10 Melbourne Murals You’ve Gotta See!

Where do you find Melbourne murals?

Immerse yourself in Melbourne’s graffiti culture and take a tour through Melbourne murals including Hoiser Lane, ACDC Lane, Duckboard Place, Strachan Lane or Rutledge Lane (the list goes on and on). Discovering murals by Melbourne artists is as easy as pie when wandering through the cities inner suburbs. Street and graffiti art can be found down alleyways, on the sides of buildings and inside restaurants and bars. Visitors and locals alike can sign up for tours or venture out on their own to explore the walls of creativity Melbourne has to offer. Visit Hoiser Lane, a dedicated space for street artists to paint, or stroll through ACDC Lane into Duckboard Place for some seriously colourful views. A less popular but just as impactful graffiti art Melbourne hotspot is Cockner Alley by Federation Square. Work by the internationally renowned street artist Banksy can also be found tucked away between the tight alleyway. Although, it has been the subject of plenty of vandalism. 

These alleyways are usually the first thing that comes to mind when asked about Melbourne street art. Long laneways filled with artwork more often inspired by traditional graffiti. But there’s more to Melbourne mural art than Hoiser Lane, although its history tells the story of Melbourne murals and incredible underground culture of street art.

Why is graffiti illegal?

The term graffiti used to go hand in hand with the word vandalism. Although, there is a large difference between mural or street art and thoughtless graffiti – also known as tagging. Graffiti art does belong in our communities, but it is understandable that unsuspecting business and home owners don’t want YOUR tag on their walls without permission. Artists can get in a lot of trouble for creating work on spaces they don’t have permission to. The purpose of allocated areas such as Hosier Lane is to provide a place of relief for Melbourne graffiti artists. In 2013, both alleyways were buffed black and the blank canvas was then painted upon by over 100 local spray paint artists. Artwork featuring Elton John, Heath Ledger and traditional graffiti caricatures have featured on the laneway walls since 2013.

Read more about ‘Why is Graffiti Illegal?’ on our blog.

What is the difference between mural art, street art and graffiti art?

The big question! At Book An Artist, we use the three words interchangeably as they all primarily feature on walls. But, there are some differences that you might find helpful when navigating Melbourne’s bustling city streets.

1. What is graffiti art?

The word ‘graffiti’ covers all wall markings that usually involve words, nicknames or phrases (written in a style associated with traditional graffiti). The word ‘art’ is added when these tags or large lettered pieces include imagery, that is when it begins to bleed into street art. Graffiti is often associated with being illegal and unwanted, but through the right avenues graffiti artists can paint their work legally in locations that allow it.

Graffiti has an unapologetic nature about it and usually graffiti artists in Melbourne don’t care much for opinions. They have something to say so they will find a way to say it!

2. What is street art?

Melbourne street art varies slightly to graffiti. Its definition is quite literally art that can be found on the street, it is also usually legal. Whilst a distinct style associated with the local graffiti and street art community remains, it is more common to see a street artist painting in plain sight.

Street artists more often than not began their artistic journey as graffiti artists and then take the steps to legitimise their artwork.

3. What is mural art?

The main difference Melbourne murals bring to the table is its process and its location. Murals are not confined to outdoor walls, they can be painted on any surface – including roofs, ceilings and floors. Mural artists are often commissioned to paint a specific design for a customer. The process of mural art involves making sure everyone involved has gone through the correct avenues. Is the wall owned? Does the artist have permission to paint the mural? Does the customer have a budget?

Working with a mural artist includes briefing the artist, creating and agreeing on designs, invoicing and scheduling paint days. The process allows all involved to know exactly what is taking place!

Why is graffiti and street art important in Melbourne?

Melbourne graffiti, street or mural art can tell a story. Plenty of community representatives, business owners, home owners and artists alike use art to tell Melbourne’s history or share parts of Melbourne’s culture. Artists from across the globe are occasionally invited to bring a touch of their style to the inner city streets of Melbourne. Areas containing mural art are also considered to be safer, more inviting spaces. They bring people together, support local artists and most importantly, make people happy.

