The Australian Silo Art Trail – Forest Hill Silos Queensland

Stretching over 8,500km, The Australian Silo Art Trail spans Northam in Western Australia to Three Moon in Queensland. The Forest Hill tourism destination is heightening the interest in tourists further exploring regional Australia. Silos have more recently provided a site for art as well as a canvas for artists murals. In recognition of this growing trend and interest in silo art as an established attraction across Australia, Lockyer Valley Regional Council committed the Forest Hill Silo Project as an opportunity to attract visitors from Southeast Queensland and those travelling from further afield.

Lockyer Valley Regional Council engaged Place Design Group to conceptualise a design that would build on the town’s historical identity, encourage community pride of place, and increase visitation to this growing tourism hub. The site divided in three main areas encompassed: the silos viewing area, the visitor’s carpark, and the campground, plus associated surrounding road upgrades and the Council’s procurement of an artist’s transfixing silo artwork.

The design Incorporated an upgrade of the public road from gravel to sealed, new internal access road, and parking areas. The viewing platform features a distinct surface treatment, seating, and interpretive elements to tell the story of the silos and their local significance.

The campground includes space provisions for RVs, caravans and tents, and is accessible from the circular driveway. An amenities building, shelter and BBQ for use by both day visitors and campers alike. The planting palette draws species selections from the regional ecosystems to provide shade trees and flowering plants.

The viewing area is positioned as close as possible to the silos to optimise the viewing experience and provides users with interpretive displays and a rest space with seating and shaded picnic facilities. Adjacent to the viewing area, the visitor’s carpark provides an arrival space for drive tourists and day users, whilst maintaining good sightlines to the silos. The campground is located to the north-west of the site so that there’s a sense of separation from the silo viewing area and visitor’s carpark.

The project entailed the detailed concept, the master design as well as design and construction documentation including 3D visualisations and illustrative plans which were used to successfully convey the project to Community and Council.