By Chloe Henville - ABC Midwest and Wheatbelt
Carnamah has seen a rise in visitors in the past year. Photo: ABC Midwest & Wheatbelt: Chloe Henville
- The world's biggest tractor sculpture was unveiled in the WA Midwest town one year ago.
- Carnamah locals say tourism has exploded, and small businesses are reaping the reward of steady customers.
- An original Chamberlain 40K tractor will be installed at the site as a size comparison.
The world's biggest tractor statue drew a crowd of thousands when it was unveiled in WA's Midwest a year ago.
Residents of Carnamah, 300km north of Perth, say local tourism has continued to boom thanks to the outsized orange attraction.
Brendon Haeusler says donations and merchandise sales bring in hundreds of dollars weekly. Photo: ABC Midwest & Wheatbelt: Chloe Henville
Big Tractor Committee chair Brendon Haeusler said it had boosted visitors throughout the year in the town of 400 people.
"Wildflower [season] is always fairly busy around here, but it's also increased [tourism] in the off seasons as well," he said.
"Which takes a bit of the peak and plateau out of the tourism around here."
The Big Tractor dwarfs all else in the small rural community of Carnamah, WA. Photo: ABC Midwest Wheatbelt: Chris Lewis
Mr Haeusler said they sell about $750 worth of merchandise - which includes embroidered shirts and hats - and receive around $300 in donations each week.
He said the money had funded a new shed which would house an original Chamberlain 40K - WA's first locally manufactured tractor - next to the replica, as a size comparison.
An original Chamberlain 40K (right) will be placed near the big version. Photo: ABC Midwest Wheatbelt: Chloe Henville
Mr Haeusler said while the giant statue drew people to Carnamah, they often stayed for the small-town charm.
"They usually book another night or two in the caravan park," he said.
"So instead of just passing through, they're stopping, spending money in town, getting to know a bit about the town and the history."
The tractor replica has become part of Carnamah's identity. Photo: ABC Midwest Wheatbelt: Piper Duffy
More work, extra staff
Mr Haeusler said the local cafe had employed extra staff to meet demand from the additional visitors.
Cassie Killick created 'little' big tractor cookies to sell at the local cafe. Photo: ABC Midwest Wheatbelt: Chloe Henville
Cassie Killick, a chef at the cafe for three years, said customer numbers had almost tripled since the big tractor opened.
"The last couple of months have been absolutely hectic," she said.
"On a really busy day we could easily see 100 plus people come through here."
Drinks are served in mugs that celebrate the vintage tractor theme. Photo: ABC Midwest Wheatbelt: Chloe Henville
Ms Killick said the tractor had become part of the cafe's identity - even inspiring baked goods.
She said she made a batch of tiny tractor cookies to celebrate the grand opening last year.
"Then someone shared it on a social media page and my boss was like 'you're going to have to keep making them now'," Ms Killick laughed.
Sue Sivyer has lived in Carnamah for 40 years. Photo: ABC Midwest Wheatbelt: Chloe Henville
She said she now makes almost 300 little cookies a week.
Tourism society president and resident of 40 years Sue Sivyer said the visitor intake to the town had doubled.
"It's just gone bonkers," she said.
Like many other regional towns, Ms Sivyer said Carnamah had a declining and ageing population.
"The numbers are obviously going down, but we try and hold on to them [and] our big tractor is one of the ways we get people through," she said.
The cafe sells tractor tribute cookies. Photo: ABC Midwest Wheatbelt: Chloe Henville
Ms Sivyer said travelling to small towns could be eye-opening for city residents, who may not otherwise have stopped in the agricultural communities.
"I think it's important because they need to see how the small towns are actually coping with the reduction of numbers," she said.
Carnamah chief executive Stuart Taylor said constructing a 'big thing' could offer a boost to other regional towns.
Mr Taylor says other towns should consider building their own 'big thing'. Photo: ABC Midwest Wheatbelt: Piper Duffy
"Honestly I've been amazed by the amount of people that stop and the traffic down the main street," he said.
"I mean, you're talking 20, 30 caravans all lined up to come and have a look at this."
Mr Taylor says the site will only become more iconic. Photo: ABC Midwest Wheatbelt: Chris Lewis
- ABC
