While staying in Newcastle in New South Wales, we spent a lazy Sunday afternoon driving to the Hunter Valley. On the way back to Newcastle, we came across the town of Kurri Kurri.
The Hunter Valley area is best known for its vineyards, and on any other day, we would have done some wine tasting.
The day we were there though was Easter Sunday, and most places were closed for the Easter weekend. So instead, we had time to explore Kurri Kurri.
Kurri Kurri NSW has a population of around 6000. It is an old mining town, originally serving many of the coal mines in the area.
Now there are only two mines operating. It looks like any other small town in Australia. Barely a person to be seen on a public holiday, and almost everything is closed.
But the sign as we entered town caught my eye. “The Town of Murals” it proclaimed! I am a sucker for street art, so we detoured off the main road into the centre of town to have a look at the abundant murals.
Below are some of the murals on display in the town. The murals relate to the history of the town and local area or some other local aspect.
We saw a more great artworks as we were leaving, and there are probably even more we did not see as there are over sixty of them now in this small town.
Almost every large blank wall has a mural. What a great way to brighten up a town to make an impression.
The Kurri Kurri Murals
Every one of the murals has a kookaburra hiding in it somewhere. Can you spot some of them?
A stop here was well worth the hour wandering around. If you are driving to the Hunter Valley to do some wine tasting, then drive off the main road into this town for a quick look.
It also looked like there were some good options for lunch too, with pubs offering well-priced meals. We didn’t try any as we had already eaten, but some looked more appealing than the fast food meal we had grabbed while driving.
If you are here on a day that is not a public holiday, you can also take a look at the Richmond Vale Railway Museum and steam railway and the Edgeway David Memorial Museum. The Speedway may also be having a meet to satisfy the rev-heads.
Fun Fact: While the town is officially called Kurri Kurri, it is referred to as simply “Kurri” by locals.
If you would like to do a guided Kurri Kurri mural walk, you can contact the friendly people at Kurri Kurri Visitor Centre on (02) 4936 1909 for more information or see their website here. You can also find more information on local news and events.
If you prefer to wander the town yourself, download the Kurri Kurri murals map here.
If you have done much travelling through small towns in Australia, you will notice that we seem to have an obsession with big things. You will come across the Big Pineapple or the Big Lobster or the Big Orange.
Not to be left out, here the community have created the Big Kookaburra. Look out for it in town – although you shouldn’t be able to miss it. After all, it is big!
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Kurri Kurri Accommodation
If you decide to stay overnight and you’re looking for accommodation in Kurri Kurri, check out the Kurri Motor Inn or the Station Hotel Motel Kurri for the latest rates and availability.
You may also like these other posts about regional Australia
Riding the Pichi Richi Railway in Quorn South Australia
Day Trip from Hobart to Richmond, Tasmania
Things to do in Mount Gambier South Australia
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Lovely Murals… especially liked the Scotsmen and Santa with the Kangaroos.
Look forward to your next Post from Overseas.
Thanks Carol. Could be sooner than expected as it is pouring down here in Singapore. No so great for touristing, but good for writing blog posts 🙂
Good old Kurri! I spent more hours bumming around there in my teens then I’d care to admit. I’m not sure if it’s still open, but nearby Heddon-Greta used to and possibly still has I think one of two drive-ins left in the state of NSW. Spent many hours at that place, too!
Haha! Did it have all the murals then? I don’t think we got to Heddon-Greta. At least I didn’t notice it or a drive-in.
Yeah it did. There’s some nice ones in Newy, too.
I will have to remember to look out for them when I visit Newcastle next time.
What’s the story with the one where the police are shooting at and beating up a crowd of people?!?!
The graffiti under that one shows a good side effect of murals – no one tends to graffiti over the top of them, even if there are graffiti vandals about.
I can’t remember the exact story, but it was a depiction of a historical workers riot of some sort. And yes, murals do help with the graffiti! Thanks Pete.