A collective of artists asserts that Darwin, not Melbourne, holds the title of Australia’s street art capital, supporting their claim with compelling statistics.

The organizers of the Darwin Street Art Festival highlight that the city, located in the Top End, features one public mural for every 950 residents, thus earning the distinction of being the most mural-rich capital in Australia. In contrast, Melbourne’s ratio stands at one mural for every 1,500 residents.

David Collins, the festival director, expresses his belief that Darwin’s street art scene surpasses the renowned Melbourne alleyways, such as Hosier Lane. “We have a greater number of murals in Darwin, and the quality is superior as well,” Collins asserts.

Now celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Darwin Street Art Festival has played a significant role in the creation of numerous murals throughout the city. By the festival’s conclusion next week, a total of 167 artworks will adorn various walls across Darwin.

Artist George Rose, who has traveled internationally to create murals and collaborate with several global brands, returns this year for her fourth participation in the Darwin festival. “The festival has progressed immensely, yet it retains its core spirit,” she remarks. “Few places allow you to express yourself freely and creatively; it’s truly unique.”

Rose’s latest mural, located on the side of a hotel in Darwin’s central business district, draws inspiration from public perceptions of Australia’s hazardous wildlife. “During my time in Europe last year, every time someone learned I was Australian, their reaction was always the same: ‘Oh, everything there wants to kill you,’ which I find amusing,” she shares. Her artwork showcases some of Australia’s most notorious creatures, including crocodiles, sharks, and venomous spiders and fish. “They are actually quite beautiful, and I aim to celebrate them,” she adds.

In the suburb of Parap, artist Kaff-Eine from Queensland is also participating for the fourth time, creating a mural that pays tribute to the buffalo chasers of the 1960s through the 1980s. “This mural honors the buffalo chasers who would ride in modified Land Cruisers with bamboo poles and ropes,” she explains. “The stories told through my art reflect iconic tales of the Top End, whether I consciously intend it or not. You simply paint where you are.”

Kaff-Eine believes in the transformative potential of street art, which extends beyond the physical structures in Darwin. “Many people who haven’t visited perceive this place as a rugged frontier full of tough individuals chasing buffalo and crocodiles, but it also has a thriving arts scene,” she states. She also emphasizes the rich history of wall painting by First Nations people, referring to them as “the world’s first street artists” and noting the vibrant street art culture that has developed in the region.

Street art is spreading beyond the inner city, with new trails featuring First Nations murals emerging at the airport and other areas, including Charles Darwin University’s Casuarina campus.

Larissa Pickalla, director of CDU’s First Nations training and teacher education hub, mentors future Indigenous educators and pursues her passion for drawing and painting in her spare time. As part of this year’s festival, she is showcasing her first public artwork at a bus stop on the university’s campus. “I aimed to create something bright and vibrant that encourages viewers to reflect on the various elements within the mural, as it is abstract and not a representation of a person, tree, or plant,” she explains. “There are many synergies between my work and the goals of the Darwin Street Art Festival, fostering opportunities for storytelling, connection, collaboration, and innovation—values that are integral to universities.”

According to Collins, there is still ample opportunity for more murals throughout Darwin. “There are plenty of buildings and walls available,” he notes, expressing hope that as new structures are built, the street art scene will continue to flourish. “Some murals may need to be replaced, but we can keep painting new ones,” he adds.