Agricultural drones experiment Warraba Sunflowers wows thousands at Cambooya property

A world-first experimental sunflower crop has seen thousands travel across the country to visit the vibrant attraction south of Toowoomba.

Two best friends from across the country came together to celebrate their love of the world’s “happiest flower” visiting a special field planted entirely by drones south of Toowoomba.

Toowoomba resident Laura Hoek took an opportunity between the forecasted scorching temperatures and severe storm cells to visit Warraba Sunflowers with her Sydney-based friend Grace Colley before they close for the season on Sunday.

“It was beautiful and so impressive,” Ms Hoek said.

“From the back, you see yellow, but when you walk with your back towards the sun, you just see a sea of yellow facing you. It’s magic.”

Sydney visitor Grace Colley (left) and friend Laura Hoek of Toowoomba check out the Warraba Sunflowers summer crop. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Ms Hoek, who has collecting sunflower-themed items for many years, said she related to the flowers being drawn to the sun.

Laura Hoek shows off her sunflower earrings while standing in the Warraba Sunflowers summer crop, Wednesday, January 4, 2023.

“It’s always nice to have sunshine, and I’ve always loved the bright colours, and the vibes and emotions you feel when you’re surrounded by nature,” she said.

“I will 100 per cent be back and taking everyone I can.”

Owner of Warraba Sunflowers and Drone Commander Australia said the one-million crop experiment began in a world-first to master planting crops solely by agricultural drones, but it quickly found another purpose.

“Initially I was going to let people come and harvest the crop but then I realised the depth that people wanted to interact with the sunflowers,” he said.

“I crunched the numbers and thought, we’re just going to do this solely for people to come and look at. It’s worked really well.”

Sneha Babu with Shilbi Abraham in the Warraba Sunflowers summer crop, Wednesday, January 4, 2023.

Mr Woods said he was confident with his decision to not harvest the crop, considering the Cambooya location’s popularity with birds.

“If I seriously wanted to harvest them I would have a battle that A - I wouldn’t want to fight, and B - I wouldn’t win,” he said.

“I’m using Judo, not Karate. I’m redirecting what’s going to happen anyway to be beneficial to people rather than trying to fight it.”

Roger Woods of Warraba Sunflowers is attracting tourists to the Cambooya region with his summer crop, Wednesday, January 4, 2023.

The farm, open twice a year during the summer and winter months, has already welcomed thousands from across Australia, with some travelling for the sole purpose of snapping a bright photo.

The experiment, which Mr Woods said he has “squared away”, has assisted his business Drone Commander Australia in securing work with farmers across the Downs.

“(Warraba Sunflowers) is contributing to the profile that there’s operational agricultural drone businesses that can do the work, and it gives farmers another option,” he said.

“It works hand in glove really … especially when people haven’t been able to get equipment over the ground.”

Brisbane visitors Chandra and Swati Lakkola in the Warraba Sunflowers summer crop.

Visitors can see the sunflower farm, which consists of four paddocks with crops in four different stages of life, up until Sunday, January 8 from 7am to 7pm.

Tickets can be purchased through the Warraba Sunflowers, and guests are encouraged to take as many sunflowers as they wish, free of charge.

Originally published as Agricultural drones experiment Warraba Sunflowers wows thousands at Cambooya property