Nine great public artworks and murals to explore in the Illawarra this summer

If you’re looking to explore the Illawarra through art but want to take in some fresh air and the region’s vast beauty at the same time, the Illawarra boasts an array of incredible public artworks and murals.

Across its three local government areas (LGAs) of Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama, you can enjoy everything from intricate sculptures to giant murals that showcase the work of Illawarra artists and others with a connection to the region.

Often, these pieces tell important stories about the region, its history and its people.

Here are nine notable pieces to explore:

Shellharbour

Lake Illawarra Art Trail, Lake Illawarra

With too many great sculptures to choose just one, the Lake Illawarra Art Trail is a perfect location to observe some of Shellharbour artists’ best work. Among them is ‘Burri Burri’ by Yuin educator Jodi Edwards, which tells the story of the Burri Burri humpback whale. It also has two large ‘coolamons’, which were traditionally used by Aboriginal women to carry water and food, and to cradle babies. You can walk or cycle the trail at Reddall Reserve to explore a range of sculptures including ‘Long Distance’, which depicts the annual journey of humpback whales, ‘Synergy’ showing seaweed intertwined with marine life specific to Lake Illawarra, or ‘Fauna of the Lake’, featuring carvings of animal species. The artworks were created by Illawarra artists in collaboration with the community in response to the lake, its history and its people. Explore all the sculptures on the Shellharbour City Council website.

Location: Reddall Reserve, Lake Illawarra.

Conversations, Shell Cove

‘Conversations’, a painted and polished aluminium industrial coated steel sculpture by acclaimed artist Phillip Piperides, was a clear favourite with the community during the 2023 PromenART exhibition. It led to it being permanently installed at Shellharbour Marina last year. Inspired by the essence of human connection and interaction, Conversations stands as a testament to the power of dialogue and exchange. A figurative sculpture that captures the dynamic between individuals engaged in meaningful conversation, it’s worth a closer inspection to take in all its fine details. The marina is worth a walk around, with murals painted by Illawarra artists and young people also on display.

Location: Shellharbour Marina, Shell Cove.

Day Dreamer, Albion Park

Created in 2021 by Krimsone and Scott Nagy, the ‘Day Dreamer‘ mural on the wall at Albion Park explores how owning a home to call your own may seem like a dream, with it out of reach for many young people. Through the clever imagery, it aims to showcase how the desire for comfortable living is like a fable in a picture book. The mural also looks at how these aspirations of housing growth are affecting our local environments.

Location: Cnr Tongarra Road and Halket Lane, Albion Park.

Wollongong

Palm Tree Installation, Wollongong

The much talked about “palm up a pole”, as it is known, is one part of a multiple element artwork in Wollongong Crown Street Mall. Created by Mike Hewson, the award-winning artwork brings natural elements into the civic centre. It includes the 17-metre-tall ‘palm pole’, palm seats, ‘forklift rocks’ and a playground with three substantial rock formations quarried to order from Bundanoon Sandstone.

Location: Crown Street Mall, Wollongong.

Eye on the Horizon, Port Kembla

Installed at Hill 60 reserve at Port Kembla, ‘Eye on the Horizon‘ is an artwork by Braham Stevens. It was designed to look like a large-scale curved lens with its centre capturing what would be reflected in a soldier’s eye as they scanned the horizon for enemies. Funded by the Australian Government under the Saluting their Service Commemorative Grants Program, it was supported by Wollongong and Port Kembla / Dapto Local RSL sub-Branches and installed in 2021. It recognises the site as a military precinct and was designed to allow people to consider the site’s role in the Australian war effort during World War II.

Location: Hill 60 reserve, Port Kembla.

Sculptures in the Garden, Wollongong

Wollongong Botanic Garden hosts Sculpture in the Garden Wollongong every two years, with the next exhibition to be held from 1-30 April. However, that’s not to say you can’t explore sculptures in the gardens outside of that month. All previous winners become part of the city’s permanent public art collection and can be viewed at the gardens. Hosting its biggest exhibition yet in 2023, the winner was Illawarra artist Deborah Redwood with ‘Banksia‘, which is located at the Turpentine Lawn. The banksia was one of Deborah’s favourite wildflowers and, to create the sculpture, she used nails and some handy welding skills.

Location: Wollongong Botanic Garden, 40 Murphys Ave, Keiraville.

Kiama

Joyce Wheatley Community Centre Mural, Kiama

In July, renowned Illawarra-based artist Janne Birkner (aka Krimsone) was selected for the mural commission at the Joyce Wheatley Community Centre in Hindmarsh Park, central Kiama. Krimsone and artist Scott Nagy were selected to create murals as part of the Kiama Winter Festival. It depicts a child exploring imagination from the floor of their bedroom, adding a whimsical touch to the Joyce Wheatley Community Centre.

Location: 107 Terralong St, Kiama.

Art In Unseen Places, Kiama and Jamberoo

Kiama Council has taken a fresh approach to public art by creating the innovative and creative “art beyond the gallery” concept, putting art in places such as bin shelters across Kiama and Jamberoo. There are eight artworks installed on bin shelters throughout the two centres that are replaced with new works every three months. The latest artwork features works by artist, painter and designer Alexander Strong until March. Previous artists have included ocean photographer Brodie Whalan and artist, illustrator and art therapist Sally Conwell.

Location: Throughout Kiama and Jamberoo (you’ll need to go exploring).

Tides of Time Mural, Kiama

Jamberoo-based artist Claire Foxton was chosen in 2024 for the mural commission at the Old Ambulance Station on Terralong Street, Kiama. Part of the redevelopment of Hindmarsh Park, the ‘Tides of Time‘ mural pays homage to Kiama’s seaside identity and fishing history. Kiama fisherman, Hedley Brown, and his boat ‘Shirley Jean’ are featured, as well as shells that are a personal collection from Claire’s mother, collected near her home on Jones Beach. Take a closer look to view elements of Kiama’s maritime heritage.

Location: The Old Ambulance Station, Terralong St, Kiama.