If you’ve done any travelling overseas — or taken a casual stroll through the back lanes of Melbourne — you might have noticed a culture of street art and murals that simply leave you in awe. Not one to be far behind, the Gold Coast has been creating urban-based pieces of art at an impressive pace for the last several years, further confirming our slow burn and steady rise as a hub of culture in the land down under.

You may pass by these pieces without noticing them, or worse, not even know of their existence. And for the sake of the hard work and talent that has gone into them, we think that would be an utter travesty. And as our art scene is only going in one direction (up), we thought it fitting to give you the lowdown on the city’s most notable and impressive pieces of outside/mural art! (listed from north to south).

Water Walls Project — Hope Island
As part of an installation for the Commonwealth Games, Creative Road commissioned local favourite Kiel Tillman (and others) to create some street art on bare spots across the Coast as a legacy to the games, with exceptional results. This piece is an impressive bird painted on the side of an unassuming little building facing the road — therefore, it’s unlikely you’ll miss it.
Where: Oxenford Southport Road & Pendraat Parade, Hope Island

Abbott Park, Parkwood
The Gold Coast City Council commissioned local artist Fiona Hutchinson-Mackenzie to create a community art mural in Abbott Park. Unfortunately, the drive behind it was mostly to deter vandalism. However, good things can come from bad. The beautiful, brightly coloured piece depicts the Surfers Paradise skyline and a little basketball action to boot.
Where: Abbott Park, Parkwood

Golden Walls — Ichiban Lane + Davison Lane Southport
You may have ventured past these dreamlike alleys in the Southport CBD and wondered how on earth it’s possible to paint something so good. Well, get this, some of the work was completed in one day and completely improvised — yes, you read that correctly. The artists behind the alley art are world-renowned Brisbane artist SOFLES and Lachlan Hansen – an artist of 40/40 Creative on the Coast. If you’re in the area, we say treat your eyeballs to some clever artwork hinged on depicting Asian cultures within the community.
Where: Off Scarborough Street, and Davison Lane, Southport

HOTA, Bundall
Created by Melbourne-based artist Mike Makatron, the pieces were commissioned to brighten up the cultural precinct, and what a great job he did of it! When you go to check out the newly opened Gallery — as if that isn’t enough — be sure to seek out these two outbuildings. They are a feast for the eyes with so many colourful aspects that you can expect to lose some serious time gazing up at them.
Where: HOTA, 135 Bundall Road, Bundall

Mexicali, Nobby Beach
No doubt you’ve spied this pretty piece on your travels to Nobby Beach on a margarita fuelled odyssey of fun. Designed and painted by local legend Luke Day, the colourful creation has quickly become a favourite Instagram opportunity for, well, pretty much everyone with a phone. In enchanting hues of pink and blue, it’s so Gold Coast, it hurts!
Where:1/2223 Gold Coast Highway, Nobby Beach

AWOL Brewery, Burleigh Heads
The innovative crew behind Black Hops are right back at it again with their sister project, AWOL Brewery. With inventive work taking place inside, there was a call to ensure their space looked the goods inside and out. Kiel Tillman was naturally brought in to create some funky and unprecedented illustrative work — be sure to check it out, and don’t forget to grab a beer!
Where: AWOL, 4 Hibiscus Haven, Burleigh Heads

Tugun Fruit Market, Tugun
Does this man ever stop? He’s created countless cool projects over the years, but this one we feel is the jewel in the crown of Kiel Tillman’s talents. The Welcome to the Gold Coast mural painted onto the side of Tugun Super Market is nearly impossible to miss, and for those who have just touched down in the sunshine state: what an entrance!
Where: 499 Gold Coast Highway, Tugun

Southern Cross University, Bilinga
Involving over 50 litres of paint and taking over a month to create this incredible ten storey high artwork is quite an artistic achievement. Created by Guido van Helten, a Brisbane-raised artist, the piece depicts an ultra-realistic-looking man and a woman looking back toward the campus. Taking it in makes you wonder how somebody could paint something so realistic, while at the same time not being able to see the bigger picture (literally).
Where: Gold Coast Airport, Terminal Drive, Bilinga

The Pink Hotel, Coolangatta
The bracing sight of The Pink Hotel in Coolangatta is a somewhat (welcome) sensory overload by anyone’s standard. Like many, we were excited when the dilapidated corner building was given an entirely new lease of life nearly three years back. Part of that is the ever-changing mural wall on the north-facing side closet to the beach. The artwork has recently undergone a new design in conjunction with Stone & Wood and artist Jamie Peters (AKA @poongoat) – but keep your eyes peeled because it won’t take too long for it to change again!
Where:  171 Griffith Street, Coolangatta

Words by Alex Mitcheson.

