Yarram Street Art Trail: Discover Heesco Town in Victoria

Last Updated: October 2026

After living in Victoria for 14 years, we’d never even heard of the small Gippsland town of Yarram. That all changed in 2020, when we discovered that this sleepy country town was undergoing an incredible transformation, thanks to a wonderful initiative by the local community.

Like many towns across Gippsland, Yarram had experienced a difficult start to 2020. The devastating summer bushfires had badly affected tourism throughout the region, and just as businesses were hoping to recover, the COVID-19 pandemic brought even more challenges. So, how do you encourage visitors to discover a small country town that most people have never heard of?

Well, a handful of Yarram locals came up with a brilliant idea: invite internationally renowned street artist Heesco to give their town a colourful makeover! In just seven weeks, Heesco transformed Yarram with ten incredible outdoor murals, celebrating everything from local history and wildlife to the people who helped shape the community.

And what started as a small initiative to attract visitors has since grown into something much bigger. Today, Yarram is affectionately known as Heesco Town, with more than 25 murals turning its streets into a spectacular open-air art gallery.

We visited shortly after the project began in 2020 and absolutely loved discovering the artwork and the stories behind each mural. It’s amazing how a little creativity and community spirit can breathe new life into a small country town.

If, like us, you love street art and discovering places away from the usual tourist trail, the Yarram Street Art Trail is well worth adding to your next Victorian road trip.

Where is Yarram? 

The small township of Yarram is in southeast Gippsland, 221 kilometres east of Melbourne. By car, it’s a two and a half-hour drive down the Princes Highway (M1), a little longer if you take the South Gippsland Highway (A440).

Yarram is close to several other Gippsland attractions, such as the historic seaport of Port Albert, Wilsons Promontory National Park, Tarra Bulga National Park, Agnes Falls, 90 Mile Beach and more. So, be sure to make the most of your trip down that way and explore the rest of the region.

Who is Heesco? 

Heesco is a renowned street artist, originally from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. In 2010, Heesco immigrated to Australia and moved to Melbourne. Since then, he’s spent a lot of time painting various walls both in Melbourne and around the country, including some amazing silos in New South Wales. 

You can see his portfolio here. 

The murals of Yarram

When we visited Yarram in 2020, the town had just ten outdoor murals and five indoor murals. Since then, Heesco Town has continued to grow, with more than 25 murals now scattered throughout the town.

During our visit, we picked up a map from a lovely groundskeeper at Yarram Golf Club, where we stopped to admire our first mural, featuring legendary golfer Gary Player, who visited Yarram in 1956.

Armed with our map, we set off to discover the incredible artwork around town. Below are the original murals we explored during our visit, along with some newer additions worth looking out for.

For the latest mural locations, check the official Yarram Street Art Trail map before setting off.

The Gary Player mural – Yarram Golf Club

The Yarram Golf Club is about 5 kilometres outside the town.

Address: 42 Golf Links Road, Yarram 

The dairy farmer and his dog – MG Trading 

This mural is at the northern entrance of the town and depicts Bill McKenzie, a dairy farmer who was also a tanker driver for MG Trading for several years. The handsome Border Collie is Bill’s dog, Toby.

Address: 39 Commercial Rd, Yarram

The shearer – Brown and Wigg Building

This mural is another gem, featuring a farmer shearing a sheep, with his dog beside him. 

Address: 191 Commercial Road, Yarram 

The dolphins – Wynne’s Building 

Beautiful dolphins playing in the waves at the Wynne’s Building. You will not see this one unless you look up; it’s located above the shop.

Address: 200 Commercial Road, Yarram 

Thank you, Australia – The Yarram Bakery 

Liem, the owner of the Yarram Bakery, came to Australia on a boat as a refugee. He commissioned the mural as a tribute to refugees and to thank the people of Australia for taking him in and giving him the chance of a new life. This was my favourite mural in Heesco Town. 

Address: 222 Commercial Road, Yarram (you will find the mural in the alleyway to the left of the bakery. 

Kara Healey and local wildlife – Betta Home Living 

Both murals are behind the Betta Home Living building. 

The first mural features Kara Healey, who became the first female park ranger in Victoria in 1952. The mural recognises her significant role in the history of Tarra Bulga National Park. 

The second mural, to the left, depicts some local wildlife. 

Address: 262 Commercial Road 

Ralph Vale and his bullock team – The Federal Coffee Palace

The Federal Coffee Palace building is a landmark in Yarram. Its mural is on the sidewall facing the BP station. This mural depicts Ralph Vale and his bullock team. Ralph used to walk his bullocks down the main street of Yarram every year during the annual Tarra Festival.

Address: 305 Commercial Road, Yarram 

The largest mural in Yarram – The Ship Inn Motel 

There are three murals at the Ship Inn Motel. The first one is the Thank You for staying in Heesco Town sign. Don’t forget to write your name inside the boat. Paul, the very friendly owner of the motel, has left markers there just for that purpose!

The second mural is also easy to spot. It’s right on the front wall of the hotel itself and depicts a ship in battle. 

To find the third mural, enter the hotel courtyard and turn right. We found Paul, the owner sitting in the garden and he was more than happy to show us the huge mural and told us the story behind it. 

