During 2020, the Newcastle City Council, organised the Big Picture Festival that added 12 beautiful artworks to the cities’ buildings. They are all within easy walking distance of each other, and a Council map make them easy to find.
We walked around the streets to look at the murals, often crossing to the other side of the road to get a better perspective.
Map of Newcastle Street Art
Civic Lane Facing Museum Park
Civic Lane Facing Museum Park by Fintan Magee
2. Civic Theatre Facing NUSpace
Civic Theatre Facing NUSpace by Bronte Naylor
3. Rear of University House Facing NuSpace
Rear of University House Facing NuSpace by Inari
4. Corner of Union and King, Besties Car Park
Corner of Union and King, Besties Car Park by Vans the Omega
5. 158 King St Just Down From Popolo
158 King St Just Down From Popolo by Ellie Hannon
6. Evolve Housing Corridor in Museum Park
Evolve Housing Corridor in Museum Park
7. Foghorn Brewery
Foghorn Brewery by Olas One
8. Corner of Union and King
Corner of King and Union by Jordan Lucky
9. Evolve Housing Corridor in Museum Park
Evolve Housing Corridor in Museum Park by Sophia Flegg
10. 148 King St Facing Brown St
148 King St Just Down From Popolo by Jasmin Craciun
11. Evolve Housing Corridor in Museum Park
Evolve Housing Corridor in Museum Park by Tom Henderson
Situated on the Hunter River approximately 166 kilometres by road north of Sydney and 35 kilometres north-west of Newcastle, Maitland is a city in the Lower Hunter Valley of New South Wales. Located on the New England Highway, it is easy to get to and its heritage and proximity to the Hunter Valley vineyards makes it worth visiting.
The Levee
Running parallel to the Hunter River and encircled by Ken Tubman Drive, The Levee is a hive of activity. It offers a range of entertainment and dining options, a blend of small business and national retail stores. Professional services such as banks, solicitors and accountants are also located here.
The Levee on a Foggy Morning
Street Art at the Levee
Buildings
The city has several historic buildings, and many others with interesting architecture, making them worth searching out. Several excellent walks can be found here, downloadable as PDFs.
Maitland Railway Station
The railway reached Maitland in 1858, having reached East Maitland in 1957. This resulted in the building of the current Italianate style building being built in the 1880s.
This building can be viewed from the carpark, or for a different perspective, climb the pedestrian overpass. This allows you to see it from above, where you can see the top of the building more clearly.
Railway Station
Maitland Post Office
Constructed in 1881 and designed by the Colonial Architect James Barnet, the Maitland post office is an example of Victorian Italianate design of stucco on brick. This is characteristic of Barnet’s work, making it a fantastic attraction in the centre of the city.
Maitland Post Office
Clock Tower at the Maitland Post Office
Maitland Post Office
Old Bank of Australasia Building
Built in 1869 and opened on 1st January 1870, this was the third bank constructed in High Street. The design of this building is one of the few colonial examples of Byzantine architecture and is significant for the skilful use of the curve and upper floor verandah. Although substantially altered, it still exhibits many original features making it significant.
Old ANZ Bank Building
St. Mary’s Church
Opened in 1867, St. Mary’s Church has a magnificent stone spire which is a landmark in the town and surrounding area. The building is a fine example of High Victorian Style Gothic architecture. Designed by the celebrated architect Edmund Blackett the building has excellent stone tracery windows and detailing, exhibiting craftsmanship of the highest order.
St Mary’s Anglican Church
Old Synagogue
Ceasing as a place of worship in 1898 the old Synagogue was the first of its kind in Australia. Designed by renowned local architect, John W. Pender it is a simple Victorian Romanesque building. Constructed in 1879 it subsequently served as a co-educational school until 1928, a meeting hall and is now, after restoration, used as a Credit Union office and shopfront.
Former Synagogue
Heritage Mall
Constructed as a Bicentennial Project in 1988 The Heritage Mall in the main commercial centre of Maitland contains many building styles. Best viewed by walking down the centre of the Mall, the history of many buildings can be viewed on their upper floors above the awnings
Johnston’s Boot Store Facade
Old Building Facades
Courthouse
Designed during the transition of Victorian and Federation periods, the Maitland Courthouse is an outstanding building. Designed by Walter Liberty Vernon and built in 1895-96, it is Federation Free Classical in style and detailing, using typical Federation materials such as face red brick with contrasting sandstone trim.
Maitland Courthouse
Street by the Court House
Steamfest
Established in 1986, Steamfest pays homage to an industrial steam era and the men and women involved in its operation.
The heart and soul of Steamfest is its impressive assembly of steam trains. While there you can take a ride on one of the many unique train trips visiting various Hunter destinations or simply wander around and enjoy the displays.
Read our full story and see our pictures of Steamfest here.
For an enjoyable few hours you can wander around the Hunter Valley town of Kurri Kurri and enjoy the over forty murals that have been painted on the town’s buildings.
We did the walk early on a Sunday morning, when there were few other people around. The tourist information and coffee shop were open though, so we did get our morning fix. Parking was easy in the main street and most of the murals are available either on, or just off Lang Street.
By following the local tourist map, we did not miss any in the town centre.
Kurri Kurri Buildings
The walk was very easy and on the trip, you get to see some of Kurri’s other interesting sites. There are two hotels on the main Lang Street, the Kurri Kurri Hotel and the Chelmsford. The Chelmsford looks like it needs some attention, but the Kurri Kurri looks very nice.
Kurri Kurri Hotel Chelmsford Hotel
On our walk around we ran across the Masonic Temple.
Masonic Temple Kurri Kurri
Kurri Kurri Rotary Park
In the centre of town, you will find the Rotary Park. This contains the Big Kookaburra, the Miner’s Memorial and the War Memorial. The miner’s memorial commemorates all miners killed in the local coal mining industry. There is also a commemoration of the miners at Hill 60 near Ypres in World War One. We have visited this in our recent European trip and it was great to see this in the miner’s home town.
Rotary Park The Big Kookaburra Miner’s Memorial in Rotary Park Coal Mines Memorial Hill 60 Memorial
Kurri Kurri Murals
And of course the street murals, which were the main reason we came here. Click on the thumb nails for a full size view.
Toilet Block MuralANZACFire BrigadeStreet MuralStreet MuralGalloway’sStreet MuralWerakataThe MinerThe Ashes 2002Street MuralCamp FireStreet MuralMural in the Kurri Kurri SchoolMural in the Kurri Kurri SchoolThe BullockyMaypoleStreet MuralSewingBack BurnersSteam TrainDrive-InRothbury RiotThe KookaburrasStreet MuralStreet MuralKoori ArtTime TunnelCar 54 Kurri Kurri MuralMural in the Kurri Kurri SchoolThe BachelorSchool YardWorking UndergroundMural in the Kurri Kurri SchoolMural in the Kurri Kurri SchoolStairway to NowhereStreet ArtGarageMilk BarPipe BandRadioBlacksmiths
To see what else there is to do in the Hunter Valley, please see some of our other stories.