The Gold Coast’s local art scene has blossomed exponentially in the last few years. Galleries, installations and murals have popped up all over the Coast and local artists are making themselves known both here and on the national scene.

If you’re looking for a unique way to spend a day on the Gold Coast, we’ve got just the answer. Here’s a list of local galleries to help you get your art fix.

Wayne Sorrenson Gallery
World-renowned landscape photographer Wayne Sorrenson opened his very own gallery in Miami in 2020 so we, the lucky Gold Coasters get to peruse his breathtaking art anytime we like. Within the gallery, there’s a huge selection of framed artwork to purchase, as well as a range of gift ideas including acrylic blocks, greeting cards and calendars to name a few. It’s all absolutely magical and a lovely stand-in for the international travel we aren’t allowed to do right now.
Where: 40 Lemana Lane, Miami

Anthea Polson Art
Anthea Polson Art specialises in contemporary emerging Australian art and sculpture, including investment works. A regular exhibition programme showcases the work of emerging and established contemporary artists.
Where: 29 Tedder Avenue, Main Beach

Maverick Hair & Art Space
Maverick is a small gallery hosting community art exhibitions and events throughout the year. Headed up by artist Byron Coathup and partner Hayley, the space (also boasting a hair studio) caters for art and design lovers and offers beautiful gifts for purchase from both near and far. Don’t be afraid to head up the stairs and check out the gallery.
Where: First Floor, 1/17 Griffith Street, Coolangatta

The Hive Burleigh Heads
The newest of the bunch, The HIVE was opened very recently by Jo Ellings, a Gold Coast artist who has been creating stunning works for over 30 years and is now sharing that talent with the likes of us. Within the gallery you’ll find an array of stunning works to take home with you or, if you’d like to stay awhile why not grab a ticket to one of their workshops and become an artist yourself. There’s also a regular meetup and music night if you want to meet some like-minded folks.
Where: 5/3 Park Avenue, Burleigh Heads

Level Up studio + gallery
The space is designed to provide access to art experiences for young people and adults within the local community and beyond, through public programs hosting a range of creative activations, such as art workshops, artist talks, school holiday workshops, networking events and an exciting monthly exhibitions program. Emerging artists can apply for space and we can all pop in there to check out the magic. So good.
Where: 72-82 Marine Parade, Coolangatta

The Walls Art Space Miami
The Walls is an interactive space that began in 2012 aiming to serve as a hub of creative practice, critical dialogue and innovative thinking around contemporary art. Their annual program focus is to curate monthly exhibitions in conjunction with their successful local artist in residence program.
Where: 4/18 Mountain View Avenue, Miami

AW Space
Created by the good people at ArtWork Agency, AW Space is a pretty art gallery slash workshop slash event space showcasing the work of a team of folks whose names you’ve no doubt heard uttered once or twice. They are Claudio Kirac and his equally impressive partners in crime Paul Bow and Laura Strange. All talented within their own rights, the team have combined their forces to create a stunning space filled with beautiful works. Do yourself a favour and get in there.
Where: 2/53-55 Cronulla Avenue, Mermaid Beach

Café dbar
Stop in for a delicious brunch overlooking the ocean and take in the collection of local art and handmade goodies next door while you’re there! The space combines works by local artists with a new store filled with locally made homewares, clothing and creative pieces.
Where: 275 Boundary Street, Coolangatta

19Karen Contemporary Artspace
A stunning space filled with bold new art (and all for purchase!) by emerging, mid-career and established Australian and International artists. Exhibitions curated by Terri Lew rotate regularly, ranging in style and genre from pop culture, surrealism, realism, street art, abstraction and to the still undefined.
Where: 19 Karen Avenue, Mermaid Beach

HOTA
The Gold Coast’s premier cultural precinct, HOTA (Home of The Arts) has been showcasing visual and performing arts since 1986. With an array of exhibitions, cinemas and dining/bar facilities, there’s something for everyone throughout the entire year. In 2021, we saw the precinct increase in size with an incredible new six-level Gallery that attracts with world-class exhibitions (including Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat and more) plus a showcase of incredible local artists.
Where: 135 Bundall Road, Surfers Paradise

Dust Temple
A refurbished warehouse (a piece of art itself) in the heart of Currumbin Waters, Dust Temple and its creative space Hinge Gallery hosts local, national and international artists, musicians and poets. There’s also a fantastic café / coffee shop, so stay awhile and soak up the creative scene.
Where: 54 Currumbin Creek Road, Currumbin Waters

Yes, we know it’s only just turned spring, but we Gold Coasters get excited about anything leading into summer and ice cream always makes things better — so, here we are!

