From storage to stardom: Silo art reaches new heights
Painted grain silos across regional Australia have transformed communities into open-air art galleries while boosting tourism, just like Queensland Country art trails.
Queensland Country’s silo art and mural trails are set to grow ahead of summer, with four grain silos in the Lockyer Valley, west of Brisbane, becoming the region’s newest art stop.
Forest Hill’s grain silos, about an hour’s drive west of the Queensland capital, are set to become the newest stop on the Lockyer Valley Murals Trail, giving travellers another reason to explore this food-producing corner of the region, designated Queensland Country.
Stretching from the northern gemfields of the Central Highlands to the southern vineyards of Stanthorpe, Queensland Country encompasses nine regions brimming with bespoke experiences. This vast landscape invites you to journey through the Southern Hemisphere’s largest sapphire fields, the flourishing crop country of the Lockyer Valley and Somerset, and the cotton capital of Goondiwindi in the west.
From the tranquil lakes and ancient Bunya Mountains of the Western Downs to the high-altitude wine trails of the Southern Downs and Granite Belt, the region is anchored by the garden city of Toowoomba, with more than 150 country towns, each offering a slice of rural charm.
For decades, the four silos have stood beside the railway line at Forest Hill, a reminder of the grain-growing history of this fertile valley. Soon, they will tell a new story about the region and the people who call it home.
Mural artists Jordan Bruce and Joel Fergie “The Zookeeper” have been selected to transform the GrainCorp silos. Painting is expected to begin any day now with the artwork and an accompanying viewing precinct targeted for completion by mid-November.
You might like
Bruce is a co-founder of Brightsiders, a Brisbane art collective specialising in large-scale public murals. Fergie has painted silos and water towers across Australia. The artists have worked together on major public artworks before, including the GrainCorp silos at Yelarbon, also in Queensland Country.
This time, the final design is being kept under wraps. Lockyer Valley Regional Council says the mural will capture the essence of the region, drawing on conversations the artists have had with Forest Hill residents and community groups. The design will also respond to the railway line beside the silos.
Lockyer Valley Regional Council Mayor Tanya Milligan says the artists had taken time to understand the place and its people.
“Jordan and Joel have already spent time engaging with the Forest Hill community, speaking with residents and community groups to help ensure the artwork reflects the stories, values and character of the region,” says Milligan.
For Queensland Country Tourism, the new mural is a starting point for discovering more of the Lockyer Valley. When complete, it will join the region’s existing trail of murals and public artworks in towns including Gatton and Laidley, each offering a different glimpse of country life.
Subscribe for updates
Tucked between Laidley and Gatton, the township of Forest Hill rewards a slow wander. Once the mural and viewing precinct are complete, visitors can see the artwork, then explore the village’s restored buildings and shops. Café 4342 occupies the historic post office, while Café Sorella is housed in a former grocery store.
Lockyer Valley Murals Trail offers another reason to linger. Continue through Gatton and Laidley to find works inspired by the region’s people, wildlife and farming heritage. The Forest Hill silos are already listed as a coming addition to the trail.
Farm gates and roadside stalls are an opportunity to fill the boot with local produce. In Gatton, Tins & Trays puts the region’s ingredients at the centre of breakfast and lunch.
Laidley Pioneer Village and Museum offers a look into the valley’s past. For a longer holiday, Valhalla Glamping sits on a working cattle property and flower farm, while Branell Homestead near Laidley offers country cabin accommodation and a bookable farm tour.
Forest Hill’s transformation will build on existing public art experiences in Queensland Country, from Toowoomba’s painted silo and laneways to Yelarbon’s eight-silo artwork in the Goondiwindi region and Somerset’s town murals. Country cafés, historic pubs and overnight stays offer reasons to turn an art stop into a longer holiday.
In Harristown, Mununjali artist Kim Walmsley’s We remember, never to forget, transforms a former GrainCorp silo on Anzac Avenue into a work about remembrance, cultural heritage and connection to the land. Walmsley was assisted by Jordan Bruce, one of the artists selected for Forest Hill. Pair a visit with a walk through Toowoomba’s streets and laneways, where murals share space with cafés and the city’s historic buildings.
In the Goondiwindi region, Yelarbon’s GrainCorp silos carry When the Rain Comes, an artwork spanning eight silos. A young boy setting paper boats afloat in the local lagoon anchors a scene inspired by the town’s landscape and history. A dedicated viewing area and parking make it an easy stop on a regional drive. Continue to Goondiwindi to explore the town’s murals and riverside sculptures.
In the Toowoomba region, Milmerran’s painted water tank offers another take on large-scale public art. Created by Toowoomba artist Jon Signs, the work draws on the history of the town’s water supply, including horse-drawn scoops and the local reservoir. Around town, further murals depict the district’s history, giving visitors a reason to park the car and explore.
For another art-led country escape, follow the Somerset Murals Trail through towns including Lowood, Coominya, Esk and Toogoolawah. Works draw on rural life, community stories and recovery after bushfires. In Toogoolawah, make time for The Condensery, Somerset’s regional art gallery housed in a former Nestlé condensed milk packing shed, where changing exhibitions bring contemporary art into a building with its own country history.
queenslandcountrytourism.com.au/blog/discover-queensland-countrys-best-art-trails
Want to see more stories from InDaily Qld in your Google search results?
- Click here to set InDaily Qld as a preferred source.
- Tick the box next to "InDaily Qld". That's it.
Free to share
This article may be shared online or in print under a Creative Commons licence