There are two large murals on the walls of Gallaghers Place, a short alley in central Melbourne. They were both painted by two artists working together, Mike Makatron and Conrad Bizjak. Each presents a scene where Melbourne has been overrun by nature at some point in the future. This seems to be a common theme in Makatron’s work – there is a mural in Brunswick where a kangaroo is hopping down an abandoned street (and another old Melbourne tram).

below: This is one of the murals

below: Melbourne City Hall overgrown and now surrounded by what looks like the start of a jungle.

below: A Melbourne tram with some very strong looking vines growing over it as well as in and out of the windows.

below: On the other side of the laneway is this mural:

below: There are houses up high in the trees, a waterfall, and a large turtle

below: It’s not an ordinary turtle. It is often said that a turtle carries around it’s house, i.e. the shell on its back. In this case, the turtle is carrying more than one building… a few houses? a larger house and a barn or two? a small village? And of all things, a violin lies in the grass.

below: Houses connected by stairs and bridges…. large decks… and even a swing off one deck.

below: Signs – a mix of real and fantasy. Don’t park your motorcycle here. “Right turn from left only” is illegal in most places but in Melbourne, where they drive on the left, it is known as a hook turn. Hence, this is a very Melbourne sign. The glass cone in the background is the Cone at Melbourne Central.

Photos taken March 2025