Following the Silo Art Trail Northeast Victoria visitors can explore the series of large-scale murals that showcase the local culture and communities. The artwork is painted on grain silos typically in rural communities and towns. You can start from Benalla or go in the reverse direction starting from Echuca or Barmah.
Silo Art Trail Northeast Victoria Starting In Benalla
You can start to explore a significant section of the Silo Art Trail Northeast Victoria. If you’re interested in the silo art Benalla is a great starting point as the silo murals are one of the trail’s highlights. This artwork spans multiple silos, creating a mural that depicts a variety of scenes from the local history, culture, and environment, capturing the essence of the region.
- Melbourne is 210 kms (2 hours and 40 mins) from Benalla
- Benalla is 62kms (46mins) from Shepparton
- Benalla is 39kms (30mins) from Wangaratta
Vibrant Murals In Goorambat
Goorambat is one of the smallest towns along the Benalla art trail, but it is worth visiting. Goorambat is best known for its scenic surroundings and rural charm, providing a fantastic backdrop for silo art.
Distance from Benalla to Goorambat is 20kms and takes about 20 minutes.
Location: Halls Road, Goorambat
The Goorambat silo art project was brought to life by talented Australian artist Jimmy Dvate in 2018. Dvate skillfully transformed the towering silos into a magnificent masterpiece, depicting the region’s rich natural heritage and agricultural significance.
Through his intricate brushstrokes, Dvate showcases the diverse flora and fauna that call the region home. From native birds to colorful wildflowers, celebrating the unique biodiversity of the area.
Visitors to the Goorambat silo art are greeted by a kaleidoscope of colors that dance across the towering canvas, telling a visual story of the region’s past, present, and future. The artwork serves as a testament to the resilience of rural communities. Their ability to adapt and thrive in the face of change.
Mural In Uniting Church Goorambat
Sophia of Goorambat, a mesmerizing mural, emerged during the 2017 Wall to Wall festival and now graces the walls of the Goorambat Uniting Church. Renowned artist Mark Adnate crafted this stunning artwork to depict the female aspect of the Holy Spirit. Sophia, by her very nature, embodies wisdom, nurturing, comfort, inspiration, and eternal presence.
Adnate’s deft strokes and masterful use of color bring Sophia to life, evoking a profound sense of reverence and awe. This mural stands as a testament to the enduring power of art to capture the essence of spirituality and inspire the community.
Community Spirit In Devenish
Nestled within the Goulburn Valley, Devenish is a small-town drawing visitors to check out its silo art. The vibrant murals are a stunning tribute to the young men and women who enlisted during World War I. At a time when Devenish was a very tiny town, the 50 young men and women represented one in six residents.
Distance from Goorambat to Devenish 10kms taking about 10 minutes.
Location: 33 Main Street, Devenish
The artist behind the captivating Devenish silo art, as well as the public toilets and old stables mural, is Cam Scale. Scale is an accomplished Australian muralist and painter known for his realistic style and attention to detail. His work on the Devenish silos, completed in 2018, pays tribute to the community’s history and honor in military service.
There are two stages of silo art in Devenish. The first features a stunning image of a WWI nurse and modern Australian Armed Forces military medic. Highlighting the changing role of women in the military and it was marketed as a tribute for the 100-year centenary celebrations for the end of the First World War.
The second stage of the silo art is a mural tribute to the Australian Light Horse-mounted troops who served in WW1 and the Second Boer War.
Devenish War Memorial
During your visit, be sure to make a stop at the Devenish War Memorial. It pays tribute to the people from the area who served in different conflicts. This is beside the information boards about the silos.
Other Art Around The Town Of Devenish
As well as the silo art, there is art on the stables behind the hotel. Also, there is art on the public toilets beside an old farm machinery museum. These all are positioned in a line, so that you are able to walk around and see them all. Across from the silos is the local hotel that is owned by the community.
While we were at Devenish there were a lot of other tourists doing the Silo Art Trail Northeast Victoria. As we started from Barmah most of the people we saw were going in the opposite direction to us.
Rural Charm Of St James
The Grain-Corp silos hold a special place in the history of St James which enhances its rural charm. The murals showcase the 1915/1916 wheat season when 405,000 bushels were delivered to the railway station. Using mostly horses and wagons. This was a record-breaking haul that was only exceeded once in 1963/1964.
Distance from Devenish to St James is about 7kms taking around 7 minutes.
