Adelaide's jacarandas usually flower from late October to late November, with the peak in November. That makes the second half of the season a good time to plan a walk. Here are the streets and grounds named for jacarandas, so you can choose a short stroll that suits the kids.
In the city
- Flinders Street, Grote Street, Wakefield Street and Carrington Street are all named for jacarandas, so one city walk can take in several of them.
- University of Adelaide grounds: a good place to wander at your own pace.
In the suburbs
- Byron Road, Black Forest.
- Clifton Street, Blair Athol.
- Trevelyan Street, Goodwood.
If you live near one of these, a quick walk after school or on a weekend morning might be all you need. If you would like a longer outing, you could try several of the city streets in one visit.
Making it a family outing
A jacaranda walk works well with small children because it does not need a booking or a plan. Let the kids lead, point out the purple, and pick a spot for a snack.
Make it a game for the kids
- Ask them to spot the first purple tree of the day, and count how many they find.
- Look for the trumpet-shaped flowers on the ground and see who finds the freshest one.
- Bring a pencil and paper for a quick sketch under a tree, or let the kids take the photos.
- Pack a picnic and make it a slow, unhurried morning.
Planning a visit with kids
- Go early on a weekend morning, when it is quieter and the light is soft for photos.
- The blossoms follow the weather, so the trees can be early or late. Look at a tree on a street near you before you plan a trip.
- Pack water and sun protection, and bring a picnic rug if you would like to stay a while.
- Fallen blossom can collect on paths and kerbs, so take a little care with scooters and prams.
- Check parking, public transport and access with the council or the venue before you go.
Because blooming follows the weather, a tree that looked bare last week can be full the next. If you are unsure, look at the trees on your own street first and plan your trip when they start to colour.
For the latest on access, parking and anything happening at a particular place, check the council's or the university's own website.
