The Whiteley mural at The Drip near Mudgee is a real gem that ties art and nature together perfectly. It’s tucked away in the sandstone cliffs of the Goulburn River National Park. His trademark flowing lines and organic shapes seem to naturally belong there, almost like the rocks themselves invited him to paint. It’s a bit of a hidden treasure, adding a creative vibe to an already stunning spot. Perfect for anyone who loves a mix of art and the Aussie bush!

The story goes that back in the summer of 1970, Brett Whiteley and a bunch of his arty mates, including filmmaker Peter Kingston, spent a couple of nights camping and painting at this stunning spot called The Drip, up on the Goulburn River, about 50 clicks north of Mudgee.

Whiteley, being the free spirit he was, stripped off and started painting this Aboriginal-style mural on a big rock overhang.

He painted all sorts of things: an emu, an egg, an eel, a fish, a kid in a basket, and smack bang in the middle, a woman giving birth.

Turns out, Whiteley had been inspired by a bark painter from the Northern Territory, so this mural was his nod to Aboriginal art.

Thing is, that rock overhang was actually a sacred women’s spot for the local Wiradjuri people. It was where they did birthing and other cultural stuff.

Kingston got it all on one of his experimental films.

It was a pretty boho time back then, but if you pulled something like that today, folks would call it out as pretty disrespectful to the culture.

Over the years, the mural got hidden by bullrushes. Whenever the Goulburn River flooded, it’d get completely underwater.

Even bushwalkers who knew about it thought the paintings were proper Indigenous ones. If you are a fan of Whiteley or just art in general this is an absolute cracker!