Purple rain
It’s flower power as jacaranda blooms transform Sydney, Australia, into a landscape of lilac.
IT’S the season of flowers in Sydney, Australia, when the jacarandas are in full bloom.
Often referred to as the “Dream Tree”, the beautiful lilac flowers bloom from October to November, transforming the city into a sea of purple.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the tree is “a native of Brazil, and no garden of any pretentions can be said to be complete without a plant of it.”
So, how did these lilac lovelies come to be in Sydney? Some say that it all started with a hospital matron who sent each newborn home with a seedling. It is also believed that the trees were planted as part of the beautification programmes during the early 20th century.
If you love flowers and want to see the jacaranda, here are some of the best spots to catch a glimpse of the stunning purple blossoms and capture that Instaworthy shot.
Surry Hills
A really classy neighbourhood, Surry Hills is an affluent suburb in Sydney. It was once home to the city’s rag trade and a former local haunt for infamous underworld figures like Kate Leigh. This is a place where Sydney’s cosmopolitan culture is strongly felt, especially in its fusion cuisine and innovative cafes and restaurants. The upmarket area also boasts elegant, expensive homes. The jacaranda season offers an ideal backdrop for that perfect Instagram shot.
Circular Quay
Vibrant and ever-throbbing with activity, Circular Quay is the go-to place for visitors to the city. It is Sydney’s main ferry terminal and also a railway station. This is where you can access the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House, as well as explore the historic cobblestone streets of The Rocks. During jacaranda season, the pretty purple blossoms perfectly frame this most central point of the city.
Royal Botanic Gardens
Take a relaxing stroll through the Royal Botanic Gardens which is home to thousands of flora. If you’re lucky, you might also spot fauna such as the fruit bat, water dragon and colourful birds. This is also the perfect place to take pictures amid a backdrop of purple hues.
Other places you might spot the canopies of purple are Lavender Bay and Woolwich in North Sydney, the Macquarie Street CBD, the suburbs of Hunters Hill and Oxford Street, University of Sydney, Glebe Market and Tamworth, which is a few hours’ drive from the city.
And while looking up at the pretty canopy of purple, don’t forget to look down too – lest you miss the carpet of purple from the fallen flowers – which make an equally pretty sight.