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.

Summer transforms the Northern Territory into a lush paradise of colour and life, as a visit during the ‘low-season’ reveals secrets the locals willingly share.

Waterlilies bloom, floodplains are alive with birdlife, waterfalls are gushing, and everywhere the green is dazzling. Summer in the Top End and the Red Centre is a kaleidoscope of unexpected wonders that delight and surprise visitors. Of course, the locals know only too well that the Northern Territory low season is often the best time to see and experience this amazing part of Australia.

Here are some of the reasons why savvy travellers – avoiding the crowds – are discovering a new dimension to the Territory. Remember that you’ll need a Parks Pass to visit national parks.

1. Take a dip in the Florence Falls waterhole

Wander through savanna woodland and monsoon forest to discover the perfect place to cool off – the waterhole at the base of spectacular Florence Falls in the magnificent Litchfield National Park , just 90 minutes’ drive from Darwin. The falls flow year-round but are most spectacular during the summer. Camping is available nearby but bookings are essential and must be made online before you visit.

Surrounded by lush forest, a woman cools off in Florence Falls, just one of many incredible things to do in the Northern Territory. — Cool off beneath the cascading waters of Florence Falls. (Image: Joshua Griffin)

2. Wind down at Buley Rock Hole

Another popular local swimming spot in Litchfield National Park is Buley Rock Hole , open year-round. This is a great place to wind down after exploring everything the park has to offer, including towering termite mounds. Wade through the rock pools, soak up the scenic bush or just lie back and relax as the cool water rolls over you.

Buley Rockhole, Litchfield National Park — Let the cool water wash over you. (Image: Tourism Australia)

3. Tour the Tiwi Islands

The Tiwi Islands , a scenic 80km flight from Darwin across the narrow Clarence and Dundas Straits, reveal a different side to the Territory, with their own distinctive culture. Take a day tour with Tiwi by Design to visit Bathurst Island and learn about creation stories, the Mission days, World War II history and the islanders’ obsession with AFL!

Take a ‘behind-the-scenes’ tour of Tiwi Design’s screen-printing workshop and pick up a great souvenir in the form of art. Choose from contemporary or traditional Tiwi designs and a wide range of work including carvings, paintings, pottery, printmaking, bark paintings and tunga (bark baskets).

A creative moment shared inside Tiwi Design’s screen-printing space. — Take a peek inside Tiwi Design’s screen-printing studio. (Image: Tourism NT)

4. Dine in Darwin

Foodies are spoilt for choice in multi-cultural Darwin. Try Sri Lankan flavours at Ella by Minoli, where Masterchef contestant Minoli De Silva creates delectable dishes, or head to Charlie’s of Darwin for gin-tasting, cocktails and more. Bowls of fragrant laksa, excellent coffee, fresh vegetables and authentic crafts are all part of a weekend visit to Darwin’s Parap Markets , Rapid Creek Markets and the Nightcliff Markets .

Prefer to catch your own dinner? Book a Top End fishing charter to bag a barramundi – and from October register for the annual Million Dollar Fish competition. Hooking one of the tagged barra released each year in waterways across the Territory could win you up to $1 million.

A bowl of Laksa. — Eat your way through multicultural Darwin. (Image: Tourism NT)

5. Up close with Uluṟu

The magnificent monolith Uluṟu is even more magical when the summer rains fall. When it rains on The Rock, the locals come out to watch – consider yourself lucky if that happens when you visit. Waterfalls cascading off the sides of Uluṟu is a sight that relatively few tourists see.

There’s so much to do at Uluṟu, from guided walks to learn the stories of the Aṉangu people and the ancient landscape they live in to scenic flights for a bird’s-eye view or a leisurely walk around the base of Uluṟu. Book ahead to spend the evening wandering through the Field of Light installation by Bruce Munro.

A closer look at Uluru and uncover its ancient stories, sacred sites, and striking natural beauty – one of the most iconic things to do in the Northern Territory. — Discover the details that make Uluṟu truly sacred. (Image: Tourism NT)

6. Drive the Red Centre Way

From Alice Springs, take an epic road trip along the Red Centre Way, taking in Uluru and Watarrka National Park, home to the magnificent Kings Canyon. Allow at least a week to drive through the red heart of Australia by 4WD, a little longer on the sealed road by 2WD vehicle, travelling through ochre deserts, palm-lined valleys and dramatic gorges. Stop off at waterholes for a refreshing dip along the way.

Kings Canyon offers hiking options for all levels of fitness, from the three-hour Rim Walk atop soaring sandstone walls to the gentler Kings Creek Walk. Either way, you’ll have breathtaking views.

SEIT Outback Australia is a small group touring specialist offering exciting, adventurous, exclusive and specialised iconic, pioneering and cultural touring in the Red Centre of Australia, giving you the time to learn, absorb and relax in the heart of Australia.<br /><br />This innovative tour company focuses on providing clients with the ultimate interpretive touring experiences with a range of products and customised touring itineraries for small groups and bespoke private charters.<br /><br />The company bases its philosophies from the key words of Spirit, Emotion, Intellect and Task (SEIT). — Drive through Australia’s heart. (Image: Outback Australia Tours)

7. Take a walk at Kata Tjuṯa

Head out early to tackle the Valley of the Winds Walk at Kata Tjuṯa . This natural wonder, also known as The Olgas, is a labyrinth of soaring ochre domes that glow golden at sunrise and sunset (the walk may be closed during the middle of the day as temperatures rise).

Walking trails range from easy to longer, more difficult tracks. At the Kata Tjuṯa dune viewing area, take in the panoramic view of the domes. The longest of the trails is the Valley of the Winds Walk, a 7.4km circuit that winds between the domes and through creek beds. It’s moderately difficult and steep in places, but offers stunning views – and occasional encounters with kangaroos.

The Valley of the Winds Walk at Kata Tjuta is one of the most awe-inspiring things to do in the Northern Territory, especially at sunrise when the domes glow golden. — Step into the golden light of Kata Tjuṯa. (Image: Tourism NT)

8. Explore Tjoritja/West MacDonnell Ranges

Tjoritja/West MacDonnell National Park lies 135km west of Alice Springs, with many fascinating natural features to beguile visitors. The ‘West Macs’ formations include chasms, gorges and waterholes – take your swimsuit for a dip at Ormiston Gorge waterhole, open year-round. The Ormiston Pound Walk is a three to four-hour circuit that leaves from the visitor centre and loops back along the gorge via the main waterhole. Other places of interest in the park include Simpsons Gap , Standley Chasm , Ellery Creek Big Hole and Glen Helen .

Soaking in the serenity of Ormiston Gorge, these two travellers enjoy one of the most scenic things to do in the Northern Territory. — Take the plunge at Ormiston Gorge waterhole. (Image: Joshua Griffin Litchfield)

Start planning the NT road trip of a lifetime at northernterritory.com

The 8 best places to see jacarandas around Australia