Silo art trails excite and inspire while travelling around Australia

The best part is that access to these galleries is freely available all year round, as you drive the country's highways and back roads.

The increase in silo art has led to more travellers putting rural destinations into itineraries. And art trail maps make planning road trips easy.

The first silo mural was painted in the Western Australian town of Northam in 2015 - and the concept quickly caught on.

The painted silos encourage visitors to learn more about the region, and channel much-needed funds into small communities.

One of the newer painted silos is in the South Australian town of Bute (population less than 250), on the northern Yorke Peninsula.

The mural, created by Scott Nagy and Janne Birkner (Krimsone), comprises elements of local agriculture, flora and birdlife, while representing women in the country and prominent features of the landscape. The project came about with a federal government grant matched by the local council who worked in partnership with the town's progress committee.

Cleverly in some towns, silo art elements change from day to night, and flood lighting gives visitors a different perspective.

Want to plan your own silo art trail road trip? Guides and maps are available at Australiansiloarttrail.com

If you'd like year-round viewing at home, you can buy the Australian Silo Art calendar from www.siloartstore.com.

Purchases don't only look good: they help regional communities, with half the profits donated back to the 12 communities featured.

Slow Rail Journeys is taking bookings for its Deniliquin and Echuca Moama Silo Art Trail journey on March 24-26 next year. Heritage diesel locomotives will haul the fully restored ex-Southern Aurora or Overland sleeping carriages from Melbourne to Deniliquin and then via the freight-only line to Echuca. There are still seats available on the Sea Lake and the Mallee Silo Art Trail on October 14-16.

Phone 0420-806-875 or click here for more information.