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Major city · Australia

Grafton, New South WalesGrafton

Give Grafton one night in late October or early November for the jacarandas; outside that window it is a 2–3 hour stop on the Sydney–Brisbane drive.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Grafton sits on the Clarence River, 630 km north of Sydney and 320 km south of Brisbane, and is the main town of the Clarence Valley. Its draw is a compact heritage CBD, a rare dual-level road-and-rail bridge, and around 2,000 jacaranda trees that flower for roughly three weeks from late October. There are no scheduled flights into Clarence Valley Airport, so you arrive by car, coach or the daily XPT train.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
AUD
Best months
Late Oct–early Nov for jacarandas; Apr–Sep for mild, dry driving weather
avoid Dec–Feb (hot, humid, afternoon storms); school holidays for accommodation prices
Airports
GFN · CFS · BNK
Nights
1
Rules in force · 7
  • Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
  • Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
  • Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
  • Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
  • Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
  • Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
  • Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Grafton, New South Wales000 ▾
  • Police, fire, ambulance000
  • From mobiles112
  • NSW SES (floods and storms)132 500

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Grafton, New South Wales, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • CoffeeA$4–6 (≈ US$3–4)
  • Street or quick mealCafé breakfastA$15–25 (≈ US$10–17)
  • Beerschooner in a pubA$7–11 (≈ US$5–8)
  • Metro or bus rideLocal bus fareA$3–5 (≈ US$2–4)
  • Museum or sight ticketGallery entryFree–A$10 (≈ US$7)
  • Budget bedHostel or pub room, per person, a night, per personA$45 (≈ US$30)
  • Mid-range bedMotel double room, a night, per roomA$170 (≈ US$120)
  • High-end bedMotel double room, a night, per roomA$280 (≈ US$190)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget A$90 (≈ US$60) · Mid A$160 (≈ US$110) · High A$280 (≈ US$190)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Jacaranda trees in late October and early NovemberJacaranda Festival, held since 1935Dual-level road and rail bridge over the Clarence River (1932)Clarence River fishing and sailingGrafton Regional Art Gallery
Airports
GFN Clarence Valley Regional Airport (12 km (7.5 mi) south-east of town; no scheduled passenger flights — check before planning around it) · CFS Coffs Harbour Airport (About 87 km (54 mi) south; the practical arrival airport, with car hire (book ahead)) · BNK Ballina Byron Gateway Airport (About 140 km (87 mi) north; alternative with car hire)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Avoid

    30°C (86°F)

  2. Feb

    Avoid

    29°C (84°F)

  3. Mar

    not flagged

    28°C (82°F)

  4. Apr

    Best

    26°C (79°F)

  5. May

    Best

    22°C (72°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    20°C (68°F)

  7. Jul

    Best

    20°C (68°F)

  8. Aug

    Best

    22°C (72°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    25°C (77°F)

  10. Oct

    Best*

    27°C (81°F)

  11. Nov

    Best*

    29°C (84°F)

  12. Dec

    Avoid

    30°C (86°F)

Best: Apr–Nov. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →

Warmest Jan (30°C (86°F)), coolest Jul (5°C (41°F) low), wettest Mar (13 rain days), driest Aug (6). Averages, not a forecast.

* only part of the month (early, mid or late).

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Grafton, New South Wales: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

30°C (86°F)

20°C (68°F)

12 rd

Feb

29°C (84°F)

20°C (68°F)

12 rd

Mar

28°C (82°F)

18°C (64°F)

13 rd

Apr

26°C (79°F)

14°C (57°F)

10 rd

May

22°C (72°F)

10°C (50°F)

9 rd

Jun

20°C (68°F)

7°C (45°F)

8 rd

Jul

20°C (68°F)

5°C (41°F)

7 rd

Aug

22°C (72°F)

6°C (43°F)

6 rd

Sep

25°C (77°F)

9°C (48°F)

7 rd

Oct

27°C (81°F)

13°C (55°F)

9 rd

Nov

29°C (84°F)

16°C (61°F)

10 rd

Dec

30°C (86°F)

18°C (64°F)

11 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

The CBD is flat and walkable; a car is needed for national parks, beaches and the coast. Busways runs local buses. The railway station is in South Grafton, across the river from the CBD, so allow time to cross by road or taxi.

