Latest from Grafton
Purple rain: a first-timer's guide to the Grafton Jacaranda Festival
What it feels like the first time, why a small river town has the country's oldest floral festival, six things first-timers get wrong, and how to do it well.
Best time to see the jacarandas in Grafton
The trees do not read the calendar. How the season usually runs, what moves it, how to read the reports, and which week to book for flowers, festival or both.
Jacaranda Thursday explained
The day the town closes its main street and has breakfast together. What happens, when, what to expect from the crowds, and whether it is the day for you.
Driving to the Jacaranda Festival versus taking the coach
Seven hours at the wheel for four on the ground, or a seat and a guided loop. The honest trade-offs, including the cases where driving wins.
One perfect day at the Grafton Jacaranda Festival
A timed plan for a day trip: where to park, which order to walk, when to be indoors, and how to be back on the road by 3.30 with the best of it seen.
How the Journal fits the silo
Each story here answers a question people ask before they go, and each points to the page that does the next job: the Jacaranda Festival page for programme, map and practicalities, the things to do hub for the rest of the town and the valley, and the day tour when you would rather not drive. The Grafton travel guide is the front door.
Ready to plan the day?
The practical guide has the programme, the tree map and the detail.