8 ways to see Indigenous art in Queensland

About 200km north-west of Cairns, Quinkan Country is home to some of the oldest artwork on the planet. It’s a pretty awe-inspiring experience to stand in front of something made by another human that’s over 15,000 years old, so prepare for your mind to be officially blown.

We recommend basing yourself in the nearby town of Cooktown, but to get out to the sites you’ll need to sign up for a tour. Jarramali Rock Art Tours (not currently operating) offers regular tours by 4x4, or if you'd prefer something a bit more elevated, go for the helicopter tour from Cairns.  

Further south, there are more ancient artworks to be found west of Gladstone in the spectacular Carnarvon Gorge.  The Art Gallery and Cathedral Cave are two of the most famous sites, where the sandstone walls are adorned with thousands of fragile ochre stencils, thought to be over 3650 years old. Each is a four-six hour round trip over occasionally challenging terrain, so you’ll need to have a moderate fitness level to take on this challenge.

2. QAGOMA

If contemporary art is your jam, you’ll want to set aside some time to explore the national galleries in Brisbane’s buzzing cultural precinct.

Spend an hour (or five) immersing yourself in QAGOMA’s impressive Indigenous Australian Collection as well as its unrivalled collection of Torres Strait Islander art. Or if you’re an Albert Namatjira fan, don’t miss the Namatjira Story exhibition, a showcase of the celebrated Aboriginal artist’s early landscapes. You can also view works by the countless artists he influenced, including artists from the Arrernte landscape painting tradition, the Hermannsburg Potters and his great-grandson, Vincent Namatjira.

3. Birrunga Gallery and Dining

Craving culture with a side order of coffee? The heady aroma of Birrang Coffee (the Wiradjuri word for ‘journey to another place’) Birrunga Gallery and Dining is an otherworldly experience in itself.

Nestled away on Adelaide Street, just a few minutes’ walk from Queen Street’s main drag, Birrunga Gallery and Dining is located at basement level and the brainchild of First Nations artist and curator Birrunga Wiradyuri, a Wiradjuri man.  Birrunga describes his beautiful, often haunting works as narratives which tell difficult stories and explore First Nations’ contemporary and historic presence. It’s a potent mix.

While the focus is on providing a platform for First Nations and emerging artists, this hip art space also offers weekend social art classes with Birrunga and fellow Aboriginal artist Wayne Weaver. If you fancy yourself as a budding artist, BYO wine and get schooled under the tutelage of some of Brisbane’s most talented Indigenous artists.

Tip: Get there in time for breakfast and treat yourself to one of their all-day breakfast favourites - add a crocodile sausage on the side if you're feeling adventurous.

4. Cairns Indigenous Art Fair

Home to a plethora of contemporary galleries and arts centres, Cairns is the undisputed queen of Queensland’s Indigenous art scene. And while there’s plenty happening year-round, serious art fans should time their trip to coincide with the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair.

This is Australia's premier Indigenous art fair, dedicated to supporting the careers of Queensland Indigenous artists by providing a platform for exposure and income generation.

From 17-22 August 2021, you can celebrate the vibrant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures of Queensland art in all forms - fashion, performance art, weaves, painting and more. View the 2021 program for more information.

5. UMI Arts and Cairns Regional Gallery

On a visit to Cairns, make a stop at the outskirts of the CBD, where inside a traditional Queenslander on Sheridan Street is UMI Arts. This lively arts hub features three galleries and a retail shop selling authentic, locally-sourced arts and crafts.

Make the Cairns Regional Gallery in the heart of the city your final stop. The spectacular heritage-listed building is a homage to Australia’s Indigenous art, craft and design and features a mix of contemporary and ancient pieces with a distinct Pacific Rim influence.

6. Janbal Gallery

Famous for the ruggedly beautiful Mossman Gorge, the picturesque township of Mossman is also home to the Janbal Gallery, where you can pop in to browse or buy authentic Aboriginal artwork by artist-owner Brian ‘Binna’ Swindley.

A Kuku Yalanji man from the east rainforest and coastline, Binna takes his inspiration from the natural world – you’ll often see motifs from nature in his pieces, from seeds and shells through to the Kurmanji (cassowary) – a famously elusive rainforest bird native to Tropical North Queensland.

For those who prefer a more hands-on approach to art appreciation, Binna also runs intimate art classes where visitors can learn traditional Aboriginal painting techniques and take home a self-painted matchbox bean souvenir.

7. Gab Titui Cultural Centre

The Torres Strait’s colourful reefs and coral cays have long been a source of inspiration for artists that hail from the tropical island archipelago. If you’re making the journey up to the Strait, a trip to the Gab Titui Cultural Centre should be top of your must-do list. Housing two galleries, the centre showcases a mix of ancient artefacts and contemporary art, masks, headdresses and more. If you’re in the market for an authentic souvenir, there’s a high chance you’ll stumble upon something unique in the ethically-sourced gallery shop – so make sure you leave plenty of room in your suitcase.

Psst! Here are 7 bucket-list-worthy things to add to your Torres Strait itinerary.

8.  Sand, Dust and Gibbers 

Stumble off the beaten track to the remote Outback Queensland towns of Bedourie, Betoota, and Birdsville to encounter the ‘Sand, Dust and Gibbers’ contemporary art project (‘gibber’ is the Aboriginal word for stone.) These three breathtaking large-scale sculptures tell women’s Dreamtime stories that will make you stop in your tracks.

Gibbers can be found at Deon’s Lookout, Birdsville, and depicts the Dreamtime Serpent travelling on Mithika Country and making pathways connecting the river systems. The Dust sculpture in Bedourie represents the dust storm and whirly winds (a way that the spirits travelled), while Sandhills in Birdsville reimagines the serpent as the Diamantina and Georgina Rivers with the sandhills in between.