Darwin, Northern Territory © Tourism Australia
Australia’s best street art
Discover hidden streets and vibrant artistic spaces in Australia's capital cities.
Canberra is home to dozens of designated "free spaces" that invite graffiti and street artists to inject colour and creativity into the country's capital city. The program has allowed artists such as Geoff Filmer to make a splash on laneway walls with bold, colourful murals. Don't miss the superhero-inspired works at Tocumwal Lane. The trendy neighbourhoods of NewActon and Braddon boast more inner-city street art alongside cute cafés and restaurants.
Sydney's inner city suburb of Surry Hills is home to quirky fashion boutiques and second-hand thrift stores. Wander the terrace-lined streets in search of murals and step inside the former home and studio of avant-garde artist Brett Whiteley. Sydney's funky neighbourhoods of Newtown and Enmore have more street art on offer. Tour the best creations while indulging in some of Sydney's best bites on a guided tour with Local Sauce.
Follow Darwin’s public art map to see how the city’s history and culture are shared through a scattering of bold creations. Austin Lane in the city’s centre is a highlight on the trail, boasting some of the area’s largest and most impressive murals. The annual Darwin Street Art Festival draws high profile artists to create more stunning murals. Be sure to check out Shadforth Lane, which the festival dedicates to local artists.
Fortitude Valley is the beating heart of Brisbane’s art and music scene, so it’s no surprise that it’s also the home to some of Brisbane’s best public art. You can expect to bump into plenty of unique murals on a visit to the area, but a stay at The Constance, Brisbane's only street art hotel, will truly inspire your artistic side. Closer to the city’s centre is where Brisbane’s annual Street Art Festival is held, hosting artists from Australia and abroad to add their touch to the city’s landscape.
Aptly nicknamed “Radelaide” by the locals, Adelaide has a vibrant street art scene. Adelaide locals flock to Peel Street in the city centre for its thriving string of bars and restaurants, and just around the corner you'll find graffiti-splashed Anster Street. Also check out the Wonderwalls project in Port Adelaide, home to more of the city’s street art highlights.
Grand Lane in the city centre is just one of Perth's historic laneways revitalised with street art, and it's been done with serious style. The lane is now home to colourful paintings, as well as the Light Locker Art Space, a public exhibition showcasing 2D and 3D works from local emerging artists. Be sure to spend a day in Fremantle or Subiaco, where you’ll find more quirky creations. If you’re taking a road trip outside of Perth, follow the Public Silo Trail through beautiful regional towns.
In Hobart, many laneways and buildings have been brightened with street art. To find them, you’ll need to head away from the historic waterfront precinct and into some of the quieter city laneways. Bidencopes Lane is Hobart’s street art hotspot thanks to the Vibrance and Dark Mofo festivals, which helped turn this tagging target into a colourful car park. On Kemp Street, you can see quirky characters by West Australian artist Jae Criddle.
Melbourne is renowned as one of the world's street art capitals, with residents encouraged to join in on the creative expression. Among the city's best open-air galleries are Hosier and Rutledge lanes, as well as Centre Place. But the best way to find off-the-beaten-track treasures is with a street art tour. The rest of the state is following Melbourne’s artistic lead through the Silo Art Trail. The trail boasts towering works by internationally recognised street artists, starting in the Grampians. Follow the trail through six little towns, which now comprise one of the country’s biggest outdoor art exhibitions.