This large mural depicts a bar filled with pirates, skeletons, treasure chests and even a Mongolian Warrior Queen! There is a lot to look at in this mural!

Address: 480 Commercial Road, Yarram – The Ship Inn Motel is about one and a half kilometres outside of town. If you are looking for accommodation for the night, the owners are super friendly and their prices are very reasonable.

Old keg and horse cart – Victoria Hotel 

This last mural is not actually in Yarram but in Alberton, is about 5 kilometres from Yarram. The mural on the side of the Victoria Hotel depicts a gentleman unloading old kegs by hand, as well as a cart pulled by horses.

Address: 52 Turnbull Street, Alberton 

There are some internal murals at the Bull Bar & Gallery and the Bean Peddlar. Unfortunately, we couldn’t see any of the indoor murals due to the Covid-19 restrictions still being in place during our visit. But don’t worry, we’ll be heading back as soon as we can to update this page.

More Murals to Discover in Heesco Town

Since our visit in 2020, Yarram’s street art scene has continued to grow, with more than 25 murals now decorating buildings throughout the town.

While we were lucky enough to see the original artworks shortly after the project began, there are now even more reasons to explore Heesco Town.

Yarram Water Tower

One of the most impressive additions is the Yarram Water Tower, transformed by Heesco in April 2023.

Located on Nightingale Street, this enormous mural celebrates the natural beauty of the surrounding region, including Wilsons Promontory, Tarra Bulga National Park and the stunning Gippsland coastline.

The lower section features a meaningful design by Gunaikurnai Elder Sandra Patten, celebrating Aboriginal culture and connection to Country.

The artwork was recognised as Victoria’s Best Street Art Experience in 2023.

Other Murals Worth Discovering

Several more artworks have been added around Yarram, including murals celebrating local history, Indigenous culture and the people who have shaped the community.

Look out for the Battle of Beersheba mural, the Indigenous artwork at Yarram Bakery and the historical murals at The Bean Pedlar, including artwork added to the outside of the building in 2023.

Don’t Forget the Indoor Murals!

Yarram also has some beautiful indoor murals that are easy to miss if you’re only exploring the streets.

When we visited in 2020, COVID-19 restrictions unfortunately prevented us from seeing the indoor artwork at Bull Bar & Gallery and The Bean Pedlar.

The Bull Bar & Gallery features several murals by Heesco, including an impressive bull painting, while The Bean Pedlar’s artwork tells the story of the building’s history, from its days as a family-owned hardware store to its transformation into a coffee roastery.

If you’re visiting Yarram, it’s worth checking out these indoor artworks too, subject to business opening hours and access.

For the latest mural locations, download the official Yarram Street Art Trail map, which includes the stories behind the artworks.

Yarram’s architecture 

Yarram’s murals are nice to see but don’t forget to enjoy the lovely old buildings around town, the Post Office, Regent Theatre, Yarram Club Hotel and the Court House, to name a few. The majority of the murals are within walking distance of each other, so park your car and walk around to savour both the art and the town’s architecture.

For more information about Yarram/Heesco Town and a location map of the mural, click here. 

Exploring more of Gippsland? Don’t miss the beautiful Gippsland Lakes, where you’ll find charming waterfront villages, scenic walks, peaceful beaches and plenty of opportunities to spot Australian wildlife.

Where to Stay in Yarram

If you’re planning to explore more of South Gippsland, Yarram makes a convenient base for visiting the surrounding countryside, Tarra-Bulga National Park and the nearby coastal towns.

Here are two accommodation options worth considering:

Ship Inn Motel – A comfortable country motel on the outskirts of Yarram, offering a range of rooms, including spa suites and family accommodation. There’s an outdoor swimming pool, complimentary continental breakfast and even a Heesco mural on the property! The town centre is a short walk away.

Tarra Motel – A convenient and affordable option close to the town centre. The motel offers both renovated rooms and more budget-friendly accommodation, along with an outdoor swimming pool and free parking.

Love outdoor art? Victoria has even more incredible artwork waiting to be discovered! Head north to explore the North East Victoria Silo Art Trail, where enormous grain silos have been transformed into spectacular murals celebrating wildlife, history and rural communities.

Practical Information for Visiting Yarram

Getting there: Yarram is located in South Gippsland, approximately 220 kilometres south-east of Melbourne. Allow around three hours to drive there, depending on traffic and your chosen route.

Getting around: The Yarram Street Art Trail is largely walkable, with many murals located around the town centre. However, having a car is useful for visiting some of the more spread-out artworks and exploring the surrounding region.

How long to allow: Allow around 1.5 to 2 hours to explore the main murals at a relaxed pace, including stops for photographs. You could easily spend half a day discovering the artwork, browsing local shops and enjoying a coffee.

Cost: The outdoor murals are free to visit and can be viewed year-round. Some indoor artworks are located inside businesses, so access depends on their opening hours.

Best time to visit: Yarram can be visited throughout the year, although spring and autumn generally offer pleasant temperatures for walking around town. Early morning and late afternoon are ideal for photography, with softer light and fewer people around.

Facilities: Yarram has cafés, supermarkets, public toilets and petrol stations, making it an easy place to stop for a few hours or stay overnight.

Trail map: For the latest mural locations, check the official Yarram Street Art Trail map before your visit.

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