Countdown on for Start of The 2016 NSW Jacaranda Season

Destination NSW

2016-10-27 09:24 10353

English

SYDNEY, Oct. 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Sydney and NSW will turn a delightful shade of blue in late-October and November with the start of the 2016 jacaranda season, signalling one of the most beautiful times of year and a great time to visit.

Jacaranda Views - Royal Botanic Garden Sydney - SOH

Jacaranda - Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

Jacaranda - Royal Botanic Garden Sydney - Opera House and Bridge

Jacaranda - Royal Botanic Garden Sydney - Sydney Opera House

Jacarandas in bloom outside Victoria Barracks, Paddington Sydney - Mandatory credit Destination NSW

Jacarandas in bloom, Circular Quay, Sydney - Mandatory credit Destination NSW

The city's Eastern suburbs, North Shore and CBD will be awash with blooms as will the historic town of Grafton on the NSW North Coast. Grafton is often referred to as the jacaranda capital of Australia, it hosts the annual Grafton Jacaranda Festival, and is home to Australia's largest jacaranda tree, measuring 30 metres high with a six metre circumference and crown of around 36 metres.

Destination NSW CEO Sandra Chipchase said, "NSW is home to thousands of jacaranda trees which create a natural spectacle each year when they are in full bloom. Grafton alone has 2,000 trees and the annual Festival is the longest running flower festival in Australia attracting 20,000 visitors each year."

Senior Arborist for the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney and Centennial Parklands, Ted Hoare says Sydney's Harbour backdrop makes the jacaranda season so spectacular.

"It's a truly beautiful sight to view the vibrant blue flowers are set against a Harbour backdrop. We have 16 trees in the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, including a unique white flowering jacaranda, and nine trees in Centennial Parklands.

"Jacaranda trees are becoming synonymous with Sydney and as this year is the Garden's 200^th birthday, I highly recommend coming down for a visit and seeing our trees in bloom," he said.

Here is a list of Destination NSW's picks for jacaranda spotting in NSW:

North Shore: Pack a picnic and head to Kirribilli, Lavender Bay, Greenwich, Waverton, Hunters Hill, Woolwich, Longueville and Wollstonecraft for a long, lazy lunch under the trees
Eastern Suburbs: Head to Oxford Street, Glenmore Road and Five Ways in Paddington which always have a great selection to view. Nearby Woollahra and Double Bay also boast stunning lilac hues
Sydney City: Take a do-it-yourself jacaranda walking tour through the city starting at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, passing through Circular Quay and The Rocks. View the stunning trees set against the backdrop of the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour and historic cobblestone streets of The Rocks
Inner Sydney: An absolute must is a visit to the giant jacaranda tree at the University of Sydney which is so iconic that growers at the University have cloned it to ensure it lives on. This tree is one of Sydney's most famous jacarandas and well worth a visit during the season. Neighbouring suburbs of Glebe, Camperdown and Erskineville are also worth exploring
Grafton: The historic town of Grafton located alongside the Clarence River on NSW's North Coast, is home to the Grafton Jacaranda Festival, taking place from 29 October to 6 November 2016. Highlights include the coronation of a jacaranda queen, a street parade with themed floats, markets, live performances and fireworks.