10 must-see silo and water tower art in South Australia

Exploring the silo and water tower art in South Australia can turn an ordinary road trip into something truly memorable. These enormous artworks transform old industrial structures into striking tributes to local history. Along the way, you will not only enjoy incredible creativity on a grand scale but also support rural communities and uncover charming, lesser-known outback towns. Take a look at my compilation of silo and water tower murals in South Australia to inspire your next adventure.

How silo art started in Australia

Australia’s silo art trails feature over 70 large-scale murals painted on grain silos in rural and regional areas across the country. The movement has spread to every state, with a particular focus on the Wimmera-Mallee region of Victoria. 2015 marked the start of the initiative, when international street artists Phlegm and HENSE were commissioned by FORM, a cultural non-profit organisation, to paint the 38-metre-high CBH grain silos in Northam, Western Australia. The project aimed to bring art to rural communities, revitalise outback towns, and spark a nationwide trend. Many rural towns facing challenges such as drought and population decline have since been transformed into popular tourist destinations thanks to these murals, attracting visitors and boosting local economies. The silos serve as large outdoor canvases that reflect the history, culture, and agricultural heritage of the communities they represent.

1 Kingscote Silo Art

In January 2022, Cam Scale and Andrew Davis painted the Kingscote Silos, creating a striking mural with a large kangaroo and a black cockatoo. Showcasing the natural beauty of Kangaroo Island, the artwork has gained recognition as one of the world’s largest painted depictions of kangaroos. One side of the silo features a 22-metre-tall painting of a mother kangaroo and her joey, while a majestic black cockatoo adorns the opposite side. This mural forms part of the “Igniting Kingscote through Art” project, led by the Advance Kingscote Progress Association, which aims to incorporate art into the town to revitalise Kingscote. Additionally, visitors to Kingscote can discover five other small artworks dotted throughout the area.

Location: Cnr Addison Street & Karatta Street, Kingscote, Kangaroo Island

2 Wirrabara Silo Art

The Wirrabara Silo Project, completed in October 2018, was funded by a grant from the Government of South Australia’s Fund My Neighbourhood program. Led by the Wirrabara community, a Melbourne-based street art company was selected to carry out the work, with SMUG, also known as Sam Bates, chosen as an artist. The community agreed on a forestry theme, while leaving the specific image to the artist’s discretion. Rather than depicting any particular individual, the figure depicted in the mural represents the hardworking people of the local forestry and agricultural community. The artist also incorporated a rare local bird, the red-capped robin, reflecting his interest in painting birds. Created using a combination of house paint and spray paint, the artwork was completed in 20 days.

Location: 27 Forest Road, Wirrabara

3 Farrell Flat Silo Art

The artwork depicts RX 55, a steam locomotive made at the Islington Railway Workshops in Adelaide for the South Australian Railways. RX55 was in use from 1913 to 1964. The image of wheat fields surrounding the locomotive symbolises the area’s transition to farming after pastoral leases closed in the early 1870s. Providing access to international markets, the railway played a crucial role through affordable transportation and efficient delivery services. The painting shows the town’s final train passing through, marking the end of an era when the railway was vital to the community. A beautiful sunset over golden wheat fields forms the background, emphasising the region’s agricultural heritage. Alongside its historical significance, the mural offers a surprise for those who look closely – a hidden elephant within the mural adds an interactive element, encouraging viewers to explore its textures and layers. Artists Jarrod Soden and Matthew Knights from Perplswet Designs completed the project in November 2020. The artwork stands 30 metres tall and covers an area of 900 square metres.

Location: Patterson Tce, Farrell Flat

4 Storytime silos in Eudunda

Artist Sam Brooks’ artistic statement focuses on his silo artwork, which depicts two children sharing stories about their past and culture. The painting aims to evoke feelings of playfulness, open-mindedness, and joy in discussing history and culture. Inspired by local author Colin Thiele’s Sun on the Stubble, which portrays rural life in Eudunda, it features a young girl stepping through a magical book and experiencing aspects of farm life in the town. The mural also highlights the connection between the children, symbolised by a string representing the passage of time and elements from Eudunda’s past. Brooks hopes his unique, oversized book artwork will attract visitors to the town and provide something truly special.

Location: South Terrace, Eudunda

5 Quorn Silo Art display

Quorn is a town worth visiting for its unique silo art display created by Illuminart. The projection onto the silos is colourful, entertaining, educational, and rich in local history. Starting at sunset, the show brings to life stories of the Flinders Ranges, the Pichi Richi Railway, and other aspects of local heritage. The Main Show presents animated stories co-created with regional artists and animators, supported by grants and donations. One projection highlights the efforts of local CWA members who provided meals for soldiers passing through Quorn during World War II. The town’s unity and hard work in supporting the soldiers is truly remarkable. The Main Show is followed by an exhibition of photographs and artwork from community members, which runs late into the evening. Show times are subject to change, so it is advisable to check in advance. Visitors are encouraged to arrive early to secure seating or parking, enjoy the sunset, and watch the Curly Cue countdown before the show begins.

