The regional town of Gnowangerup has found a way to attract tourists by making old things new again, as Ara Jansen explains.
Over the past few years, residents of the town of Gnowangerup in the Great Southern have been involved in a revitalisation project to attract tourists back to the town.

A group of concerned citizens realised they needed to create reasons for people to visit Gnowangerup. Using a Cars movie reference, local Cassandra Beeck says her town was starting to look a bit like Radiator Springs.
They came up with a number of local business initiatives – which have been highly successful – but by far the most colourful and fun idea is The Horsepower Highway.
It’s a trail of 20 vintage and quirky tractors which have been restored in unique and colourful ways. Starting at Broomhill, The Horsepower Highway goes through Gnowangerup and ends in the Stirling Range National Park. Many of the tractors have been donated by local farmers and cleaned up to become interesting and photo-worthy opportunities along the drive south. The plan is to continue adding to the collection.
All the tractors have names which either reflect their history or a local story.
Hero is named for SES volunteers, Lizzy is a local icon that originally helped clear a lot of the original properties in the area, and Snowy has skis on the bottom to adapt to the wintery conditions at the Bluff Knoll Ski Club. Mad Max was the one which was too far gone to restore and has become a wild sculpture using found agricultural equipment. Lucinda is a hot pink tractor situated between two water tanks which have been painted with portraits of local women showing the diversity of contributions they make, including a farmer, an agronomist, volunteers, a sportswoman and Blair Hinkley, fondly known as “the chook lady”.

The tractors are positioned perfectly for stopping and taking photos. It’s also an opportunity to learn about each of the machines, their history and part in local rural life.
The Dyipni (or the jeepney) is the latest addition to the highway. It was created by 14 local Filipino welders and fitters who call Gnowangerup home and is a homage to the most popular form of transport in the Philippines.
Created as a local answer to the transport scarcity after World War II, the wildly colourful open buses showcase Filipino ingenuity and creativity. This jeepney – which you can sit in – features both the colours and symbols of the Philippines in harmony with plenty of Aussie touches to celebrate both countries.
“The trail really has given us an identity,” says Cassandra, one of the creators of The Horsepower Highway and chairperson of the management committee. She’s also a local primary school teacher and farmer. “Now a lot more people are coming through our town.

“Not only do people get to see the tractors, but they also have a chance to experience the beauty of the landscape here. It’s a stunning drive. That has been great for visitors and also the locals.”
Around 250 locals have been involved in the project – all of them volunteers. There are also volunteers who have adopted each tractor and make sure they remain in tidy condition and ready them ahead of holidays and add thematic touches for notable dates like Christmas and ANZAC Day. Finding a tin flower at each tractor will also help you Crack the Highway Code competition.
Meet all the tractors and get a map at www.thehorsepowerhighway.com.au