Queensland may be famous for its beaches and waterways, but it’s also home to many talented artists working in a range of mediums across the land.
While journeying to, and walking around these works of art, prepare to be challenged, inspired and in awe of the talent displayed in some of the most extraordinary (and seemingly ordinary) places. These story-filled art trails in Queensland beautifully capture the state’s enormous array of landscapes on silos and laneway walls, across gardens and in the desert. Step this way for a colourful adventure…
1. Learn about local life on Mackay’s Art Walk Trail
Mackay’s Art Walk Trail brings many otherwise-hidden parts of this agricultural city known for producing sugar cane to life on this vibrant public art trail where laneway walls, footpaths and unexpected corners are transformed into an outdoor gallery.
From large-scale murals to hidden sculptures and playful installations, each piece tells a story of the region’s culture, history, and natural beauty.
Wander at your own pace through Mackay’s streets and laneways to discover over 30 artworks by both local and national artists. From the bold and abstract to the whimsical and thought-provoking, the trail offers something fresh at every turn. An interactive map is available to help you plot your own path through the city’s creative core.
Perfect for a lazy morning stroll or a spontaneous detour with coffee in hand, the Mackay Art Trail blends urban exploration with artistic discovery in one of Queensland’s most charming regional cities.
2. Water tank and silo art brings the past and present to vivid life
The unassuming town of Yelarbon (with a population of 300 people) is home to one of the largest silo artworks in Australia. On the edge of the Spinifex Desert the mural is called ‘When the Rain Comes’, and it is painted across eight towering GrainCorp silos.
The artwork was created by Jordache Castillejos and Jordon Bruce of Brightsiders, and Steve Falco from Procreative. It celebrates the optimism of the local people even when faced with hardships. If you want to snap a great photo, park or walk across to the viewing area across the road. It’s an even more brilliant sight at dawn or dusk.
It’s not just about the silos around here. Half an hour down the road will have you in Goondiwindi, where its famous water tank is far more than just functional. It’s a towering artwork called On the Macintyre River created by artists Tanya Kirkegaard, Cheryl Moggs, Karlene Duncan and Ian McCallum, that is a tribute to the traditional owner of the land, the Bigambul and Kamilaroi peoples, and to Goondiwindi’s special relationship with birdlife through the brolga, emu, totem and waterhole.
3. Toowoomba Laneway Art Trail
In 2014, the First Coat Street Art Festival saw artists taking paint to the walls in sixteen Toowoomba locations. This resulted in a collection of unique and exciting street art still on display today, that are more than worth the journey.
Wandering Toowoomba’s laneways, you will come across more than 55 works from local and international artists covering every inch of wall space. It’s easy to lose hours navigating the array of works, each with their own style and theme. To make it easier, Toowoomba Council have released an interactive map for locating art in town. Best seen with a coffee and croissant in hand, there’s something for everyone on this relaxed trail through an iconic Queensland town.
4. Granite Belt Art Trail
Granite Belt Art Trail (GBART) is an annual event featuring some of the region’s top artists. A celebration of creativity and colour, GBART takes place over three days where visitors can follow the trail map to visit artists in their studios and galleries. Some exhibitors are even invited to take up residency in community spaces, with local wineries and award winning cafes often hosting works as well.
GBART is known as a ‘meet the maker’ event, encouraging visitors to start conversations with creatives to learn more about the artistic world.
A bonus for wine and food lovers, the Granite Belt Wine Country is also known for its farm gate produce, gourmet food trails and top cellar doors, meaning there’s so much more to explore while you’re visiting the region.
5. Swell Sculpture Festival
Queensland’s largest outdoor sculpture exhibition features more than 65 giant contemporary sculptures, set against a backdrop of the beautiful Currumbin Beach. Swell Sculpture Festival sets itself apart as not just an art trail, but a celebration of art and culture including pop up exhibitions, live music, comedy, artist talks and workshops. The festival aims to immerse visitors in a cultural experience and puts on a variety of events to facilitate connection.
For a special experience, embark on a guided twilight tour where a curator takes you along the sculpture trail, offering insight and perspective on each work of art. From beachside shows to cheese and wine nights, it’s a celebration of the finer things in life.
6. Lake Dunn Sculpture Trail
Lake Dunn Sculpture Trail is a 200-kilometre circuit through Aramac, Lake Dunn and Jericho featuring 40 sculptural installations that celebrate outback wildlife and experiences.
Each piece has been hand-crafted by Milynda Rogers, who lives on a cattle property in the region. What began as a need to find space for her sculptures quickly developed into a well-known artistic route, as Milynda started placing her sculptures at intervals along the roads near where she lived.
All of the artworks are made from rusting scraps found locally or at the dump. From steel drums to barbed wire and cattle tags, everything has its place in her inspiring sculptures.
Hidden somewhere on the path is a sculpture of the famous ‘Where’s Wally’ character, so it’s a fun way to get the whole family involved.
7. Australian Silo Art Trail
The Silo Art Trail is an epic road trip across Australia to see giant murals painted on the sides of silos in outback towns and regional destinations.
Though it spans the entire country, those wanting to stay in Queensland will still have plenty to see. The first silo ever painted in Queensland is located in Thallon. Titled ‘The Watering Hole’, it depicts the Moonie River at sunset, featuring native animals and honouring Thallon’s Indigenous community through the inclusion of a scarred tree. The mural is painted on four 30 metre high silos, comprising around 500 litres of paint and 500 spray paint cans.
In the artist’ brief presented before the initial painting, they stated that “we want the community to look up at the silos as the sun sets each day and be reminded of why they love the land they live in.”
Download the Silo Art Australia app before setting off, for a comprehensive map of the trail through each state, as well as information about individual silos.
Loving the best art trails in Queensland? Check out our favourite places to eat and drink in Toowoomba.
