Public Toilets in Grafton, NSW
5 toilet locations mapped across Grafton — the Clarence River city famous for its Jacaranda Festival. Every October, the streets turn purple with blooming jacarandas and 20,000+ visitors flood in. Whether you're here for the parade, the markets, or just passing through on the Pacific Highway — here's every public dunny in town.
Interactive Toilet Map
5 facilities available in Grafton
📍 Street View
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Where Are You?
Grafton sits on the Clarence River with the town split between north and south banks. Here's the nearest dunny depending on what you're doing.
Jacaranda Festival
Memorial Park + Market Square
Festival central. Portable toilets added during the October parade and market days.
The Jacaranda Festival runs for two weeks in late October to early November. Over 20,000 visitors attend parade day alone. Extra portables are placed along the parade route — but Memorial Park is your best bet for a proper toilet.
Clarence River walk
Clarence River Foreshore
Riverside path from the wharf to the rowing club. Flat, paved, with river views.
The foreshore toilets are near the old wharf area. Open 24 hours. If you're walking or cycling the river path, this is the only facility between the two bridges.
Picnic at See Park
See Park
Riverside park with playground, BBQs, and shady trees. Popular family spot.
See Park is one of Grafton's best family parks — large playground, riverside setting, and plenty of shade. The toilet block is near the car park entrance. Closes at dusk.
Pacific Highway stop
Memorial Park (closest to highway)
Breaking the drive between Sydney and Brisbane? Memorial Park is just off the highway.
Grafton is about halfway between Sydney and Brisbane (6-7 hours each way). Memorial Park on Prince Street is the most convenient stop if you're just pulling off the highway for a break.
Shopping in town
Market Square
Central Grafton shopping area. Toilet block on the eastern side of the square.
Market Square is the commercial heart of Grafton. The toilet block is clean and well-maintained during business hours. Closes at dusk. Most cafes on Prince Street also have customer facilities.
South Grafton
South Grafton Park
Over the bridge on the south bank. Local park with basic facilities.
South Grafton is the smaller community on the southern bank of the Clarence River. The park has a basic toilet block. If you're heading south towards Coffs Harbour, this is your last easy stop before the highway.
Jacaranda Festival Toilet Tips
Australia's oldest floral festival (since 1935) brings 20,000+ visitors to a town of 17,000. The toilet situation gets intense during parade day. Here's the inside knowledge.
Parade Day (Saturday)
- Portable toilets along Prince Street parade route
- Memorial Park open and staffed all day
- Market Square extended hours
- Expect queues 10am-2pm on parade day
- Arrive early — parking fills by 8am
- Some streets closed to traffic from 7am
Rest of Festival (2 weeks)
- All 5 permanent facilities open normal hours
- Markets at See Park — toilets nearby
- Foreshore events — 24hr access there
- Manageable crowds outside parade day
- Accommodation books out — plan ahead
- Best jacaranda photo spots: Prince, Pound, and Victoria Streets
Things to Do in Grafton
Clarence River city with a population of ~17,000. Famous for jacarandas, but there's plenty more — heritage architecture, river fishing, and the gateway to pristine national parks.
Jacaranda Festival (October)
Australia's oldest floral festival, running since 1935. Parade, markets, queen crowning, fireworks. The streets turn purple. Genuinely magical.
Clarence River Fishing
Estuary fishing for flathead, bream, and mulloway. The river is massive — 394km from source to sea. Boat ramps at Grafton and Ulmarra.
Heritage Architecture Walk
Grafton has some of the best Victorian and Federation-era buildings in regional NSW. Self-guided walk through Prince and Fitzroy Streets.
Susan Island Nature Reserve
Largest river island nature reserve in NSW. Rainforest, flying foxes, walking tracks. Access by canoe or tinny from the Grafton foreshore.
Grafton Regional Gallery
Excellent regional gallery in a heritage building. Rotating exhibitions, local and touring shows. Free entry. Worth an hour.
Clarence River Paddle
Kayak or canoe the Clarence — flat water, scenic banks, birdlife. Hire available in town. Paddle to Susan Island and back in half a day.
Yuraygir National Park (30min)
Pristine coastal park south of Grafton. Empty beaches, coastal walks, camping. Some of the most untouched coastline in NSW.
Big River Drive
Scenic drive along the Clarence to Ulmarra, Maclean, and Yamba at the river mouth. Villages, prawns, and river views the whole way.
Where to Stay in Grafton
Regional centre with motels, caravan parks, and B&Bs. Book well ahead for Jacaranda Festival — the town fills completely during parade week.
