Discover the thriving public art scene around your future neighbourhood

Not only is Forest Reach surrounded by visually spectacular natural beauty but living in Forest Reach means you’ll also be on the doorstep of a vibrant and evolving public art scene that’s creating an abundance of artistic beauty to admire.

Thanks to dedicated public art strategies by the Wollongong and Shellharbour City Councils – city walls, buildings, gardens, streets and laneways have exploded with colour, sound and light, bringing a historical and cultural connection to the region and sense of community to the cities and suburbs they inhabit.

Start by discovering these popular public art installations…then set out on your own adventure to explore your new backyard and uncover your favourite.

Photos courtesy of Shellharbour City Council*.

Dapto Library/Dapto Ribbonwood Centre^* – (6-minute drive from Forest Reach)

Running along the Moombara Street side of the Dapto Ribbonwood Centre is “Dapto Yesterday and Today” a beautifully painted mural celebrating the uniquely Dapto landscape and the people, industry, plants and animals that have impacted Dapto community over time.

Coledale Community Hall Mural^* – (40-min north of Forest Reach)

Pack a picnic and head north to spend a day seaside at Coledale. Take a dip in the Coledale Rock Pool then stroll over to the Coledale Community Hall and see the mural produced by artist Bradley Eastman (aka Beastman). Drawing inspiration from the building’s architecture and brickwork, the mural was created in response to a place poem by local poet Mark Tredinnick and reflects the beautiful coastal location, unique escarpment landscape, history of the area, and the many lifeforms that inhabit Coledale.

Shellharbour Murals^* – (25-minute south east of Forest Reach)

On Australia Day 2021, Shellharbour City Council held their first ever Mural Festival featuring five artists painting simultaneously across different locations. Each artist developed a design inspired by the array of flora and fauna local to the area with the goal of enhancing connection to place as well as creating a sense of pride and joy for audiences. The murals can be seen at Shellharbour City Stadium, Shellharbour Village, Bendigo Bank Oak Flats, Warilla Medical Centre McKeon Lane and IMB Bank, McKeon Lane car park in Warilla.

Wollongong Botanic Garden^* – (19-minute drive north east of Forest Reach)

Every two years the Botanic Garden hold the Wollongong Acquisitive Sculpture Award or “Sculpture in the Garden” where sculptures and installations from local, national and international artists are displayed throughout the garden with the winning work, becoming a permanent part of the city’s public art collection.

Lake Illawarra Art Trail^* – (26-minute drive east of Forest Reach)

Explore local history, Aboriginal heritage, flora and fauna as you walk or cycle through Lake Illawarra’s Art Trail. Hugging the banks of the lake you’ll find incredible works including “Prawn Run” by Hurricane and Laura Bestman (pictured). This project features five sculptured aluminium prawns suspended at the top of steel posts and at the structure’s highest point, a large full moon. The piece pays tribute to the generations of people who have trawled the lake for commerce and recreation.

Photos courtesy of Shellharbour City Council*.

Wollongong Art Gallery^* – (22-minute drive north east of Forest Reach)

This install is located on the rear wall of the Wollongong Art Gallery and was created by artist Daniel Breda. “Out with the old, in with the…’ is a digital collage and acrylic paint, printed on aluminium composite. According to the artist, “The work personifies Wollongong’s developing impositions of architecture, juxtaposed to its natural surroundings.”

A vibrant and ever-evolving artistic community is all within reach at Forest Reach.

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