If you’re the kind of person to slowly lick your way through a waffle cone or gobble down a three-scoop tub in under a minute, we’re not here to judge. However, we’ve taken the liberty of finding the 8 best Gold Coast ice cream shops and gelaterias so you can devour their creamy goodness whatever way you desire! Happy licking, folks.

Lemon Lovers Gelato
Some things simply go together well — and gelato with amazing views is right up there. Lemon Lovers is tucked away in Tamborine Mountain with incredible nearby vistas for you to sit and spoil — not one, but — a multitude of senses at the same time! They also do occasional collaborations with nearby beer producers Fortitude Brewing for extraordinary flavour combos: Ginger Beer Gelato, anyone? Enjoy 10% off Gelato & Sorbet here!
Where: 3 Eagle Heights Road, Tamborine Mountain

Lik Lik Lik Gelato
Happiness comes in a cone in Nobby’s Beach, Lik Lik Lik gelato shop will tickle your tastebuds with lots of tasty treats. Go with the Salted Caramel or the White Chocolate and Raspberry in a white chocolate dipped cone with sprinkles. Not only gelato though, the sorbets are way too good and exactly what you need on a warm day. The Watermelon and Mint is actual Summer in sorbet form, and there’s a Lemon flavour that is a citrus sensation.
Where: Shop 2/2221 Gold Coast Highway, Nobby’s Beach

Ottimo
What do you have if you take yourself a devoted Italian and then send him to study a diploma from the Gelato University of Carpigiani in Italy? You have Davide, the owner of Ottimo, of course! Rest assured, whatever flavour you opt on taking from this Kirra beachside venue is going to be the goods — it’s all made fresh and on-site daily, after all. Stroll in after an afternoon on the beach and let him and his friendly staff scoop you happy.
Where: Shop 18/52 Marine Parade, Coolangatta

Golden Gelato
This hidden in plain sight gelateria provides a creamy treat every day of the week from early right through to late. Their gelato comes from Maleny and is often touted as some of the best in Queensland; after winning a bunch of awards across the Royal Queensland Food and Wine Show in recent times. You’ll also discover yoghurt fruit pots and sorbets, which are great for cooling you down and are a little kinder on the hips!
Where: 429 Golden Four Drive, Tugun

Rosé Gelateria
Finish a luxurious lunch off at Sanctuary Cove by dropping by this ever-so-cute gelateria, and you’ll be smitten straight off the bat. Their signature scooped cone-shaped into a rose is something to marvel at — but not for too long! Besides a delicious assortment of ice cream, they pour some fantastic coffee and dish up some knockout affogatos. The unsurpassed afternoon hangout on the northern end of the coast.
Where: Shop 39a, Masthead Way, Sanctuary Cove

Burleigh Gelato
Picture the scene: it’s late afternoon, and the shadows are growing tall as you head into Burleigh CBD after a majestic day on the beach. Not quite hungry — but you could most definitely eat. The answer is Burleigh Gelato! The array of flavours here is enough to raise the heart rate of even the hardiest gelato fan. Be it Snickers gelato or novelty Red Skin gelato, the selection here will satisfy every taste. They’re also handily available on major home delivery apps and open late — perfect for those late-night sugar cravings.
Where: 9 Connor Street, Burleigh Heads

Heven-Yah Gelato
Owned by two lovely local sisters, Heven-Yah has been open since 2017 but quickly gained a cult following amongst Mermaid locals. The girls create their gelato in-house using only the freshest and highest quality ingredients to produce some incredible flavours. Raspberry Jam & Crema with Sour Candied Lemon? Get down there.
Where: Shop 2/2387 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach (next to Alfred’s) 

Ungermann Brothers
When the runner-up of Australia’s MasterChef — hailed as the king of ice cream — decides to open a gelato shop in Main Beach, then you know it’s going to be good. Located in the retail oasis of Marina Mirage means you can mix a shopping spree with ice cream at ease. Flavours are certainly adventurous with such gelatos as Blue Cheese with fig and Salted caramel with crispy bacon. Let your curiosity get the better of you: be sure to check them out!
Where: Shop 11, Marina Mirage, Seaworld Drive, Main Beach

Words by Alex Mitcheson.