Our Community

LIFESTYLE

Grafton has a unique lifestyle setting. Combining the country living with a coastal feel, the City has lifestyle options to suit every person.


FESTIVALS AND EVENTS

Grafton City is renowned for its annual Festival of the Jacaranda’s. Commencing in 1935, the Jacaranda Festival celebrates the spirit of the city, with stalls, exhibitions, events, parties and balls. Grafton’s Rowing Regatta and Dragonboat events are held during the Jacaranda season in October/November each year.

Grafton is also home to the Bridge to Bridge Ski Race, held on the October long weekend each year. The City comes alive with boaties and water-sport lovers alike, who visit the town for an entertaining weekend.

In July each year the city comes alive with ‘Fashion, Fun and Fabulous Racing’ for the Clarence River Jockey Club’s Grafton Cup. An entertaining week for fashion lovers, punters and party-goers.

Other festivals held in the Grafton area include Ulmarra’s Festival of the River, Maclean’s Scottish Festival and Highland Games Spectacular, and Yamba’s Surfing the Coldstream. The Clarence Valley is also home to the biannual International Philosophy and Theology Festival.

View Grafton’s twelve (12) month Calendar of Events


SHOPPING

You will find all your shopping needs at Grafton Shoppingworld. Newly renovated with numerous specialty shops, womens and mens fashion, major stores, fresh and fast food, entertainment outlets, gifts and homewares.

Just a short walk through the centre and you will find yourself on the main street (Prince Street) where you can continue shopping to your hearts content.


EATING

From fine-dining to take-away, gourmet pub food to café eating, Grafton has it all.

View a list of Grafton’s Restaurants.


SPORT

There is no shortage of water in Grafton; thus the love of water sports. If you are into water skiing, rowing, canoeing, yachting, swimming or jet skiing, the Clarence River is ready to accommodate you. For more leisurely activities, fishing or house boat hire may be the option for you. If you are a keen surfer, there are numerous beaches within 20 minutes (Wooli) to an hours drive (Yamba / Coffs Harbour) from the City itself.

If open water doesn’t take your fancy, there is always an alternative. Grafton’s Lifestyle Centre has a fully equipped Gym, 25m indoor pool, hydrotherapy pool, aerobics room and gymnasium. Or you can try the Grafton Aquatic Centre’s Olympic Pool and Diving Boards.

If water is not your thing, there are plenty of land-based sports to keep you busy. Perhaps Grafton’s most popular land-based sport is Hockey, with the town being overcome by ‘Hockey Fever’ most months of the year. Other alternatives include soccer, tennis, netball, basketball, touch football, oztag, golf, cricket, rugby union, lawn bowls, badminton and ten-pin bowling.

For more ‘adventurous’ sport lovers, bmx riding, skateboarding and Grafton’s ‘Hill Climb’ might entice you.

For a unique experience you must visit Wooli’s annual Goanna Pulling Championships.


ACCOMMODATION

Hotels, Motels, Caravan Parks or B&B’s… Grafton has the right accommodation for you.

Click on the link to view a list of Grafton’s Accommodation.


CULTURE AND THE ARTS

The Grafton Regional Gallery is home to local and touring exhibitionists of all kinds of traditional and contemporary Art.

For the musically oriented, Grafton is alive with blues, jazz, country, rock and modern pop, with regular entertainment at pubs, clubs and festivals throughout the year.

Performing arts is a flourishing culture in the Clarence Valley. Grafton has two theatre companies that regularly hold performances.

Dance also flourishes in the city, with several dance studios. You will find classes from ballet to jazz, modern dancing, tap, ballroom, rock n roll and belly dancing.

Grafton is renowned for its ‘Artsfest’, held in September each year. A variety of classes, workshops, and concerts are run, from arts and crafts to song-writing and drum-making.


COMMUNITY PROFILE

Click on the link to download Grafton’s Community Profile.