Drive the Songlines

The story behind the Woolgoolga to Ballina Pacific Highway Upgrade Aboriginal art trail

Woolgoolga to Ballina Aboriginal art trail – drive the Songlines

Explore the Songlines of the Pacific Highway with artworks from Aboriginal artists that share their stories along the Woolgoolga to Ballina section of the Pacific Motorway.

In 2016, Transport for NSW engaged Aboriginal-owned strategic branding studio, Balarinji, to co-design an integrated art strategy with local Aboriginal community-endorsed artists.

Local Aboriginal artists from Gumbaynggirr, Yaegl, and Bundjalung Country, created artworks communicating the rich and ancient history of these nations through physical and spiritual belonging, and connection to Country.

You will see these stories progressively installed on nine overpass bridges as you travel the Songlines of the Pacific Motorway between Woolgoolga and Ballina. Transport for NSW is also exploring opportunities to install artworks in rest areas.

Location of artworks

Drive the Songlines - location of artworks map

Gumbaynggirr Country

1. Arrawarra interchange (Solitary Islands Way) - overpass bridge (northbound) (southbound)
2. Arrawarra Rest Area
3. Dirty Creek Range interchange (Range Rd/Solitary Island’s Way) – overpass bridge (northbound) (southbound)
4. Glenugie interchange north (Eight Mile Lane) - overpass bridge (northbound) (southbound)

Yaegl Country

5. Pine Brush (Tucabia) Rest Areas (southbound)
6. Pine Brush (Tucabia) Rest Areas (northbound)
7. Tyndale interchange north – overpass bridge (northbound) (southbound)
8. Maclean interchange – overpass bridge (northbound) (southbound)
9. Iluka interchange overbridge – overpass bridge (northbound) (southbound)
10. Mororo Rest Area (southbound)

Bundjalung Country

11. Woodburn interchange – overpass bridge (northbound) (southbound)
12. Broadwater interchange – overpass bridge (northbound) (southbound)
13. Coolgardie interchange – overpass bridge (northbound) (southbound)

On this page

Meet the artists

Thirty-seven artists applied across the Gumbaynggirr, Yaegl and Bundjalung Country sections of the motorway, with ten artists appointed following an artist selection workshop.