This Newtown Street art walk and map are perfect for anyone short of time or who wants to check out the newest murals in the area.  There is also some pretty great food to sample along the way! 

When you think about street art in Sydney one suburb immediately springs to mind, Newtown on the western fringe of the CBD. Newtown is ground central of Sydney’s mural art scene.  Since the infamous “I Have a Dream” mural appeared on King Street in the mid-1980s the area has been attracting artists with a message.  A few years ago the local council got on board and began working with local street artists to build on the grassroots efforts by launching the Perfect Match program that brought together property owners with blank walls and artists who wanted to paint them.

I have written a half day self-guided tour of the area before but today I have put together an abridged version that is perfect for anyone with just a couple of hours to spare.

Taking in art, burgers, craft beer, good coffee and great cake this walk can be completed in an hour if you don’t mind punishing your digestion or ignoring all the food suggestions!

Start on the corner of King Street and Church Street

2 Lennox Street – Alex Lehours

This wall in the carpark behind the Newtown IGA was painted as part of the 2016 Perfect Match program.

8 Lennox Street – Ox King

This wall is on the other side of the previous one.  Also part of the Perfect Match 2016 crop it is one of my current favourites, it’s by Steven Nuttall aka Ox King.

38 Lennox Street – Kyle Hughes-Odgers

This mural by Kyle Hughes-Odgers is on the corner of Lennox and Mary Street. It is a brand new work, part of this year’s Perfect Match program.

Mary Street – Burgers and Beer

Mary Street is well worth a detour if you are up for a damn tasty burger at Mary’s.  There is no signage so look for this graffiti covered building and head inside where you eat in (beer and music and added bonus) or grab some burgers and head back to the park.  If burgers are not your thing then they have some great fried chicken.

St Stephen’s Church and Cemetary

While cemeteries are not everyone’s cup of tea this one is pretty cool for a quick stroll.  Opened in the mid-1800s for 20 years it was Sydney’s main burial ground.  These days most of the grave yard has been turned into a memorial park however a section has been preserved and you are free to explore the ruins.

Camperdown Memorial Park – Ox King

The walls surrounding the park and the stone fence of the graveyard provide an outdoor gallery for street artists.  This mural, also by Ox King was part of the 2017 program.

Head  back on to Lennox Street and cross the road to the corner of Eliza Street

84 Lennox Street

Try if you can to walk straight past the Courthouse Hotel on the corner of Australia Street and Lennox street – The beer garden here is very inviting so this is no easy feat but I promise we will be back!

112 Lennox Street – Sid Tapia

Another 2016 Perfect Match mural. This one by Sid Tapia features a pretty cute little aviator with his craft.

Continue down Lennox St until you come to Chelmsford Street where you will find a few smaller works and right on the corner the very colourful Asylum Seekers Centre

43 Bedford Street – Jumboist

In 2016 local artist Jumboist wrapped the home of the Asylum Seekers Centre in a colourful work called Birds of Flight.

Follow Bedford St back into the centre of Newtown and Australia Street where you will find 3 great options that will provide a perfect end to the day.

Australia Street – Time to eat

Will you finish up the walk with

• a slice of Watermelon cake from Black Star Pastry?
• a cocktail and tapas plates from Continental Deli?
•  a large cold Newtowner from Young Henry’s Brewery at the Courthouse Hotel?

I am not sure this is an either or choice.  If time permits I suggest you try all three!

Here is a map you can follow if that’s your thing

Remember street art is not permanent – while the murals in this post are all part of programs and painted legally things change and they may not be there forever!

The post A Short Newtown Street Art Walk appeared first on .