GNOMESVILLE
By Graeme Olsen
It's been talked about in many
circles, and even been discussed on Rove Live. Let's
take a look at the unique and interesting tourist
phenomena that is Gnomesville.
| It's hard to find someone who
knows just exactly how the gnomes started
appearing, but the story is that it really
did just start with one gnome, placed on the
side of the road, and it has now grown to
a community of what some people estimate is
over 1000!
Gnomesville is situated at the roundabout
that joins Wellington Mill Road and Ferguson
Road in the Ferguson Valley area. One of
the easiest ways to get there is to head
east out of Dardanup.
At the roundabout, you'll
see that there are gnomes scattered everywhere
- in the bush,
|
|
 |
|
alongside the road, down the
various pathway - kids and adults alike
will have a great time just trying to find
them all. You might walk 20 metres one way,
thinking you've seen them all, and then
you'll find one peeking at you from up in
a tree or from behind a log!
|
And it's not just a pile of gnomes on the side of
the road - it really is like a little community.
With groups of gnomes playing cricket, flying planes,
having parties, and other such activities, you'll
soon see that there's a lot going on. Meet the Rolling
Gnomes (the rock band), see the Gnoman Empire, experience
There's No Place Like Gnome, and many many other
Gnome puns.
So what is the attraction of a bunch
of gnomes on the side of the road? Well, whatever
it is, it attracts busloads of people everyday.
It has now become a very popular tourist attraction,
one that all the tour companies and tourist bureaux
promote, and people are encouraged to visit and
even bring their own gnome from their own part of
the world, write a little message on it, and leave
it there.
This idea has led to quite an national
and even international feel to the gnome community.
Last time I was there I saw gnomes from London,
Sydney, New York, Broome, and many other places
from all over Australia and the world.
Check it out sometime. There's picnic
tables for those who want to stay a while, and the
surrounding countryside is beautiful, with the King
Tree and Wellington Mill close by too. Make a day
of it.
August 2004
