Patrick Tucker, The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper

Towering murals, bold colour and a striking riverside sculpture are drawing fresh attention to the Murray, with the River Country Art Trail officially unveiled last week.

Spanning Barham, Mathoura, Moulamein, Moama and Tooleybuc, the trail transforms everyday infrastructure into a region-wide gallery.

Backed by $1.74 million in NSW Government funding, the project is expected to boost tourism and encourage visitors to explore the trail between towns.

The trail’s funding was catalysed by the shovel-ready Barham water tower project, initiated by volunteers on the Water Tower Mural Steering Committee four years ago.

More than $17,000 of local community funds and support from cluBarham kickstarted Barham’s project, with the committee having representation from Barham Consolidated Inc, Barham Women’s Group, Barham Lions Club, cluBarham, Barham RSL, Koondrook Barham Bridge Newspaper and Murray River Council Grants Officers.

Murray River Council Mayor John Harvie said the project was a point of pride for the region.

“Council is incredibly proud to officially launch the River Country Art Trail and celebrate the incredible artworks that now form this unique outdoor gallery across our region,” Cr Harvie said.

“Thanks to the support of the NSW Government, this project shows how creativity can revitalise existing local assets while celebrating the culture, history and landscapes that make our communities so special.”

More than 18 months in the making, the project has brought internationally recognised artists into the region, each working closely with local communities to reflect the landscapes and stories of the area.

In Moama, a mural by Japanese artist Hiroyasu Tsuri, known as Twoone, reflects cultural connections to the land, while Mathoura’s piece by Spanish artist Dulk blends surreal imagery with environmental themes.

Barham’s mural by Australian artist Gus Eagleton captures the town’s identity through bold silhouettes, while Moulamein’s water tower artwork by Heesco unfolds in layers, telling a story of environment, agriculture and history shaped by the community.

At the trail’s western end, Tooleybuc delivers a dramatic finale, with Stuart Green’s 11-metre sculpture Gathering the Bounty standing along the Murray River as a nod to the region’s agricultural strength.

NSW Minister for Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty, said the project would help put River Country on the map.

“Investing in projects like this helps regional communities showcase what makes them unique,” she said.

“The River Country Art Trail will bring people together, spark local pride and create new opportunities for the whole region.”

Videographer Mitchell Barkman, who documented the project, said the diversity of artists and their connection to the region stood out.

“There were artists from diverse backgrounds,” he said.

“They all had different methods of working on such a large-scale canvas, and they were proud to be part of the trail.”

Barkman said the artworks would leave a lasting impression on both visitors and locals.

“It encourages people to travel through the region and spend money in local towns,” he said.

“I think for locals, you want them to feel a sense of pride in their home.

“Public art isn’t always understood straight away, but it grows with the town.

“After 20 or 30 years, people won’t know what it was like without it.

This article appeared in The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper, 30 April 2026.