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If you’ve taken the scenic drive through Mountain Lagoon lately, you may have noticed a curious figure watching the horizon — lips pursed, camera around his neck, head tilted skyward in a moment of quiet, joyful whistle. Meet The Whistling Tourist, a whimsical roadside sculpture that’s fast becoming a local favourite.
The work of internationally acclaimed South African artist Francois (Frank) van Reenen, The Whistling Tourist is more than a roadside curiosity — it’s a moment of unexpected delight on the skyline. Van Reenen, known for his playful, minimalist resin figures, first unveiled the piece in South Africa’s Sculptures on the Cliffs exhibition. But it’s in the peaceful bushland of Mt Lagoon that the work seems most at home.
Standing tall against wide skies and eucalyptus trees, the sculpture feels like a gentle reminder to pause and take in the view. “He makes you smile, even if you’re having a rough day,” said one local. “It’s like he’s reminding you to slow down and enjoy the moment.”
Van Reenen’s work is known for its childlike charm, stylised forms, and quiet humour — and The Whistling Tourist captures all three. In a region shaped by rugged beauty and rural resilience, this figure of carefree curiosity adds something unexpected: a human-scale expression of wonder.
He doesn’t say a word, but the Mt Lagoon Whistler speaks volumes — about the power of public art to lift the spirit, and the way small surprises can make a familiar place feel brand new.
