Coastal Prints Australia: How to Choose Wall Art That Captures a Place You Actually Love

I get asked this a lot. Someone lands on the site, loves a few prints, and then freezes. Which one? What size? What frame? It can feel like a big decision, especially when you're trying to capture a place that actually means something to you.

That's the thing about buying coastal prints in Australia. The best ones aren't just pretty pictures of the ocean. They're a specific beach, at a specific moment. One you recognise. One that brings something back when you look at it.

This post is my honest guide to choosing wall art that does that job well. No fluff, just the stuff I'd tell a mate.

Start With the Place, Not the Print

This sounds obvious, but it's worth saying. Don't scroll through prints and pick whichever one looks nice in a general way. Start by asking: which beach actually matters to me?

Is it the stretch of coast where you had your best family holiday? The surf break you drove two hours to reach? The town you keep talking about going back to?

That's your answer. Start there. Every print I sell was shot at a real location I know personally. So when someone searches for beach prints from a specific part of Australia, say the Surf Coast or the Bellarine Peninsula, I've actually stood on that beach with a camera in hand. Sometimes with a drone up above too.

That specificity is what makes a print land. It's not just a blue ocean. It's your ocean.

Pick the Print That Looks Like Your Memory of It

I shoot multiple prints at most locations because no two visits look the same. Different light, different conditions, different perspectives. Some shots are from ground level. Some are aerial, which gives you a completely different feel for the shape of the coast.

The Point Addis Art Print I is my top selling print, and I think it sells because of the angle. Shot from above on a still morning, it shows the full curve of that rocky headland in a way you can't really appreciate from the sand. People who love Point Addis see it and just know.

Same goes for the Point Roadknight Art Print II. I've had people buy that as a gift and tell me it had an artistic quality they weren't expecting. It doesn't just document the place. It feels like it.

So when you're browsing, ask yourself: does this look like how I remember it? Or even better, does it show me something I hadn't quite seen before?

Think About Where It's Going

Size matters more than most people expect. A print that looks great on a laptop screen can feel lost on a big lounge room wall. And the reverse is true too. I've got a full size guide at localbreaks.com.au/pages/size-guide-1 if you want the specifics, but here's the short version.

• For a feature wall in a living room or bedroom, go bigger than you think. An L (59.4x84.1cm) or XL (84.1x118.9cm) will hold the space properly.
• For a hallway or smaller room, an M (42x59.4cm) is usually the sweet spot.
• If you want something that genuinely stops people in their tracks, the EPIC size (100x150cm) is 1.5m wide and it earns every centimetre of that wall.

I've also written a dedicated post on What Size Wall Art Should You Choose for Each Room if you want to go deeper on this.

Choose a Frame That Suits the Room

All my frames use FSC certified solid timber, so they're built properly. The choice comes down to the look you're after and where the print is going.

The shadow box frame is my most popular option and a great all-rounder. The glass sits 20mm off the print, which creates a subtle floating effect that adds a bit of depth. It's printed on 270gsm fine art paper with giclee archival inks and comes in black, white, or oak.

If you've got a lot of natural light in the room, the floating frame canvas is worth considering instead. No glass at all, so zero reflections. It uses museum quality 400gsm Hahnemuhle Daguerre canvas and looks brilliant in bright coastal homes.

For something like the Bells Beach Art Print I, both options work well depending on your space. Check the full product guide for a side-by-side comparison.

Bring That Beach Home

Every print I make is printed to order and shipped free anywhere in Australia. They're made in Victoria, packed properly, and built to last with archival inks and quality materials that don't fade.

Whether you're decorating your own home, setting up a holiday house, or buying a gift for someone who loves a particular stretch of coast, starting from $89 makes it genuinely accessible compared to what you'd pay at a gallery for framed work.

Browse the full range of coastal prints Australia-wide and find the one that looks like your beach.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I choose between different prints of the same location?

Look at the angle and light in each shot. Some are ground level, some are aerial drone shots that show the full shape of the coastline. Pick the one that matches how you remember the place, or shows you something new about it. If you're genuinely unsure, reach out and I'm happy to help.

What size coastal print should I buy for a living room?

For most living rooms, an L (59.4x84.1cm) or XL (84.1x118.9cm) is the right call. These sizes hold a wall properly and make a real statement without feeling overdone. If you've got a large feature wall and want to go all in, the EPIC size at 100x150cm is 1.5m wide and genuinely impressive in person.

Are these beach prints available framed and ready to hang?

Yes. All framed prints come with the hanging hardware already attached, so they're ready to go straight on the wall. The classic frame uses metal hanger and steel wire. The shadow box and canvas options use D rings and braided polymer cable. No extra hardware needed.

Do you ship coastal prints Australia-wide?

Yes, free shipping on every order anywhere in Australia. Prints are made to order and shipped from Victoria. There's no pickup option and I don't ship internationally at this stage.

Find a print that feels like yours, and put it somewhere you'll see it every day. That's the whole idea.