Location: Railway Terrace, Quorn

In addition to silo art murals across South Australia, painted water towers can also be found throughout the country, particularly in the southern part of Yorke Peninsula.

Water Tower Murals on Yorke Peninsula

The Water Tower Murals on the Yorke Peninsula were created in response to the 2019 bushfires, with funding from government grants. The project transformed water towers into an art trail that celebrates local history and the culture of the Narungga First Nations. Inspiration for the trail came after a devastating bushfire near the Yorketown Water Tower in November 2019. Following the fire, the Country Fire Service cleaned the towers, and local Progress Associations and the Yorke Peninsula Council funded the mural project. From late 2020, residents voted on artist concepts to ensure each mural reflected the unique character of its community. What began as a therapeutic initiative has now evolved into a popular tourist attraction, with the towering murals forming the South Yorke Peninsula Water Tower Mural Trail, which attracts self-guided driving tours.

6 Stansbury Water Tower Mural

In 2021, artist Mike Makatron, assisted by Conrad Bizjak, created a large-scale artwork using a combination of spray-gun and hand-painting techniques. The 25-metre piece celebrates Stansbury’s local fauna and landscape. Featured are elements such as the Blue Swimmer Crab, pelicans, dolphins, Norfolk Island trees, the jetty, iconic coastline, ribbon seaweed, and oysters. The project was funded by the AusTrade Bushfire Recovery Grant and completed in collaboration with the Stansbury Progress Association, Yorke Peninsula Council, Yorke Peninsula Tourism, and SA Water.

Location: Brentwood Road, Stansbury

7 Yorketown Water Tower Art

In 2021, artist Jasmine Crisp completed a hand-painted mural on a 20-metre-high water tower. The mural depicts crops, bottlebrush, a pink salt lake, historical buildings, and a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane. Crisp’s meticulous attention to detail and precise brushwork create a textured depth on the tower’s curved surface, resulting in a captivating work that is visually striking both up close and from a distance. Each brushstroke tells a story, highlighting the everyday rhythms and exceptional beauty of Yorketown.

Location: 132 Stanbury Rd, Yorketown, SA

8 Edithburgh Water Tower Mural

The Edithburgh Water Tower Mural stands 25 metres tall and showcases the town’s coastal biodiversity and history. Created in just 15 days in March 2021, the artwork is a notable attraction on the Southern Yorke Peninsula Water Tower Mural Trail. Lead artist Mike Makatron, along with assistants Conrad Bizjak and Dylan Butler, worked on this mural, which focuses on the “coastal soul” of Edithburgh, particularly highlighting the underwater world beneath the Edithburgh Jetty. The mural depicts a variety of marine and bird life, from the Striped Pyjama Squid, cuttlefish, and the rare Leafy Sea Dragon to the White-Bellied Sea Eagle and the endangered Far Eastern Curlew in flight. Additionally, the piece depicts the iconic Troubridge Island Lighthouse emerging from the waves, with a subtle nod to the town’s 1856 founding at its base.

Location: New Honiton Road, Edithburgh

9 Port Vincent Water Tower Mural

The artwork was created by designer and artist Joel Van Moore, also known as Vans the Omega, in collaboration with Camillo Delgado, with assistance from Jasmine Crisp. Completed in May 2021 over three weeks, the piece features an acrylic-sprayed background with details painted by brush, using Rone’s fast-scaling graphing technique to ensure alignment. The artwork's theme reflects both the past and present of Port Vincent while looking towards a hopeful future, with the swan serving as a symbol of the First Nations culture. Among the elements depicted are a Narungga boy spearfishing in the bay, a farmer’s boy fishing with his dog, the ketch Hawk, the pine-lined Port Vincent Wharf, yachts gliding across the bay, golden barley crops, and the tidal sands.

Location: Lime Kiln Road, Port Vincent

10 Salt Lake Trail Tank Mural

The Salt Lake Trail Tank Mural provides a detailed look into the area’s history. Created by Jason Swales of Studio Surf and completed in April 2021, this mural is distinct from the Southern Yorke Peninsula Water Tower Mural Trail while complementing its surroundings as a significant reflection of the past. One side of the tank depicts the hard work of salt workers under the scorching sun as they harvested salt from the lakebeds. The other side features two emus as symbols of those who have witnessed the changes in the land over time. Against a backdrop of dramatic skies and salt flats, the mural serves as a moving tribute to resilience, memory, and the enduring presence of the land. It tells a powerful story of endurance without saying a single word.

Location: At the intersection of Lake Fowler Road and Boothill Station Road.

Practical information

The murals on the silos in South Australia discussed in this article are spread out over a considerable distance, making them a great addition to a multi-day road trip from Adelaide to the Flinders Ranges. In contrast, the water tank murals are clustered in the southern region of the Yorke Peninsula, making it easy to visit them on a day trip that also includes nearby coastal towns and the Pink Lakes.

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Author: Anita Sane

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