Northern Queensland has a rich history of the visual arts dating from early surveys of the Far North. Historically, however, the story of the arts in Australia evolved in its telling from the southern capitals, leaving gaps in understandings of Queensland’s contribution to the broader narrative. In examining the lived experience of artists, patrons, directors and art groups based in Northern Queensland during the scope of this study, a distinctly contemporary cultural landscape emerges, informing a more nuanced understanding of Australian art history. This paper is drawn from the work of Dr Forbes whose doctoral thesis documented the history of Northern Queensland Visual Arts from 1971 to 1981. In examining subject matter, technique and style, it was found that artists were strongly influenced by contemporary Western – as well as non-Western – techniques, challenging traditional notions of landscape painting. In addition, the need for education, cultural programmes and spaces created challenges resolved while living and working in situ. The resulting works, included in private, regional, state, national and international collections, exist as a legacy, evidencing this critical period in the region’s cultural history.