In Somerset, art isn’t confined to gallery walls. It’s tucked inside historic buildings, displayed in local shops, splashed across town in colourful murals and hidden roadside in the quirkiest of locations.
Start in Lowood, wander through Esk, continue to Toogoolawah and make time for Linville or Kilcoy along the way. You don’t need to be an art expert to enjoy these creative finds — just bring a little curiosity and an eye for the unexpected.
LOWOOD FOLK ART COOPERATIVE
The Lowood Folk Art Cooperative is known as a hand makers haven. Inside, you’ll find locally made crafts, gifts and creative pieces, alongside homemade treats, preserves, produce and plants.
This bustling little space is creative culture at its grass roots best with small batch and hand makers showcasing their talents across a broad range of mediums. It’s a great opportunity to support local makers, shop small and take the flavours of Somerset home with you!
LOWOOD LIONS OPEN DOOR GALLERY
Housed in a charming historic building that once served as a produce store, the Lowood Lions Open Door Gallery has been giving Somerset’s creative community a place to shine since 2008.
Operated by the Lowood Lions Inc and lovingly run by a team of volunteers, this little gallery is a great spot to discover the talents of local Somerset artists. Step inside to browse a changing calendar of exhibitions, showcasing everything from paintings and photography to handcrafted works, with a program of creative workshops held throughout the year.
NASH GALLERY AND CAFÉ | ESK
Set inside the historic Lars Anderson house on Esk’s Main Street, Nash Gallery and Café brings together two excellent reasons for a drop in – good food and local creativity.
Wander through rooms filled with artwork, pottery, jewellery, crafts and handmade gifts, then settle in for breakfast, lunch or a coffee and something sweet. With its changing menu and relaxed country atmosphere, it’s an ideal stop for anyone who likes a little culture with their caffeine.
GLEN ROCK GALLERY | ESK
Tucked inside the Esk Visitor Information Centre, the Glen Rock Gallery is another wonderful place to discover Somerset’s creative spirit. Coordinated by the Somerset Art Society, the gallery showcases the talents of local artists and houses a changing program of exhibitions and creative works.
Exhibitions change throughout the year. For details of current and upcoming exhibitions, click here.
THE CONDENSERY | TOOGOOLAWAH
Housed in a former Nestle condensed milk factory, The Condensery is one of Somerset’s standout creative spaces. The historic industrial building has been transformed into a modern art gallery, bringing an unexpected cultural experience to the heart of Toogoolawah.
Expect changing exhibitions, thought-provoking works and a program of creative activities, events and workshops. The gallery champions a mix of artistic voices and ideas, making it creative, immersive and challenging.
The building itself is part of the appeal, having won multiple major national and international design awards following its transformation.
TWO GALAHS GALLERY | TOOGOOLAWAH
This welcoming gallery in Queensland’s top tiny tourism town of Toogoolawah, showcases work from more than 80 artists and makers, with everything from paintings and pottery to jewellery, woodwork, textiles, candles and quirky garden art.
The gallery offers patchwork and quilting every Tuesday from 10am and also hosts creative workshops throughout the year.
KIRAR NULLA – A MICRO MUSEUM FOR ONE | ROYSTON
Tucked away in the picturesque Somerset countryside at Kirar Nulla Family Farm in Royston, Queensland’s first [mono]seum offers an art experience unlike any other.
Housed within a lovingly restored 1955 red telephone box, this delightfully unconventional micro-museum celebrates art, creativity and the joy of discovering something unexpected.
The concept is beautifully simple: one tiny museum, one exhibition at a time.
Blending contemporary art with a piece of Queensland’s telecommunications heritage, the Kirar Nulla [mono]seum is a celebration of imagination, curiosity and the idea that meaningful cultural experiences needn’t occupy grand spaces.
Set against the natural beauty of Kirar Nulla Family Farm, on Jinibara Country, it’s a charming and unexpected addition to Somerset’s growing arts and cultural landscape.
THE STATION HANDMADE | LINVILLE
An initiative of Linville’s Progress Association, this quaint creative cooperative showcases the wares of regional artists, creatives and makers. Shop The Station Handmade at the Railway Station in Linville on Friday, Saturday and Sunday of each week.
Expect locally made pieces with plenty of character, from thoughtful gifts to handmade finds.
KILCOY CRAFT MARKET & COURTHOUSE ART GALLERY
At Kilcoy Craft Market, the joy is in the browsing. Located in the Yowie Park precinct, this volunteer-run space offers handmade products, gifts and plants, making it an easy stop for anyone who enjoys discovering locally made treasures.
It’s a different kind of creative experience from a traditional gallery, with an emphasis on showcasing local artists, creatives and providores.
Just a few steps away is the Kilcoy Courthouse Art Gallery. Built in 1910, the Courthouse was relocated in 2011 to Kilcoy’s Yowie Park and now features quarterly exhibitions as well as other artworks on display.
SOMERSET’S MURAL TRAIL
Some of Somerset’s most accessible artworks don’t sit inside galleries at all. They’re painted across town walls, adding colour and character to streets, public spaces and community buildings.
Keep your eyes open as you travel through the region and you’ll spot murals in several towns, each offering a different glimpse into local stories, history and community pride.
In Lowood, look for the Clock Park murals. In Coominya, the town-entry mural and works in Coominya Park add a colourful welcome. In Esk, the Esk RSL mural pays tribute to service and remembrance. And in Toogoolawah, a mural near the fire station reflects the town’s story of fire recovery.
In Kilcoy, murals around the BP service station, ambulance station and showground add further colour to the drive.
MAKE A MARKET MORNING OF IT
Somerset’s creative scene is best showcased at the thriving country markets held in Esk, Fernvale, Moore and Kilcoy.
These relaxed community gatherings are a chance to browse handmade goods, meet local stallholders, explore fresh regional produce and discover the people behind the region’s creative and small-batch food scene.
Here’s four markets to add to your calendar:
Esk Country Markets
Held on Saturdays at Pipeliner Park, Esk Country Markets are a good place to start the weekend with a wander among local stalls. Browse handmade items, artisan goods, regional produce and baked treats before exploring Esk’s Main Street.
Fernvale Country Markets
Held every Sunday at Fernvale State School, these popular country markets offer a relaxed morning of browsing. Alongside food and local produce, you’ll find stalls selling plants, crafts, candles and other interesting finds.
Moore Hall Markets
Held on the third Saturday of each month at Moore Soldiers Memorial Hall, these markets make a lovely addition to a drive through the region followed by lunch at The Linville Hotel.
Kilcoy Yowie Country Markets
Held on the second and last Saturday of each month at Yowie Park, the Kilcoy markets are another opportunity to browse local stalls and pick up something special while exploring the town.
Market dates and stallholders can change, so check current details before setting off.
