News Street art dreaming: Yarram murals
Despite its location in verdant countryside, wedged between rainforest and dashing coastline, Yarram hasn’t hogged the headlines... but this relaxed town is fast gaining a reputation as a street art capital.
Surrounded by lush rainforests and green paddocks, Yarram is home to over 25 murals, painted by renowned street-and-silo artist Heesco Khosnaran. This remarkable art project took place over three years and was made possible by community involvement. Known as Heesco Town, these murals won the award for Best Street Art Trail in Australia in 2020 & 2021. These colourful artworks are well worth the drive from the city.
Yarram is located 2:40 hours’ drive from Melbourne. It can be accessed by heading south of the Princes Highway after passing Traralgon, or from the south, from Wilsons Prom and the South Gippsland coast.
Yarram murals
More than 25 large-scale murals now adorn Yarram’s laneways, shopfronts, historic buildings, and even a water tower, bringing bold splashes of colour and storytelling to this charming town.
The artistic revolution began during the Coronavirus pandemic, when world-renowned Mongolian street artist Heesco Khosnaran found himself locked down in Yarram. With time on his side, Heesco turned his creative energy to the town, completing the first ten murals in record time, creating what has since become known as Heesco Town.
Step into this open-air gallery and wander through the historic streets on a self-guided street art tour. Essential stops include the iconic shearer with his dog at MG Trading, Federal Coffee Palace, the Mechanics Institute and the water tower, featuring the 5 shields of the Gunaikurnai clans, acknowledging more than 60,000 years of unbroken connection to Country.
Bring your camera for some street photography, and marvel at the way this community project has shaped the town.
Each mural tells the rich and diverse stories of Yarram’s people and their enduring connection to the land. The murals don’t just decorate—they celebrate. They honour Vietnam War refugees who found a new life here, immortalise a world-famous opera singer who grew up in the region, and showcase the quiet determination of everyday Australians who shaped the town’s character.
Things to do nearby
- Enjoy fresh seafood or classic pub dishes at the Woodside Beach Hotel.
- Wander through sumptuous rainforest at Tarra Bulga National Park. No visit here is complete without crossing the stately Corrigan Suspension Bridge.
- Step back in time at the Port Albert Maritime Museum, where you can experience local seafaring history. The museum showcases the heritage of the town’s fishing fleets including relics, the legacy of Bass Coast lighthouses, and a curated shell collection.
- Visit Port Albert Fish and Chip Co, in pole position, located right on the waterfront. Freshness is guaranteed since the team catch their own fish from the surrounding waters.
- Cycle or walk along part of the Great Southern Rail Trail. Starting in Yarram next to the pump track, this recently extended rail trail is now the longest in Gippsland, finishing over 100km away in Nyora.
YOUR GETAWAY ITINERARY AWAITS
DAY 1
Drive to Yarram, starting with coffee and brunch at Café Aga or the Bean Pedlar. Stroll through town on a self-guided mural tour, poring over the 25+ murals by street artist Heesco. Each corner reveals another story, another face, another reminder that small towns often carry the biggest histories. Continue the cultural tour with a visit to the Yarram Courthouse Gallery for local art and heritage.
Dig into a pub lunch at the Victoria Hotel in Alberton – established in 1891, the hotel is a charming stalwart of the Alberton community. (Plus you’ll see another mural on the outside!) This small-town Aussie pub is every bit as warm and welcoming as you’d expect.
Next, visit Port Albert to explore the Maritime Museum and stroll along the wharf for dreamy coastal views. If you’ve got energy to burn, take the out-and-back Christopher Robinson Walk through manna gum woodlands and coastal tea tree, or simply take in the timeless maritime vibes from Rutter Park. Grab quintessential fish and chips from Port Albert Fish and Chip Co, right at the water’s edge.
Stay in Yarram.
DAY 2
Head north through the Strzelecki Ranges to Tarra Bulga National Park. Here you can walk along the glorious Corrigan Suspension Bridge, gazing out at the vibrant rainforest canopy. Wander among lush fern gullies and have morning tea in the deep shade of towering mountain ashes at one of the picnic spots.
Next, drive to Carrajung Estate for a long, indulgent lunch. This prestigious winery is well-known for menus that feature regional produce and wines made on the grounds. After an afternoon unwinding on the deck, head back to Yarram.
For dinner, try the Yarram Country Club for casual dining.
Stay in Yarram.
DAY 3
Venture east to explore Woodside Beach, which is part of the famous Ninety Mile Beach. This rugged stretch of coastline is ideal for a long walk. You can stop in at McLoughlins Beach for a spot of fishing if you’re up for it.
Return inland for a relaxed lunch at a café in Yarram, browse the stores for gifts and produce, and take the opportunity to revisit any of your favourite murals before heading back home.
TOWNS TO VISIT NEARBY
DISCOVER MORE GIPPSLAND WONDERS
The Gippsland region is home to some serious pinch-yourself wonders - from the dreamiest natural water hole to a monolith jutting from the ocean in the shape of a skull... A clifftop hike serving up front-row ocean drama, to one of the state’s last patches of cool rainforest... A latticework of butterscotch-hued caves to gorges seemingly built from tetris blocks.
Published on under: Arts, Culture & Heritage