Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Grafton, Australia

Nestled within a curve of the Clarence River, the city of Grafton is renowned for its historic architecture and majestic streets lined with mature trees. Each October, the city’s numerous jacarandas bloom, creating a captivating sight celebrated with a week-long festival that engages the community.

Grafton showcases significant architecture from the Victorian, Edwardian, and interwar eras. Many of these landmarks are accessible to the public as museums, a regional art gallery, and a spacious cinema/theatre. Additionally, Grafton serves as an excellent base for exploring the stunning natural landscapes of northeastern New South Wales, where you can find breathtaking beaches, gorges, and World Heritage rainforests.

1. Jacaranda Festival

For a brief period in early summer, Grafton’s streets and parks are enveloped in a magical purple hue as the city’s hundreds of jacaranda trees bloom abundantly. In honor of this phenomenon, the city hosts the week-long Jacaranda Festival, commencing on the last weekend of October and concluding on the first weekend of November.

Throughout the festival, a variety of events take place across the city, including fun runs, garden tours, afternoon teas, and the coronation of a Queen, Princess, and Drag Queen. The main festivities culminate on Jacaranda Thursday, when the Central Business District is transformed into a lively scene with performers and market stalls offering delectable food and artisanal crafts.

The second Saturday is highlighted by a parade of floats, followed by a sunset concert, with a 10k river run on Sunday.

2. Grafton Heritage Trail

Grafton is ideally suited for a walking tour, featuring broad avenues, impressive mature trees, and well-preserved Victorian and Edwardian architecture. Visitors can obtain a brochure from the Clarence Valley Information Centre, outlining the heritage trail which leads to 25 historic sites within Grafton. Many of these sites hold listings from the National Trust.

Among these notable locations, the Grafton Gaol warrants mention; established in 1893, it is still operational as a medium-security correctional facility for men and women. However, visitors can appreciate its striking castle-like façade located on Hoof Street.

Numerous attractive residences can be found throughout the city, but possibly the most picturesque is Arcola (1907), a Queen Anne Revival house situated at 150 Victoria Street, which now operates as a bed and breakfast.

3. See Park

One of the premier locations to admire the jacarandas in November is See Park, a beautiful green space situated on the banks of Alumy Creek in Grafton’s center. Given the significance of Grafton’s trees to the city’s charm, See Park is impeccably maintained, featuring stunning landscaping and amenities including sheltered picnic and barbecue areas, a pond filled with ducks, a fountain, a shaded playground, an artificial waterfall, and public restrooms.

The many mature trees in See Park provide a welcome retreat from the sun, and visitors might be pleasantly surprised by the rich wildlife inhabiting the park, with numerous lizards darting about.

4. Clarence River Historical Society

The headquarters of the Clarence River Historical Society is located in the elegant Schaeffer House, a homestead established at the turn of the 20th century by the son of a pioneering German family. Within, visitors will find a museum and research room; the society is the oldest of its kind in New South Wales, having been founded in 1931. Grafton’s first architect, F.W.C. Schaeffer, designed the building, and visitors should take the opportunity to admire the outstanding craftsmanship and attention to detail evident throughout.

The interior is replete with paintings, black and white photographs, glassware, ceramics, furniture, costumes, textiles, and an array of fascinating artifacts that chronicle the history of the Clarence River region.

5. Nymboida National Park

Grafton serves as a gateway to spectacular natural environments, both along the coast and within the Great Dividing Range. Nymboida National Park lies to the west, characterized by towering ancient forests interspersed with swiftly flowing rivers.

The region’s steep slopes were shaped by ancient volcanic activity and geological forces, resulting in rocky valleys carved by the Mann and Nymboida Rivers. Exploring the park by canoe allows visitors to navigate its rapids while searching the clear waters for water dragons, turtles, and the critically endangered eastern freshwater cod.

6. Christ Church Cathedral

A church has occupied this location on Duke Street since 1842. The current structure, constructed between 1874 and 1884 using salmon-pink bricks, exemplifies the Gothic Revival style. Christ Church Cathedral is set amidst well-maintained lawns and tree-lined streets and was designed by architect John Horbury Hunt (1838-1904), renowned for his contributions to various churches and public buildings in New South Wales during that era.

The cathedral is now a prominent symbol of Grafton, known for its intricate brickwork that reflects the transition between Early English and Decorated Gothic styles. Noteworthy features include the grand western archway and Hunt’s innovative use of wooden louvers for interior ventilation.

7. Grafton Regional Gallery

Housing the largest collection of art on the North Coast, Grafton’s regional gallery presents its impressive inventory through an active schedule of over 40 exhibitions annually. The gallery also features shows by local and national artists, alongside major traveling exhibitions.

Housed in the historic Prentice House, built in 1880 and converted to a gallery in 1986, this establishment is particularly acclaimed within the art community for the biennial Jacaranda Acquisitive Drawing Award, which promotes contemporary Australian drawing with a prize exceeding $30,000.

