Victoria is home to incredible environments, from crashing coastlines to rainforests and sand dunes. On an outdoor art trail, you’ll not only experience the history and culture of this great state up close, but gain a new appreciation for its gorgeous landscape as its colours and creatures are complemented in art
Whether looking for a weekend activity or a creative spark, these five incredible art trails in Victoria offer something for every traveller.
Explore country Victoria on the Silo Art Trail
The Victorian Silo Art Trail is an extraordinary public art project in the Wimmera-Mallee region. Considered the biggest outdoor gallery in the country, this trail transforms a series of decommissioned grain silos into stunning, large-scale artworks.
Each mural tells a story of the history and culture of its local community. The project began in 2016 and has since grown to stretch more than 200 kilometres.
Standout works include the silo in Horsham, which was painted by local artist Smug and depicts Wimmera hero Yanggendyinanyuk. Yanggendyinanyuk was a skilled tracker and cricketer, who helped a young father find his three children in the Natimuk scrub back in 1864. He was also selected as one of thirteen Aboriginal men to join the first Australian cricket team touring England in 1868.
Make sure to also visit the silo mural at Servicton Railway Station, which offers an interpretation of the South Australian-Victorian border error of 1847 when surveyors marked the boundary several kilometres west of its intended destination and created a strip of ‘in-between’ land that included Serviceton. When the railway was built in the 1880s, the confusion about Serviceton’s home state meant the silo operated for both, with dual officers, shared staff, and trains changing over at the platforms.
Most of the silos on the trail are situated in charming rural towns, so visitors can enjoy local attractions, cafes, and shops along the way. In Horsham, you can enjoy a delicious dinner at baa 3400, which specialises in modern Australian share plates. Think marmalade-glazed leg ham, flathead fillet with buttery potatoes, and roasted parsnip and Dutch carrot crumble. It’s the best place to refuel before continuing on your silo-spotting journey. Plus, as it’s located inside the Horsham international hotel, you can also book a room for the night and make use of the free wifi, laundry service and parking.
Unleash your inner artist on a Melbourne Street Art Tour
Melbourne CBD is renowned for its maze of laneways and alleys that serve as canvases for some of the world’s most talented street artists. To help you discover these hidden wonders for yourself, the city has designed a self-guided walking tour, which stretches around three kilometres and can take up to two hours (with plenty of time to snap photos in front of your favourite pieces).
On the walk, you will visit AC/DC Lane, which is aptly named after the legendary Australian rock band and features a giant portrait of Malcom Young, as well as a 3D sculpture of Bon Scott bursting through a wall. Fans of the group should also head to nearby Swanston Street, where the music video for ‘It’s a Long Way to the Top’ was filmed in 1976.
Hosier Lane is another favourite, known for its ever-changing collection of posters and murals. Tucked away on one side, you’ll find Tres a Cinco, a vibrant Mexican Cantina serving tacos, small share plates, and plenty of margaritas. Next door, MoVida is known for its hidden laneway location and delicious tapas. Classic tapas dishes are elevated with local seasonal ingredients, daily specials, and house-baked sourdough, and the whole venue oozes with elegance and culture.
If you want to learn more about the history and culture of these mural precincts, Melbourne Street Art Tours is the only street art tour company in the country run by street artists. Journey through hidden laneways and arcades with your guide as they share the technical aspects of spray painting and stencil art, as well as the inspiration behind some of Melbourne’s most famous pieces. If that wasn’t enough, the company also run spray paint and stencil classes, and children’s workshops, so you can unleash your inner artist.
History buffs will love the Heidelberg Artist Trail
The Heidelberg Artists Trail is a fascinating journey through the scenic landscapes and historical sites that inspired the renowned Heidelberg School of Australian Impressionism. The movement was established in the late nineteenth century, when a small group of artists would paint en plein air (outdoors and on-the-spot). It developed into an informal, evocative and natural style that mimicked the colours of the Australian landscape, creating renowned artists such as Arthur Streeton, Frederick McCubbin and Charles Conder.
Today, you can explore the history of the Heidelberg movement on a self-drive, cycle or walking trails that includes 57 explanatory signs and boards displaying reproductions and descriptions of some of the most famous paintings as close as possible to where they were painted. This means that you’ll be taken to busy streets, rivers and forests along the way.
In fact, the trail is spread across 40 kilometres, all the way from the Yarra Valley to the Dandenong Ranges. It also passes through several historical landmarks, including the Heidelberg School Artists’ Camp at Charterisville, the longest surviving artist camp in Melbourne and the first place where female artists were invited to produce their own distinctive works in the movement.
Visit the award-winning Tongala Street Art Trail
The Tongala Street Art Trail, located in the small town of Tongala in northern Victoria, was awarded Australia’s Best Street Art Trail 2022 from the Australian Street Art Awards. Consisting of 50 distinct pieces, the outdoor gallery was put together by volunteers to tell the story of the small but proud farming town.
As you walk past each of the vibrant artworks, you’ll find tributes to the history and nature of the region. It’s suggested that you start at the tennis courts on Doug Nicholls Drive, and follow the buildings along the main shopping strip. Keep an eye out for the series of works outside the milk factory, which show how the dairy industry has developed over time. There are also several paintings designed as backdrops for photos, including angel wings.
After a long day of exploring, stop by the family-run Old Tonny Pub for a well-earned beer and delicious food including steak, salad and pizza.
Celebrate creativity with Frankston Street Art
Frankston was the first destination to be inducted into the Australian Street Art Awards’ Hall of Fame, and continues to draw crowds for its award-winning artworks. On the city’s buildings and laneways, you will find more than 90 murals by local and international artists which celebrate Frankston’s history and urban culture.
The city is also home to the Frankston Street Art Festival, an annual event that transforms the city centre into a week-long open-air gallery when 10 large-scale murals and projections are unveiled. The festival launched in 2018, when some of the world’s best street artists, including Smug, PichiAvo, SVAYE and Lady Diva, painted all over the city.
Today, you can join a daily guided walking tour to discover surprising facts and behind-the-scenes stories of the mural-making process. Over 1.5 hours, you’ll visit the most iconic street art spots, and enjoy a coffee, tea or hot chocolate if you tour on a Sunday.
Enjoyed reading about these amazing art trails in Victoria? Check out our ultimate guide to adventure activities in Australia here.
Rex flies to Victoria. Book your flights here and check out the route map below.
