About us
Grafton Rifle Club has been bringing together target shooting enthusiasts for more than 135 years.
We’re a friendly, family-oriented club that welcomes members of all ages and experience levels. Whether you’re interested in recreational shooting, developing your skills or competing in organised events, you’ll find a supportive community here.
Our range includes two 100-yard ranges and a main range extending from 300 to 900 yards, allowing us to host a variety of shooting disciplines throughout the year.
We also assist new shooters by providing guidance on the firearms licensing process and organising Firearms Safety Awareness Courses through accredited club testers.
Weekly competitions are held every Saturday, with morning Rimfire or Centrefire events beginning at 9:00am and afternoon Full-bore shooting commencing at 1:00pm.
Club history
Established in 1887
Grafton Rifle Club is one of the oldest sporting clubs still operating in the Clarence Valley, alongside the Clarence River Jockey Club and Grafton Rowing Club. The club was officially formed on 18 September 1887.
The club’s first range opened on Susan Island on 8 August 1889. The range could only be reached by boat, and a fishing craft was used to gain access to the island. The boat left at precisely 1:00pm, and the last member to arrive had the dubious honour of rowing over to the island.
Image: The official opening of the Susan Island Range in 1889. Some of the men pictured are wearing wastecoats, suits and ties, believed to be Parliamentary representatives or local dignitaries attending the event.
Growth across the region
In the early 1900s, rifle clubs operated throughout the region, including Coffs Harbour, Dorrigo, Gleniffer, Glenreagh, Maclean, Nana Glen, Nymboida, Orara, Raleigh, South Grafton, Tyndale, Ulmarra, Woolgoolga and Wooli.
In August 1918, these clubs came together to establish the Clarence Bellingen Rifle Union, which later became known as the District Rifle Association (DRA).
New range and WWII
The Club ceased operations on Susan Island in 1937, and a new rifle range on Rushforth Road in South Grafton was opened in 1939. This site is now known as Cedar Park.
However, it was not long after that the Second World War caused the disbandment of the Club. It was not until May 1947 that competition commenced again.
The Rushford Road Range closed in 1954.
A permanent home
Work on a new range began in September 1955 after some older club members recalled a popular picnic spot near Millers Waterholes. The site was close to town and could be reached by horse and sulky.
This location became the club’s permanent home and remains the site of today’s clubhouse and rifle range on Trenayr Road, Junction Hill.
Get in touch
Want to learn more or ready to give target shooting a try? Whether you’re an experienced shooter or completely new to the sport, we’d love to hear from you.