Looking for a mysterious and unique place to visit in Western Australia? Just 30 minutes outside of Bunbury and 1.5 hours south of Perth lies Gnomesville. As the name suggests, you’ll find an ever-growing community of gnomes and a mysterious history to unearth. The adorable, small additions to the garden are often seen as a joke; however, this place has become a popular tourist attraction, drawing visitors from around the globe to add to the growing community. Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Gnomesville in the Ferguson Valley.
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Guide to Gnomesville in Ferguson Valley
What is Gnomesville?
If the name didn’t give it away, Gnomesville is an ever-expanding community of gnomes. While the origins of Gnomesville are shrouded in mystery, some say that a gnome was placed here in protest of a new roundabout, while others say it started with the random appearance of one gnome. Regardless, people have added to the growing collection one by one, and the gnomes have since expanded to over 10,000. A visit and you’ll find every type of gnome you can imagine from Christmas gnomes, classic garden gnomes, commemorative gnomes and more, brought from every corner of the world.
If you want to join in on the fun, note that anyone can leave a gnome, by bringing one from home or you can pass by the Ferguson Valley Visitor Centre to pick one up.
Where is Gnomesville?
Address: Corner of Wellington Mill and Ferguson Roads, Wellington Mill, Western Australia, 6236
Gnomesville lies about 20 minutes inland from Bunbury, which is about a 1.5-hour drive from Perth’s CBD. You can find this spot on the Wellington Mill Road and Ferguson Road intersection. Previously it was located on the roundabout itself, however, since then it has been relocated across the road to a more official area.
If you’re looking for a car rental across Perth, I recommend checking out Discover Cars, as they offer the best prices from all the big rental companies as well as a free cancellation policy.
When to Visit Gnomesville
Gnomesville is great to visit any time of the year and is a fun day trip from Perth. There’s no entry to visit Gnomesville and the busiest times to visit tend to be on the weekends.
Gnomesville History
The origins of Gnomesville have been well debated, with numerous stories in circulation on how it started. The following story however is said to be the most supported. In the early 90s construction on a roundabout occurred which was where the first gnome appeared. A resident saw the opportunity to leave a gnome in a nearby tree hollow and placed it there. Another local saw this and thought the new gnome home needed a name and placed the first sign “Dun Gnoming” on the hollow.
Since then, others have joined in on the fun and Gnomesville was born. After a couple of years, the Shire of Dardnup recognised the importance (and the increasing number of visitors to this attraction) and installed the car park and now maintains the site. These days, you’ll find a lot of signs at Gnomesville to manage the growing community of gnomes and to help manage the visitors to this spot.
Things to do in Gnomesville
Join in on the fun
It wouldn’t be a trip to Gnomesville without adding to the collection of growing gnomes. Make your mark at Gnomesville by adding to the growing community of gnomes – just make sure you leave them within the designated area and do not damage any plants while you are there.
If you do forget to bring your gnome you can always pop by the Ferguson Valley Visitor Centre on Ferguson Road in the Dardanup Townsite. While you’re there, don’t forget to enjoy the lush scenery – from the winding paths, natural plants and the charming stream.
Explore Nearby Attractions
Crooked Brook Forest
If you’re a nature lover you’ll want to head to the lush area of Jarrah forest located in the Ferguson Valley – Crooked Brook Forest. Located just 25km from the heart of Bunbury and 7km from Dardanup off Crooked Brook Road. Visitors will be treated to picturesque natural scenery whether on foot, car or bus. Make sure to dedicate some time exploring the walking trails, seeing the wildflowers, enjoying a picnic by the billabong and keeping an eye out for the local wildlife.
Wellington National Park
Gnomesville lies on the doorstep of the Wellington National Park and it would be a crime to not check out the iconic Wellington Dam. Boasting a giant mural painted across the dam’s surface, it’s a gorgeous spot to check out the natural scenery and explore the nature trails during the day or at night. Nearby you can also check out the local favourite swimming spots Black Diamond Lake and/or Honeymoon Pool.
