There is nothing better than seeing a beautiful mural appear as you approach a disty twon miles from anywhere. Here is where to experience that silo art Western Australia style!
Where to Find the WA Silo Art
When it comes to silo art Western Australia does not have a lot. But it was here that the movement started back in 2015. Here are the locations in the southern wheat belt of WA where you can find the painted silos.
The PUBLIC Silo Trail
After the first silos were painted at Northam, it was decided that more silos would be painted to create a whole trail throughout the southern part of Western Australia. Travellers could road trip around the trail, see the silos and parts of WA that many people miss.
As I was coming from South Australia, I didn’t follow the trail exactly, but it was easily doable in two sections – the southern part on the way over and the northern part on the way back.
Much of the trail was in the direction we were travelling anyway, we just went the long way on a couple of occasions to see silo art we would have otherwise missed.
The official trail meanders from Northam to Albany, but since we were coming from Esperance, going to Hyden for Wave Rock and then down to Albany, we started with Ravensthorpe first.
The PUBLIC silo trail also includes the town of Katanning. There is no silo art here, but there is some great street art and is a good place to stop along the trail.
We grabbed some lunch in Katanning, then ate it in a park, which had one of the coolest adult-sized playgrounds I’ve ever seen.
About the Silo Art in Western Australia
These towering murals are more than just paint on concrete; they’re large-scale stories that celebrate the spirit and beauty of the land. Western Australia is known for its wildflowers so it is not surprising to see many silos showing off the unique flora.
Take a look at the art that adorns the silos across this region.
Ravensthorpe Silo Art
Ravensthorpe’s silo art, painted by Amok Island, is a geometric floral scene. Created in 2016, this artwork was the second in the PUBLIC Silo Trail and beautifully portrays the six different stages of the Banksia Baxteri flower lifecycle.
These plants are native to this area of Western Australia, only found between Albany and Esperance. The flowers are shown with two of the animals that can often be seen on the trees, the New Holland Honey Eater and the Honey Possum.
The Ravensthorpe silo art is 25m tall and painted on both sides of the silos. It took 31 days to paint.
Newdegate Silo Art
Newdegate is a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it town around 400km from Perth with a population of around 150 people.
It was put on the map in 2018, when local Western Australian artist Brendan See turned it into the fifth location on the PUBLIC Silo Trail.
Three of the four silos are painted with images of the local flora and fauna found in this area. You will see a Malleefowl, a Red-tailed Phascogale and a Western Bearded Dragon.
The final silo depicts a huge water drop, paying homage to the many salt lakes that are dotted across the region’s landscape.
Pingrup Silo Art
Pingrup was the third of the WA silo art we came across. It’s a slightly bigger town than Newdegate, with around 200 people, but it is just as isolated.
Painted by the skilled artist Evoca1 in 2018, the Pingrup silo art is a tribute to the farming community.
Two of these massive canvases capture the essence of rural life, showcasing the connection between people and the land, with a farmer, merino sheep, a cattle dog and an old tractor.
The third silo shows a racehorse, reminding visitors that the other thing Pingup is known for is its annual racing carnival. (It’s also known for having pink lakes, but it was raining during my visit and they didn’t look too pink)
The scene reflects the town’s history and spirit, painted with incredible detail and depth that makes it a true work of art.
The Pingrup silo art is 15m tall and took 15 days to paint.
Albany Silo Art
The huge grain silo mural here at the port of Albany is a tribute to the Ruby Seadragon that lives along this part of the Western Australian coast. They were only discovered in 2015, just the third species of Seadragon in the world.
The silos were the fourth to be painted for the PUBLIC Silo Trail, completed by Yok & Sheryo just a few years later in 2018.
The Albany silo art took 17 days to paint
Northam Silo Art
The Northam silo art was the first one we came to as we started our drive back across the country to South Australia.
This was the mural that started the silo art craze across Australia (there are now more than 60 different sets of painted silos across the country) in 2015.
This is a huge set of silos, and each end of them has been painted by a different artist. The distinctive style of British artist Phlegm can be seen on the lefthand end (top photo), and on the right, American HENSE has added his own artistic touch.
The Northam silos are 38 metres tall and took 16 days to paint.
Merredin Silo Art
Merredin’s silo art was the last we saw on our Western Australia trip, and I think this one just might be my favourite.
These were painted by local artist Kyle Hughes-Ogders in 2017 in his usual geometric style, but using reds and oranges and golds of the landscapes in this predominantly farming area.
The Merredin silos are 35 metres tall and took 14 days to paint.
So, there you have it. A whirlwind tour through some of the most awe-inspiring silo art locations in Western Australia.
From vibrant marine life to cultural unity and rural charm, these massive canvases tell stories that are more than just paint and concrete.
Tip: Something I noticed when viewing much of this silo art is, access can be tricky. All of them are still working silos, and are well-fenced.
Make sure you follow any signage and stick to the viewing areas to get your own photos. Please don’t go wandering through the working areas. It is filled with heavy machinery and it could be dangerous to both you and the staff who are trying to do their job.
The Importance of Silo Art
Silo art isn’t just a splash of colour on rural landscapes; it brings a whole raft of benefits to regional areas.
These masterpieces breathe new life into forgotten spaces, turning grain silos into canvases that attract curious travellers from far and wide.
As these art installations gain attention, they inject a much-needed economic boost into local economies. Tourists flock to these remote regions, filling up hotels, cafes, and shops, and filling communities with vitality.
Beyond the economic impact, silo art sparks a renewed sense of pride among residents, fostering a deeper connection to their surroundings and heritage.
The art is a catalyst for community engagement and cultural exchange, inviting locals and visitors alike to explore, learn, and celebrate the stories that these towering artworks tell.
Silo art transforms more than just physical spaces; it revitalises spirits and ignites a sense of hope for the future of these regional gems.
Silo Art FAQs
Q. How many painted silos are in WA?
A. As you can see from above, there are six sets of painted silos in WA
Q. What towns have silo art?
A. There are more than sixty Australian towns that have silo art. In WA those towns are Northam, Merredin, Newdegate, Pingrup, Ravensthorpe and Albany.
Q. How long does the silo art trail take?
A. Each state has its own trail that can take days to cover. The trail here in WA runs for around 1070km, so this is not something to do in a day.
Q. How many silo art murals are there in Australia
A. As I write this in August 2023, there are 61 sets of painted silos across Australia. One set (painted by Rone at Fyansford) was demolished in 2020.
One More Place
If you love large-scale art, another place to include on your Western Australia itinerary is the Wellington Dam Wall mural. It is huge, and at 8000 square metres is thought to be one of the largest (perhaps the largest!) mural in the world.
It was painted by Guido Van Helten and unsurprisingly, some helpers, in 2021 and is inspired by local stories.
The Wellington Dam Wall is the start of the mural trail that runs through the nearby town of Collie, which is well worth a visit too if you’re here.
Before you go…are you continuing your WA trip? Read these next.
8 Things to Do on Rottnest Island in Winter
Exploring the Bunbury Street Art
And if you are heading east, these will help
Crossing the Nullarbor
Silo Art Trail South Australia
The Ultimate South Australia Itinerary
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