I've been shooting the Surf Coast for years now, and I still feel that same pull every time I pack up the car and head down the Geelong Road. Something about the light changes the moment you hit Torquay. It goes from ordinary to something that makes you stop and actually look. If you've ever driven down to Bells Beach on a blue-sky morning or watched the sun drop behind the cliffs at Anglesea, you'll know exactly what I mean.
People ask me all the time how to choose the right coastal wall art for their home. It's a fair question. There are a lot of prints out there, and most of them are generic. Shot anywhere, sold everywhere. What I try to do with my Surf Coast prints is give you something real. A specific beach. A specific moment. Something you can look at and immediately know where it is, because you've stood there yourself.
Here's my practical guide to choosing the right piece for your space.
Start With a Beach That Actually Means Something to You
The best art for your home is the art that makes you feel something every time you walk past it. I've had customers tell me they look at their print every morning before work and it genuinely lifts their mood. That's not something a generic blue-toned stock image does. That's what a print of your favourite beach does.
If Point Addis is your place, go with Point Addis. My Point Addis Art Print I is consistently my top seller, and I think it's because the aerial perspective gives you a view of the beach most people have never seen before. I shot it from above with the drone on a clear morning, and the colours in the water are genuinely something else from that angle.
If you've spent summers at Anglesea and Point Roadknight is the beach your family always walked to, that's your print. My Point Roadknight Art Print II has been one of my best sellers because it captures a beach that people have a deep personal connection to. One customer told me she bought it as a gift for someone who grew up nearby. That's exactly the kind of art worth putting on a wall.
Think About the Room First, Then the Size
Sizing is where a lot of people get stuck. My rule of thumb: go bigger than you think you need. Art that's too small on a wall looks like an afterthought. A living room wall wants at least an L (59.4x84.1cm) or XL (84.1x118.9cm). A hallway or bedroom can work well with an M (42x59.4cm).
If you're not sure, I've put together a full size guide on the site that walks you through every room. Worth a look before you order.
For a detailed breakdown by room, you might also find this useful: What Size Wall Art Should You Choose for Each Room? A Practical Guide for Coastal Homes.
Choosing the Right Frame for Your Space
This is the question I get more than any other. And honestly, it depends on two things: your room and your taste.
My shadow box frame is the most popular choice and for good reason. The glass sits 20mm off the print, which gives it a subtle floating effect that lifts the whole piece off the wall. It comes in black, white or oak, it's printed on 270gsm fine art paper with archival inks, and it's backed by a 10-year warranty. It looks properly premium without the gallery price tag.
If your room gets a lot of natural light and you're worried about glare, the floating frame canvas is worth a look. There's no glass at all, so zero reflections, and it uses museum quality 400gsm Hahnemuhle Daguerre stretched canvas. I've had a lot of customers go for this in sunrooms and open-plan living areas.
For bright rooms where you want glass but no glare, the premium shadow box with Tru Vue Museum Glass is the upgrade option. It blocks 99% of UV and virtually eliminates reflections. For most people the standard shadow box is plenty. But if you've got a south-facing wall that catches afternoon sun, the premium version is worth it.
You can compare all the options in detail on my product guide.
The Surf Coast Has a Lot of Beaches. Here Are My Picks.
If you're browsing surf coast prints and not sure where to start, these are the ones I keep coming back to:
- Bells Beach Art Print I: one of my most recognised prints. If you surf or you've watched Rip Curl Pro footage your whole life, this one hits differently.
- Torquay Art Print I: the town where it all starts. A strong seller and a print that works in a lot of different interiors.
- Wye River Art Print I: one of those beaches that looks almost unreal from above. If you've driven through Wye River, you'll understand.
- Anglesea Art Print I: great for anyone who grew up going to Anglesea, or who still does.
All prints start from $89, printed to order right here in Victoria, and shipped free anywhere in Australia.
Take the Coast Home
I shoot every single one of these images myself. No stock libraries, no recycled content. When you buy a print from me, you're getting a photo I took, at a beach I know, at a moment worth keeping. A few customers have told me their print has become the centrepiece of their living room and that they get compliments from everyone who visits. That's what good coastal wall art does.
If you want to dig deeper into the Surf Coast before you choose, this post covers a lot of ground: Surf Coast Wall Art: A Local Photographer's Guide to the Best Prints from Torquay to Apollo Bay.
Browse the full range of surf coast prints and coastal wall art at localbreaks.com.au.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best Surf Coast prints for a living room?
For a living room, I'd recommend going with an L or XL size to fill the wall properly. Popular Surf Coast choices include Point Addis Art Print I, Bells Beach Art Print I and Torquay Art Print I. Choose a beach you've actually been to and the print will always mean more than something generic.
What's the difference between the shadow box frame and the floating frame canvas?
The shadow box frame uses fine art paper behind glass, with the glass sitting 20mm off the print to create a floating effect. The floating frame canvas uses stretched canvas with no glass at all, which makes it ideal for rooms with lots of natural light since there's nothing to reflect. Both are printed with archival inks and come with a 10