Location: 21 Devenish Road, St James
The Silo art at St James was created by Tim Bowtell from Benalla. When looking at the first silo, the one with the team of horses has an image of the artist, see if you can see it.
The silo art of St James also pays tribute to GJ Coles. GJ or George James was the first son of George Coles Snr and his wife Elizabeth. They purchased a store in St James and traded predominantly in farming equipment. GJ helped his father in the store, taking over the store when his father’s health began to fail.
However, GJ wanted to pursue new shop keeping methods. So, he traveled the world to discover the best business operating practices including studying Marks & Spencers and Woolworths in England.
Although GJ traveled the world and fought in the war, his business grew into a million-dollar enterprise in the 1970s. His company, Coles, also remembered his beginnings and made a generous donation towards the silo project.
Cultural Heritage In Tungamah
Distance from St James to Tungamah is about 13kms, taking about 10 minutes.
Location: Corner Middleton and Station Streets, Tungamah
Tungamah in the Goulburn Valley has the first silos to be painted in North East Victoria, so they set the precedent for the following silo art. Sobrane Simcock From Broome WA in 2018 painted these silos and was the first female to complete a silo art. The main mural depicts dancing Brolgas, while on the short silo, the Australian Kookaburra is showcased.
The artist took 8 days to complete the project. On the second silo there is a Galah, an owl, a hummingbird, a sulfur-crested Cockatoo, a white Ibis, and two small wrens around the Kookaburra sitting in the foliage of a gum tree.
Sobrane also painted murals on the information centre which is situated on the street that runs into the silos. The information centre is not open every day and was closed on the day that we were there, which was on a Tuesday.
In addition to exploring the silo art, you can immerse yourself in the town’s cultural heritage and natural beauty. The town sits on Boosey Creek, providing some lovely water-frontage and park-lands that are ideal for an overnight camp. This means that you can take your time to explore the area and the history of the town.
Katamatite- Silo Art
Distance from Tungamah to Katamatite is 23kms taking about 16 minutes.
Location: Turn off Katamatite-Nathalia Road, Katamatite
The Katamatite Silo Art, a remarkable project brought to life by artist Tim Bowtell in July 2023, stands as a poignant symbol of resilience and unity within the community. Amidst Katamatite’s rich history, memories of bustling grain trucks and the now-vanished railway line linger.
The town has faced its share of challenges with businesses dwindling over time. Yet, buoyed by a spirit of togetherness, locals have embarked on a journey of revitalization, adorning the town with art installations, sculptures, and the magnificent silo artwork.
Depicting a Wedge Tailed eagle soaring above indigenous figures along Boosey Creek, the artwork pays homage to the traditional owners while celebrating the region’s natural beauty and agricultural heritage. With aspirations to join the North East Silo Art Trail, the project aims to draw visitors to Katamatite, breathing new life into the community and supporting local endeavors.
Through the dedication of the Lions Club and collaborative efforts, the vision for the silos transcends mere artistry, envisioning a harmonious blend of culture, history, and natural splendor that promises to uplift both locals and visitors alike.
Silo Art At Picola
The Picola silo art, created by renowned artist Jimmy Dvate, showcases a vibrant depiction of the region’s Barmah Forest landscape and local wildlife. Dvate’s masterful strokes bring to life birds and the surrounding natural environment with striking detail and vivid colors.
The silos depict iconic elements of River life, including expansive images of native Australian wildlife, such as colorful parrots, adding an extra layer of depth and charm to the artwork.
Distance from Katamatite to Picola is about 60kms taking about 41 minutes.
Location: 25 Moran Street, Picola
Dvate’s signature style, characterized by meticulous attention to detail and a deep reverence for nature, shines through in every brushstroke, making the Picola silo art a true masterpiece that captures the essence of rural Victoria. When visiting look for the fishing hook that is hidden in the painting. It was a lot of fun when we were seeing who could find the fishing hook. The reason behind the Hook is due to the fact that Picola was nicknamed “The Hook” due to it being the end of the railway line back in the early days.
Conclusion- Benalla Silo Art Trail
The Silo Art Trail in Northeast Victoria allows you to take a journey through the unique towns and rural communities. This makes the trail the biggest outdoor gallery, with each silo showcasing some of the unique character and charm of each area. This innovative art project features artists from across Australia and around the world to create amazing works of art.
It is a good idea to spend at least a few days taking time to stop at the various silos. But, be sure to take the time to stay overnight and explore the heritage of these fantastic venues.