Surprising city crowned the 'street art capital' of Australia
When considering street art in Australia the trendy city of Melbourne is often the first place which comes to mind.
The famous laneways and alleys adorned with colourful graffiti attract tourists from around the world and saw it named one of the best places to see outdoor art in the world.
However, the Victorian capital has been usurped on a new list of Aussie spots when it comes to outdoor galleries.
READ MORE: Top destinations Aussies are flocking to right now as 'Asian summer' takes over
Darwin is now laying claim to the title of the street art capital of the nation. Supplied
READ MORE: Family-of-four lives on a cruise ship - but there is one thing they miss
Darwin is now laying claim to the title of the "street art capital" of the nation.
It reportedly has a higher concentration of murals than both Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney.
That means there is now around one piece of outdoor art for every 950 residents, far higher than anywhere else.
The Darwin Street Art Festival is now also adding 23 new murals to the streets.
It has a higher concentration of murals than both Melbourne. Brisbane and Sydney, experts say. Supplied
The event was created ten years ago by city artist David Collins and has made the Top End city into a "walkable outdoor gallery".
"These numbers are actually based on the 167 official Street Art Festival murals – if we included all the bus stops, water towers, and hundreds of commissioned murals Proper Creative have completed, curated or assisted in the last 20 years – Darwin would be even further ahead," David said in a statement.
READ MORE: 'I stayed at the Sunshine Coast's buzzy new hotel, and it was worth the 40-year wait'
Melbourne's laneways are known around the world for street art. But Darwin has more. Getty
Darwin will have more than 160 murals across its streets by the end of this year's festival, and is the only Australian capital city with a mural on every major CBD street.
"With its high concentration of murals, growing network of curated trails, and consistent annual expansion, Darwin now stands as Australia's leading capital city for street art per capita, offering a uniquely walkable public art experience and positioning the city as a standout destination for art tourism in the Top End," organisers said.
The festival's tenth year event runs from May 22 to June 5, 2026.
READ MORE: Forget the Whitsundays, this Queensland island is a true bucket-list spot
Perth is also a surprising place you can see cool street art.
Meanwhile if you're tempted to head to Darwin, it's a good Aussie holiday option.
It has already been named the 'cultural capital' of Australia
The Northern Territory city has warm temperatures year-round, a great local food scene, plus access to some of the best nature experiences in the country.
The famous Mindil Beach Sunset Markets run from April to October each year, and Darwin's iconic outdoor Deckchair Cinema is open from April to November.
Other events include Darwin Festival, Barunga Festival and BASSINTHEGRASS music festival.
