Ivona Rose, Coast Community News

a landmark public mural celebrating Terrigal’s coastline, culture and community has been unveiled as part of the public launch of The Esplanade Terrigal.

The new business precinct collective aims to position the beachside destination as the Central Coast’s premier lifestyle and cultural hub.

Created by Australian artist Steve Gorrow, the large-scale mural stretches across a building facade on the Terrigal strip and serves as the most visible expression yet of The Esplanade’s ambitions for the precinct.

With the title of Welcome to The Esplanade, the artwork combines iconic local imagery with tributes to Australian music and surf culture.

A humpback whale breaches above The Haven, while musicians Nick Cave and Amy Taylor feature alongside Australia’s first world surfing champion, Midget Farrelly.

The mural also includes Norfolk pines, a galah and a series of messages woven throughout the design.

The Esplanade represents businesses located along Terrigal Esplanade, Church St, Pine Tree Lane and surrounding streets.

It is operated by the Terrigal Collective Incorporated Association and is supported by the NSW Government.

Founder and precinct co-ordinator Karl Schlothauer said the mural was intended to signal a new chapter for the area.

“This stretch had been a little neglected, and the mural brings a real burst of creativity and life back to it,” he said.

“We wanted something that would stop people in their tracks and remind them how special this part of the coast is.”

Mr Schlothauer said several artists were invited to submit concepts before Steve Gorrow’s design was selected as distinctly Terrigal.

“It was important to us to go in a different direction from the other murals dotted around the Central Coast,” he said.

He said The Esplanade board landed on Steve Gorrow’s concept because it captured the natural wonder of the area with the whale, the coastline, and the spirit of the place.

“Terrigal has always had extraordinary natural assets and a brilliant community of small businesses,” he said.

The mural took just over three weeks to complete and involved collaboration between the precinct board, local businesses and property owners.

“It was genuinely a collective effort,” Mr Schlothauer said.

He said alongside The Esplanade board, surrounding businesses and landowners were all part of making it happen.

“That’s the whole point of The Esplanade, it’s grassroots and community-driven,” he said.

The precinct collective was formally incorporated in 2021 and has since participated in the NSW Government’s Uptown Accelerator program.

It later secured funding through the NSW Uptown Grant Program and was recognised in the Monopoly Central Coast Edition in 2025.

Mr Schlothauer said the community response to the mural had already been overwhelmingly positive.

“It’s even transformed the dining experience at Coral Grill & Seafood, which now looks straight out onto the artwork,” he said.

The Esplanade’s broader vision is to support local businesses, showcase Central Coast artists and cultural producers, and create more activity during quieter periods through events, performances and creative collaborations, while driving sustainable economic growth and regional tourism.

This article appeared in Coast Community News, 2 July 2026.