Toowoomba is an inland city on the Darling Downs about 90 minutes from Brisbane. It's known as the garden city, is surrounded by some great national parks and is loved for its well-preserved heritage buildings, many from the art deco period. What we didn't expect to find in this country town was such an impressive collection of street art murals by some highly talented local and international artists.
With over 50 large scale works this growing collection definitely puts the Toowoomba arts community on the map. Wandering off the main roads we also noticed a significant increase in galleries and really interesting cafes and coffee shops as we moved around the city. If you aren't passing through this way it makes an equally good day trip from Brisbane or the Gold Coast.
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Where to look
There are dozens of buildings adorned with high-quality street art all around Toowoomba, from the main streets to the back lanes. Once we realised what was there and started walking down many of the lanes and parallel roads we came across even more.
We learned that many were created in art festivals in the city during the May of 2014, 2015 and 2016. The event was run by First Coat and made a great annual trip into the regional city. Their website used to host an online map showing the artworks created during the events but the whole site has gone now so I'm trying to locate another source or create our own one that will be posted here soon.
As you come into town you'll also pass the visitors information centre who have free booklets including a map showing some of the works.
Alternatively just park the car and start to wander around the inner city. It's quite compact and once it was obvious we were interested several locals stopped to chat and point us in a new direction to see a different group of designs or their own favourites.
A truck driver stopped to chat about 'back in the day' working with Aussie band Mental as Anything (If you don't know who they are you can listen here on Spotify). In addition to significant success for a down-under band at the time, the group were artistically talented with the paintbrush having met at art school and made their own contribution to the less structured street art scene in Australia back in the '70s and '80s.
Toowoomba Street Art Gallery
Adnate
Viewed from the street or car park almost opposite the Empire Theatre at 49 Neil Street this work by Melbourne based artist, Adnate, was my pick of the day. I've researched a bit more since we've been home and the living eyes are a feature of his work which is prominently featured around Australia.
A few of those other sites have made their way onto my 'must-do' list when we're in the various cities and towns. His works capture an incredibly realistic portrait with spray paint.
Fintan Magee
It's would be impossible to pass through one of the main streets in Toowoomba without noticing the scale of this mural on the intersection of Ruthven and Union Steet. Fintan grew up in Queensland and has a very impressive collection of public arts and exhibitions all around the world.
Damien Kamholtz
Damien Kamholtz is another Queensland based artist with this interpretation of the three wise monkeys in Bank Lane.
Elana Mullaly
This intriguing capture of movement in club lane is representative of Brissie illustrator, Elana Mullally's, work which is often quirky and dreamy.
Madsteez
Oh crickey! This colourful rendition of Steve Urwin the crocodile hunter by US artist Madsteez is a bit more of a walk out of town at 6 Neil Street. A little more awkward to photograph too as you can't get into the empty lot next to it but there is no way you are going to not notice this one as you pass by.
Mark is a designer and artist based in California, commercially he's worked for big brands including Nike, Red Bull and Honda, he's had international showings in Tokyo and New York and a legacy of street art around the world generally characterised by this purple and warm colour palette.
Alice Weinthal
Alice is a Toowoomba based artist, the first three works shown below were created during the 2014 festival and I loved their dark, muted but fun aesthetic. They flow right along the length of the building in Lamb Lane off Margaret Street. The space was too narrow for the lens I was carrying to pick it up in one strip but they stand alone well as individual pieces too.
The forth mural is in Keefe Street and was added during the 2015 festival.
Alex Lehours
The graphic style of Sydney based artist Alex Lehours includes gorgeous pops of colour and works perfectly with this interesting shaped wall in Duggan Street.
Cinzah Seekayem
Cinzah is well known in the New Zealand street art scene so it was great to see one of her works in the Toowoomba collection. I love love love this giant snake in Lamb lane. It was a more awkward space to work with and what she's achieved is gorgeous on this warm brick wall. It helps that she's in my favourite colour palette like the inside of a paua shell.
Meks and Reals
This cute and colourful owl on Club Lane was created as a collab. A winner for me with the colour combination too and being an owl!
Noke
Pushing the boundaries in monochrome and a detailed sketch feel is this work by Noke. Bronte Naylor is a female street artist from Paris.
To see another piece in her gorgeous style you used to be able to treat yourself to a delicious lunch at Firefly Cafe in Russell Street but I see the premises are now up for lease again. Fingers crossed it can be reinvented as an equally good art and foodie haven as it would be a shame to lose this one for good.
Armz
Brightening up an undercover space in Mark Lane with hot pink and a bit of magic.
Gimiks
Looking foxy in Bank Lane. Fabulous contrast with light and bright.
Toowoomba Street Art
If you love urban art then Toowoomba is definitely worth a visit. The art works are located all around the city with the majority concentrated in the central area. They appeal to a wide variety of tastes and explore a scale that can't be achieved in many other forms.
South East Queensland has a limited street art scene. Brisbane, the major city, had a very tight policy for approval of authorised works for many years and a zero-tolerance policy on unauthorised designs with many having been painted out in the past few years. While the collection in the capital is growing now Toowoomba is clearly the stand out local spot if you love your street art.
