Canning Bridge Mural Art Trail - Wagoorjup
- Out and About
- Oct 18
- 5 min read
Canning Bridge spans Djarlgarro, the Canning River, on land the Noongar people called Wagoorjup. This area is of great spiritual significance as it is the place of the Waugal - the giant Rainbow Serpent: the place of creation, the place of life.
This new trail explores numerous murals in Applecross and Mt Pleasant along the Canning Highway west of Canning Bridge. The City of Melville's new guide, Murals of Canning Bridge was launched in August 2025 and guides you around the various artworks on a self-guided walking tour. Download a free digital copy here or pick up a printed version from a participating local venue. The mural trail starts with #1 near the iconic Raffles Hotel and Tivoli Theatre. You can start the trail anywhere along the way as it loops around.
The guide book provides information on the artist, the mural and explains how it links with the character of Canning Bridge. I did like that the guide not only tells you where the mural is but also where the best viewing point is as so often murals can be somewhat elusive.
We parked in the bays along Canning Beach Road and walked along the river, taking in stunning views, for about 10 minutes to the Raffles Hotel. The iconic art deco Raffles Hotel was built in 1937 and as well as being home to WA's first beer garden this pub was frequented by AC/DC singer Bon Scott.
We have previously explored this area as part of our Deepwater Point walks when we discovered the informal art gallery under Canning Bridge. This does not feature in the mural trail but it is well worth crossing the bridge to inspect the artworks underneath on both sides. This informal art gallery has been created from found items and contains hundreds of individual artworks. From the Raffles Hotel we walked under and then across the bridge heading down the stairs to access the jetty underneath before returning, taking in more stunning river views and finishing up on the southern side of Canning Highway ready to explore the mural trail.
Walk through Apex Reserve and through the Rowing Precinct which hosted the 1962 Commonwealth Games rowing program. Wander around the various rowing clubs to find Silver Lining, painted by local youth and reflecting on the ups and downs of life. The giant swan is untitled by Miser and reflects the river as a habitat for swans and as a rowing venue. On the road side is The Pavilion by Chris Nixon and some friendly bees.
Head back to Canning Highway passing the service station and wandering along Kishorn Road to find artwork by Destroy and Imogen Palmer - look closely at this one for the hidden details. Be sure to check behind you so you don't miss Pelican by Amok Island towering above.
Retrace your steps to Canning Highway to find Custodians of the Bridge by Hartley Design on Clancy's Fish Pub. A short side trip down Ogilvie Road will bring you to Rushing River, Wine, Dark Sea by Luke O'Donohoe. Back on Canning Highway keep an eye out for artwork by Robert Jenkins, Rowers by David Ledger and some informal murals.
Cross Canning Highway but continue walking westward to find a geometric artwork by Shavaurn Hansen, Future River View by Darren Hutchings and First Love by Bezt, featuring a portrait of local artist Rachelle Dusting
There are a number of artworks scattered through the carpark off Sleat Road including work by Kyle - Hughes-Odgers, Inhale, Exhale by Chris Nixon, Pause and Breathe by Andrew Fraser, The Water Above by Steve Cross depicting fishing in the Caning River, Spotting Nature - botanical art by Olive Cheng, artwork by Elly Summer reflecting memories of blowfish nibbling toes in the river and an untitled work by Toby Tomlinson. Can you find them all? Don't forget to back track to the corner of Sleat Road and Kishorn Road for Egrets Ascending by David Ledge. The detour gives you a chance to view some of the murals from a different angle too.
Where Kishorn Road meets Canning Highway you will find Rock Base by Jaxon Maxlow - a tribute to Bon Scott,who frequented the Raffles Hotel, and also to the Canning Highway - Highway to Hell! There is an untitled work on the Post Office by Kevin Bynder showing an Indigenous heritage view of the river. Check out the letterboxes by Jessee Lee Johns at 31 Moreau Mews (we missed this one) before continuing along Canning Highway towards the river to find The Path is the Goal by Sam Bloor based on a Buddhist quote.
There are artworks on some of the newer buildings as you head to Kintail Road to see The Good Bunch by Olive Cheng showing native banksias and eucalyptus at The Good Grocer.
Here you complete the loop as you pass the beautiful art deco Tivoli Theatre (Applecross District Hall) built in 1934. We also missed the artwork by Liam Dee at the Canning Bridge Express Library tucked behind the theatre.
The kids haven't been forgotten with a family companion guide Murals and More: A Canning Bridge Adventure activity book also available to help kids engage with the artworks in a fun and interactive way. The book includes colouring pages, scavenger hunts, puzzles and imaginative design challenges, all based on real-life murals from the area. Download a digital copy of the activity book here or collect from the same locations as the handbook.
The trail is about 2.5 kilometres long and takes around an hour to finish. Not only will you discover stunning murals but there are magnificent river views and plenty of places to stop for a drink or a bite to eat (business hours).
Parking during the week is expensive so do your research or visit on the weekend when you can get 2 hours free parking. Alternatively you can catch a train, hop off at Canning Bridge Station and walk across the bridge.
To read more blogs go to:
I love wandering along trails, both marked and unmarked, and sharing my discoveries with my Out and About FNC community. If you enjoy reading my blogs please consider a small donation which will be used towards the costs of keeping the website up to date and relevant.
In the spirit of reconciliation Out and About- Family Nature Connection acknowledges the traditional owners of the Wadjak Boodjar (Perth land) and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past, present and emerging and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.