Docklands octopus mural removed as North Wharf redevelopment progresses

Docklands’ much-loved octopus mural at North Wharf has now been removed as part of the redevelopment of the wharf, ending the run of one of the precinct’s more distinctive pieces of public art.

Images taken this month show the giant orange sea creature, painted on the corrugated end of a boat shed facing the Bolte Bridge, is no longer there.

A Development Victoria spokesperson said the mural had always been intended as a temporary installation and had played a positive role in activating the area at the time it was created.

“Following an independent assessment of the mural’s condition and its integration into the shed structure, it was recommended that the artwork is not suitable for salvage or relocation and be removed as part of the planned works,” the spokesperson said.

The artwork, painted by Melbourne artist Mike Maka in 2017, had greeted boats entering Victoria Harbour for years. Commissioned by Development Victoria ahead of the Volvo Ocean Race, it became known locally as the “Docklands Squid”, although one reader later pointed out it was in fact an octopus.

As previously reported by Docklands News, calls were made in 2023 to preserve or relocate the mural as plans for the future redevelopment of North Wharf gathered pace.

At the time, steam tug Wattle master Rob Anderson said it would “be a shame to lose” a mural by such a renowned artist, while Maka himself said it would be “a great story” if the piece could somehow be saved.

“It was always going to get knocked down,” Maka said at the time. “I would love to see it salvaged somehow.”

The mural sat alongside the Wooden Boat Centre, home to several heritage vessels including Wattle, Enterprize and Alma Doepel, and was seen by many as a fitting nod to Docklands’ maritime character. Maka also incorporated Enterprize into the top-right corner of the work as a tribute to the area’s history.

There had even been offers to rehome the mural if it could be preserved, including from the Melbourne Seafood Centre in West Melbourne, which jokingly proposed renaming it the “Docklands Occy”.

But Development Victoria says that was not possible, with the artwork found to be too integrated into the shed structure to be salvaged.

The spokesperson said the agency would continue to support and explore the installation of artwork within Docklands through future partnerships and developer agreements.