Local Traveler’s Favorite Monument, the 30-Foot Gnome, Receives New Permanent Home
It’s a sad day for sarcastic travelers everywhere. One of Australia’s most beloved landmarks, the iconic 30-foot gnome sculpture, has been relocated to a new home at a sculpture park. The giant statue had been an iconic and much-photographed site along the Pacific Highway for four years, but now it will be relegated to obscurity at the new site.
Fans of the giant gnome are mourning the loss of what has been described as a “must-see” attraction for anyone passing by. “I can’t believe they took it away,” says local resident Sheila Blevins. “That gnome was a tourist attraction. It was part of the fabric of our community. Now it’s just another statue in some fancy sculpture park. It’s a sad day for everyone who loved that giant statue.”
The gnome was first installed on the side of the Pacific Highway in 2015 as part of a promotion for a local garden center. The massive sculpture quickly became a cult favorite, with travelers from all over the world making a pilgrimage to see the giant landmark. But the garden center was eventually sold, and the new owners didn’t see the giant gnome as a valuable asset.
Thus, the statue was sold to the new sculpture park for an undisclosed price. The park’s management seems to be excited about the new addition to their collection. “We are very pleased to have acquired this beloved sculpture,” says park spokesperson Betty Cheng. “We think the gnome will make a great addition to our new exhibit on kitsch in modern sculpture. Visitors will love it.”
But fans of the sculpture aren’t convinced. They’ve started a petition to bring the statue back to its original location. “We want our gnome back!” says Blevins. “It’s not just a sculpture, it’s a symbol of our town. It’s a beacon of hope and joy. We won’t let it be erased from our landscape.”
The petition has already garnered over 5,000 signatures, and local businesses are starting to feel the impact of the gnome’s removal. “We used to get a lot of people stopping by just to take pictures of the giant gnome,” says Martina Lee, owner of the nearby diner. “Now they just drive on by. It’s a real shame.”
Only time will tell whether the giant gnome will ever return to its rightful place alongside the highway. In the meantime, travelers will just have to settle for the other boring and non-descript monuments that litter our highways and byways. Gone is the joy and whimsy that once graced our landscape. Farewell, giant gnome. You will be missed.
