IF you have recently driven or walked along Victoria Pde in Portland, you might have done a double take.

Gazing out to sea is what looks like a woman, wrapped in winter clothes and an old brown rug. She looks very still – and perhaps a tad creepy.

Closer inspection reveals it’s a work of street art, created by Sarah Millard who lives across the road.

The mystery woman is actually a large garden Buddha, discarded on a naturestrip and given a new lease of life as a minor celebrity.

“People stop all the time and take photographs,” Ms Millard said. “Some even stop and have lunch with the lady and just admire the views. It’s become quite a tourist attraction.”

Those views are indeed worth stopping for: 180-degree vistas of ocean and ships, with Lady Julia Percy Island and the Codrington wind farm visible on clear days; spectacular sunrises and full moons lighting up the ocean.  It’s a popular viewing point for surfers, too, to check out the conditions.

Ms Millard and her husband, Carl, built their dream home around two years ago and have created a haven.

“We feel like we’re on permanent holiday here,” she says. “We designed our house so every room has a sea view.

“We have a lot of birds and wildlife visiting as we have birdbaths and a native garden. We see lots of wallabies, majestic sea eagles and kestrels flying over the ocean and last year spotted our first southern right whale tail slapping. It’s just awesome living here, no matter the weather, it’s so peaceful and beautiful.”

Ms Millard is a dedicated op shopper and loves to recycle and upcycle. One great find was a vintage iron tub which sits in their front garden. “We’ve got an outdoor hotwater shower so we’ll sit in the deep tub after a swim at Pivot beach and just look at the ocean.”

Having filled up her quirky garden, she cast her eye across the road around Christmas time last year. The narrow strip of council land was a blank canvas awaiting her creative touch. She started with a surfing Santa, an elf on a bike, Christmas tree and solar lights.

“Kids loved it and came back with their parents,” she said.

“It’s just a bit of fun, which people seem to love.

    “Recently, one woman was fascinated by the woman staring out to sea. She said her mother would sit at this spot years ago, to watch the ships come in.

“Practically every day there are walkers on the Great South West trail taking photographs. It just makes people happy.”