From its hidden laneways to humming riverside precincts, Brisbane’s public art scene invites locals to wander, look closer and discover the city through creativity at every turn.
Art around every corner – where to find the best public art around Brisbane
Feb 02, 2026, updated Feb 09, 2026
Greg Chambers' artworks in Fish Lane, South Brisbane | Credit: Brisbane City Council
Brisbane is a city with a vibrant art scene – and we’re not just talking about what’s on display in galleries. Public art can be found across the city, from signposts and street corners to underpasses and alleyways. But cultural hotspots don’t happen by chance – Brisbane City Council has helped shape them from the beginning and continues to bring them to life through public art for everyone to enjoy. To celebrate the AMPLIFY ME! Outdoor Gallery exhibition, we’ve collated a list of precincts that are home to some of Brisbane’s most striking public art.
Fish Lane
This lively laneway, stretching from South Brisbane to West End, is a prime destination for art hunting. At the South Brisbane entrance to Fish Lane, you’ll be greeted by the work of Brisbane-based artist Greg Chambers – a series of bold, energy-infused acrylic pieces featured as part of this year’s AMPLIFY ME! Outdoor Gallery exhibition.
Venture further into Fish Lane and you’ll encounter an eclectic mix of public sculpture and street art, including a bright geometric light installation by Kuuki; Nike Savvas’ kaleidoscopic array of acrylic discs; Bruno Catalano’s mind-bending sculpture ‘Raphael, The Traveller’; and James and Eleanor Avery’s rolled and faceted aluminium installation ‘Steam Machine’. Eye-catching murals by Arina Apostolova, Fintan Magee, Sofles, Warraba Weatherall and Daniel Jones add further colour to the laneway.
A number of these works form part of Brisbane City Council’s Contemporary Art and Architecture Trail, which begins in Fish Lane and winds its way through Brisbane City. If your step count is already climbing, hop on a bus across the river to explore the rest of the trail.
You might like
Paddington
While Paddington is widely known as a go-to precinct for retail and dining, its scenic terraces are also home to a high concentration of public art. If you’re in the mood for a stimulating stroll, venture from the Bardon end of Latrobe Terrace towards Given Terrace and Suncorp Stadium (don’t worry – there are plenty of buses you can hop on and off).
Along the way, you’ll spot a series of works by local artists inspired by the iconic kookaburra. Kooka! encompasses 16 large-scale sculptures made from waste materials, then painted in vibrant colours by artists including Spectator Jonze, Debra Hood and Tori-Jay Mordey, with each artist imbuing their kooka with elements of cultural and historical significance.
Brightly coloured kookas aren’t the only artworks along this storied strip – be sure to pause at Scott Harrower’s iconic mosaic-tiled perch, ‘Highland Rest’, before continuing your walk. There’s also plenty of street art to admire, including murals by acclaimed artist Jordache on the exterior of Bizzell’s Garage.
Subscribe for updatesFortitude Valley
The Valley’s tightly packed laneways and malls are teeming with public artworks of all kinds, making the nightlife precinct more than just a hub for after-dark revelry. ‘You Are My Sunshine’ by Priscilla Bracks is a hand-crafted, jewel-like sculpture that bathes Beirne Lane in ever-changing colours, while Sandra Selig’s ‘Echo Orbit’ on Brunswick Street Mall uses suspended, tensioned yellow geometric panels to convey the interconnectedness of The Valley’s art scene.
Near McLachlan Street, Sebastian Moody’s large-scale public text work ‘Think Bigger’ has become an iconic part of the streetscape, blurring the lines between graffiti and installation. Nearby, at Kemp Place Park, the sculptural, tree-like forms of Simone Eisler’s ‘Primordial Trees’ serve as a memorial to ancient forests, transforming the park into a contemplative space amid the buzz of the entertainment precinct. Street-art lovers should also seek out Scott Marsh’s awe-inspiring mural and ode to Iggy Pop, ‘Raw Power’, tucked away in Warner Lane.
Howard Smith Wharves
A hotbed of creativity, Howard Smith Wharves is the perfect place to soak up inspiring art alongside sensational river views. The precinct is also joining the AMPLIFY ME! action, showcasing the work of Ella Doyle via its Outdoor Gallery projection near Citrus House. ‘Teresa the Tasmanian Tiger’ challenges traditional representations of the thylacine, exploring the intersection of scientific fact and folklore while keeping its story alive.
Pair this with an ever-changing collection of murals adorning the exterior walls of Felons Brewing Co. and you’ve got a stimulating outing on the cards. Want more? Hop on the CityCat to Kangaroo Point and embark on Council’s expertly mapped Art and the River Public Art Trail.
This article was written in partnership with our friends at Brisbane City Council, who have helped shape lifestyle precincts like Fish Lane, Fortitude Valley, Paddington and Howard Smith Wharves. Click here to explore Brisbane City Council’s expansive public art collection.