Jacaranda season – one of the most beautiful times of the year
If you live in or are visiting the state of New South Wales in Australia, the state's town of Grafton is home to a Jacaranda Festival that takes place from 31 October to 7 November each year. Festival events include the coronation of a jacaranda queen, a street parade with themed floats, markets, live performances and fireworks.
Destination NSW CEO Sandra Chipchase said, “NSW has so many jacaranda trees in bloom, we even have an annual festival dedicated to them in the historic town of Grafton. From harbourside enclaves to regional towns, spring is a wonderful time to visit with family and friends to enjoy NSW in bloom during jacaranda season.”
We have to say upfront and without bias that we really love Jacaranda's. They bloom for such a small, precious amount of time yet, their amazing purple blooms provide spectacular displays and onlookers often wish they could be around the whole year through. Just gorgeous.
But back to Grafton's Jacarandas…Grafton is famous for its 6,500 jacaranda trees and the Festival is one of Australia’s longest running flower festivals. It celebrates the town’s magnificent lilac-blossomed trees. Festival events include the coronation of a jacaranda queen, a street parade with themed floats, markets, live performances and fireworks.
However, if you can't get to Grafton during the months of October and November, Sydney and NSW is awash with the purple bloom of jacaranda season which signals one of the most beautiful times of the year in the state.
Set against harbour backdrops in some of Sydney’s most picturesque suburbs and historic regional towns in NSW, it’s the perfect time to visit Sydney to take in the stunning sight of the jacarandas.
If you can't make it to Grafton here are a few of NSW’s fantastic jacaranda spots:
North Shore: The North Shore suburbs of Lavender Bay, Greenwich, Waverton, Hunters Hill, Woolwich, Longueville and Wollstonecraft all display a beautiful selection of jacaranda trees during the season. Make a day of it and pack a picnic to enjoy a feast under the trees
Eastern Suburbs: Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs including Paddington, Woollahra and Double Bay all sport stunning lilac hues during October and November. Oxford Street and Five Ways in Paddington always have a great selection to view
Sydney City: Starting at the Royal Botanic Gardens, a jacaranda walking tour through Circular Quay and The Rocks is a great way to see the trees, while taking in the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, harbour views and historic cobblestone streets of The Rocks
Inner Sydney: The giant jacaranda tree at the University of Sydney is so iconic that growers at the University have cloned it to ensure it lives on. This tree is one of Sydney’s most famous jacarandas and well worth a visit during the season. Neighbouring suburbs of Glebe and Erskineville are also worth exploring for blue hue.
We would love you to share your jacaranda sightings with us on social media by using the hashtag #vacationgoddessjacaranda #ilovelysydney or #newsouthwales
For more information visit www.sydney.com and www.visitnsw.com