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

Every October and November, pockets of Sydney burst into purple bloom as the iconic jacaranda tree comes into flower. Here’s where to find your lilac floral fix around the city.

Destination NSW

Aug 2025 - 3 min read

Circular Quay and The Rocks

Take a self-guided 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 Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (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 the MCA and the ferry wharf, with its jacaranda-lined avenue fringing its harbourside edge.

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

Jacarandas outside the Museum of Contemporary Art, Circular Quay

Paddington

The lawns in front of Victoria Barracks on Oxford Street are carpeted in purple blossoms during jacaranda season thanks to the row of magnificent trees that line the sandstone walls. Once you’ve strolled the purple carpet, you’re well placed to browse the fashion and design boutiques of Paddington’s Glenmore Road and Five Ways. Right near the lawns of the Barracks, where Glenmore Road meets Oxford Street, you’ll find The Intersection, where you can enjoy a sunlit brunch in the leafy courtyard of Jackies Cafe before perusing the shops surrounding it. Continue onto nearby Woollahra and Double Bay for more jacaranda spotting or make your way to Vaucluse House’s courtyard and gardens.

Jacarandas, Paddington

Kirribilli

To experience the magic of a picture-perfect road canopied with purple blossoms, head to McDougall Street in North Sydney’s Kirribilli. Come spring, tourists and locals alike flock to this avenue where jacarandas create a lavender-hued archway like something out of a fairytale. When visiting this spot, just remember to be mindful of the residents.

McDougall Street, Kirribilli

Lavender Bay

If you’re in the Kirribilli area, Lavender Bay is an easy next stop where you’ll find many streets boasting jacaranda blooms. Be sure to swing past the heritage-listed Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden, which offers spectacular views back to the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the jacaranda-dotted harbour foreshore. Pack a picnic and enjoy lunch underneath the leafy trees, before exploring the rest of the suburb's quaint streets to find more bursts of purple.

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 Hunters Hill serves in the jacaranda stakes. Plan your own self-guided tour visiting the Town Hall, Hunters Hill Historical Society Museum and Alexandra Street, so you can marvel at the bright blossoms when they reach their peak. The neighbouring suburbs of Woolwich, Longueville, Greenwich, Wollstonecraft and Waverton are also home to many magnificent jacarandas.

View from Hunters Hill of jacarandas in spring bloom, Sydney

Camperdown, Newtown and Glebe

During jacaranda season, the Inner West pops with lilac foliage. The elegant terrace-lined streets of Camperdown, Newtown and Glebe are well worth a wander, with Glebe Point Road in particular blossoming during spring. Meander the blocks, keep your eyes peeled for purple and work up an appetite before visiting one of the many fantastic eateries and cafes nearby, including Sappho Books for coffee, The Glebe Hotel for a classic pub meal or the food stalls at Glebe Markets on a Saturday.

Jacarandas in spring bloom, Sydney

The University of Sydney

Inner Sydney jacaranda hunters will be rewarded at The University of Sydney. History buffs may recall the iconic 88-year-old tree that towered in the quadrangle until 2016. And while it no longer stands, its clone was planted in 2017, as well as a native flame tree to honour the Gadigal people. But these aren’t the only vivid blossoms you’ll find throughout the grounds as the campus hosts many established jacarandas alongside historic buildings including the Anderson Stuart Building and bordering Physics Road.

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

Parramatta

After a hidden gem? Parramatta’s Prince Alfred Square, Western Sydney University, Elizabeth Farm and Parramatta Park all host tree-lined paths brimming with jacarandas. Take your pick from these leafy green spaces that are particularly stunning in the spring, before exploring the rest of the sights of the area. Go for a stroll by the Parramatta River and visit the Dixon Park Escarpment Lookout or sample the abundant eateries of Little India in neighbouring Harris Park.

Prince Alfred Square, Parramatta

Camden

Picture this: 47 jacarandas in bloom, lining the main street of a historic town southwest of Sydney. Camden’s Argyle Street is awash with whimsy when its trees burst into blossom. Comprising a row of 39 trees planted in 1927, Camden’s abundance was enriched with an additional eight mature trees in 2017 meaning that there’s a veritable explosion of purples, mauves, violets and lilacs during this special time of year. This is one spot you’ll want to visit if you’re wooed by blooms – the nearby Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan might sway you too.