Black Diamond Lake
If you’re looking to escape the summer heat, head over to Black Diamond Lake in Collie. It’s a popular swimming spot amongst the locals as well as for a picnic. This spot is popularly known for its vibrant blue colour which is owed to the history of the lake formerly operating as an open-cut mine site. Today, you’ll find the locals using it for leisure, whether it’s taking a dip in the water, having a picnic or just relaxing around the lake.
Find out everything you need to know about a day trip to Black Diamond Lake in this local guide.
Honeymoon Pool
If you’re heading to Black Diamond Lake don’t miss out on the cozy swimming hole just around the corner – Honeymoon Pool. This spot is a popular camping, picnic and swimming spot in the Wellington National Park. It’s one of the few in the area, including Stockton Lake and Black Diamond Lake. It’s the perfect shady and peaceful spot to explore just off the beaten track, for a picnic or swimming.
You can find Honeymoon Pool campgrounds on the banks of the Collie River which is about a half-an-hour west of Colloe and two hours south of Perth. If you’re travelling from Perth is straight down the Forrest Highway.
Tips for Visiting Gnomesville
Things to Know Before You Go
Here are some helpful tips to know before visiting Gnomesville in Ferguson Valley.
Entry & Facilities
There is no admission fee to enter Gnomesville and free parking is available. There are a few facilities available at Gnomesville including a couple of picnic tables to sit and enjoy a drink or snack. There’s also a toilet block located near the car park.
Leave No Trace
As with all visits to any natural spaces in Western Australia, make sure to not leave any rubbish behind, don’t damage the natural vegetation and just try your best to look after the surrounding area.
Fire Ban
Check and make sure to adhere to any fire bans or restrictions that may be in place. You can, of course, leave your gnome.
Watch Out
It’s best practice to not interfere with any of the existing gnomes and to not place your gnome outside the designated areas. Also, make sure to not affix your gnome to any trees or disrupt any plan life. This spot is also kid-friendly, so make sure not to get too raunchy by leaving a cheeky gnome.
Travel Planning Resources ✈️
Attractions & Tours 🌟 Klook and GetYourGuide are my preferred platforms for local tours and activities in Australia. They make it easy to compare tours, book experiences and the best deals. You can also download their mobile app where you can easily access your bookings on the go.
Power Adaptors 🔌: Australia standard Type I sockets with a standard voltage of 230. I always recommend buying a universal adaptor so you can use it in any country (great for future travels) and it offers extra ports for USB cables to charge your devices.
Accommodation 🛌: I book all my accommodation in Korea through Booking.com. They have a wide selection of accommodations worldwide, with flexible booking options and great deals. They also have a Genius Loyalty program where you can get discounts and benefits on selected stays.
Easy Car Rental 🚗 Get hassle-free car rentals on DiscoverCars with a wide selection, competitive prices, and great customer service. Often it’s cheaper than booking direct and you can compare a large range of suppliers to check if you’re getting the best price.
Stay Connected 📶 wherever you go by easily and affordably purchasing an eSim for all your travels. Thanks to Airalo, you’ll get instant access to data and you don’t need to physically swap a plastic SIM card every time you’re travelling to a new country.
Travel Insurance 🛡️ I use World Nomads for overseas travel insurance. Travel with peace of mind knowing you’ll be covered for unexpected events and plan a worry-free journey.
Camera Gear 📸: If you’re curious about the camera gear I’ve used for my photos find out what’s in my camera bag here.
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I’m yet to visit Australia, a big dream of mine and I love that there are so many things to do in Gnomesville and the Black Diamond Lake and Honeymoon Pool are breathtaking, I love the drone shots. I can’t wait to visit this community of gnomes. Great detailed article
Gnomesville looks like such unique place – would not miss it once in Australia! I’m fully convinced that my kids would enjoy it! Thanks for sharing!
The gnomes are so cute! I’d love to visit this place, it seems really unique 🙂
i love gnomesville! If i get back to Aus I will 100% bring my own!
How fun is this?? This looks like the cutest thing – for all ages!
Gnomesville looks hilarious! So nice that there’s no no admission fee! The nearby attractions like Honeymoon Pool and Black Diamond Lake also look beautiful, so it’d make a great day trip.