Not All Ocean Prints Are Created Equal
I've spent a lot of time at the water's edge with a camera, and here's something I've noticed: most "ocean prints" you find online look like they could be from anywhere. Generic waves. Stock imagery of beaches nobody's actually been to. A palette that's been pushed so hard in post-processing the sea looks like it belongs on another planet.
That's not what I do. Every print at Local Breaks is a real place I've actually visited, stood at, and shot with my own camera. When I say I know the Surf Coast or the Great Ocean Road, I mean it. I grew up near these beaches. I know which mornings are worth getting up at 4am for.
So if you're looking for ocean prints Australia-wide that actually feel like somewhere, this one's for you.
What Makes an Ocean Print Worth Hanging?
There are a few things I'd look for when choosing a coastal print for your wall.
It should feel like a real place
The best prints aren't just pretty. They make you feel something. Maybe it's the beach you spent every summer at as a kid. Maybe it's the spot where you proposed. Maybe it's just the first place you think of when someone says "ocean". That emotional connection is what makes a print worth having on your wall for years, not just a few months.
One of my top sellers is the Point Addis Art Print I. I've had people from the other side of the world buy it because Point Addis is their favourite beach and they miss it every day. That's the kind of print that earns its spot on a wall.
The perspective matters
A lot of coastal photography is shot at eye level on the sand. Nothing wrong with that. But I shoot a lot of my work from above with my drone, which gives you an angle on the coastline that most people never get to see. The shape of a reef from the air. The way a headland curves out into open water. It's what makes a print feel different to a postcard.
Colour should do something
The Australian coast is not subtle. The water off the Surf Coast on a clear day is genuinely that blue. The rock platforms at Bells Beach are that ochre. When I print, I use giclee archival inks that hold colour properly, so what you see on screen is what arrives at your door. Customers tell me the colours lift their room. One buyer said the print "brightens up our house and we're constantly getting compliments from guests." That's what good colour does.
Which Type of Ocean Print Should You Get?
This comes down to your space and how much you want to think about it after it arrives.
Unframed prints are printed on 250gsm premium matte art paper with giclee archival inks and shipped rolled in a protective tube. Great if you already have a frame you love or want to frame it yourself.
Classic framed prints come with solid FSC certified timber frames in black, white or oak, with 2mm clear glass and a metal hanger already attached. You literally just hang it.
Floating frame canvas prints use museum quality 400gsm Hahnemuhle Daguerre canvas with no glass at all, which means zero reflections. If your room gets a lot of natural light, this is the one I'd suggest.
And if you want the best of everything, the premium shadow box frame uses 308gsm Hahnemuhle Rag Mount Smooth fine art paper, 11-colour giclee archival inks, and Tru Vue Museum Glass with 99% UV protection and virtually no glare. The glass sits 20mm off the print which gives it a subtle floating effect on the wall. It's genuinely the best way to present a coastal print. If you're curious about how shadow boxes compare to classic frames, this post breaks it all down.
Choosing the Right Location
If you've got a beach in mind, chances are I've shot it. The Bells Beach Art Print I is a consistent favourite, especially for anyone with a connection to the Surf Coast. For something further north, my Port Douglas prints have been selling steadily to people who fell in love with tropical Queensland and want that feeling in their home year round.
For more on how to pick the right print for your specific space, this guide on beach prints Australia is worth a read.
Bring the Ocean Home
Every print I make is printed to order in Victoria and shipped free anywhere in Australia. All sizes from XS right up to the EPIC 100x150cm, which is a full 1.5 metres wide. All frames come with a 10-year warranty and are ready to hang straight out of the box.
If you're ready to find your print, start with the Point Addis Art Print I or browse from there. Most people find the right one pretty quickly once they see it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I look for when buying ocean prints in Australia?
Look for prints shot by a photographer who actually knows the location, printed with archival inks that won't fade, and framed with quality materials if you want something ready to hang. Generic stock imagery is easy to spot and tends to look flat. Prints tied to a real place, shot by someone with a genuine connection to it, tend to hold up much better over time.
What size ocean print works best for a living room wall?
For a living room, I'd suggest going larger than you think. A Large (59.4x84.1cm) or XL (84.1x118.9cm) print tends to work well as a centrepiece above a sofa or on a main feature wall. If you're unsure, check the size guide which shows you exactly how each size looks in a real room setting.
Are framed ocean prints worth it compared to buying unframed?
Framed prints are worth it if you want something truly ready to hang with no extra effort. All my framed options use FSC certified solid timber frames and come with a 10-year warranty. If you already own a frame you love, an unframed print rolled in a tube is a perfectly good option too. It really comes down to convenience and whether you want a finished product from day one.
Do you ship coastal wall art across Australia?
Yes, I offer free shipping to anywhere in Australia. All prints are made to order and printed and shipped from Victoria. I don't currently offer international shipping or local pickup, so every order goes through the post. Most orders arrive well packaged and ready to hang.
Got a question about a specific print or size? Feel free to reach out. Happy to help you find the right one.
