Carnamah, Western Australia
Big Tractor visitor precinct
Population: 407 people
Key industry: Agriculture – particularly grain growing and mixed farming. In the 2021 Census, grain growing was the largest individual industry of employment in Carnamah, accounting for 14.5% of employed people. Grain-sheep or grain-beef farming was another significant industry at 4.8%. The broader Shire describes grain and sheep farming as its principal industry, with Carnamah being one of the region's major grain receival points. There is also a really strong historical connection to agriculture. Carnamah became one of WA's important wheat-producing districts, with large-scale wheat growing established in the early 20th century.
Distance to the nearest capital city: Approximately 300 km north of Perth
Quick fact: Carnamah is home to the World's Biggest Tractor – an 11.5-metre-high replica of the Chamberlain 40K, the first tractor manufactured in Western Australia. The enormous tractor on Yarra Street is a five-times replica of the Chamberlain 40K, the first tractor manufactured in Western Australia in 1949.
Summary
Rural Aid supported Carnamah’s community to enhance the visitor experience around one of the town’s newest tourism attractions – the world’s largest steel tractor sculpture. Funding helped the Friends of the Big Tractor create a welcoming place for visitors to stop, rest and enjoy the precinct, with new covered seating and a bench seat. The project has helped turn the Big Tractor into more than a roadside attraction, creating a place where visitors and families can pause, enjoy a picnic and spend more time exploring Carnamah.
Assets
- Strong farming and agricultural heritage
- Strong community pride and volunteer spirit
- Rich local history and heritage assets
- Growing reputation for arts and culture
- Existing tourism attractions and experiences
- Active community organisations and networks
- Strong local business and farming sector
- An existing Big Tractor installation
Challenges
- Limited population growth
- Seasonal economic fluctuations
- Tourism visitation concentrated in peak periods
- Limited market size for local businesses
- Attracting new residents and investment
- Volunteer fatigue
- Limited business growth opportunities
- Competition from larger centres
Goals
- Grow tourism and visitor spending
- Diversify the local economy
- Showcase local heritage and identity
- Promote Carnamah as a destination
- Support local businesses
- Strengthen community pride
- Attract new residents and families
- Celebrate local achievements
More about this project
How did they do it?
Rural Aid worked with the Friends of the Big Tractor committee, who obtained quotes and organised the ordering, delivery and installation of the seating.
The project delivered a covered table and seating area, along with a bench seat. Local businesses and community members were involved in bringing the project together.
Why did they do it?
The Big Tractor is an important new tourism asset for Carnamah, and the community wanted visitors to be able to stop, rest and enjoy the attraction rather than simply pass through.
The additional seating helped turn the attraction into a more inviting destination for visitors and families.
What changed as a result?
The community has seen many visitors using the Big Tractor precinct.
The new seating gives visitors somewhere to relax and enjoy a picnic while viewing the sculpture or using the nearby undercover playground.
The community also plans to continue improving the precinct, with lighting planned to allow visitors to view the Big Tractor after dark.
Their advice for other communities
Think about the practical things that make people want to stay.
Carnamah’s advice is that seating can make a valuable addition to a tourist attraction.
They also recommend sourcing products locally where possible, as freight can have a significant impact on project costs.
