Grafton NSW – Jacaranda City

Ch1 Geology and geography
Grafton’s Clarence Valley landscape, carved by ancient rivers, supports fertile plains and vibrant ecosystems.

Ch2 First Custodians
The Gumbaynggirr people’s millennia-long connection to the land shapes Grafton’s cultural heritage.

Ch3 Discovery and Mapping
European explorers mapped the Clarence River in the 1830s, naming Grafton for its strategic river access.

Ch4 Settlement and Foundations
Settlers in the 1840s established Grafton as a river port, laying its foundational infrastructure.

Ch5 Commerce and Agriculture
Sugarcane and cattle farming drive Grafton’s economy, bolstered by rich, fertile soils.

Ch6 Industry and Infrastructure
River trade and railways transformed Grafton into a thriving regional industrial hub.

Ch7 Community and Change
Grafton’s diverse community balances tradition with modern cultural and social evolution.

Ch8 Today
Grafton shines as the Jacaranda City, blending history, tourism, and vibrant community life.