Grafton is a city in northern New South Wales, Australia.
Understand
One of Australia's most beautiful provincial cities, Grafton is renowned for its jacaranda trees, graceful old buildings, sporting and cultural facilities, and its location on the banks of the Clarence River. The city was founded in 1855 and has a population of 18,000.
Get in
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Grafton is 630km north of Sydney and 320km south of Brisbane.
Rex Airlines has daily flights direct to Clarence Valley Regional Airport at Grafton from Sydney and Taree.
A variety of bus services stop in Grafton on their trips between Sydney and Brisbane.
Most major car rental services can be found in the city. 4WDs are recommended if travelling to remote National Parks and beaches, but most can be accessed by 2WD vehicles and campervans.
XPT trains stop daily in Grafton from Sydney and Brisbane. Very comfortable trains and great views.
Get around
Busways provides local bus services.
See
Lying on two sides of the Clarence River, the town is connected by a single, unique bridge. Completed in 1932, the bridge is a dual-level railway(bottom)/road(top) bridge plus a center bascule section (essentially a drawbridge).
- Beautiful parks and gardens. Grafton has a number of very beautiful parks and streets lined with amazing trees and native gardens. The best time of year to visit is late November or early October when the jacaranda trees are in full flower
- Amazing national parks. Grafton is the central point to visit the most amazing and secluded national parks in Australia. Huge areas have been set aside as nature reserves ranging from the rugged Great Dividing Range to the coast.
- 1 Grafton Regional Art Gallery, 158 Fitzroy St, ☏ 61 2 6642 3177, ✉[email protected]. Has the largest collection artwork on the northern coast of NSW with more than 40 exhibitions ever year. Features paintings, prints and sculptures.
Do
- Jacaranda Festival. The world-renowned Jacaranda Festival is held yearly in Grafton from the last weekend in October to the first weekend in November. It expresses people's thanksgiving for the generosity with which nature blesses this part of the world. Inaugurated in 1935, this was the first of Australia's folk festivals and is based upon the magnificent spectacle of the hundreds of lilac-blossomed trees that grow in Grafton's broad tree lined avenues.
- Fishing. Grafton is close to both freshwater and saltwater fishing environments. Bass, bream, flathead, and cod can be found in the Clarence River or in the smaller creeks and streams that surround. Be aware that the Clarence River cod is an endangered species and must be released when caught.
- Sailing. The Clarence River is one of the best sailing rivers in the world. Wide, deep, and with the beautiful afternoon sea breezes in summer, it is the perfect place to launch a boat or sail in through the large ocean bar. Clarence River Sailing Club race every Saturday from 1PM (except winter). The club is located under the north side of the bridge. A great bunch of people who welcome new and experienced sailors.
Buy
Grafton Shoppingworld provides some specialty shops, as does the nearby main streets.
South Grafton also has its own local shops.
Eat
- 1 Teppan Mate, 52-74 Fitzroy St, ☏ 61 2 6643 3847. Casual Japanese bar and grill.
Drink
Sleep
- 1 Blue River Apartments, 69 Riverside Dr, Wooli, ☏ 61 458 88 77 24, ✉[email protected]. Within walking distance of the beach and shops. This is pet friendly accommodation for families and couples.
Connect
Go next
| Routes through Grafton |
| Ballina ← Yamba ← | N  S | → Coffs Harbour → Newcastle |