Australia's big things

The big things of Australia are a loosely related set of large structures, some of which are novelty architecture and some are sculptures. There are estimated to be over 150 such objects around the country. There are big things in every state and territory in continental Australia.

A selection of Australia's big things

Most big things began as tourist traps found along major roads between destinations.

The big things have become something of a cult phenomenon, and are sometimes used as an excuse for a road trip, where many or all big things are visited and used as a backdrop to a group photograph. Many of the big things are considered works of folk art and have been heritage-listed, though others have come under threat of demolition.[1][2]

List of big things (by state or territory)

Australian Capital Territory
Name Location Built Size Notes Image
Big Acorns Molonglo Valley 2013 Architectural art incorporating large scale acorns into children's play equipment.

Pod playground featuring giant banksia seeds and nest swings that can be located at the National Arboretum Canberra

Geo: 35°17′14″S 149°04′07″E
Big Bogong Moths Acton 2001 Designed by Ngunnawal artist Jim Williams and created by Matthew Harding these 6 larger than life bogong moths constructed with cast concrete can currently be located at the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies.
Big Coins Deakin A building embellishment for the Australian Royal MINT representing the decimal currency of Australia
Big Galahs Watson Located on Antill Street, Watson
Giant Mushroom Belconnen 1998 8 m × 4 m (26 ft × 13 ft) Located in the Belconnen Fresh Food Markets,[3] the Giant Mushroom shelters a children's playground. It was officially launched in 1998 by the ACT Chief Minister.
Owl[4] Belconnen 2011 8 m (26 ft) Located at the main entrance to Belconnen town centre, the statue cost $400,000 and was built by Melbourne sculptor Bruce Armstrong.[5]
Big Pears Parkes 1973 Titled 'Pear – Version Number 2' and created by George Baldessin in Moorabbin, these large scale pears were purchased by the National Gallery of Australia in 1973. Around 2018, The Pears were relocated from the front entrance of the National Gallery to a more obscure area down the side of the establishment.
Big Pool Ball


Yarralumla 2019 1.8 m (5'10") The Big Pool Ball located at Yarralumla Play Station, which is home to one of the largest mini-golf courses in Australia.

New South Wales
Name Location Built Size Notes Image
Big Ant Broken Hill 1980 A bull ant sculpture designed by artist Pro Hart, which was erected in 1980 and originally stood at the Stephens Creek Hotel.[6] It was moved to its current location, next to the Tourist Information Centre in Broken Hill, after being donated to the city in 1990.
Big Apple Batlow Located in the middle of an orchard about 3 km north of Batlow, without public access. Only its top is visible from Batlow-Tumut Road, as it is largely blocked by apple trees.[7]
Big Apple Tallong Located on Caoura Rd at Jim Watling Park. Tallong is home to the big apple and host to the award-winning annual "Apple Day" festival. The Big Apple made its return at the 2016 Apple Day festival.
Big Apple Yerrinbool Visible from the Hume Highway

-34.348504, 150.554299
Big Avocado Duranbah Located at Tropical Fruit World.
The Big Axe Kew 1979 8 m (26 ft) Located alongside the Kew Visitor Information Centre. The original sculpture was replaced in 2002 as a result of ant induced damage. The Axe was remodelled and a new one was displayed on 26 January 2017.[8]
Big Ayers Rock North Arm Cove 1990 This 1/40 scale model of Uluru was formerly an attraction at Leyland Brothers World, and later formed the roof of the Rock Restaurant. Technically not a "Big Thing" (as it was substantially smaller than the item it is modelled on), the Rock Restaurant was loosely grouped with the big things as an object of roadside art. It was destroyed in a fire on 31 July 2018.[9]
Big Banana Coffs Harbour 1964 13 m × 5 m (43 ft × 16 ft) Sometimes claimed to be the first Big Thing in Australia.[10] The Big Banana tourist complex includes a banana-themed souvenir shop, tours of the surrounding plantation and an indoor ski slope.
The Big Beer Can Cobar 1990 5 m × 2.5 m (16.4 ft × 8.2 ft) The Big Beer Can has a Tooheys New design, and is located above the entrance to the Grand Hotel.
Big Bench Broken Hill September 2002 As part of the Landscapes and Backgrounds exhibition, a 2.5 times scale park bench was constructed on the top of the Line of Lode, which is a high hill of mine deposits in the centre of the city of Broken Hill.
The Big Blue Heeler Muswellbrook 2001 2 m (6.6 ft) high Located adjacent to the town information centre.
The Big Bogan Nyngan 2015 3.6 m (12 ft) high The Big Bogan is the brainchild of Reverend Graham McLeod from Nyngan's St Mark's Anglican Church.[11][12] Located on Pangee Street next to the railway lines.
Big Bowl Lake Cathie 1975 A 10-foot-high (3.0 m) replica of a lawn bowl, consisting of one and a half tonnes of steel and concrete.[13]
Big Bull Wauchope 14 m × 21 m (46 ft × 69 ft) The Big Bull was pulled down in October 2007.[14]
Big Bunch of Bananas Coffs Harbour Formerly located in Sawtell, the Big Bunch of Bananas was relocated when the Pacific Highway bypassed the town and now lie just to the south of Coffs Harbour.
The Big Bicycle Chullora 1997 9 m × 6 m (30 ft × 20 ft) The bicycle built by Jonh Ridley, Andy Lugiz and Phillip Becker adorns the entrance to the Chullora Waste Transfer Station, Chullora.
Big Cheese Bodalla The Big Cheese is located at the former Bodalla cheese factory on the Princes Hwy, Bodalla. It is as of 2013 closed.
Big Cherries Young Originally located off Short Street, but moved with the tourist information centre to Lovell Street to the old railway station.
Big Chook Moonbi 1970s 2 m × 4 m (6.6 ft × 13.1 ft)
Big Chook Mount Vernon 4 m × 4 m (13 ft × 13 ft)

