Art on the Great Victorian Rail Trail – Coming Soon
Published on 27 March 2023
The Great Victorian Rail Trail (GVRT) Art Installation Project is on track to be completed by the end of April as planned.
Murrindindi, Mitchell and Mansfield Shire Councils are working together on this exciting project, which will see seven major art installations placed along the length of the Rail Trail.
The three Councils will be partnering with Tourism North-East to promote this iconic tourist attraction, that is aimed at attracting more visitors to the Rail Trail and surrounding areas. Once launched, it will be known as ‘Art on the Great Victorian Rail Trail’.
Initial onsite works are underway on the seven installations and will continue over the next few months.
A series of smaller works by Taungurung artist and Elder, Uncle Mick Harding are already in place along the Trail.
As part of the project, visitors to the GVRT will benefit from a series of new wayfinding and interpretive signs installed along the Trail. These signs will improve the visitor experience, sharing First Peoples stories and information and connecting people with sites along the Trail.
The Trail will remain open for most of the installation period, however there may be some small sections where riders will need to dismount. In early April, two of the installations will require a one-day closure on a section of the Trail near Homewood and another section near Maindample. Once details are confirmed, we will advise the community via The Loop at theloop.murrindindi.vic.gov.au/GVRT-art-project and on social media. Trail users should be mindful of the works and follow any signage and traffic management in place.
Community members can find more information about the project, artists and their art installations, including individual artist videos and a map of artwork locations, by visiting The Loop.
The project is made possible with funding of $1.2 million from the Victorian Government’s Regional Tourism Investment Fund.
Quotes Attributable to Murrindindi Shire Mayor Councillor John Walsh
“It’s great to see Taungurung artist, Mick Harding’s smaller series of works already popping up on the Trail. Soon, visitors and locals will be able to enjoy the complete ‘Art on the Great Victorian Rail Trail’ experience, with the seven major artworks now being installed.”
“The Rail Trail is a significant tourism asset for our communities, and we are working closely with Mansfield and Mitchell Shire Council, the Victorian Government and Tourism North East to ensure these artworks and the Rail Trail experience is promoted far and wide.”
Quotes Attributable to Mansfield Shire Mayor Councillor James Tehan
“It’s fantastic to see these significant artworks coming to life along the GVRT.”
“The trail is a valuable community asset, drawing visitors from across the region. Council is pleased to see what is being achieved through the project team working with community members and stakeholders, including the Friends of the Great Victorian Rail Trail, on this important project to enhance the trail.”
“I’m looking forward to seeing the completion of the installations in the near future, to provide a new trail experience for locals and visitors alike.”
Image: Taungurung artist Mick Harding pictured here with one of his scar trees along the Mansfield section of the Trail.
