Burleigh Magic was created by artists Ju Ferreira and Mari Bray after winning a public art competition launched by Dirty Hands Art Space. The prize was the opportunity to paint a 15-metre by 2.5-metre mural in Burleigh Heads. The brief invited artists to reflect on what Burleigh means to them, and what they dream of when they think about this iconic coastal place.

Stretching across the wall in a wash of pink skies and coastal colour, Burleigh Magic captures the easy rhythm of life in Burleigh Heads. Created by artists Ju Ferreira and Mari Bray after winning a public competition run by Dirty Hands Art Space, the mural celebrates the sense of belonging that defines the local community.

Scenes unfold across the wall like moments from a shared day at the beach. Surfers balance on waves, neighbours walk their dogs, friends pause to chat, and people from many backgrounds gather along the shoreline. A whale glides through the scene beneath the sea goddess Yemanjá, while clouds, birds, and rolling hills frame the landscape.

Words woven into the mural in multiple languages reflect values that connect people across cultures: love, kindness, hope, peace, family, gratitude, joy, and art. These small details echo the diversity of Burleigh itself, a place where locals and visitors from around the world come together around the same coastline.

Playful, bright, and full of movement, Burleigh Magic turns an everyday wall into a story about community, belonging, and the shared spirit of the beach.