How about a road trip with a twist? As the Silo art craze spreads across rural South Australia we say YES please to exploring new places in our backyard with colourful art that has popped up over the year on silos across SA.
What I think is really awesome is these towns want YOU to visit them and that is why they have invested in such a great feature all for US to explore.
Say hello to South Australia’s LARGEST outdoor Art Galleries… the kids will love it… go selfie mad… and how many can you see in a year??!

If you love these silos, you will also love the Water Tower Mural Trail on Southern Yorke Peninsula.

Wallaroo Silo aka The one with the soundtrack

Where? Lydia Terrace, Wallaroo
Artist? Illuminart
Quirky facts – You can download a live stream audio to listen to while you’re watching the show. 
Background – The Wallaroo Silo Light Show plays just after sunset to showcase South Australia’s Copper Coast – celebrating their unique history, events and local artists. Best viewing is from the Wallaroo Jetty.

Coonalpyn Silos “aka The one with the kids on it”

Where? Dukes Highway, Coonalpyn, Limestone Coast, South Australia
Artist? Guido van Helten 
Quirky facts – Guido used a 35m cherry picker, 200 cans of spray paint and a lot of normal paint!
Background – Guido spent the first week engaging with and photographing members of the community before deciding to paint five Coonalpyn Primary School children on the Viterra silos with the intention to represent Coonalpyn’s ‘hope for the future’. The children are nine-year-old Ciara, six-year-old Blake, five-year-old Reef, six-year-old Kiarah and five-year-old Macey.

The Kimba Silos aka “The pretty one”

Where?  Kimba, South Australia
Artist? Cam Scale
Quirky facts ….the first to be permanently lit up in South Australia and the second in Australia.
Powered by solar, the lights will come on at 6.30pm each evening in the winter months and the amount time they stay on will be determined by the sunlight received through the day
Background – The community raised $60,000 to supplement a $40,000 grant to fund the $100,000 outdoor art project in the grain-growing community.
The community hopes it would bring visitors to the town 500km west of Adelaide.

Waikerie Silos aka “The Colourful One”

Where? Ian Oliver Drive, Waikerie, South Australia
Artists? Jimmy D’Vate and Garry Duncan. An Australian first ( to the best of our knowledge to feature two artists to work on a Silo)
Quirky Facts –The dramatic cliffs of Waikerie have long been popular with houseboaters and other tourists and Riverland and house boaters are able to enjoy the artwork when they are on the river. The silos showcase artworks on both sides, which can be seen from within the town and the River Murray. 
Background – The Waikerie Silos Art Mural project aims to create a stunning local attraction that reflects the theme “Healthy River, Healthy Community”

image credit @annmariehicksphotography (IG)

Eudana Silos aka “The Books”

Where?South Terrace, Eudunda, South Australia
Artists? Sam Brooks
Quirky Facts – The silo tells a story about two children, sharing stories about their past and their culture. Famous local author, Colin Thiele, wrote Sun on the Stubble as he reflected about this area which is why the book features in the artwork.
Background – The silo art was commissioned to create an “Identity” for Eudunda and to inspire, challenge and stimulate local tourism

image credit @sambrooksartist (IG)

Lameroo Silos aka “the breathtaking one”

Where? Main Road, Lameroo, South Australia
Artists? Sam “Smug” Bates
Quirky Facts –The eastern silo was painted by Sam ‘Smug’ Bates in just three weeks as part of the Lameroo Silo Art Project, which has been three years in the making
Background –The design pays tribute to the region’s farming history and the Mallee farmer’s spirit and determination.

We grabbed this shot while it was mid-progess! Check out the Facebook page for the finished result! It’s also just down the road from the Lameroo Town Centre Playground. 

Tumby Silo Art “aka the fun one “

Where? 292 Bratten Rd, Tumby Bay, South Australia
Artist? Martin Ron
Quirky Facts – The mural was inspired by a photograph snapped in 2014 by local photographer Robert Lang who captured two boys jetty jumping – a popular summertime activity. It took 430 litres of paint and 400 hours of work . This particular silo was harder to complete than others as it runs horizontal, rather than vertical.
Background – The silo mural is just one of the rejuvenation projects led by the progress association in the past 12 months to boost the town’s profile. The feedback from residents is they needed to give the town a difference, something to give us that extra hook to make Tumby Bay a preferred holiday destination.. cue awesome SILO!!!

