The runaway success of a small-scale sunflower tourism project has inspired communities on the Liverpool Plains of New South Wales to go even bigger.
Over the next few weeks, a group called Sunflowers on the Plains hopes many farmers and home gardeners will sow seeds that will bloom around Christmas and January.
The hope is that, by that time people are comfortable travelling, the sunflowers will encourage tourists to spend time in the district.
Ian Carter has never grown sunflowers commercially, but he sowed a few rows last year that attracted tourists from far and wide.
"We planted a little patch, just for fun really, and [the reaction] caught me by surprise well and truly," Mr Carter said.
Around local towns, residents planted seeds by mailboxes, front gates, and in pots.
Many people made scarecrows as well and it all culminated in an unofficial tourist trail.
Spreading the flower of joy
In some areas of Australia, there have been complaints from farmers about tourists trampling their crops to get the best shot.
The Sunflowers on the Plains committee said it hoped to solve that problem by growing purpose-built viewing points.
The new committee wants to build on the success of this year and spread sunflowers across a wider area of the plains.
It said a number of farmers had begun planting the seeds in staggered patches so the blooms lasted to the end of January.
"They saw what happened last year and they want to be a part of it," committee member Shaen Fraser said.
Businesses in town are giving away free seeds to anyone who wants to brighten up their gardens, and maps will be produced to guide people to where viewing points are.
"There are competitions for the highest [sunflower], the biggest head, and a scarecrow competition to keep those pesky birds away," Ms Fraser said.
And she could not think of a better flower to lure devoted tourists.
