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Tag: Street Art

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Chalk the Walk Newcastle 2023

Giant spider on Hunter Street. 3D chalk drawing Chalk the Walk Newcastle 2023

Chalk the Walk Newcastle 2023

The annual chalk drawing festival Chalk the Walk Newcastle 2023 ran from late September to early October 2023. This year’s theme, All Creatures Great and Small was reflected in the drawings, which ranged from whales to spiders.

As a bonus, Jenny McCracken’s whales located outside Harry’s Cafe de Wheels on Market Street lawn will be a permanent 3D pavement mural. Although the other murals had some protection added to protect them from the rain, this was only temporary and they have now been removed.

Octopus breaking through pavement 3D chalk drawing Chalk the Walk Newcastle 2023
Octopus breaking through pavement
Dog and skateboard in Civic Park
Dog and skateboard in Civic Park
Giant spider on Hunter Street. 3D chalk drawing Chalk the Walk Newcastle 2023
Giant spider on Hunter Street.
Whales and birds
Whales and birds on Market Street lawn
3D chalk drawing Chalk the Walk Newcastle 2023
Animals in front of the Newcastle Information Centre
Frog Pond on Hunter Street
Frog Pond on Hunter Street

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

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Stockton Bridge Newcastle Australia

Stockton Bridge title

Stockton Bridge Newcastle Australia

Spanning the North Channel of the Hunter River, the Stockton Bridge connects the Tomaree and Tillegerry Peninsulas with Newcastle, Australia. Replacing an earlier vehicle ferry from Stockton to Newcastle (the passenger ferry still runs), it has significantly improved vehicle flow. When opened in 1971, it was the longest bridge (at 1,024m) to have been built by the Department of Main Roads and the second longest bridge in New South Wales after the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

We have driven over the bridge many times and always assumed the central barricades were to separate traffic and prevent cars crossing into oncoming lanes. Having wondered how pedestrians crossed, because there are no footpaths on the outside edge, we did some research. It turns out that the bridge design incorporates a central footpath which you access from underneath the bridge.

Getting There

To have a look for ourselves, we parked near the boat ramp and walked across. Located where the bridge meets the ground, the stairs are easy to find. From here it’s a short climb to the bridge surface. While walking across, you are only separated from the traffic by a metal barricade. Although this is sturdy, it can feel unsafe at times as the cars and trucks drive past.

It was a cold clear morning when we walked across, so the views back over Stockton and Newcastle were beautiful. However, as you are in the centre of the bridge taking good photos is difficult because the bridge gets in the way.

Returning to our car, we found some artwork on the concrete uprights near the road. Sponsored by the NSW Government and local Rotary Club, they were a nice colourful surprise.

Stockton Bridge
Stockton Bridge
Access steps to the walkway
Access steps to the walkway
Access Steps
Access Steps
Walkway on the bridge
Walkway on the bridge
Stockton Bridge Newcastle Australia pedestrian walkway
Bridge pedestrian walkway
View from the top of the Stockton Bridge Newcastle Australia towards Newcastle
View from the top of the bridge towards Newcastle
Street Art on the bridge structure
Street Art on the bridge structure
Spectacular Blue Wren artwork
Spectacular Blue Wren artwork
Female Spectacular Blue Wren artwork
Female Spectacular Blue Wren artwork
Male Spectacular Blue Wren artwork
Male Spectacular Blue Wren artwork

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To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

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Maitland Street Art

Wish You Were Here by Hunter Studios at Elgin Street Maitland Street Art

Maitland Street Art

Maitland Australia in the New South Wales Hunter Valley has been adding to its collection of street art. The Maitland City Council has been active in promoting the placement of the artworks to brighten up some otherwise dull laneways and side streets. If you arrive by train the first artwork you see is the Welcome to Maitland sign opposite the train station.

Maitland Sign
Maitland Sign near the train station

Connecting High Street to The Levee and Hunter River

Located in lanes connecting the mall to the Levee, many of the works have a connectivity or flowing theme. Covering both sides of Preschool Lane,’ Passing On’ by Patrick Hunter represents the impact of humans on the environment.

Painted by Alex Umpel, ‘Take Me to the River’ located in Drill Hall Lane highlights Maitland’s unique relationship with the Hunter River and acts as a direct link between High Street and the riverside walk.

Created by Patricia Van Lubeck, ‘The New One’ is one of the original artworks installed between High street and the Levee.

Passing On in Pre-school Lane by Alex Hunter
Passing On in Preschool Lane by Alex Hunter
Take Me To The River in Drill Hall Lane by Alex Umpel Maitland Street Art
Take Me To The River in Drill Hall Lane by Alex Umpel
Take Me To The River in Drill Hall Lane by Alex Umpel
Take Me To The River in Drill Hall Lane by Alex Umpel
Street Art at the Levee
‘The New One’ at the Levee

Stillbury Lane

Duck Mural in Stillbury Lane
Duck Mural in Stillbury Lane
Frog Mural in Stillbury Lane Maitland Street Art
Frog Mural in Stillbury Lane
Mural in Stillbury Lane Maitland Street Art
Mural in Stillbury Lane
Shark mural in Stillbury Lane
Shark mural in Stillbury Lane
Dog mural in Stillbury Lane Maitland Street Art
Dog mural in Stillbury Lane
Triceratops in Stillbury Lane
Triceratops in Stillbury Lane

Other Street Art Around Maitland

Maitland’s history gets represented several times in Lee and Elgin Streets. Painted by Patricia Van Lubeck the Lee Street mural looks like a circuit board but actually represents the pipes and fittings of the gas works that previously occupied a nearby site.

Inspired by local scenery in Maitland and featuring a South Maitland Railway 10 Class Steam Engine hauling coal the mural located on the side of Hunter Studios at Elgin Street, the second mural was curated by Newcastle artist Mitch Revs.

Flow by Art Studio Amsterdam in Lee St Maitland Street Art
Flow by Art Studio Amsterdam in Lee St
Wish You Were Here by Hunter Studios at Elgin Street Maitland Street Art
Wish You Were Here by Hunter Studios at Elgin Street

The annual Maitland Aroma Festival which celebrates coffee and chocolate, along with local wine and many other types of local produce has its own mural. This mural can be found in the Riverside Carpark.

Jenny & June by Keo Match for the Maitland Aroma Festival. In the Maitland Riverside Carpark
Jenny & June by Keo Match for the Maitland Aroma Festival. In the Maitland Riverside Carpark

Maitland Riverside Plaza

Located in the underground carpark, these murals represent local birdlife.

Rosella Maitland Riverside Plaza Carpark Maitland Street Art
Rosella Maitland Riverside Plaza Carpark
Rosella Maitland Riverside Plaza Carpark
Rosella Maitland Riverside Plaza Carpark
Kookaburra Maitland Riverside Plaza Carpark
Kookaburra Maitland Riverside Plaza Carpark

Probably the original and most famous example of Maitland’s street art is the Indian Root Pill tin shed. Located on the road to Morpeth, it’s a local landmark because its distinctive colour stands out in the surrounding farmland.

Painted Shed
Painted Shed Indian Root Pills on the Way to Morpeth

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To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.