Big Fish Manilla The Big Fish is located at the Big Fish Roadhouse at 79 Arthur Street Manilla.
Big Funnel Web Spider Jamberoo 2015 19.7 m × 22.2 m (65 ft × 73 ft) The Big Funnel Web Spider was built at Jamberoo Action Park located 20 minutes south of Wollongong and is a steel, fibreglass and concrete structure 420 times larger than a female Sydney funnel-web spider. It was awarded a Guinness World Record as the Largest Spider Sculpture in August 2015.[15]
The Big Gold Panner Kelso 1979 5 m × 3 m (16.4 ft × 9.8 ft) Located in front of the Gold Panner Motor Inn.
The Big Gold Pick and Pan Grenfell 2005 Pick 4 m, Pan 3 m (diam) Located between the Goods Shed and historic Station Building at the old Railway Station precinct, just off the northern end of West Street.
The Big Golden Guitar Tamworth 1988 12 m × 4 m (39 ft × 13 ft) Modelled on the Golden Guitar trophies given to winners at the Country Music Awards of Australia ceremony night during the Tamworth Country Music Festival.
The Big Knight Knockrow At the entrance to the Macadamia Castle, a nut-themed park and store.
The Big Hammer Mudgee Located at Rosby Wines (122 Strikes Lane, Eurunderee) is Tig Crowley's "Water Hammer". Previously located at the Fairview ArtSpace, the Big Hammer was relocated in 2016 when the ArtSpace closed down.
The Big Headphones Newcastle 2015 3 m (9.8 ft) Located on Darby St, this fully operational pair of headphones was designed by Mark Tisdell and built in collaboration with Tom Ireland (fabrication and design detailing), Sean Bell (graphics), Adrian Garner (electrical engineering), Brad Phillips and Rhian Leek (architectural design), with the support of the Darby Street Traders Group.
The Big Kookaburra Kurri Kurri 2009 4.5 m (15 ft) Sculpture by Chris Fussell.[16] It is located in Rotary Park.[17]
The Big Lamb Guyra 1988 Erected by the town and district to promote the lamb and potato industries in New England. The lamb is stood over a potato plant.
The Big Merino Goulburn 1985 15 m × 18 m (49 ft × 59 ft) A sculpture of a merino ram, built in 1985.[18] Goulburn and The Big Merino were bypassed by the Hume Highway in 1992, leading to a reduction in visitor numbers. On 26 May 2007, Rambo (as the Merino is locally known) was relocated by low-loader to a new home within sight of the highway.[19]
The Big Miner's Lamp Bowenfels
Big Mosquito Hexham 1993 "Ozzie the Mozzie" at the Hexham Bowls Club is modelled on the local Ochlerotatus alternans mosquito species, known as "Hexham Greys". It includes illuminated eyes which switch on at night.
Big Murray Cod Tocumwal 1967 2 m × 7 m (6.6 ft × 23.0 ft) Located near the corner of Deniliquin Rd and Murray St, near the Murray River.
Big Orange Tenterfield
The Big Oyster Taree 12 m × 4 m (39 ft × 13 ft)
The Big Playable Guitar Narrandera 1991 6 m × 2 m (19.7 ft × 6.6 ft) The largest playable guitar in the world.
Ploddy the Dinosaur Somersby 1963 4.8 m x 2 m Situated in the Australian Reptile Park, and commissioned by the Park's founder, Eric Worrell. The concrete structure, based on the shape of a Diplodocus, is 30 metres long and weighs almost 100 tonnes.[20]
The Big Peg Canowindra 2017 A giant clothes peg located in a field beside the road between Canowindra and the village of Cargo. Designed by the Stacey Family and fabricated by Jake Willis of Canowindra it was inspired by a similar structure in Belgium.[21]
The Big Potato Robertson 1977 10 m × 4 m (33 ft × 13 ft) A giant potato constructed by farmer Jim Mauger in 1977.[22]
The Big Poo Kiama 2002 1 m × 5 m (3.3 ft × 16.4 ft) The Big Poo was built by local residents as a protest against Sydney Water's decision not to reuse waste water in the area. Built from foam, it was unveiled by Ian Cohen on 29 April 2002.[23]
