Historical Walking Tour of Grafton — Self-Guided App
A self-guided historical walking tour of Grafton, taking in Saraton Theatre, Christ Church Cathedral and Balun Bindarray Bridge across 6 stops.
Open this tour in the app →The route
1Saraton Theatre
Opened in 1926 by the Greek-immigrant Notaras brothers — "Saraton" is their surname reversed, chosen in a naming competition — this Grafton theatre gained a lavish Art Deco interior in George Rae's 1940 remodel. Still a working cinema and live-performance venue, it joined the NSW State Heritage Register in 2000.
2Christ Church Cathedral, Grafton
Designed by architect John Horbury Hunt in the Victorian Gothic Revival style, this Anglican cathedral was built in stages from 1874 and extended in the 1930s. Constructed from roughly 500,000 local salmon-pink bricks and seating 1,000, it is listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.
3Balun Bindarray Bridge
Opened in December 2019 after three years of construction, this A$240 million steel girder bridge carries traffic 525 metres across the Clarence River beside the older Grafton Bridge. Built by Fulton Hogan, it was renamed in 2022, joining Bundjalung and Gumbaynggirr words both meaning "river".
4Arcola, Grafton
Built in 1907 by H.F. Sault to a Strauss brothers design for wealthy grazier Robert Roland Smith, Arcola is a Queen Anne revival residence of rendered brick with a bull-nosed verandah, pressed-metal ceilings and etched glass. Now a bed and breakfast, it joined the NSW State Heritage Register in 1999.
5Grafton Gaol
Opened in September 1893 to a competition-winning design by Sydney architect Henry Austin Wilshire, this Federation-era gaol combines brick with sandstone trim and terracotta tiles. Notorious after 1942 for the brutal treatment of "intractable" inmates exposed by Justice Nagle's 1978 Royal Commission, it was added to the NSW State Heritage Register in 1999.
6Grafton Cemetery
Established at the northern end of Villiers Street, bounded by Crown, Kirchner and Duke Streets, this cemetery received its first burial in 1859 and holds an estimated six thousand-plus graves. Laid out in denominational portions including Anglican, Catholic, Presbyterian, Lutheran and Wesleyan sections, it is now maintained by Clarence Valley Council.
Map
Practical info
While you’re in New South Wales
FAQ
How long is the Grafton walking tour?
About 125 minutes over roughly 7.4 km at a relaxed pace.
Can I do the tour offline?
Yes — load the tour in the Sitesy app beforehand and it’s cached for offline use.
Is the Grafton walking tour accessible?
The route mainly follows town-centre footpaths; check the app for any steps or uneven ground near individual stops.