Public Art in Mareeba Shire

Mareeba Shire is home to a large number of public artworks, reaching every corner of the region.

Some works have been commissioned by Council, whilst others have been installed by local community groups and organisations.

The artworks showcase the distinct character of each township and contribute to the cultural vibrancy of the Shire.

Exploring the Mareeba Shire by visiting the many public artworks throughout the region is sure to surprise and delight.  Here is a selection of artworks on display.

Earth and Fire

Sara Dragotto, 2022

Tom Mahon Park, Glendon Street, Biboohra

Painted on water tanks located in Tom Mahon Park, Earth and Fire depicts the regions seasonal contrasts and provides a reminder about the risks of bushfire in the dry season.

Wheelbarrow Man – Mareeba and Chillagoe

Darryl Ely, 2005 (Mareeba) and 2007 (Chillagoe)

Chillagoe Town Hall, Queen Street, Chillagoe / Corner Vaughan & Byrnes Street, Mareeba

Marking the start and end of the Great Wheelbarrow Race, the Wheelbarrow Man commemorates the pioneering families that travelled around the region using a wheelbarrow to carry their possessions.

Chillagoe Town Hall Mural

Lavinia Letheby, 2023

Chillagoe Town Hall, Queen Street, Chillagoe

Inspired by Chillagoe’s rich cultural heritage and unique environment, the mural features the limestone karst and caves and references the region’s tin mining heritage and the ongoing importance of the cattle industry.

Arnold Park Skate Bowl

Daniel Wallwork, 2023

Arnold Park, Walsh Street, Mareeba

Designed and implemented in conjunction with local youth, the vibrant mural is based on the central themes of sunshine and waterways and features a skating rock wallaby and references to contemporary youth culture.

Stannary Tales

Amanda Feher, 2025

Corner Herberton-Petford Road & Jessie Street, Irvinebank

Stannary Tales references the strong mining heritage of the Irvinebank area and features a life-size miner panning for alluvial tin against the industrial backdrop of a mining smelter.

Speewah Valley

Annie Fitzpatrick, 2021

Roscommon Park, Speewah Road, Speewah

Inspired by the panoramic view of the Speewah Valley that is visible from Stoney Creek Road, the artwork features horse and cattle grazing in paddocks, a large goanna climbing a tree and the heavily forested ranges in the background.

Geraghty Park Hall Mural

Lavinia Letheby, 2025

Geraghty Park Hall, Geraghty Park Road, Julatten

Creating a colourful entrance to the Julatten Edna Head Library, the mural showcases the birds and animals of Julatten and included the restoration of an existing mural (by Diana Abiad, 1999) that depicts local amateur journalist Peter Justice.

Sharing of Resources

Zane Saunders, Lynette Snider, Coralie Wason, Kim Prentice, Terry Eager, Mollie Bosworth, Sarah Austin, 2003 approx.

Coondoo Street, Kuranda

The five mosaic circles represent the sharing of resources amongst the Indigenous communities of Kuranda, Koah, Mantaka, Kowrowa and Mona Mona that are linked by the Barron River.

Kuranda Decorative Iron Work

Hans Pehl, 1998 – 2009 approx

Kuranda Centenary Park, Rob Veivers Drive /Coondoo Street, Kuranda

Comprising more than 100 decorative handrails, signposts, seating, bins and bollards featuring rainforest animals and plants, these metal artworks make a significant contribution to the rainforest village atmosphere and reflect Kuranda’s strong arts heritage.

Crossroads

Peter (Potter) Thompson & Kim Nelson, 2003

Corner Coondoo Street and Thongon Street Kuranda

These bright, ceramic tiled bollards form landmarks marking the shared experience and importance of the Barron River and Barron Falls Hydroelectric Station which are integral to the region.

Bulmba Maminga (Love and Care for the Country)

Zane Saunders, 2016

Kuranda Visitor Information Centre, Coondoo Street, Kuranda

Drawing on the laws and customs of the First Nations People of Kuranda, the mural conveys a message of the importance of caring for country and strong link between the rainforest rivers and creeks and adjacent reef and the impact of marine debris.

Kuranda Skate Bowl Mural

Jak Lilley, 2024

Kuranda Amphitheatre Access Road

Abstracted representations of vegetation maps and textures sourced from local eucalypt species serve as a background for this vibrant mural that also features constellations visible from the site and typography typical of 1980’s skateboarding logos.

Bulmba Ngirrma

Connie Rovina, 2023

Kuranda Visitor Information Centre, Coondoo Street, Kuranda

Inspired by the local natural environment, the vibrant mural depicts the animals of the land, river and sky and provides an opportunity to share the traditional language of the Djabugay People.

Mareeba Airport Passenger Terminal Murals

  • Traditional Seasons and Migratory Birds, Ann-Marie Keating, 2020
  • B-17 Flying Fortress and Boomerangs, Tom Cosic, 2020
  • Welcome to Mareeba Airport, Daniel Wallwork, 2022

This series of three murals welcome visitors to the Mareeba Airport by showcasing the aviation heritage of the site and sharing the local First Nations story of how migratory birds bring with them the change between seasons.

Bar-Barrum Country Story

Deon Wason, 2020

Dimbulah Memorial Park, Glynn Street, Dimbulah

 The mural provides a connection to the First Nations People of the Dimbulah region by representing significant elements of Bar-Barrum law of the land and culture, including the frill neck lizard.

Bicentennial Lakes Mural

Violet Shaban, 2024

Bicentennial Lakes, Mason Street, Mareeba

A colourful Gouldian finch takes flight against a backdrop of flowering wattle, whilst a rainbow lorikeet rests on a grevillea branch, in this dramatic artwork which features species found in the region.

Mt Molloy Memorial Mural

Sara Dragotto, 2023

Mt Molloy Memorial Hall, Main Street, Mt Molloy

Featuring the silhouette of a digger and red poppies with names of soldiers from the Mt Molloy region who lost their lives in war, the artwork creates an “avenue of remembrance” for people visiting the cenotaph memorial located behind the hall.

Mareeba Library Mural

Tom Cosic, 2021

Mareeba Library, Anzac Avenue, Mareeba

Set against the backdrop of a misty Mareeba landscape, the Mareeba Library mural promotes the values of connectedness, inclusivity and literacy and depicts changes in library services over time.

Mutchilba Community Hall Mural

Lavinia Letheby, 2024

Mutchilba Community Hall, Musumeci Street, Mutchilba

The Mutchilba mural showcases the agricultural industry of Mutchilba and features commonly grown fruit including grapes, lychees, mangoes and citrus and references the Mareeba Dimbulah irrigation scheme which is integral to the history of the region.