The Big Prawn West Ballina 1989 6 m × 9 m (20 ft × 30 ft) On 24 September 2009, Ballina Shire Council voted to allow the demolition of the Big Prawn,[24] but this permission was never acted upon. Bunnings Warehouse purchased the site in 2011 and refurbished the Prawn as part of the redevelopment. The prawn now sits on a stand next to the entrance of the Bunnings Warehouse carpark.[25][26]
Big Rabbit Trap Albert 2013 A Big Rabbit Trap, located on the roof of the Rabbit Trap Hotel.
The Big Rocket Moree 2009 14 m (46 ft) high The Big Rocket, launched during the International Year of Astronomy and the 40th anniversary of the first manned moon landing, contains two slides and a space-themed command centre playground.
Big Rubik's Cube Maroubra 2008 A cement cube painted as per a Rubik's Cube on top of a storm water drain on Maroubra Beach.
The Big Slurpee Coffs Harbour 2009 15.24 m (50 ft) Dismantled in 2009.[27]
The Big Soldier Uralla In front of Hassett's Military Museum.
The Big Spider Urana 2009 The Big Spider (named "Not so Itsy" by the artist) was created by Andrew Whitehead, a nearby resident of the town. The spider commemorates the local football club, who were, for many years, known as the Spiders, and is built from a range of materials – including a wash tub and a hot dog muffler.[28][29]
The World's Biggest Sundial Singleton 1987 A 25-foot-high (7.6 m) sundial presented as a gift from Lemington Mine, to honour the occasion of the Australian Bicentenary. At the time of its creation, it was recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's largest sundial,[30] and still lays claim to being the largest one-piece sundial in the Southern hemisphere.
The Big Swan Dunedoo In front of the Swan Motel.
Big Tennis Racquet Barellan 3 October 2009 13.8 m (45 ft) long Built in honour of Evonne Goolagong, who grew up in Barellan.[31]
The Big Trout Adaminaby 1973 10 m × 3 m (32.8 ft × 9.8 ft) Designed by Andy Lomnici, the Big Trout is located in the town of Adaminaby, near Lake Eucumbene in the Snowy Mountains. Opened in 1973, the trout is built from fiberglass over a steel frame.[32]
The Big Trout Oberon
The Big Turtle Forster Carved from timber, the big turtle is located behind the main street of Forster on a riverside boardwalk.
The Big Ugg Boots Thornton 20 April 2015 Mortels Sheepskin Factory is home to The Big Ugg Boots. These big ugg boots are 13 times the size of a women's US size 8 ugg boot. The Big Ugg Boots are located in the Hunter Region of NSW.
The Big Ugg Boots at Mortels Sheepskin Factory
The Big Windmill Coffs Harbour 1972 Although work started on the Big Windmill in 1972, the death of Franz De Kever in 1974 delayed completion until 1982, as it was not until the site was purchased by Hans Eecen that work was able to resume. The Big Windmill has since changed hands, and is now operated by Mark and Jodi Taylor. The site includes a 41-room motel and a restaurant.[33]
The Big Wine Barrel Hanwood, Griffith 1973 Located at the McWilliam's Winery. The cellar door with historical displays and a giant glass mural are located within.
The Big Wine Bottle Pokolbin 1998 7 m × 1.5 m (23.0 ft × 4.9 ft) Located at the Hunter Valley Gardens. The neck forms a chimney for an open fire contained within.
The Big Wine Cask Mourquong 8 m × 6 m (26 ft × 20 ft) Located at the Constellation Stanley winery *Edit – as of Dec 2013 no longer there. Building is, but has been painted out and is not accessible*
Red Pillars Tweed Heads-Gold Coast Known as the state border sign, it is on the border, located on the Pacific Highway between Tweed Heads North, New South Wales and Coolangatta, Queensland.
The Biggest Smallest Town Mullumbimby 8 m × 6 m (26 ft × 20 ft) Located on the NSW far north coast just south of the QLD border in the shire of Byron, this town claims to be Australia's biggest small town.

