The city of Grafton is the commercial hub of the Clarence River Valley. Established in 1851, Grafton features many historic buildings and tree-lined streets.
Grafton is also known as the Jacaranda City, in reference to its tree-lined streets and annual Jacaranda Festival, held in October/November.
Grafton is also
well known for the Grafton Cup horse race, held yearly on the second Thursday in July. A half day holiday is observed in Grafton for the Cup day.
Grafton is the birthplace of several renowned country music players. Local artist, Troy Cassar-Daley received four Golden Guitar awards in the 2006
Tamworth Country Music Awards – the largest and most prestigious country music awards in Australia. At the same awards event Samantha McClymont, the 2005/2006 Grafton Jacaranda Queen and sister of Brooke McClymont, also received an award for her country music talent.
A vision of Grafton with its numerous brilliantly-flowered trees in bloom, is immortalised in Australian music culture in Cold Chisel's song Flame Trees.