On the Clarence River, Grafton occupies a key position on the southern half of the Northern Rivers. Known for the purple blooms of its Jacaranda trees in springtime, the town and surrounds are home to numerous art galleries and antique shops. You can also find great eateries including seafood restaurants and al fresco cafés.
Heritage Tour
Significant historic buildings line the main streets, including the Alumny Creek School, the Christ Church Cathedral and the homestead location of the Schaeffer House Museum.
Another is the old Grafton Gaol, which had aquired a sinister reputation. Designed between 1891 and 1893, the complex of buildings is on the NSW State Heritage Register, till it was closed in 1991 after the Nagle Royal Commission.
Festivals
Those who love flowers should try and visit the Jacaranda Festival. Held during October, when the purple trees are in full bloom, it is the longest flower celebration in Australia. The Bridge to Bridge Ski Classic held in October is major sports event, while another festival of note is the Grafton Country Music Roundup, held in July - August.
Sports
Sports are well catered for, including golf with an 18 hole golf course, tennis courts, an Olympic sized swimming pool, a basketball stadium and more. In July, the Grafton Horse Racing Carnival is held, the town has a half day holiday to celebrate.
Places to Visit
Alumny Creek Public School Museum
Located just north of Grafton town centre, the museum takes one back on a journey of what schools were like from the mid 1800s to when it closed as a school in 1969. 465 Lawrence Road, Alumy Creek,
Phone: 0488 708 555 for more information.
Grafton Regional Gallery
At the Grafton Regional Gallery, there are major exhibitions of works by local artists from the region as well as visiting ones. 158 Fitzroy St.
Phone: +061 2 6642 3177<./p>
Surrounds
National Parks and Reserves
The Clarence River region is home to a number of National Parks and Reserves, both on the coast and inland. Stunning lookouts, waterfalls, sub-tropical rainforests, wildflowers and gorgeous beaches await.
Parks include the Yuraygir with a fabulous untouched coastline, as does Bundjalung NP. Gibraltar NP protects flora and fauna that trace their origins from the super-continent of Gondwana that existed during the age of the dinosaurs. Aboriginal heritage sites dot the landscape, as does evidence of the first pioneers to the region.
At Washpool NP there are deep gorges carved out by crystal clear tributaries and pristine rainforests, part of the World Heritage Listed Gondwana Rainforests of Australia.
Clarence Visitor Information Centre
On the cnr. of Spring St. & the Pacific Hghw. in South Grafton, you can visit the Visitor Information Centre where you can find out more about the events and things to do in the region:
Phone: +061 2 6642 4677.
There are hotels, motels, bed & breakfasts, farmstays available for accommodation, or go camping at one of the National Parks and stay under the stars, or hire a cabin.
Next: Lennox Head, Northern Rivers
Grafton, Northern Rivers NSW
Map showing Grafton: North NSW Coast Map.
On the Clarence River, Grafton occupies a key position on the southern half of the Northern Rivers. Known for the purple blooms of its Jacaranda trees in springtime, the town and surrounds are home to numerous art galleries and antique shops. You can also find great eateries including seafood restaurants and al fresco cafés.
Heritage Tour
Significant historic buildings line the main streets, including the Alumny Creek School, the Christ Church Cathedral and the homestead location of the Schaeffer House Museum.
Another is the old Grafton Gaol, which had aquired a sinister reputation. Designed between 1891 and 1893, the complex of buildings is on the NSW State Heritage Register, till it was closed in 1991 after the Nagle Royal Commission.
Festivals
Those who love flowers should try and visit the Jacaranda Festival. Held during October, when the purple trees are in full bloom, it is the longest flower celebration in Australia. The Bridge to Bridge Ski Classic held in October is major sports event, while another festival of note is the Grafton Country Music Roundup, held in July - August.
Sports
Sports are well catered for, including golf with an 18 hole golf course, tennis courts, an Olympic sized swimming pool, a basketball stadium and more. In July, the Grafton Horse Racing Carnival is held, the town has a half day holiday to celebrate.
Places to Visit
Alumny Creek Public School Museum
Located just north of Grafton town centre, the museum takes one back on a journey of what schools were like from the mid 1800s to when it closed as a school in 1969. 465 Lawrence Road, Alumy Creek,
Phone: 0488 708 555 for more information.
Grafton Regional Gallery
At the Grafton Regional Gallery, there are major exhibitions of works by local artists from the region as well as visiting ones. 158 Fitzroy St.
Phone: +061 2 6642 3177<./p>
Surrounds
National Parks and Reserves
The Clarence River region is home to a number of National Parks and Reserves, both on the coast and inland. Stunning lookouts, waterfalls, sub-tropical rainforests, wildflowers and gorgeous beaches await.
Parks include the Yuraygir with a fabulous untouched coastline, as does Bundjalung NP. Gibraltar NP protects flora and fauna that trace their origins from the super-continent of Gondwana that existed during the age of the dinosaurs. Aboriginal heritage sites dot the landscape, as does evidence of the first pioneers to the region.
At Washpool NP there are deep gorges carved out by crystal clear tributaries and pristine rainforests, part of the World Heritage Listed Gondwana Rainforests of Australia.
Clarence Visitor Information Centre
On the cnr. of Spring St. & the Pacific Hghw. in South Grafton, you can visit the Visitor Information Centre where you can find out more about the events and things to do in the region:
Phone: +061 2 6642 4677.
Map of the North East NSW.
Accommodation
There are hotels, motels, bed & breakfasts, farmstays available for accommodation, or go camping at one of the National Parks and stay under the stars, or hire a cabin.
NSW Regions
North East Coast
New South Wales North Coast
The stunning North Coast of NSW: NSW North Coast.
Previous: Byron Bay NSW
Topic: Northern Rivers
Australia Tourist Guide