The 8 Best Places To See Jacarandas Around Australia

From Sydney to the Scenic Rim, the purple haze of jacaranda trees is synonymous with Australian spring.

Every spring, Australian social media accounts become flooded with purple as people line up in front of vibrant jacaranda trees in full bloom. Despite being imported, over the last 100 years or so, they’ve become a symbol of Australian spring, and their popularity only seems to increase yearly. Heck, they even have a 90-year-long annual festival in their honour. Read on for the best places around Australia to see jacarandas and join in the purple craze.

History

view of Lavender Bay with jacarandas in the spring — Sydney is taken over by purple in spring. (Image: Destination NSW)

Endemic to South America, the first jacaranda specimens were sent to British shores by Botanist Alan Cunningham from Rio de Janeiro. They were planted in Kew Gardens in 1818, and one theory of how they got into Australia is that they were brought from these very gardens during colonisation. But it’s also possible Cunningham himself brought them here during his later postings.

So, who got the first jacaranda tree in Australia? Brisbane claims the titles with its earliest tree being planted in 1864, but records show that the Sydney Botanic Garden jacaranda is dated to about 1850. Not to mention, jacarandas were listed for sale around Sydney in 1861. Sorry, Brisbane.

1. Grafton, NSW

Jacarandas Grafton Roches Family Hotel — Grafton is arguably Australia’s most famous destination for jacaranda trees. (Image: My Clarence Valley)

It would be remiss not to start with Grafton, arguably Australia’s most famous destination for jacaranda trees and home to the Jacaranda Festival, which turns 90 this year (making it the country’s longest-running floral festival). Join in long lunch events, stay after dark to see the purple trees in lights, learn from the three Traditional Custodians of the Clarence Valley and bring the kids for plenty of family-friendly events.

2. Sydney, NSW

view of Circular Quay from The Rocks with jacarandas in the spring — Sydney is awash with purple as it dusts off the chill of winter. (Image: Destination NSW)

It’s hard to avoid jacaranda trees in Sydney, the city is awash with purple as it dusts off the chill of winter. Inner-city areas like Circular Quay and The Rocks, Paddington and Kirribilli are all very popular photo spots and tend to provide beautiful Harbour Bridge and city or sandstone backdrops for the trees. Lavender Bay, Hunters Hill and the lower North Shore also put on a show, though they’re harder to get around if you’re relying on public transport. The University of Sydney has a beautiful campus already, and it becomes dotted with purple each year.

The Inner West joins in the show, especially around Camperdown, Newtown and Glebe. Out west, Parramatta isn’t to be outdone, especially around the popular River Walk. A little further afield of the city, Argyle Street in Camden is popular for jacaranda photos, as is Macarthur.

3. Brisbane, Qld

Jacaranda at Brisbane's Wilsons Lookout — Jacarandas can be spotted all around Brisbane. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Queensland’s capital has proven itself to be just as jacaranda happy as its southern counterpart. The first stop for those hoping to see jacarandas must be Brisbane City Botanic Gardens. In fact, this is where the state’s first Jacaranda tree was planted, in 1864 (as we know, Queensland does claim this is the first in Australia, but it seems unlikely). It was blown down by weather events, but these days, plenty bloom in its place.

Also around the city, the University of Queensland campus, Princess Street in the CBD, Goodna and New Farm all fill with a purple haze. While the Dockside walk at Kangaroo Point is the perfect way to enjoy these trees, Yeronga even has an aptly named Jacaranda Park.

If you have the time (and you should make time), Leis Park in Lawnton is an hour out of the CBD and doesn’t play with its jacaranda display, while sipping local wine and looking out at a purple Mt Tamborine is pretty spectacular.

4. Melbourne, Vic

Jacaranda tree in Park in Melbourne — See jacarandas dot Melbourne Royal Botanic Gardens in spring. (Image: Getty Images / Zoya Avenirovna)

Melbourne may already draw crowds keen to sip its world-renowned coffee while they gaze at its plentiful and colourful street art. But come spring, there’s one more, purple, reason to visit. Head to the Royal Botanical Gardens to wander through a range of stunning florals, see jacarandas against the historic sandstone Parliament House and the University of Melbourne buildings, or drive a little further out of the CBD to see the impressive display in Fitzroy North’s Edinburgh Gardens.

5. Perth, WA

Beautiful Jacaranda trees are reaching out to sky on a sunny blue sky day, Perth, Australia — Perth is not to be left out in the jacaranda season. (Image: Getty Images / Hideaki Edo)

Home to another jacaranda festival, Perth is not to be left out in the jacaranda season. Head to Applecross for the annual Rotary Jacaranda Festival to find stalls and live entertainment to celebrate these beauties, as well as all things community. Elsewhere around the capital, Highgate, Inglewood and Marlborough Street in East Perth all present photo opportunities. While Old Jacaranda Way in Subiaco is famous for these trees, it was even named after them.

