9 of the best places to see jacarandas in Sydney this spring

Every October and November, pockets of Sydney bloom in a sea of purple as the famous jacaranda trees come into flower. Here’s where to get a hit of lilac across the city.

Destination NSW

Aug 2023 -

min read

Circular Quay & The Rocks

Take a do-it-yourself jacaranda walking tour through the city starting at the Royal Botanic Garden, before passing through Circular Quay and the historic cobblestone streets of The Rocks, checking out Mrs Macquarie's Chair and the MCA along the way. View the stunning trees set against the backdrop of the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour, especially at First Fleet Park, situated between between the museum and the ferry wharf.

Jacaranda trees blooming in First Fleet Park in The Rocks, Sydney City

Jacarandas, Sydney Harbour

Paddington

For luxury shopping with your lavender hues, head to Paddington's Oxford Street, Glenmore Road and Five Ways. Be sure not to miss The Intersection, the tree-lined point where Glenmore Road meets Oxford Street. The chic enclave is the home to high-end Australian designer boutiques and sits opposite the sprawling jacarandas on Victoria Barracks Lawn. Start at Jackies Cafe with a sunlit brunch in the leafy courtyard – their greenhouse-style bar opens during spring for cocktails. Nearby Woollahra and Double Bay also boast a stunning purple haze, along with the courtyard at historic Vaucluse House.

Jacarandas, Paddington

Kirribilli

For that classic Instagram shot of a purple-lined Sydney road, check out McDougall Street. Come spring, tourists and locals alike flock to this fairytale avenue in Kirribilli, where the splendid arch of jacaranda trees creates a lavender-hued dome, perfect for spring selfies. Just remember to be road safety aware at all times and mindful of residents.

McDougall Street, Kirribilli

Lavender Bay

Afterwards, walk along the water to nearby Lavendar Bay, where the heritage-listed Wendy Whiteley’s Garden has a spectacular view back to the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the harbour foreshore dotted with jacarandas. Pack a picnic and enjoy lunch underneath the leafy trees, before exploring the rest of the suburb's quaint (and often jacaranda-lined) streets.

Views of jacaranda trees surrounding Sydney Harbour and Luna Park from Lavendar bay

Jacarandas, Lavender Bay

Hunters Hill

It's a bit of a local secret that the north shore suburb of Hunters Hill is great place to go in search of jacarandas. So great, in fact, that the Hunters Hills Trust organises guided walking tours through the suburb's best streets, en route visiting the Town Hall, Hunters Hill Historical Society and Alexandra St, which is especially purple during spring. The neighbouring Greenwich, Waverton, Woolwich, Longueville and Wollstonecraft also boast plenty of jacaranda-rich streets.

View from Hunters Hill of jacarandas in spring bloom, Sydney

University of Sydney

The urban landscape of the Inner West precinct also pops with purple foliage. For history buffs, the much-loved jacaranda at the University of Sydney stood for 88 years in the quadrangle before it died in 2016. The tree was so iconic – students and teachers had talked and studied under the branches for generations – the university cloned it before it collapsed. The planting of a native flame tree and the clone of the original jacaranda was celebrated in 2017. As the new tree grows, it’s likely also to become a living legend on the University grounds.

Jacarandas at Sydney University, Camperdown - Credit: Jon Callow/Unsplash

Camperdown, Newtown & Glebe

The elegant terrace-lined streets of the neighbouring suburbs of Camperdown, Newtown and Glebe are worth a wander. In particular, Glebe Point Road tends to light up in a blaze of purple come springtime. Once you have worked up an appetite, stop by the Sappho Books to enjoy a coffee while people-watching before browsing it's shelves of secondhand books, or peruse the Markets at Glebe if you stop by on a Saturday.

Jacarandas in spring bloom, Sydney

Parramatta

Looking for another hidden gem? Head west to Parramatta for some serious purple tree-chasing. Prince Alfred Square, Centenary Square, Elizabeth Farm and Parramatta Park are all host to tree-lined paths brimming with jacarandas. The leafy green spaces never look as stunning as they do in the springtime.

Prince Alfred Square, Parramatta

Camden

Southwest of Sydney in Camden, the main street of Argyle has an iconic line of jacaranda trees. The streetscape was brightened back in 2017, when eight mature jacarandas were planted in addition to the 39 remaining 90-year-old jacarandas along Argyle St. Camden has a three-day Jacaranda Festival to celebrate their iconic lilac gateway, with the lighting of the Jacaranda trees, performances from local schools and sampling of the delicious fresh produce of the Macarthur region.