Motels (Pacific Highway)
Several motels along the highway through town. Budget to mid-range ($100-180/night). All have ensuite bathrooms. Easy highway access for through-travellers.
Nearest dunny: Memorial Park (2min drive) or use motel facilities.
Caravan Parks
Riverside caravan parks with powered sites, cabins, and camp kitchen. On the banks of the Clarence. Good value ($30-50 powered site, $80-140 cabin).
Nearest dunny: Park facilities (amenity blocks with showers).
Heritage B&Bs
Grafton's heritage buildings include several restored B&Bs. Character accommodation with breakfast. Popular during Jacaranda Festival.
Nearest dunny: Memorial Park or Market Square (walking distance from CBD).
Getting to Grafton
Drive
6.5 hours from Sydney, 4 hours from Brisbane via the Pacific Highway. Grafton is the major service centre for the Clarence Valley — you can't miss it.
The Pacific Highway bypass means you can skip town entirely — but the turn-off to the CBD is well-signed if you need to stop.
Train
NSW TrainLink runs daily services from Sydney (9 hours) and Brisbane-bound connections. Grafton station is in the CBD — walking distance to Memorial Park and Market Square facilities.
Highway Toilet Stops Near Grafton
From the south: Last major stop is Coffs Harbour (85km, ~1hr south).
From the north: Maclean (30min south of the QLD border turn-off) has facilities.
Through town: Memorial Park is the easiest quick stop — signposted from the highway, with parking right next to the facility.
Clarence River — Water Access & Facilities
The Clarence is NSW's largest river by volume — 394km from source to sea. Grafton sits on a wide, deep section popular for fishing, kayaking, and riverside walking.
| Location | Activity | Toilet | Parking | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foreshore (Wharf area) | Walking, fishing | Yes (24hr) | Yes | Paved path, accessible. Best general-purpose river access. |
| See Park | Picnic, playground | Yes | Yes | Family park with BBQs. Riverside but no swimming access. |
| Grafton Rowing Club | Rowing, kayak launch | Members | Yes | Kayak/canoe launch point. Use foreshore toilet (5min walk). |
| Susan Island | Nature reserve | No | N/A | Access by boat only. No facilities on island. Use foreshore before departing. |
| South Grafton boat ramp | Boat launch, fishing | Yes (South Grafton Park) | Yes | Main boat ramp for the river. South Grafton Park toilet 200m away. |
The Clarence River is tidal at Grafton. Swimming is not recommended in town due to bull sharks and strong currents. For swimming, head to Yamba or Angourie (1hr east at the river mouth).
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there public toilets near the Jacaranda Festival in Grafton?
Yes. During the Jacaranda Festival (late October to early November), the main facilities at Memorial Park, See Park, and Market Square are all open and maintained. Portable toilets are also added along the parade route and in Jacaranda Park during peak festival days.
Is there a wheelchair accessible toilet in Grafton?
Memorial Park on Prince Street has an accessible toilet facility. The Clarence River foreshore facilities near the wharf also have accessible cubicles. Both are flat-access locations suitable for wheelchair users.
Are there toilets along the Clarence River foreshore?
Yes. The Clarence River foreshore near the old wharf area has public toilet facilities. These are open 24 hours and are popular with visitors walking the riverfront path or fishing from the bank.
Where is the nearest toilet to Market Square Grafton?
Market Square has its own public toilet block on the eastern side of the square. It is open during daylight hours and has both standard and accessible cubicles.
Are Grafton toilets open at night?
Memorial Park and the Clarence River foreshore facilities are open 24 hours. Market Square and See Park facilities close at dusk (approximately 6pm in winter, 8pm in summer). During Jacaranda Festival, extended hours apply at all locations.
How far is Grafton from Coffs Harbour?
Grafton is approximately 85km north of Coffs Harbour via the Pacific Highway. The drive takes about 1 hour. Grafton is the main service centre for the Clarence Valley region.
Nearby Areas
Grafton is the major centre of the Clarence Valley, population ~17,000. Located on the Clarence River, 85km north of Coffs Harbour. Known for the Jacaranda Festival (since 1935) — Australia's oldest floral festival. Bundjalung and Gumbaynggirr country.
Local Tips — Grafton
Best Jacaranda Photo Streets
Prince Street, Pound Street, and Victoria Street have the densest canopy. Best in the last week of October when all trees are fully in bloom. Early morning light is golden.
Flood Risk (February-March)
The Clarence floods regularly in summer. When it floods, the town can be cut in two (north/south). Check road conditions before travelling in the wet season.
Day Trip to Yamba
Yamba (1hr east at the river mouth) has swimming beaches, fish & chips, and excellent surf. A great pairing with Grafton — river city + beach town in one trip.