Nearest full guides

Straight-line distance, not travel time

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Yamba and the Clarence River mouth

go

Door to door: About 1 h

Drive via the Pacific Highway, about 50 min

Beaches, breakwater walk and seafood; the obvious half-day from Grafton.

Coffs Harbour

go

Door to door: About 1.5 h

Drive south on the Pacific Highway, about 1 h 15 min

Bigger town, jetty, and the nearest commercial airport.

Casino

caution

Door to door: About 1.5 h

Drive north on the Summerland Way, about 1 h 30 min

Useful as a link to the Northern Rivers rather than a destination in itself.

Washpool National Park

overnight

Door to door: About 1.5–2 h

Drive via the Gwydir Highway and unsealed roads

World Heritage rainforest; check road conditions and go with a full tank.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Grafton CBD (Fitzroy and Prince streets)

Walk to the gallery, cafés and the river; best for one night without a car in the evening.

South Grafton

Around the railway station across the river; convenient if you arrive or leave on the XPT.

Motels on the Pacific Highway approaches

Cheapest drive-in option with parking at the door; a few minutes' drive from the centre.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
A$90–140 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
Mid
A$140–230 (≈ US$95–160) excl. bed
High
A$230 (≈ US$160)+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Motel double room1 × 1 night × A$170A$170
Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × A$160A$320
Coach Sydney–Grafton, one way2 × A$70A$140
XPT train Sydney–Grafton, one way2 × A$90 · slower than flying but usually cheaperA$180
eSIM, about a week of data2 × A$25A$50
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeA$86
Trip total≈ A$473 per person per day, bed includedA$946≈ US$650

2026 estimate in Australian dollars; fuel and long-distance travel excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

CoffeeA$4–6 (≈ US$3–4)
Pub counter mealA$20–32 (≈ US$14–25)
Café breakfastA$15–25 (≈ US$10–17)
Beer, schooner in a pubA$7–11 (≈ US$5–8)
Fuel, unleaded per litrevaries by town and dayA$1.70–2.10 (≈ US$2)
Local bus fareA$3–5 (≈ US$2–4)
Gallery entryFree–A$10 (≈ US$7)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Grafton is a small, low-crime country town; the real risks are long rural drives, summer heat and Clarence River currents. Lock the car and don't swim the river alone.
  • Clarence Valley Airport has no scheduled flights — check before booking anything around it.
  • The northbound XPT to Brisbane passes through Grafton around 1 AM; treat it as a sleeper connection, not an evening departure.
  • Summer heat and humidity peak Dec–Feb; carry water and plan walks for the morning.
  • Clarence River cod is endangered and must be released if caught.
  • Rural roads to national parks can be unsealed; check conditions after rain.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
000
From mobiles
112
NSW SES (floods and storms)
132 500

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

Grafton, New South WalesGrafton

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

Can you take me to this address, please?To this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance000
  • From mobiles112
  • NSW SES132 500

Embassy

No embassies in Grafton; the nearest consulates and embassies are in Sydney or Canberra. US and UK travellers should register with their embassy in Canberra if staying long.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Coach Sydney → Grafton: about A$60–90 (≈ US$40–60), 9–10 h
  • XPT Sydney → Grafton: about A$80–120 (≈ US$55–80), about 10 h
  • Taxi across the river to South Grafton station: A$15–25 (≈ US$10–17)

Say or show

  • Thanks — Thank you (casual Australian English is fine everywhere)
  • Where's the loo? — Where is the toilet? (loo is the common word)
  • Card OK? — Can I pay by card? (cards are accepted almost everywhere)
  • Is this one free? — Is this seat taken?

Fuel up before heading into national parks; phone coverage drops on rural roads.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Grafton, New South Wales. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Late Oct–early Nov for jacarandas; Apr–Sep for mild, dry driving weather · avoid Dec–Feb (hot, humid, afternoon storms); school holidays for accommodation prices · month by month →
  2. 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 4 day-trips, door to door
  6. 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for CFS and BNK: last coach and train departures, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
  2. Walking cluster for the CBD: gallery, Fitzroy Street, riverbank and the 1932 bridge.
  3. Place pages with verified hours (Grafton Regional Art Gallery, Jacaranda Festival dates) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Jacaranda-season fixture so the late-October window can go green.

Meanwhile

Back to Australia

Sources