Australia’s painted silos, one stop at a time
There are a few things you expect to see on a country drive. Paddocks. Grain trucks. Someone waving from behind the wheel. An enormous painting looming over the rooftops? That still manages to surprise you.
Across Australia, artists have transformed grain silos into works that make you pull over, get out and crane your neck. Even if galleries don’t usually feature on your holiday itinerary, it’s hard to drive past these without wanting a better look. And once you’ve stopped, you might as well have a wander. See what’s down the main street. Find somewhere for lunch. Ask about that interesting old building you passed on the way in.
For RV travellers, following the silo art trail can turn a drive through regional Australia into a holiday full of unexpected stops. So, bring the camera and leave a little room in the schedule.
Where shall we start?
That depends on where you’re heading and how easily you’re persuaded to take a detour.
The Australian Silo Art Trail is a national network of artworks, rather than a single route with a start and finish. Some regions have several stops you can build a trip around; elsewhere, you might visit one or two as part of a longer journey. The official map is a good place to begin. Have a look before you leave, choose a few stops and plan your overnight stays around them.
Victoria: Make a trip of it
If you like the idea of spending a few days travelling between artworks, take a look at Victoria’s Wimmera and Mallee regions. Brim, Sheep Hills, Lascelles, Rosebery and Patchewollock offer works by Guido van Helten, Adnate, Rone, Kaff-eine and Fintan Magee. There are further stops at Rupanyup, Sea Lake, Nullawil, Albacutya and Goroke.
You’ll soon discover that looking at a silo takes longer than you might think. First, find a spot where you can take in the whole painting. Then you start noticing the details. Then someone points out something you missed, and you have to look all over again. Allow time for all of that, along with the towns themselves. Spread your visits over a few days and enjoy having somewhere interesting to head after breakfast.
For another Victorian itinerary, explore Goorambat, Devenish, St James and Tungamah in the north-east. These towns feature artists including Jimmy Dvate, Cam Scale, Tim Bowtell and Sobrane.
Rochester, Colbinabbin, Picola and Katamatite offer more possibilities, depending on where your travels take you.
South Australia: Stay for the evening
A South Australian silo art trip can take you through the Riverland, out onto the Eyre Peninsula or into towns you’ve been meaning to visit for years.
At Waikerie, you’ll find work by Jimmy Dvate and Garry Duncan, while Paringa features Jack Fran and Sam Brooks. On the Eyre Peninsula, add Cowell, Kimba and Tumby Bay to your research. Their artworks are by N I T S U A, Cam Scale and Martin Ron respectively. There are also painted silos at Coonalpyn, Wirrabara, Owen, Eudunda, Farrell Flat and Bute, giving you plenty of ways to work an art stop into the day’s drive. At Quorn, Wallaroo and Karoonda, investigate the silo projection experiences. Check current screening details before you go and find somewhere nearby to spend the night.
It’s a good excuse to linger over dinner and head out again afterwards. You can put the slippers on when you get back.
Western Australia: Give yourself some breathing room
In Western Australia, choose your stops with the distances firmly in mind. It’s easy to get carried away when you’re planning a holiday from the comfort of the couch.
Northam features work by Phlegm and Hense, while Merredin showcases Kyle Hughes-Odgers beside the Great Eastern Highway. You’ll find artwork by Brenton See at Newdegate, Evoca1 at Pingrup, Amok Island at Ravensthorpe, and Yok & Sheryo at Albany.
Work a few into your wider itinerary and give yourself time to enjoy them. Check fuel stops, allow for breaks and have a look at what else is nearby before deciding how far to drive each day.
New South Wales: See what’s along the way
Inland New South Wales offers plenty of options for travellers who enjoy building a trip as they go. Heesco’s work features at Weethalle, Grenfell, Gunnedah and Murrumburrah, while Fintan Magee’s artwork can be found at Barraba. There are further stops at Dunedoo, Merriwa, Portland and Quirindi, with artists including Peter Mortimore, Daniel Krause, David Lee Pereira, Guido van Helten and Peter Ryan.
Choose a route that gives you time to get acquainted with a few places. Call into the visitor information centre, browse a shop or ask someone where they’d recommend for lunch. You may have arrived knowing little more than the town’s name. By the time you leave, you could be recommending it to the travellers parked beside you that evening.
Queensland: Break up the drive
For Queensland travellers, Thallon, Yelarbon and Three Moon offer colourful additions to a country itinerary. Thallon and Three Moon feature work by The Zookeeper and DRAPL, while Yelarbon’s artwork is by the Brightsiders. There’s also a painted mungbean silo at Biloela and a projection attraction to investigate at Wandoan.
Plan these as stops where you can spend a little time, stretch your legs and enjoy the artwork properly.
Before you pull over
A little preparation will make the trip easier, particularly when you’re travelling with a larger rig.
Check access and parking before turning into a viewing area. Look for designated spaces and make sure you’ll have room to manoeuvre. Some silos are part of working agricultural sites, so follow signs and keep clear of operational areas. Grain trucks need space to do their job, even when you’re trying to get the perfect photograph.
Research overnight options separately. A silo viewing area isn’t automatically a campsite; check nearby caravan parks and permitted camping, including any restrictions. And give yourself permission to change the plan. You might find a walking trail you’d like to try, a museum that deserves an hour or a town where you’re perfectly happy to spend another night. The next silo can wait until tomorrow.
