The annual chalk drawing festival Chalk the Walk Newcastle 2023 ran from late September to early October 2023. This year’s theme, All Creatures Great and Small was reflected in the drawings, which ranged from whales to spiders.
As a bonus, Jenny McCracken’s whales located outside Harry’s Cafe de Wheels on Market Street lawn will be a permanent 3D pavement mural. Although the other murals had some protection added to protect them from the rain, this was only temporary and they have now been removed.
Octopus breaking through pavementDog and skateboard in Civic ParkGiant spider on Hunter Street.Whales and birds on Market Street lawnAnimals in front of the Newcastle Information CentreFrog Pond on Hunter Street
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
Surry Hills in central Sydney is a great place to go and discover some great street art. Very easy to get to via public transport, most of the sites can be seen with a one hour walk. On the way, stop at a coffee shop to relax and take in the sights.
Getting There
We used the Light Rail L2 (L3 also takes you there – we took the one to arrive first), which runs from Central Station. With a stop on Devonshire Street (called Surry Hills), you start opposite one of the artworks.
The Art Work
Some of our favorites are shown in the photos below. The statues of the rabbits drinking coffee on a moped are at the café we stopped at. Walking around, we also liked the old Federation style terrace houses in the side streets.
Corner of Devonshire and Riley Streets1 Little Collins St122 Kippax St2 Lacey StCorner of Little Riley and Sophia Streets70 Little Riley StPieno Coffee 11/285A Crown St323 Crown St1 Bennett PlaceTerrace Houses on Bourke StAdam Goodes (Famous AFL player) 120 Foveaux St633 Bourke Street BakeryCorner of Parkham Place and Nobbs LaneCorner of Parkham Place and Nobbs Lane8 Nickson St
During 2020, the Newcastle City Council, organised the Big Picture Festival that added 12 beautiful artworks to the cities’ buildings. They are all within easy walking distance of each other, and a Council map make them easy to find.
We walked around the streets to look at the murals, often crossing to the other side of the road to get a better perspective.
Map of Newcastle Street Art
Civic Lane Facing Museum Park
Civic Lane Facing Museum Park by Fintan Magee
2. Civic Theatre Facing NUSpace
Civic Theatre Facing NUSpace by Bronte Naylor
3. Rear of University House Facing NuSpace
Rear of University House Facing NuSpace by Inari
4. Corner of Union and King, Besties Car Park
Corner of Union and King, Besties Car Park by Vans the Omega
5. 158 King St Just Down From Popolo
158 King St Just Down From Popolo by Ellie Hannon
6. Evolve Housing Corridor in Museum Park
Evolve Housing Corridor in Museum Park
7. Foghorn Brewery
Foghorn Brewery by Olas One
8. Corner of Union and King
Corner of King and Union by Jordan Lucky
9. Evolve Housing Corridor in Museum Park
Evolve Housing Corridor in Museum Park by Sophia Flegg
10. 148 King St Facing Brown St
148 King St Just Down From Popolo by Jasmin Craciun
11. Evolve Housing Corridor in Museum Park
Evolve Housing Corridor in Museum Park by Tom Henderson
