Drives and road trips

Since cultural organisation, FORM, conceived the idea to paint a gigantic vault in the WA town of Northam in 2015, silo art has exploded across Australia.

Colourful creations are now plastered all over these towering structures in upwards of 50 locations, predominantly regional centres.

And that’s without mentioning the many painted water towers and tanks scattered across the land.

Where can you see silo art in Australia? Here’s a highlights package of key areas and locations to note for your next road trip – separated by state.

Whether on the way or detouring from the main stretch, add pretty pics of these spectacular artworks to your social accounts.

Silo art trail Victoria

While the movement didn’t originate within its borders, Victoria has emerged as the ‘silo art capital of Australia’. Twenty-plus locations boast vibrant storage structures: The Wimmera-Mallee and North East regions are hotspots.

Wimmera-Mallee silo art

More than half of Victoria’s silo art destinations are found in this area, which incorporates the western reaches of the state. Highlights include:

Albacutya: A multi-faceted and extremely colourful creation; 235km south of Mildura.

Brim: VIC’s first silo mural and the work of renowned artist, Guido van Helten; 170km southwest of Swan Hill.

Goroke: Native birds steal the spotlight; 70km west of Horsham.

Kaniva: More winged wonders vibrantly showcased; 45km east of Bordertown, SA.

Lascelles: Heroes a local couple, as created by famous street artist, Rone; 105km west of Swan Hill.

Nullawil: Reveals a classic country scene of a kelpie with its owner; 85km southwest of Swan Hill.

Sea Lake: World-famous Lake Tyrrell features on a truly magnificent mural; 70km west of Swan Hill.

Sheep Hills: Another absolute eye-catcher, this one with an Indigenous focus; 55km northeast of Horsham.

The Wimmera-Mallee silo art map is a handy guide.

North East Victoria silo art

This pocket of the state has a high concentration of tinged towers, too. Head to the following towns:

Devenish: Two neighbouring silos are a nod to community involvement in major military conflicts; 45km west of Wangaratta.

Goorambat: Various enchanting scenes appear over three silos; 45km west of Wangaratta.

St James: A tribute to Coles supermarket founder and one-time resident, Sir George Coles; 50km northwest of Wangaratta.

Tungamah: Various birds again take centre stage; 30km southwest of Mulwala, NSW.

Elsewhere, other highlights include silos at Rochester, 65km west of Shepparton; Rupanyup, 65km north of Halls Gap; and St Arnaud, 105km west of Bendigo.

Silo art trail NSW

The artwork is spread far and wide around NSW. Check out the intricate designs displayed on these towns’ sizeable storage bins:

Barraba: Artwork speaks to the pertinent theme of drought; 90km north of Tamworth.

Dunedoo: Multiple silos. A side of one structure features legendary racehorse, Winx, her trainer, and her regular jockey who was born in Dunedoo; 80km north of Mudgee.

Grenfell: Spectacular representation of the local shire; 65km south of Forbes.

Gunnedah: Includes an image of Dorothea Mackellar and an extract from her famed poem, My Country; 75km west of Tamworth.

Merriwa: Art centred around the all-important merino-sheep industry; 125km northeast of Mudgee.

Murrumburrah: Illustrates scenes of great significance to the area; 125km northeast of Wagga Wagga.

Portland: Honours former Portland Cement workers. Just off the main path between Sydney and Mudgee; 110km south of Mudgee.

Weethalle: Portrayal of the region’s deep agricultural heritage; 200km northeast of Hay.

Silo art trail WA

This is where it all began! And since a silo in Northam was slapped with paint, the colour show has extended to half-a-dozen destinations in WA. They are:

Albany: Pays tribute to the rare discovery of a seadragon off the state’s south coast in 2017. Check it out on a Perth to Albany road trip. Albany is 420km southwest of Perth.

Merredin: Artwork influenced by the region’s agricultural industry; 260km east of Perth.

Newdegate: Local wildlife is the headline act, showcased in colourful fashion; 275km northeast of Albany.

Northam: Features a long row of silos with two distinct murals at either end; 95km northeast of Perth.

Pingrup: Art inspired by events and attractions of significance to the town; 235km northeast of Albany.

Ravensthorpe: Cleverly illustrates the growth of an endemic shrub; 305km northeast of Albany.

See the PUBLIC Silo Trail map. 

Silo art trail SA

More than a dozen striking silos are dotted around the state and include the following areas…

Riverland silo art

Witness the eye-catching storage structures in these two towns:

Paringa: Four silos honouring local legends; 260km east of Adelaide, 5km east of Renmark.

Waikerie: Dual-sided art allows viewing ops from the river and on land; 180km northeast of Adelaide.

If driving from Adelaide to Loxton, the main path takes in Karoonda. Its silo art is a nod to the town’s farming heritage.

Eyre Peninsula silo art

The Eyre Peninsula is rich with scenic sights. The painted silos in these locations simply add to its army of eye candy:

Cowell: Depicts a story of a local celebrity; 105km southwest of Whyalla.

Kimba: Stunning piece spread over five-and-a-half silos; 145km west of Whyalla.

Tumby Bay: Features two people jumping from the local jetty; 50km northeast of Port Lincoln, 390km southeast of Ceduna.

Coonalpyn silo art

Located 65km southeast of Tailem Bend, Coonalpyn is home to the first silo painted in SA (March 2017). It highlights five local primary school children.

The town makes a great stop on the Dukes Highway when taking the most direct route between Adelaide and Melbourne. Alternatively, pull over for a break and a photo op during an Adelaide to Mt Gambier road trip.

SA silo light shows

The Flinders Ranges town of Quorn and Wallaroo, 20km north of Port Hughes on the Yorke Peninsula, both have spectacular night shows that add an extra layer of captivation to their respective silos. This is also the case for aforementioned Karoonda.

Silo art trail QLD

There is a trio of locations to keep in mind when taking a QLD road trip. Each has bold works painted on multiple silos:

Thallon: Depiction of a Thallon sunset is a highlight; 365km west of Warwick.

Three Moon: Vivid colours detail a local legend; 40km southeast of Cania Gorge National Park.

Yelarbon: Includes two tall and six shorter silos; 50km east of Goondiwindi. 

Meanwhile, in Tasmania…

Silo art has not taken off in Tassie, but that doesn’t mean the eyes can’t be treated to a captivating kaleidoscope of colour.

The pleasant dairy-farming town of Sheffield, 25km south of Devonport and just a tad further from Ulverstone, has reinvented itself to earn the title of Tasmania's Outdoor Art Gallery.

It’s all to do with a whopping 200 or so murals that adorn the walls of buildings scattered around Sheffield as well as its neighbouring towns.

The paintings are a tribute to the area’s past, its people, and various events.                          

Silo art trail map

This silo art map is a great visual aid for getting a handle on the many superb silos sprinkled around Australia.

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