Where to find silo art in Queensland

You’ll find art in all sorts of places in Queensland – and not just in our galleries or urban laneways. Over the past few years, water tank art and silo art in Queensland has exploded. From Thallon to Cloncurry, Brisbane and Bribie Island, our vibrant towns are becoming even more so thanks to stunning large-scale murals.

This is the perfect excuse to visit a town near you, take an arty pit-stop by on your travels, or turn one of our regional silo art guides into a road rip – and discover the small towns that make up the heart and soul of our state along the way. 

Silo art in Queensland Country

Some of the best silo art in Queensland can be found in our state’s south, edging the New South Wales border. Here, you’ll find two painted silos, countless water tanks and hundreds of murals and street art to discover outdoors.

Stop to marvel at our favourites listed below. Or, turn it into a road-trip from Toowoomba into Queensland Country and our outback.

1. Millmerran

An hour south of Toowoomba’s vibrant urban alleyways lies the Millmerran Water Tank Art, which commissioned in 1998 is one of Queensland’s first pieces of water tower art. Fittingly, Toowoomba artist Jon Signs was inspired by the history of the area’s water supply, so you’ll find creations of horse drawn scoops and the local reservoir painted here.

Where: Cnr Charles Street & Gore Hwy, Millmerran, QLD

2. Yelarbon

Its population might be a tiny 364 people, but Yelarbon’s silo art is mighty: taking artists Joel Fergie and The Brightsiders two weeks and over a thousand litres of paint to create in 2020. When the Rains Come shows a playful boy in the lagoon, surrounded by local wildlife – and it’s an impressive sight, spread out across eight huge grain silos.

Where: 46 Railway Parade, Yelarbon, QLD 

3. Goondiwindi

This southern border town boasts a water tank mural that reflects the Aboriginal meaning of Goondiwindi, or “the resting place of the birds”. Among the creators were Indigenous artists Cheryl Moggs and Karlene Duncan, in celebration of connecting country and people for NAIDOC week.

Where: McLean Street, Goondiwindi, Queensland

4. Thallon

It’s here in Thallon that the first silo art in Queensland was created, back in 2017.

The Watering Hole was painted by Joel Fergie, the Brightsiders’ and Travis Vinson over three weeks, in consultation with the local community. Depicting iconic scenes from the region, including the Moonie River and native birdlife, the piece was inspired by the works of three local photographers.

While you’re here to check out the silos, head to the pub. Out the back of Francis Hotel are little water tanks adorned with critically endangered Northern-Hairy Nosed Wombat, a local resident of Thallon. 

Silo art in Outback Queensland

There’s plenty to see in Outback Queensland. Whether you’re driving through the heart of our red centre or tackling natural wonders in the north-west, bookmark these sights to call in on along the way.

1. Charleville

Children are the future, and the muse behind Charleville’s water tower art. Painted in 2019 by Guido van Helten, it represents the local rivalry on display twice each year when Charleville and Cunnamulla go head to head in sport. It’s a charming stop while you’re here to visit the Cosmos Centre or Bilby Experience.

Where: Parry Street, Charleville, QLD

Its twin tower, also painted by van Helten, can be found in 200km away Cunnamulla.

Where: Cnr Watson & Mabel Streets, Cunnamulla, QLD

2. Augathella Water Tower

Head north of Charleville towards Tambo: about an hour into your drive you’ll come across Augathella’s water tower art. By Blender Studios, it depicts the colourful history of this small outback town - full of bullock teams and notorious bushrangers who camped along the Warrego River, along with soaring galahs and native wildlife.

Where: Forest Street, Augathella, QLD

3. Hughenden

Two of Hughenden's water tanks have now received a new makeover thanks to Joel Fergie and Travis Vinson, mural artists leaving their mark on water tanks and silos across Queensland.

Along Queensland’s Dinosaur Trail, find a young boy playing with a toy dinosaur – then be sure to stop in at the Flinders Discovery Centre to meet Hughie the Muttaburrasaurus afterwards.

Where: 54 Alyss Street, Hughenden, QLD.

There’s another artwork to find in town on the corner of McLaren Street and Winton Road.

4. Cloncurry

If you’re road-tripping through the area, pull into Cloncurry to see the stunning water tank art. Sitting on top of a hill overlooking town, Joel Fergie has captured what makes this area so unique. The 360-degree mural depicts two local Indigenous children, the Mitakoodi tribe’s dreaming bird and the birthplace of the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

Where: Entrance via Chinaman Creek Road, Cloncurry, QLD

5. Mount Isa

Head to the Mount Isa lookout for more than just views across the city. Painted in 2019 by David Houghton, it’s adorned with images of Lake Moondarra and the region’s wildlife: it’s well worth stopping at the lake to experience its beauty for yourself too.

Where: Mount Isa Lookout, Lookout Road, Mount Isa, QLD

Silo art in Central Queensland

Queensland’s silo art trail continues in our centre, which you can explore while taking in the countryside around Bundaberg and Gladstone region. These favourite spots for water tank and silo art in Queensland are great for sightseeing day trips. Or, if you’re driving between Brisbane and Rockhampton you could link the below into a three-hour drive time road trip covering 270km.

