The Tin Horse Highway is one of those wonderfully quirky WA experiences that turns a simple country drive into a full-blown family adventure. Just east of the tiny Wheatbelt town of Kulin, this 15km stretch of road is lined with more than 70 bright, cheeky tin horses created by local farmers and community groups. It’s free, open all year round, and a brilliant way to break up a long drive to or from Wave Rock.
What began in the mid‑90s as a fun way to promote the annual Kulin Bush Races has grown into a full open-air gallery. Local farmers raided their sheds for drums, corrugated iron, pipes and scrap metal, turning them into hilarious horse characters. The results are pure country humour – think wordplay, puns and lots of personality. You’ll spot everything from ballerinas and sports stars to giant vegies and outback heroes, all with a horsey twist.
The drive itself starts in the town of Kulin and heads east towards the Kulin Bush Races track at Jilakin Rock along the Gorge Rock–Lake Grace Road, officially known as the Tin Horse Highway.
You can comfortably do the drive in under an hour, but with kids it’s worth allowing extra time – the fun is in pulling over, choosing favourites and taking plenty of photos. Some families like to treat it as a scavenger hunt, seeing how many different tin horses they can “collect” along the way.
The majority of sculptures sit along the main Tin Horse Highway, but it’s worth keeping your eyes peeled in the Kulin townsite and on surrounding roads too. The community keeps adding new creations, so no two visits are exactly the same. On the western side of town there’s even a separate cluster of tin horses including the famous “West Kulin Whoppa”, the biggest tin horse in the region and the result of some good‑natured rivalry between east and west Kulin farmers.
Kids will love the silliness and colour, and adults can enjoy the clever details and local in-jokes. Many pieces tell little stories, and some are inspired by sport, pop culture or life on the land. It’s also a fun way to introduce children to the idea of community art – these aren’t polished city sculptures, they’re home‑made, playful and full of character.
Because the Tin Horse Highway is a working country road used by trucks and local traffic, road safety is really important when you’re travelling with children. Plan your stops in clearly visible spots, pull well off the road, pop on your hazard lights and keep a close hold of little hands when they hop out for a closer look. It’s best to view the sculptures from the fence line – don’t cross fences or open gates to get right up to the artworks, as they’re often on private farmland.
There are no entry fees for the Tin Horse Highway, and you can visit any time of year. Wildflower season and the cooler months are particularly lovely, and the first weekend in October is extra special when the popular Kulin Bush Races are held, adding a real festival feel to the area. Before you set out, it’s worth picking up or downloading the Tin Horse Highway brochure and map from local tourism links so you can plan your route and make sure you don’t miss any highlights.
Facilities such as toilets, food, fuel, a Playground and visitor information are all located back in the town of Kulin, which makes a handy base before or after your self‑drive tour. With its small‑town friendliness and creative community, it’s a great spot to stretch legs, grab a snack and chat to locals about their favourite tin horses.
Whether you’re road‑tripping the Wheatbelt, detouring on the way to Wave Rock, or simply looking for an offbeat family day out, the Tin Horse Highway is a memorable, budget‑friendly adventure that will have the whole car giggling and pointing out “just one more” horse around every bend.
Tin Horse Highway, Kulin
Address:
Tin Horse Highway (Gorge Rock–Lake Grace Road / Kulin–Lake Grace Road), starting from the town of Kulin, WA 6365
Opening hours:
Free, self‑drive attraction
Open all year round, daylight hours recommended
Official website:
Visit Kulin – Tin Horse Highway
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Jennie McNichol is on a mission to prove there is always something fun to do in Perth. After 11 years in London working in the television industry for the BBC, Jennie moved to Perth in 2010 and founded Buggybuddys to silence the “nothing to do” crowd. Fifteen years later, it is the city’s number one guide for families, packed with daily inspiration and a huge focus on free local activities.
As a mum of two daughters, Jennie has evolved the site right alongside her own family—growing from a toddler-focused resource into a guide that supports parents through every stage, from the early years through to the teens. A passionate advocate for the WA lifestyle, Jennie loves helping families discover the best playgrounds, hidden gems, and budget-friendly days out in the most family-friendly city in the world.
