Grafton Area New South Wales Australia

Over 400 kilometres from source to sea, the Clarence River is a living link between the rugged highlands of the upper Clarence and the golden beaches that fringe the sparkling Pacific. Winding its way through deep ravines and broad plains, ancient forests, lush farmland, it links historic villages and 100 chartered islands.

Explore the Clarence River in your own style – from high adrenaline white-water canoeing to a tranquil river cruise. Potter about in a hire boat or cross the river by car or passenger ferry as several ferries still link the Clarence River’s islands and rural villages.

Grafton – one of Australia’s most beautiful provincial cities – is renowned for its Jacaranda trees, graceful old buildings and the Clarence River. During the famous Jacaranda Festival, Australia’s oldest floral festival, the city is carpeted with mauve blooms every October. As the commercial hub of the Clarence, Grafton has excellent accommodation, great shopping, award-winning restaurants and a vibrant artistic community.

The village of Ulmarra is one of Australia’s finest examples of a 19th century river-port. The entire village
has been classified by the National Trust and lining the main street are heritage buildings containing antiques and collectibles.

Historic treasures are housed within museums at Alumny Creek, Copmanhurst, Coutts Crossing, Glenreagh, Grafton, Lawrence, Maclean and Yamba and you’ll find many fine examples of colonial architecture. Grafton Regional Art Gallery, in the beautifully restored Prentice House, is an outstanding provincial gallery. Browse
through the 37 studios, galleries, antiques, arts and crafts and collectible stores dotted throughout towns and villages.

Outdoor adventures are limited only by your imagination …there are 4wd tours, guided bus tours, horse-riding, canoeing, bush-walking and bird-watching.You can play a round of golf with the kangaroos at one of seven golf courses and there are sports galore.

The Nymboida caters to adventures from wild to mild white-water rafting and canoeing, abseiling and rock-climbing, to quietly watching for a shy platypus from the large resident colony.