8. Yuraygir National Park

The serene and protected northern coast of New South Wales is a scenic drive east from Grafton and has been frequented by generations of Aboriginal peoples from the Yaegl and Gumbaynggirr groups. Yuraygir National Park is characterized by its remarkable biodiversity, encompassing expansive beaches, dunes, lakes, ancient coastal formations, wetlands, littoral rainforests, clay heaths, and eucalypt forests.

This expansive park protects 65 kilometers of coastline and features an impressive 48 beaches, making it the largest national park along the New South Wales coast. A coastal walking trail runs the entire length of the park, typically requiring four days to traverse.

In addition to hiking, visitors can engage in activities such as birdwatching, whale watching in the winter months, surfing, and swimming in the ocean. The terrain also includes numerous watercourses and lakes, ideal for kayaking and paddleboarding.

9. Saraton Theatre

A striking landmark located on Prince Street, the heritage-listed Saraton Theatre stands as the largest venue for combined cinema and performing arts in Australia. The exterior of the theatre dates back to 1926, while its elegantly remodelled interior reflects the Art Deco style achieved during a refurbishment completed in 1940. The main auditorium accommodates 950 seats, serving as an opulent setting for the latest Hollywood films, classical concerts, live performances, and comedy shows.

Furthermore, the Saraton Theatre hosts conventions and community events, alongside two new cinemas, each equipped with stadium seating for 150.

10. Washpool National Park

This excursion invites visitors inland, just beyond the Great Escarpment, to a UNESCO-listed rainforest characterized by deep gorges and crystal-clear, murmuring streams. Washpool National Park is part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area.

It conserves the largest sections of subtropical rainforest worldwide, as well as much of the surviving cool temperate beech forest and considerable areas of warm-temperate rainforest. It offers an extraordinary habitat for hiking among ancient flora and fauna, with many species playing a crucial role in the evolution of life on Earth.

Visitors can traverse this remarkable environment on the half-day Washpool walk or undertake the more demanding 45-kilometer World Heritage walk, linking this park with the nearby Gibraltar Range.

11. Coldstream Gallery

A short distance down the Clarence River leads you to Ulmarra, a historic port seemingly preserved in time since the turn of the century, featuring a functioning cable ferry across the river. Among the significant structures is the charming Sydney Stores department store.

Established in 1907, this building, clad in weathered timber, showcases geometric tiles in its frieze and a beautifully carved street-side verandah. Since 1975, it has housed the Coldstream Gallery, which specializes in locally produced paintings and a variety of works in bronze, wood, glass, and other mediums.

Visitors are welcome to appreciate the artistic history and consider acquiring an original souvenir. The gallery also offers a range of creative classes and workshops while providing accommodation options at this delightful location.

12. Clarence Gorge

This adventure requires a 90-minute drive northwest of Grafton, leading to the Clarence Gorge, where the river meanders through rocky cliffs and cascades over a series of waterfalls. Unlike the previously mentioned natural sites, the Clarence Gorge occupies private land, necessitating some advance planning for a visit.

Guests can arrange a farm stay with the landowner, who acquired approximately 8,000 acres and 10 kilometers of river frontage in 2019. Revealing the beauty of this inspiring region offers opportunities for bushwalking to closely observe the gorge and waterfalls, paddling a canoe to navigate the rapids, or engaging in catch-and-release fishing.

13. The Grafton Bridge

A note regarding the two crossings over the Clarence River in Grafton: A newly constructed road bridge was completed in December 2019 after 17 years of planning, featuring a footpath and cycleway positioned slightly below the roadway. From this vantage point, visitors can also observe the old Grafton “Bendy” Bridge, which remains operational and is certainly worth a stroll.

This heritage-listed structure was finalized in 1932 after a decade of construction. It is nearly unique within New South Wales for multiple reasons, including its double-decker road/rail design and its bascule, a movable span that has been permanently sealed.

The mechanism is still visible on the south bank, having last been raised in 1969 when a water main was added to the crossing.

14. Grafton District Golf Club

This 18-hole golf course just outside South Grafton welcomes non-members. Located in a picturesque setting, the course is situated on a hillside surrounded by native bushland.

The sloping terrain allows for elevated tees that present a challenging experience for seasoned golfers, while remaining accessible for beginners. Visitors may encounter kangaroos, as a population of around 100 roams the bush around the course.

After a round of golf, enjoy the view from the clubhouse’s scenic verandah and refuel at Birdies on Bent, the restaurant known for serving satisfying meals and light snacks, acting as a social hub for Grafton.

15. Clarence Valley Information Centre

As the largest settlement in the Clarence Valley region, Grafton encompasses a vast area of northeastern New South Wales, featuring around 60 towns and villages. To familiarize yourself with the wide array of opportunities available, consider visiting the Clarence Valley Information Centre, which offers a robust selection of local and regional maps, brochures, and pamphlets.

Visitors may inquire about upcoming regional events, find accommodation details, and receive comprehensive advice on trails leading to various national parks located near Grafton. Additionally, after a long journey, guests can unwind with a drink in the Gallery courtyard while enjoying complimentary Wi-Fi.