1. Mundubbera

One of the first water tank artworks in Queensland, visitors have been stopping along the Burnett Highway to admire Mundubbera Pump Station since 1997. The expansive mural depicts the meeting of the Auburn, Boyne and Burnett Rivers and the incredible life that surrounds it.

Where: Strathdee Street, Mundubbera, QLD

2. Three Moon

A masterpiece to view any time of day – but even more magical by moonlight – the silo art at Three Moon is a sight to behold.

Acclaimed mural artists Joel Fergie and Travis Vinson completed Three Moon in July 2020. It depicts one of the legends of how Three Moon came to be: it’s believed a swagman or Aboriginal stockman on the banks of the creek noticed three moons: one in the sky, one reflection on the creek, and one beaming back at him on his billy. And the name stuck.

While you’re here, continue north to Monto where you can find three more water tower art displays dotted around town.

Where: Burnett Hwy, Three Moon, QLD

3. Biloela

Take a trip through time in Biloela: this water tower art portrays history from the Jurassic period, to the region’s Indigenous beginnings when the Callide Valley became the homeland of the Gangulu, through to wartime.

Where: 6 State Farm Road, Biloela, QLD

4. Moura

Moura is home to a stunning water tower mural painted by Brisbane artist Sam Wilkinson and Joel Fergie. It’s quite a sight to see – towering 18-metres tall over the Dawson Highway – and is an ode to the local farming industry that thrives in the region.

Where: Cnr Dawson Hwy & Moura Bindaree Road, Moura, QLD

Where to from here? Why not discover some of Queensland’s most significant Indigenous rock art that lies here in the Sandstone Wilderness.

Silo art in Brisbane

You might be used to nabbing tickets to Brisbane exhibitions when you want your art fix, but next time why not jump in the car and head a little out of town? You don’t have to drive far to come across some of our favourite art-adorned water tanks and silo art in Queensland.

1. Ferny Hills                           

North of the CBD you’ll find an intriguing mural covering a watertank in Ferny Hills. Painted in 2014 by Phantast, graffiti was replaced with art, featuring some adorable Aussie wildlife.

Where: Cnr Caesar and Hutton Roads, Ferny Hills, QLD

2. Kallangur

Stretching 33-metres into the sky, the Kallangur Water Tower in Curruthers Park is another piece by mural masters Joel Fergie, the Brightsiders’ and Travis Vinson. Titled Symbiosis you’ll find native flora and fauna co-existing on this tower. Call in on your way to Redcliffe to spend a day by the bay.

Where: Cnr Anzac Parade & Narangba Road, Kallangur, QLD

3. Bribie Island

When Brisbane’s steamy weather arrives there’s no better place to escape than the calm shores and clear waters of Bribie Island. Next time you’re here, add in a little sightseeing: it’s home to two water towers from the artistic genius of Scott Nagy and Mike Shanskter.

Woorim Beach captures Bribie’s beach culture, and on the western side of the island a 29-metre tower draws inspiration from the island’s surrounding marine life while overlooking Pumicestone Passage.

Where: Welsby Parade, Bongaree // Roundabout First Ave & Boyd St, Woorim, Bribie Island, QLD

Silo art on the Sunshine Coast

1. Caloundra

Heading to the beach? Stop en route at local icon, Caloundra Water Tank. This glow-up happened back in 2014 courtesy of Phantast Cultural Music and Arts Association, and blends coast and country with surfers and hinterland sharing space. The artists took their inspiration from the creation stories told by Maroochy Barambah, a songwoman of the Turrbal people.

Where: 22 Queen St, Kings Beach, QLD

2. Point Cartwright

A little further up the coast, another beach-side artwork can be found on the headland of Beacon Lighthouse Reserve.

A massive 17-metres tall and 20-metres in diameter, artists Joel Fergie, the Brightsiders and Travis Vinson worked their magic at this dramatic Point Cartwright location. Titled Subsurface, the mural depicts a whale, turtle and fish swimming. If you want to do some swimming of your own, this is the place – a local favourite beach on the Sunshine Coast.

Where: Point Cartwright, Buddina, QLD

Silo art in Mackay

Slade Point

You can see whales breaching year-round at Slade Point: but don’t look out to sea just yet. Completed in 2019 by Scott Nagy and Cara Sanders, the Slade Point Water Tower celebrates Mackay’s wildlife, featuring migrating humpback whales, red-tailed black cockatoos and more.

The best view is from Lambert’s Lookout, accessible from a short coastal trail. This a rare spot in Mackay where you can watch both sunrise and sunset.

Where: 1 Albatross Street, Slade Point, QLD

Silo art in Cairns & Great Barrier Reef

Holloways Beach, Cairns

Up north you’re probably focused more on what’s beneath the surface on our Great Barrier Reef – but look up and you’ll find marine life above it too.

Overlooking Holloways Beach stands a water tower mural with a message. The work of artist Low Bros, it focuses on coral bleaching and how it threatens our fragile ecosystems in the Great Barrier Reef.

It’s a great opportunity to stop and think as you head off to explore the beaches and beauty that surrounds Cairns.

Where: Cnr Cassia & Oleander Streets, Holloways Beach, QLD