These are the best places to see jacarandas in Queensland
List
By Danielle Reckless
Brisbane | Scenic Rim | Sunshine Coast | Gold Coast
There's a lot to love about springtime in Southeast Queensland - but one of our favourites? When the jacarandas bloom and paint the town purple, from Brisbane and the Gold Coast and into the countryside.
Their annual visit might be fleeting - usually lasting from mid-September to November - but they make city streets and parklands burts in hyper colour, from the treetops to the blanket of purple petals left behind.
Ready to explore, camera in hand? Here are the best places to see jacarandas in Queensland.
Brisbane
Brisbane City is surrounded by spring beauty, and you'll find blooming jacarandas and floral purple carpets in nooks and crannies around the city streets and laneways.
Brisbane City Botanic Gardens
Venture down to Alice Street and into Brisbane City Botanic Gardens for countless opportunities to spot jacarandas in their splendour - and some river views, too.
Story Bridge
Story Bridge, Brisbane. Photo by @lady_brisbane
Brisbane’s iconic Story Bridge looks even better in a purple frame - head to the riverfront walkway at Kangaroo Point to enjoy the view.
New Farm Park
New Farm Park, Brisbane
A year-round favourite destination for lazy weekends by the water, New Farm Park is the ideal spot to snap an artistic shot of jacarandas in spring.
Head here on a Saturday to pick up snacks at Jan Powers Farmers Markets at the Powerhouse before finding a perfect picnic spot in the park to take in the trees.
Want to avoid the crowds? Visit midweek, or head to nearby Wilson Outlook Reserve for more jacaranda spotting.
UQ Campus, Saint Lucia
UQ St Lucia Campus, Brisbane. Photo by @playful.lens
Spring might be exam time at the University of Queensland, but with a campus covered in purple, cramming outdoors sounds pretty appealing. So much so that you'll find plenty of people that aren't students making their way to scope out blooming jacarandas.
Where to look? Start with a wander down Jacaranda Lane, visit Great Court and take a quick lap of the cloisters to snap a photo of jacaranda trees against the sandstone buildings, or stroll along the lakes and riverfront.
Parking on campus is free on the weekends, but the uni also has its own CityCat terminal for those who prefer to take the ferry instead.
Kangaroo Point
Photo by @discoverbrisbane
Stroll the dramatic cliffs by the river at Kangaroo Point and you’ll find jacaranda trees raining overhead and scattering flowers along your path. Dockside Walk and neighbouring Riverside Promenade is simply one of the best places to see jacarandas in Queensland - best enjoyed by picking up a coffee to accompany the adventure.
Goodna, Ipswich
Goodna in Brisbane's Ipswich region is so famed for its purple petals it even has a community festival dedicated to jacarandas - and it's back in 2023 after a three-year hiatus!
Visit to celebrate with the locals on 28 - 29 October as sideshow alley, battle of the bands, food markets and dance competitions take over the country town, or head to Evan Margison Park anytime in spring to enjoy one of the best jacaranda displays in the state.
More incredible places to see jacarandas in Brisbane
Scenic Rim
Boonah
Boonah, Scenic Rim. Photo by @swaller4
These flowers make even the barest fields pop with colour - and nature photographers love the opportunity to capture the contrast. Take a drive down to the Scenic Rim to see jacaranda trees flourish against an endless Queensland sky.
Sunshine Coast Hinterland
If you’re visiting the Sunshine Coast in spring, you can’t miss vibrant jacaranda trees in full bloom everywhere.
Glass House Mountains
Glass House Mountains, Sunshine Coast. Photo by @marissaknightphotography
For a landscape that begs you to take a photo and frame it, Glass House Mountains can't be beaten. Make a day of it by hiking to the summit of Mt Ngungun, grab a bite to eat in a quaint hinterland village, then spend sunset soaking up the views from the lookout by Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve.
Gold Coast
More incredible places to see jacarandas
- Heritage Drive, Mount Nathan
- T E Peters Drive, Broadbeach Waters
- Currumbin Creek Road Currumbin Valley
- Hilary Boyce Park, Labrador
You may also like...