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Where do you stand on the street art debate? Do you love the creativity and life it brings to the city or do you feel sad to see the shabby chic of the original materials being painted over? Do you see a distinction between tagging and street art? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
Annette says
Looks so exciting & I so want to see all. But where do I get a map from please. I don’t really know Toowoomba
Toni Broome says
Hi Annette, the website link we had there has been taken down since I posted this one. I've reached out to a few contacts to see if there is a new one and if not we'll head back in and put a map together ourselves. If you are going before that I've got the lane names listed for many of these murals and if you walk between them you'll find many more on your way around.
budget jan says
I love street and public art and I love your new logo and blog banner. 🙂 PS your photos of the street art are fantastic.
Traveling Rockhopper says
In general, I prefer much more nature than cities, but cities can also offer a lot! I love these colorful streets!
2 Aussie Travellers says
We like to do a combination of all sorts of travel, the natural places and wildlife in the National Parks around Toowoomba are well worth a visit too.
Dannielle Lily says
Wow, this might just be better than the street art in Berlin!
2 Aussie Travellers says
From what I've seen and hear Dannielle Berlin has some amazing works from both international and lesser known artists - is that your favourite city for street art?
Meg Jerrard says
Wow, thanks for the post Toni - who knew Toowoomba was such a leader in the Aus street art scene! I can understand why there's such a strict policy on authorized street art only, though I do think that some cities are far too tight on it. When it's done right it really can add to the urban culture of a city 🙂
2 Aussie Travellers says
I agree Meg, the street art culture is one of many things I love about visiting Melbourne too
rebecca says
These are amazing! I love finding cool street art... I never would of imagined it in a small town, I always imagine the best street art to be in large cities
2 Aussie Travellers says
I think it usually is Rebecca, at least the big cities are where I've usually seen it. I wonder if other towns and smaller cities are starting to get in on it too?
Monica says
I love walking through the cities with a lot of street art - it makes your walk so much more interesting.
2 Aussie Travellers says
It really does make it more fun Monica. Now I've started to recognise a few individual styles and signatures I find I watch out for them too.
Fiona @ London-Unattached says
It's funny but I've never associated Australia with street art. This stuff is stunning though and quite idiosyncratic
2 Aussie Travellers says
You're right Fiona, it's not something Australia is known for and most cities take a hard line on tagging and graffiti. Melbourne has the best collection but it's starting to pop up in a few other places now.
Suze - Luxury Columnist says
As long as the graffiti artist gets permission from the building owner or makes sure to only work on deserted ugly spaces then I'm all for it. We have a graffiti artist called Pegasus in London who does always get permission, he's a lovely guy and becoming quite well known now, Johnny Depp buys his paintings. Love that you have listed the names of the artists here
2 Aussie Travellers says
I definitely agree Suze that it should only be with the owners permission. I'll look up Pegasus too, thanks.
Carly says
Man some people are so talented!
2 Aussie Travellers says
They really are! Love they get express and share their talent publicly not just in one persons living room.
Paula McInerney says
Just stunning, I love the way street art just makes a city more beautiful. Here where we live, we have a Fintan Magee work also. What a talented artist he is.
2 Aussie Travellers says
Hi Paula, I've started to follow a couple of the artists on Instagram and hope to see a few more of their urban works as we travel around. I'd definitely like to see more of Fintans art.
Natasha Amar says
I definitely think street art is art lending personality to otherwise blah walls and street corners. I love the first piece by Adnate- it's amazing!
2 Aussie Travellers says
Thanks Natasha. I agree, we were walking around town looking for the back streets and alleys to see what there was to find, otherwise they are usually dingy places to avoid.
mar says
There are so many really stunning pieces of art here. I wish I could have a bit of an eye...I can't even draw a house haha
2 Aussie Travellers says
I have no artistic talent of my own either Mar but at least we have an eye to enjoy the beauty others create and share 🙂
antonette - we12travel says
Those murals are awesome, especially the monkey one is very pretty. Interesting how murals can completely change the view of a place. Shame they are not around more in some places...
2 Aussie Travellers says
Thanks Antonette, I loved the monkeys too!
Natalie says
Interesting - As I travel, I am becoming more interested in street art, so it is always fun to see pictures of street art from around the world. I think the work of Adnate looks fantastic, and I like the interpretation of the three wise monkeys. It seems like you had a great day scouting this street art out!
2 Aussie Travellers says
Hi Natalie, I agree that street art and unconventional art exhibitions are such an enjoyable part of our travels. I love it when we find something a bit different, especially when it's unexpected.
Doni says
These are so nice, here in Palermo it is mostly just scribbles on the walls hahaha cheers for that! Although some of the pictures seem to be broken 🙂 Thanks for the beautiful art <3
2 Aussie Travellers says
Hi Doni, I have to admit I'm no fan of the graffiti but in some cities they seem to be able to make the distinction work. It's a fine line and everyones perspective is so different on what is and isn't OK