Carnarvon Mural and Art trail

Don't Look at the Islands' This statue of a woman shielding her eyes, acknowledges the heartache and pain that the Lock Hospitals of Dorre and Bernier Island's hold.

The Lock Hospital's off the coast of Carnarvon were the site of brutal trauma inflicted on the Aboriginal population from across the State where they were forcibly placed on remote islands. 

Created by Smith Sculptors in 2019 on behalf of the Lock Hospital Group and the Shire of Carnarvon.

'Eclipse Sculpture' To celebrate the 2023 Solar Eclipse, local businesswomen, Margaret Seaton and Justine Campbell along with award-winning artist RAMUS created the concept for the Solar Eclipse Sculpture located on the Fascine Foreshore. 

The Eclipse Sculpture depicts the vermillion glow around the shadow of the moon during the time of totality in an eclipse. Installed in 2023.

Sponsored by the State Government of Western Australia.

'Pastoralism Town Clock' The Pastoralism Town Clock art pieces installation pays homage to a beloved town landmark, the town clock, which once stood proudly on the West side of the main roundabout. The much loved town clock was inaugurated by the Lions Club on 3 September 1967.  Now gone but not forgotten.  To celebrate the clock's 50th anniversary and answer the community's wishes, a contemporary interpretation was born. Drawing inspiration from the pastoral theme and the existing entry statement, this artwork features a windmill clock head mounted on a central pole.

Designed by Sabrina Guidice-Dowling and Anton Blume.

'Fascine Fishing' This light instalment adorns the Fascine Foreshore Park it is an intriguing abstract representation of a massive fishing rod, gracefully leaning over the water's edge. Suspended from it is a charming fish, perfect for selfies and discussions about the 'one that got away' – or not!

'GARLA - Welcome To Country embodies the spirit of welcome, drawing inspiration from the timeless tradition of gathering around a campfire. Throughout history and up to the present day, the Carnarvon community have cherished the practice of sitting together by the warm glow of a campfire, inviting newcomers to join in.

The artwork features a towering campfire structure composed of five fire sticks, symbolising the five recognised language groups within the Gascoyne region, with Carnarvon as its central hub which stands on Yinggarda country. The campfire concept is inclusive, respectful, and embodies a sense of warmth, friendliness, and enjoyment, making it a fitting representation of the community's welcoming spirit.

Designed Anton Blume, Ray Edney and Jimmy Poland, with Sabrina Dowling Giudici under the cultural authority and advisors of the Aboriginal Elders from Yinggarrda, Baiyungu, Malgana, Thalangi, Thudgarri Countries. Carnarvon, Western Australia.

'Radio Wave Bench Sculpture'

The unique Radio Wave Bench art sculpture explores the connection between two seemingly unrelated subjects: space science and telecommunications, it pays tribute to Carnarvon's space history. By delving into the underlying principles that govern both subjects, the artists arrived at a fascinating concept—radio waves. These invisible signals play a crucial role in tracking space crafts and celestial objects, such as Halley's Comet, as well as enabling telecommunications.

The sculpture takes the form of a bench, with each concrete panel featuring a wave signal pattern. These patterns not only shape each panel but also come together to form the overall composition.

Designed Anton Blume, Sabrina Dowling Giudici

The Horticultural Salute art piece pays tribute to Carnarvon's origins as a thriving settlement rooted in fertile soils along the Gascoyne River. Lieutenant George Grey, inspired by the rich earth, saw parallels with the Nile's fertility, and Carnarvon was born.

The artwork utilises concentric circles, symbolising both the river and the rows of crops. The Shire chooses from time to time to let the grass between the circles grow tall to represent crops or keep it trimmed.

A solitary figure on the limestone wall symbolises the decades of hard work that made Carnarvon a vital contributor to the State's food markets. Join this figure, take a seat, and capture a moment to celebrate Carnarvon's agricultural heritage.

