past while embracing the excitement of its future. Grafton is a city that respects its heritage and culture, welcomes opportunity, and does it all while quietly enjoying life on the banks of the Clarence River.
Whatever you're looking for, we think we've found it.
LOVING GRAFTON?
Vote for this top town in the 2024 Top Tourism Town Awards
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Welcome to Grafton, named the first official city on the North Coast. Prepare for a heritage-inspired 4-day adventure through the Clarence Valley, starting right here in the beating heart of the region.
Tailored for couples who enjoy the freedom of taking it slow, and making their own adventure, this 3-night, 4-day getaway will fill your pockets with experiences and your hearts with appreciation for the country charm regional Australia is proud of.
Immerse yourself in all that the Clarence River has to offer, either on it, beside it or over it, and follow the flow as we lead you upstream to other inland havens, all bursting with their heritage offerings.
Day 1. Discover the CBD and wonder and wander as you go.
Overnight stay at Fitzroy Motor Inn, right in the heart of the CBD.
A busy day of exploring is ahead, so we suggest breakfast in one of the many cafes that line Prince Street. Fill your belly before you fill your cup at Toast Espresso, a firm favourite amongst locals and visitors for their extensive breakfast menu. It's hard to choose between the Benedict or the Fitter Bowl, so we’ll leave that one up to you. Located on the corner of Prince and Fitzroy, you are a short 5-minute walk to the Grafton Regional Gallery, where you can pick up your local map and heritage trail brochure and start your heritage adventure in Prentice House.
Prentice House, a heritage-listed building, is an art piece in itself. Combining old with new, this newly renovated space includes 5 state-of-the-art exhibit spaces and is home to exhibitions such as the Archibald and JADA. Immerse yourself in the latest exhibitions and pick up some local crafts in the Gallery Shop if you so wish. We highly recommend taking home some locally made Bakarindi tomato relish or finger lime pickle. Yum.
Pick up your copy of the Grafton Heritage Trail and walk back in time as you discover endless history and the plethora of heritage-listed buildings that have stood the test of time. Grafton is blessed with broad avenues and magnificent architecture, and most can be reached by foot, so take your time and make your own path. For buildings such as Grafton Gaol, hop in the car. You can reach anywhere in Grafton within a few minute's drive.
Just up the road from the Regional Gallery is Scheaffer House Museum, and a stop here is highly recommended for more in-depth historical information about Grafton and its surrounds.
Walk under the canopies of sky-scraping trees – Grafton’s Jacaranda Trees are the most iconic and popular during the months of October and November, as the streets of this country town is transformed as the trees explode in all their purple glory. Another favourite among locals and visitors alike are the Giant Fig Trees which are a key feature around town, you may even find yourself under the Fig Tree Avenue canopy.
Take a stroll along the Old Grafton Bridge and loop the loop over both old and new via both Grafton bridges on a connecting pedestrian path– It’s here you’ll get spectacular views of Grafton that you can’t get anywhere else. Enjoy the front-row seat view of Susan Island and if you happen to be out and about at just the right time, you’ll come across a breathtaking sunrise or sunset from this very location.
After a day of getting your steps up, you're probably looking forward to a chilled evening so why not head to the Saraton theatre, you would have seen this on your heritage walk, and enjoy a movie in one of the oldest theatres in NSW. Filled with popcorn and choc tops, enjoy a cozy night's sleep in Fitzroy Motor Inn, a green star accommodation proud of its commitment to be environmentally friendly.
*Bonus points awarded to visitors who visit Grafton during Jacaranda Season (late October-Early November).
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FOUR DAYS IN GRAFTON
Grafton: city of trees, with its charms hidden from the highway, rewarding those who venture in with a place of beauty, heritage and soul.
Famous for its jacaranda-lined streets and Bendy Bridge, the heritage-filled veins of Grafton pump ‘old country town” into life. Blessed with broad avenues and pretty architecture, walk or cycle down the streets and pathways along the banks of the mighty Clarence River, and absorb and ‘feel’ Grafton for the heritage hub it is.
It’s the beating heart of the Clarence Valley.