6. Adelaide, SA

Jacarandas in Adelaide North Terrace — Seek out jacarandas in Adelaide. (Image: Michael Waterhouse Photography)

Perhaps not as filled with these purple trees as other capital cities, you’ll still find a decent smattering of purple all around the Adelaide CBD, as we as throughout the suburbs of Goodwood, Blair Athol, Blackforest, Beulah Park, Clarence Gardens and Clarence Park.

7. Southeast Queensland

a jacaranda tree in bloom in front of glasshouse mountains queensland — View jacarandas and the usual stunning view from the Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve lookout.

The Glasshouse Mountains in Sunshine Coast’s hinterlands, seen from the lookout by Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve, are a stunning sight year-round, but over spring, when the foreground becomes dotted with purple jacaranda flowers, the colour palette becomes unbeatable. A quaint country town, Boonah, also has a reputation for its purple blooms (and its world heritage-listed surrounds), and the adorable Scenic Rim Farm Shop & Cafe sits in the shade of a giant jacaranda. Here, you can taste an ever-changing menu that champions local ingredients, and a particularly popular range of house-made cakes.

8. Herberton, Qld

train and stalls at Herberton Jacaranda Festival in queensland — Head to Herberton in October for the Jacaranda Festival.

Further north, near Atherton and its famous Tablelands in Tropical North Queensland, Herberton also puts on a seasonal festival . During October, one weekend is filled with live music, entertainment, food trucks and even competitions, all in the name of jacaranda trees.

Once a service town for gold miners, Healesville has evolved into a destination brimming with character.

If you trace your finger to the heart of the Yarra Valley on a map, you’ll land on Healesville – a charming little town framed by towering gums and rolling hills. Its main street is lined with cosy cafes, a bookshop, silversmiths, boutiques and a providore stacked with artisan breads and cured meats. In other words, all the essentials for a leisurely weekend. Just beyond the shops, parklands invite picnics, bush trails suggest a wander, along with an old tourist railway, distilleries and award-winning vineyards. Originally a service centre for the goldfields, the railway soon brought visitors seeking fresh mountain air. Today, it’s the kind of place that rewards a slow stroll.

Staying in Healesville

the lounge in one of the cosy villas at Healesvillas — Inside one of the cosy villas.

If sweeping mountain views are part of your accommodation prerequisite, Healesvillas are two architecturally designed villas sleeping six guests, complete with landscaped al fresco areas and a fire pit. Wander into town to visit Cheesemonger Sophie to help craft the perfect platter, and Barrique Wine Store for a local red, before returning to soak up the views.

Dining out in Healesville

small plates at No. 7 Healesville — No.7 offers small plates and tasting menus centred on seasonal produce. (Image: Ben Frazer)

For breakfast, head to My Little Kitchen Cafe , a cheerful spot on the main street known for its strong coffee and warm hospitality. Herd is a low-lit spot with serious style, serving up modern comfort food, or to sit beside wine barrels and underneath chandeliers head to No. 7 Healesville , a wine bar and restaurant in a converted warehouse.

Drinking in Healesville

a cocktail at Four Pillars Gin Distillery — Enjoy a cocktail at renowned Four Pillars Gin Distillery. (Image: LVDI)

Take a tour or sip your way through a tasting paddle at one of Australia’s most famous gin distilleries, Four Pillars Gin . If visiting a boutique winery is on the list, Boat O’Craigo wines has sweeping views over the vineyards to the hills beyond. The newest addition to the local drinking scene, Zoncello Yarra Valley serves a must-try Limoncello Spritz.

the Boat O’Craigo winery — Boutique winery Boat O’Craigo. (Image: Rob Blackburn)

Healesville highlights

If you’re after a one-of-a-kind piece of jewellery, Silvermist Studio designs beautifully unique pieces. Lifestyle store Morris et al is filled with women’s fashion and homewares, and because everyone deserves a good book, Verso Books is a cosy independent bookshop with carefully chosen titles.

Head to Healesville Sanctuary to get up close to some of Australia’s wildlife. If the weather is on your side, pack a picnic and head to Maroondah Reservoir Park to climb the steep dam wall, where kids and adults alike can’t resist testing out the booming echo. And if you feel like stepping back in time, board a vintage train at the Yarra Valley Railway .

Step back in time at the Puffing Billy Railway. (Image: Visit Victoria)

The 8 best places to see jacarandas around Australia