Wirrabarra Silos aka “The one with the red bird”

Where? Forest Rd, Wirrabara, South Australia
Artist? Sam Bates
Quirky Facts – This was the first silo project for the artist and wow what a great finish! The silpo also features painted Tumby Bay resident Dion Lebrun
Background – The artist intention was to create the beauty of the town and Australian nature in the project

Cowell Silo “The Camel”

Where? Cowell, South Australia – Wikipedia
Cowell is a coastal town on Franklin Harbor on the eastern side of the Eyre Peninsula . It is approx 400 km from Adelaide.
Artists? Austin, founder of “Nitsua”
Quirky Facts – In 8 days of painting – it was 30% completed
Background –  A tribute to local legend Lionel Deer, an 86 year old local who has been a rich part of Cowell’s history, with his camels well known for mustering sheep and appearances in the towns Christmas Pageant

Karoonda Silos aka “The One that Lights Up”

Where? 45 Karoonda Hwy, Karoonda
Artists? Heesco
Quirky Facts – It took Heesco approximately 38 days to paint.
Background –  A tribute to the heritage of farming in Karoonda and by night it lights up with the ‘Colour Up Karoonda’ cinema show.

image credit @cindyrookevisualartist (IG)

Quorn Silo aka “The Other One that Lights Up”

Where? Railway Terrace, Quorn, South Australia
Artists? Illuminart
Quirky Facts – Tune into 87.6FM to hear the story sound
Background –  From sunset each night, the Quorn Silo Light Show is exhibiting stunning photographs and artwork contributed by community members of the Flinders Ranges Council District. 

image credit @mccracker_of_a_trip (IG)

Bute Silo aka “the one with the bike”

Where? 18 Martin Road, Bute, South Australia
Artists? Jane Birkner & Scott Nagy
Quirky Facts – This silo art project was 10 years in the making from inception to completion
Background – The highest priorities in the community from their survey were lots of colour and elements of local agriculture, flora, and fauna.

 

You might also be interested in

  • Sure, TLC said "Don't go chasin' waterfalls"... but we doubt they ever saw any of the waterfalls we have here in Adelaide - some only a short drive from the city and a bunch that are perfect for visiting with kids. If you are looking for a free family outing in Winter or Spring, why not take a drive and go exploring our beautiful waterfalls? Kids are mad for them (there is something a bit magical about them!), we all know how good nature is, plus most waterfalls are found at the end of a walking trail, so you'll be getting in a bit of exercise too! So check out the below Adelaide waterfall spots, load the kids into the car and make a day of it - best experienced after a bit of rain, so plan your trip accordingly! Looking for a family-friendly walk that DOESN'T involve a waterfall? Check out our Kid Friendly Bush Walks here. Don't forget to tag Kids In Adelaide in your photos...

  • Hiking with kids can be a bit hit & miss, can't it? Will you take a wrong turn & end up miles away from where the car is parked? Will your toddler find a stick that they INSIST on carrying the whole way? Will that "short stroll" turn into a 9 hour epic adventure? Will your teenager complain the entire time that their legs are hurting? (Yes.) We've done the kms for you & walked ahead to find the best family friendly bushwalks & hikes around Adelaide. We're betting there are some in this list you have never even heard of! Pack the snacks, slap on the suncream & get hiking, families of Adelaide! Check out Walking SA or Parks SA if you want to find some more walks that we haven't listed above, or tell us what your faves are so we can try them out!

  • Ahhh summer in South Australia. The perfect time to pack up the car & head to one of our many beautiful beaches, lakes or springs for a swim. We have dived in (see what I did there?) to find the best spots to cool off. No matter the age or swimming level of your kids there is sure to be somewhere in the list below that is perfect for your family. There are beaches that are perfect for boogie boards, rockpools to discover our marine life, secret natural plunge pools, lagoons, jetty enclosures & more. Some are our metro Adelaide beaches, some are in regional SA & some are very well kept secrets! Tag us in your photos of these watery havens - also don't forget to slip, slop, slap, check water levels & currents before entering the water & ALWAYS supervise kids around water.