The Ultimate Guide to Gnomesville, Ferguson Valley

Magical or bizarre, cute or creepy? Nestled deep in Ferguson Valley is Gnomesville, which is home to an ever-growing community of gnomes. The immense amount of gnomes at Gnomesville has made it a popular tourist attraction, with visitors travelling from around the world to see the gnomes.

We’ve decided to put together this guide to answer frequently asked questions and cover everything you need to know about Gnomesville.

What is Gnomesville?

Gnomesville is a village which is home to over 10,000 gnomes. These gnomes have migrated to Gnomesville from all over Australia and around the world, as visitors travel from near and far to add their own gnome to the collection.

Every gnome has their own personality, with classic garden gnomes, happy gnomes, cheeky gnomes, grumpy gnomes, rockstar gnomes, festive gnomes, creepy gnomes and more. The longer you look the more you see! Walk through the stunning natural bush trails and meet more and more of the seemingly never-ending community of gnomes.

How Many Gnomes are at Gnomesville?

While no one has taken the time to count all of the gnomes at Gnomesville, it is believed that there are over 10,000 gnomes at Gnomesville. This number is continuing to grow daily as people travel from all over the world to add their own gnome to the collection.

Where is Gnomesville?

Gnomesville is nestled in the Ferguson Valley near the roundabout at the junction of Wellington Mill Road and Ferguson Road. The address in Google Maps is LOT 4059 Wellington Mill Rd, Wellington Mill WA 6236.

Is there an Entry Fee for Gnomesville?

Nope, there is no entry fee for Gnomesville. Parking at Gnomesville is also free.

When is Gnomesville Open?

Gnomesville is open 24/7 everyday of the year. However, please note that there are no lights at Gnomesville during the night so if you’re planning on visiting at night pack your torches!

Do you Need to Book in Advance to Visit Gnomesville?

No you don’t need to book in advance to visit Gnomesville. Just rock up whenever as its open 24/7.

How Long Should I Spend at Gnomesville?

This is up to you. Walking through the whole of Gnomesville would take around 10-15 minutes. This can be longer if you’d like to take more time and walk slowly through the trail to truly appreciate each of the different gnomes, reading their stories and where they’re from. It can also be longer if you’d like to take pictures or have a picnic there. We spent around 15-30 minutes at Gnomesville.

Can you Take Dogs to Gnomesville?

Yes, you can bring your dogs to Gnomesville. Just make sure to clean up after them and keep them on a leash when walking through Gnomesville.

Are there Toilets at Gnomesville?

Yes, there are toilets besides the carpark at Gnomesville.

Is Gnomesville Wheelchair Accessible?

Parts of Gnomesville are wheelchair accessible. The start/top area of Gnomesville has a sealed path, the deeper you go into Gnomesville however the less accessible the path becomes. Majority of the path through Gnomesville is unsealed and splits off into staired and bridged areas, which are not wheelchair accessible.

Can you Buy Gnomes in Gnomesville?

Gnomes are not available for purchase at Gnomesville but they’re available for purchase at the Ferguson Valley Visitor Centre. The Ferguson Valley Visitor Centre is located at 5 Ferguson Road in Dardanup, which is approximately 15 minutes away from Gnomesville.

When you’re in the area we recommend visiting the Ferguson Valley Visitor Centre, besides having gnomes for sale, their friendly volunteers can provide information on the area, making sure you get the most out of your trip to the Ferguson Valley region.

Can you Leave a Gnome in Gnomesville?

Yes, people travel from all over the world to add their own gnome to the Gnomesville community. Just place your gnome within the designated areas of Gnomesville and don’t damage or disrupt any trees or plants when placing your gnome in it’s new home.

If you’re adding your own gnome to the community we recommend adding a sign with the gnome to share it’s story and where it’s from. It’s not required but makes exploring Gnomesville even more special as you learn more about where each gnome came from.

How Far is Gnomesville from Collie?

Gnomesville is approximately 35km from Collie, which is about a 30 minute drive away.

How Far is Gnomesville from Bunbury?

Gnomesville is approximately 34.5km from Bunbury, which is about a 30 minute drive away (depending on traffic and which route you take).

How Far is Gnomesville from Perth?

Gnomesville is approximately 193km from Perth, which is about a 2-2.5 hour drive away (depending on traffic and which route you take).

How Big is Gnomesville?

The full size of Gnomesville has not been reported. To help give an idea on the size note that there are over 10,000 gnomes that call Gnomesville their home and walking through the whole of Gnomesville would take atleast 10-15 minutes (even longer if you’re taking the time to really look around).

Who Started Gnomesville?

For a long time no one knew exactly how Gnomesville came to exist. There were many rumours circulating about how Gnomesville started. The first was that a woman who lived nearby and enjoyed repairing gnomes left one or two gnomes there for decor, people saw these gnomes and gradually added to them over the years.

Another story said that the nearby roundabout was identified as a traffic hazard so people began adding gnomes to the roundabout only for them to become a growing distraction, making the roundabout more of a hazard to drivers. Local authorities ended up having to move them to a nearby area (which is where their home is now).

Recently the ‘true story’ has come out and is signposted at Gnomesville. The true story is that the roundabout was constructed in the early 90s due to concerns about the school bus stopping at what was originally a Y junction. On the roadside near the current Gnomesville carpark there was a large redgum tree that had a hollow close to the ground. Local resident Kathleen Rees (Kelsey) thought the hollow would be the perfect home for a gnome so she placed one there. From here, others decided to add their gnomes to the community and thus ‘Gnomesville’ was created. Gnomes were added to the roundabout however these gnomes were frequently vandalised and misplaced. Moving the gnomes off the roundabout and onto the land at the side (where they are today) helped prevent vandalism and allowed the gnome community to continue to grow. The community continued to maintain and expand the area, keeping it clean and tidy. After several years the Shire of Dardanup recognised Gnomesville as an important tourist attraction so installed the carpark and now maintain the site.

How Old is Gnomesville?

Gnomesville began in the early 90s when local resident Kathleen Rees placed a single gnome in the hollow of a redgum tree where Gnomesville lies today.

Is Gnomesville Worth Visiting?

Definitely. It’s safe to say that Gnomesville isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s definitely a spot that’s worth visiting if you’re in Ferguson Valley. The vast amount of gnomes is jaw-dropping to see in person and is not something that can be depicted well through photos. You have to be there to truly appreciate it. You’ll either find Gnomesville cute or creepy but either way, everyone can appreciate the passion that has come from the community into making Gnomesville what it is today.

Enjoy Your Visit to Gnomesville

And there you go! We hope you enjoy your visit to Gnomesville in Ferguson Valley. Have a fun time walking through the natural bush trail and meeting the ‘locals’ for yourself.

Watch Our Experience at Gnomesville

If you’d like to you can watch our experience at Gnomesville in our YouTube video below.