Art is all around and we’d love to share with you some of the wicked walls you can find in Melbourne. From graffiti art to mural art, Melbourne has plenty!

Melbourne Murals You’ve Gotta See!

1. The Collingwood Housing Estate, Matthew Adnate

Matt Adnate painted the tallest mural in Australia in 2018. One of Adnate’s many scenic artist jobs, the building mural stands 20 storeys high in Collingwood, Melbourne. The mural features the faces of those who live within the public housing block. The artwork shares a glimpse of the community within the building. One of portraits painted on the building, Yulius Antares Taime, lives on the 20th floor of the flats. “For tenants, it’s not just a picture or art,” Taime said. “It means that everyone can think … ‘we all come to Melbourne and live together.’ It’s a community.”

 2. Hoiser Lane, Multiple Artists

Unfortunately, graffiti and street art isn’t always wanted, but Hoiser Lane is an outlet and a space where it is and furthermore, commissioned to be there! In 2013, both alleyways were buffed black and the blank canvas was then painted upon by over 100 local spray paint artists. Artwork featuring Elton John, Heath Ledger and traditional graffiti caricatures have featured on the laneway walls since 2013.

3. Meyers Place, Mike Makatron

Painted as part of the ‘Green Your Laneways’ project, Mike Makatron painted this stunning two story mural. This initiative aimed to “transform the city’s laneways into leafy, green and useable spaces for everyone to enjoy.” The Melbourne mural depicts a stunning array of flora and fauna, including an imposing Corpse Flower (Titan arum) and a Buddha’s Hand citrus fruit.

4. Name Unknown, Keith Haring

Throwback to 1984, famous mural and street artist Keith Haring took to the Melbourne streets and painted a mural for the community. The Johnston Street mural is one of 31 mural artworks by Keith Haring that are left worldwide and one of three that haven’t been overpainted or retouched.

 5. AC/DC Lane, Multiple Artists

Another one of Melbourne’s awesome graffiti and street art laneways is AC/DC Lane. Named after the famous rock band, AC/DC Lane was officially named in 2004. Melbourne’s Lord Mayor launched the laneway with the words: “As the song says, there is a highway to hell, but this is a laneway to heaven. Let us rock.”

6. The Celebration Dreaming, Robert Young

Yarra City Council received a grant through the Department of Justice and Regulation’s Graffiti Prevention Grants program to commission a Victorian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander artist to create a meaningful artwork in Fitzroy. The artworks aim was to focus on Aboriginal identity and culture in Fitzroy and highlight the history and significance of Gertrude Street, the building and the area for the Aboriginal community. Painting was completed by Robert Young alongside Heesco and Mike Makatron.

7. L’inconnue de la rue, Rone

‘Unknown girl in street’ or ‘L’inconnue de la rue’ is a seven storey high mural in the Melbourne CBD. Rone worked for seven days to complete the artwork which was commissioned by a business owner.

8. Grandparents, Smug

Glasgow-based mural artist took to Melbourne’s inner-city walls to create ‘Grandparents’. His artwork can be found across the globe and it is recognisable for his giant, photo-realistic style.

9. Sydney Road, Baxter

Through collaborations with the Manager of the Sydney Road Brunswick Association, Baxter prepared to take on the 30 x 5-metre beast. Such a large mural painting required plenty of dedication and determination. Baxter was hungry to produce a powerful and thought-provoking art piece worthy of the Melbourne mural scene.

Read more about ‘Baxter’s Brunswick Mural‘ on our blog.

10. Giant Storybook, Herakut

Hera and Akut (Herakut) paint their storybook project all around the world. The same characters can be seen in cities as far flung as Miami, Mannheim and Lexington. The quote accompanying this mural reads: “So she dreamt of running away with the monkeys. The most curious just tended to be the most courageous.”

Honourable Mentions

Not quite one of Melbourne murals, but close enough…

1. To The Unknown Mariner, Cam Scale – Geelong

Found in Geelong, Cam Scale’s 60ft mural is beloved as the most iconic wall art in Geelong. It can be found Eastern side of the former Port of Authority building.

2. Main Road Mural, Travis Price – Ballarat