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.
Jacaranda trees have inspired photoshoots, festivals and more.
History
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 be from about 1850. Not to mention jacarandas were listed for sale around Sydney in 1861. Sorry, Brisbane.
1. Grafton, NSW
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.
Join in the Jacaranda Festival celebrations. (Image: Simon Hughes)
2. Sydney, 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.
Circular Quay and The Rocks are awash with purple in spring. (Image: Destination NSW)
3. Brisbane, Qld
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 grown Jacaranda tree was planted, in 1864 (as we know, Queensland does claim this is the first in Australia, but it seems unlikely). It was since 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, and 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.
Take a seat and enjoy the blooms of New Farm Park. (Image: Lady Brisbane)
4. Southeast Queensland
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 florals, 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 everchanging menu that champions local ingredients, and a particularly popular range of house-made cakes.
View jacarandas and the usual stunning view from seen from Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve lookout.
5. Herberton, Qld
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.
Head to Herberton in October for the Jacaranda Festival.
6. Melbourne, Vic
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.
See jacarandas dot Melbourne Royal Botanic Gardens in spring.
7. Perth, WA
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.
Head to Applecross for the annual Rotary Jacaranda Festival. (Image: Edward Lim)
8. Adelaide, SA
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.
See purple against the University of Adelaide campus. (Image: Tourism SA)