'Armour' is located on the corner of Robinson Street and Babbage Island road. Created by Miranda Plum in 2022. Armour is the story of the Cicada coming out of the ground, shedding its armour and the ongoing cycle of life in replacing your armour.

'Smithy' The top fascia of 15 Robinson St is adorned by the exquisite "Smithy". A depiction of Charles Kingsford Smith mail run.  Created by Warayute Bannatee.

Charles 'Smithy' Kingsford Smith famed for his Mail Runs and long distance flight attempts which took his life in 1935.  After serving in the Royal Australia Air Force in World War 1 Smithy took to the skies in his plane Southern Cross.  By land and air he delivered mail in outback areas in Queensland and then in the Midwest Gascoyne regions of Western Australia. Queensland raised Smithy called Carnarvon home from 1922 to 1926. Ever the Entrepreneur he started Gascoyne transport Company which in later years became Gascoyne Trading. 

'Abundance' This mural depicts the abundance this region has on offer.  The mango tree represents gifts from the earth and the whale represents the gifts from the sea, with the roots of the tree signifying connection.

Created by Miranda Plum in 2021.

'Carnarvon' Created by Carol Clitheroe and Tich Dixon of Neverending Designs 2017.  A visual time capsule through the history of Carnarvon.  The principal mural that captures who, what, when and how Carnarvonites came to be. Carnarvon is located along on the Main Street, at 46 Robinson Street. 

'Airport Mural' Welcoming visitors to Carnarvon, this mural speaks to all of what Carnarvon has to offer. Installed at the Carnarvon Airport in 2022, this project was funding by Regional Arts WA 

'Connection to Country' An exceptionally stunning mural created by Sadie James and Antoinette Roe. Funded by FRP Capital and The Shire of Carnarvon, as a welcome statement into the Town Center. 

'Country Medicine'  Painted by Wrayute Bannatee.  A delightful piece that honours the medical fraternity from the past and showcases some landmark buildings down Robinson Street.

'Generations' Generations honours the cultural generations from the Dreaming to Modern Day.  Created by local Indigenous artists Leslie Lee, Patrick Lee, with assistance from Tristan and Stan for the Centenary celebrations in 2000. Installed at Carnarvon School of the Air.

‘Festival of Sports’ Russell Smith a former art teacher from the Carnarvon Senior High School painted this action packed mural on the wall of Premier Oval Pavillion.

‘The Secret Garden’ David and Jenny Shelton commissioned Markham Boston to create this beautiful mural on their building at Shelton’s Corner in 2010. Depicting a pathway through the old book shop into the secret garden at the rear of the building.

‘Harbourside’ the former owners of Mar E Sol, when the premises was the Harbourside Café commissioned Markham Boston to adorn the back wall of the café with this colourful embodiment of the Carnarvon Small Boat Harbour.  Honouring the visit of the replica of the Dutch ship the ‘Duyfken’, the fleet of Norwest Seafoods and other pleasure and fishing vessels at rest in the small boat harbour.  

‘Humpty Dumpty’ This giant sized Humpty doesn’t sit on a wall, in fact it is a water tank for a packing shed like none other.  Situated on North River Road, you can’t miss him.  Humpty was painted originally by Markham Boston, however in later years was given a revamp and his green pants were changed to red.  

‘Old Printers’ The old St Georges Parish Hall became the Gascoyne Printers and is now a private establishment and art gallery.  The facade of the building has been painted to represent the inside of the building during its printing hay day.  Take a stroll down Francis Street, you will find it just past to the historic Anglican church that is still worshipping today.

‘Lest We Forget’ Miranda Plum created these stunning works in honour of our service men and women, past and present.  Situated on the walls of the Pilbara Regiment Barracks on Robinson Street, between IGA and the big banana.

‘Camel Train and the Old Jetty’ This dual sided scene was created by Markham Boston in 2002. Sponsored by the Shire of Carnarvon and the Gascoyne Arts Council they adorn the front fascia Visitors Centre and Civic Centre Entrance. The two scenes are historical representations of life in Carnarvon in the late 1800’s to mid 1900’s.