Forget white-walled galleries with entry fees and opening hours. Paddington has transformed its streetscape into a sprawling outdoor exhibition where art waits around every corner, accessible 24/7 to anyone willing to look up from their phone.
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From oversized kookaburra sculptures that double as street furniture to intricate mosaics and historical murals, this inner-city suburb proves that the best art doesn’t always hang in frames.
The Kooka! Trail: 16 Birds, 16 Stories
The centrepiece of Paddington’s public art scene is the Kooka! Trail, featuring 16 vibrant kookaburra sculptures scattered along Latrobe Terrace and Given Terrace. Launched in 2022 through Brisbane City Council’s Paddington Terraces Precinct Grant Project, these aren’t your average bird statues. Each sculpture was made from waste materials before being reimagined by local artists into functional seating that celebrates the laughing kookaburra.
Brisbane design collective Derlot created the base forms, while individual artists added their distinctive interpretations. Debra Hood decorated her kookaburra with delicate dotted patterns inspired by Brisbane’s springtime blooms. Zoe Porter’s “Latrobe Kookaburra” features the vivid pinks, yellows and greens of galahs, cockatoos and lorikeets, weaving native bird species into traditional kookaburra markings.
Torres Strait Islander artist Tori-Jay Mordey created “Care and At Night”, a thoughtful reflection on the struggles native wildlife face in urban settings. The collection also includes a particularly poignant sculpture representing five cultural groups – Irish, Hungarian, Croatian, Polish and Italian – commemorating the Catholic immigrant families who made Paddington home between the 1940s and 1970s.
Other contributing artists include Rick Hayward, Stephen Mok, Hailey Atkins and Spectator Jonze, each bringing their unique artistic voice to the project. The result is a cohesive yet diverse trail that invites visitors to spot the differences and discover the stories embedded in each work.
Highland Rest: Scott Harrower’s Mosaic Masterpiece
Along your journey, you’ll encounter Scott Harrower’s “Highland Rest”, a stunning mosaic-tiled bench that offers both respite and visual delight. Harrower’s mosaic work creates a permanent installation that functions as both art and amenity. The intricate patterns reward close inspection, making it an ideal spot to pause and appreciate the craftsmanship.
Bizzell’s Garage: The Bright Siders’ Tram Tribute
History comes alive on the exterior of Bizzell’s Garage, where a mural by artist collective The Bright Siders honours Paddington’s transport heritage. The artwork depicts the bustling tram scene that defined the suburb during the 1900s, when trams were the lifeblood of the community. The mural serves as a reminder of Paddington’s transport history and the trams that once defined the suburb.
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Planning Your Art Walk
The beauty of Paddington’s public art trail lies in its flexibility. Start from the Bardon end of Latrobe Terrace and walk towards Given Terrace and Suncorp Stadium, or reverse the route depending on your starting point. Multiple bus routes service the area, allowing you to hop on and off as energy levels dictate.
Between artworks, you’ll pass cafés perfect for refuelling, boutique shops worth browsing, and architectural gems that make Paddington a popular destination. The entire experience is free, making it an ideal outing for families, tourists, or locals seeking a fresh perspective on familiar streets.
Whether you’re an art enthusiast or simply someone who appreciates beauty in unexpected places, Paddington’s public art trail offers proof that creativity thrives when communities invest in making culture accessible to everyone.
Published 5-February-2026
