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Where to See Jacaranda Trees in Sydney This Spring
As these trees bloom brightest in spring, make your next walk extra special with our guide to where to spot Jacaranda trees in Sydney.
The best places to see jacaranda trees in Sydney are McDougall Street in Kirribilli, Oxford Street in Paddington, Lavender Bay on the North Shore, Prince Alfred Square in Parramatta and the University of Sydney Quadrangle in Camperdown. The blooms peak through October and November, turning streets and parks lilac. Here’s where our editors head each spring.
Where to See Jacarandas in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs
Paddington
For Sydneysiders in the Eastern Suburbs, you’re in for a treat! Walk along Paddington‘s Oxford Street to find one of the largest displays of purple jacaranda trees, with Five Ways and Glenmore Road boasting their share of lavender hues. High-end shopping, great coffee and jacaranda trees in full bloom? Talk about the perfect weekend activity!
Where: Oxford Street, Five Ways and Glenmore Road, Paddington
Cost: Free
Best For: Free, Weekend plans, Nature lovers, Locals
Need To Know:
Best Jacaranda Streets on the North Shore
Lavender Bay and Kirribilli
Aptly named, Lavender Bay on the North Shore takes on shades of lilac and lavender when the jacarandas bloom. Walk through the suburbs, then take the scenic route towards Kirribilli, taking in the glistening Sydney Harbour views.
Once you hit Kirribilli, head straight for McDougall Street, where the jacaranda trees create a tunnel of purple that needs to be seen to be truly appreciated.
Where: Lavender Bay and McDougall Street, Kirribilli
Cost: Free
Best For: Free, Outdoor, Couples, Nature lovers, Weekend plans
Need To Know: Start at Lavender Bay and walk towards Kirribilli, finishing at McDougall Street for the jacaranda tunnel.
Hunters Hill
Still on the North Shore, but further west, Hunters Hill is a hidden gem for jacaranda trees. You’ll have no trouble finding shades of violet throughout this pretty suburb, but if you need somewhere to start, Alexander Street never disappoints.
Where: Alexander Street, Hunters Hill
Cost: Free
Best For: Free, Outdoor, Locals, Couples, Nature lovers
Where to See Jacarandas in Western Sydney
Prince Alfred Square
Sitting pretty within the busy streets of Parramatta, spring sees jacarandas transform Prince Alfred Square into a purple beauty. If this park leaves you wanting more, nearby Elizabeth Farm and Parramatta Park also boast purple tree-lined trails.
Where: Prince Alfred Square, Parramatta
Cost: Free
Best For: Free, Outdoor, Families, Weekend plans, Locals
Need To Know: Elizabeth Farm and Parramatta Park nearby also have jacaranda-lined trails if you want to extend your walk.
Where to See Jacarandas in the Sydney CBD
Circular Quay and The Rocks
Did you know you can see the purple blooms in the heart of Sydney? Every spring, Sydney’s bustling Circular Quay is filled with jacaranda spotters strolling from the Royal Botanic Gardens to The Rocks, snapping beautiful photos with breathtaking backdrops as they go.
Where: Royal Botanic Gardens to The Rocks, Sydney
Cost: Free
Best For: Free, Outdoor, Visitors, Couples, Weekend plans
University of Sydney
One of the most well-loved jacaranda trees was found at the University of Sydney, beneath its branches becoming a place to gather and learn in the Quadrangle. After standing tall for over 80 years, the tree toppled over.
But, fear not, knowing the inevitable was coming, branches were taken from the icon, and two jacaranda clones have since been planted at the uni — one in the same Quadrangle, which continues to grow, dropping blankets of purple on the university grounds.
Where: The Quadrangle, University of Sydney, Camperdown
Cost: Free
Best For: Free, Outdoor, Cultural, Visitors, Locals
Jacaranda trees in Sydney typically bloom from mid-October through to late November, with the peak usually arriving in the first few weeks of November. Timing shifts slightly each year depending on spring temperatures and rainfall, so a warm, dry September can bring the purple flowers out earlier. Trees in sunnier, more exposed spots often flower before those on shaded streets. For the fullest canopy, plan a weekday morning visit in early November, when the blooms are at their densest and popular streets such as McDougall Street in Kirribilli are less crowded.
McDougall Street in Kirribilli is widely regarded as the best place to see jacarandas in Sydney, with mature trees forming a purple tunnel over the road each spring and harbour views a short walk away. Other standout spots include Oxford Street, Five Ways and Glenmore Road in Paddington, Alexander Street in Hunters Hill, Prince Alfred Square in Parramatta and the walk from the Royal Botanic Gardens to The Rocks. Every one of these locations is free to visit and best explored on foot, making them easy additions to a spring weekend.
The jacaranda tunnel in Kirribilli is on McDougall Street, on Sydney’s lower North Shore, where rows of mature trees meet overhead to create a continuous purple canopy each October and November. The street sits close to Lavender Bay, so many visitors combine the two, starting at Lavender Bay and walking towards Kirribilli with Sydney Harbour views along the way. Milsons Point Station is a short walk away. McDougall Street is residential, so visitors should keep noise down, stay off private property and avoid blocking driveways when stopping for photos.
The jacaranda in the University of Sydney’s Quadrangle, a campus landmark for generations of students, fell in October 2016 after standing for more than 80 years. Knowing the ageing tree was in decline, the university had already taken cuttings from it, and two clones grown from the original have since been planted on campus, including one in the same Quadrangle. The replacement tree continues to grow and flower each spring, so visitors to the Camperdown campus can still see jacaranda blooms in the historic sandstone courtyard.
Jacaranda trees are not native to Australia. The species most commonly planted in Sydney, Jacaranda mimosifolia, comes from South America, where it grows naturally in parts of Argentina and Bolivia. The trees were introduced to Australia in the 1800s and became popular street and garden plantings across New South Wales and Queensland, prized for their spring flowers and their tolerance of warm climates. Today they are one of the most recognisable signs of spring in Sydney, and in northern NSW the town of Grafton celebrates them with an annual Jacaranda Festival.
Prince Alfred Square in Parramatta is one of the best places to see jacarandas in Western Sydney, with the trees turning the small park purple each spring. The square is within easy reach of the Parramatta CBD, making it simple to visit on a weekend walk or lunch break. For a longer outing, nearby Elizabeth Farm and Parramatta Park also have jacaranda-lined paths, so visitors can link several spots in a single morning. As with most jacaranda locations in Sydney, the blooms peak through October and November.
Now that you know where to spot jacaranda trees in Sydney, why not explore more of NSW’s breathtaking natural beauty? From the best hikes in Sydney to the National Parks to explore, get outside and enjoy the sunshine.