Northern Territory
Name Location Built Size Notes Image
The Big Aboriginal Hunter Anmatjere 2005 Located approx. 150 km north of Alice Springs at the Aileron roadhouse/ caravan park.

The Anmatjere Man took a year to construct and was created in 2005 by Mark Egan. Until 2008 the Anmatjere Man a.k.a The BIG Aboriginal Hunter stood alone on top of a hill which is accessible for pictures in dry conditions.
Anmatjere Woman and Child Anmatjere 2008 In 2008 Mark Egan, creator of the Anmatjere Man, felt the sculpture needed a family and so begun sculpting the "Anmatjere Woman and Child" While the man is located on top of a climbable hill the Anmatjere Woman and child is more accessible and situated just outside Aileron Roadhouse.
Big Barramundi Katherine Located atop Rod & Rifle Tackleworld in Katherine NT
Big Beer Can Ghan Ghans boast of being the Northern Territories First and Last stop for a drink resulted in this novelty reminder outside the Kulgera Pub.

Originally the can label was West End Draught but a label change to XXXX Gold occurred sometime between 2002–2010
Big Books Alice Springs 2018 The BIG Books were a part of a 2018 instalment to renovate and update the Alice Springs public Library.
The Big Boxing Crocodile Humpty Doo 1988 8 m × 8 m (26 ft × 26 ft) Outside the United fuel station (formerly known as the Bush Shop) on the Arnhem Highway at Humpty Doo. The Boxing Crocodile was built by Ray Park in 1988[34] on a commission by Ray Whear and Marshall Brentnall who was the owner of The Bush Shop at that time. It was created to celebrate Australia winning the America's Cup in 1983 and to assist with attracting tourism to the area. The Boxing Crocodile is Humpty Doo's equivalent to the Boxing Kangaroo.
Big Buffalo Winnellie Dubbed 'Lefty' by locals as one testicle is visibly bigger than the other.

Lefty was originally gray and created as a float for a local parade. Saved from being recycled a local buffalo trading business purchased him as a company mascot but painted him pink to ensure he stood out from the gray business building he once stood proudly in front of. When the company closed its doors Lefty was auctioned and brought by the car dealership (Travans Cars & Commercials) he resides to this day.
The Big Dinosaur Yarrawonga 13 m (43 ft) This large fibreglass Brachiosaurus can be seen on Pierssene Rd, outside Bunnings Palmerston.

It was previously a garden feature for 'Finlays Joint Cafe'. Originally bought by Tom Finlay, a stonemason, to complement a sculptured Dragon in Mr. Finlay's Landscaping supply section of his business. Mr. Finlay also purchased several other large dinosaurs made by the same Philippine-based Dutch company that produces models for adventure parks but began selling them in 2010.
Big Fish Wanguri Visible from Gsell St this BIG Fish decorates Wanguri Pre-School front yard.
Big Frogs Darwin The BIG Frogs can be located outside 'Ramada Suites Zen Quarter Darwin'

Originally the BIG Frogs were located at Tom Finlays 'Get Stoned' masonry but were purchased and relocated after Toms masonry relocated themselves. The BIG frogs have a sister pair, colorfully painted located within the Berry Springs Wildlife Park.
Big Gold Nugget Douglas-Daly The Big Gold Nugget is situated outside the Douglas Daly Historic Hotel and is a tribute to the Gold once and still frequently found in the area.
Big Hand Alice Springs The red sculpture situated outside 'Central Second Hand Shop' consists of a hand protruding another hand from its index finger
The Big Jumping Crocodile Wak Wak Located in the carpark of The Original Adelaide River Queen Jumping Crocodile Cruises, just off the Arnhem Highway near the intersection of the Adelaide River.
Big Owl Darwin 2010 Created in 2010 by Koolpinyah Richard Barnes the BIG Owl titled 'Chinute Chinute' can be located outside the Darwin Supreme Court.
The Big Stockwhip Acacia 7 m × 10 m (23 ft × 33 ft)
The Big Stubbie Larrimah
Big Turtle Lyons 2004 1.5m x 4m Commissioned to celebrate the new estate of Lyons, which was established in 2004 the giant sea turtle was created by Techy Masero with assistance from Larrakia Nation artists.

Unofficially named 'Collin' by Google Maps editors locals enjoy changing Collins Google name plate to various other names.
Big Wine Bottle Daly Waters The BIG Wine bottle is fixed to the back of ute and typically parked at the Daly Waters Historic Pub.

Queensland
Name Location Built Size Notes Image
The Big Apple Thulimbah 1978 4 m × 4.5 m (13 ft × 15 ft) From the "Landmark Legends of Stanthorpe", "The original Big Apple, a Granny Smith, lived at the petrol station at Applethorpe from 1978. The steel and fibreglass sculpture stands 4m tall and the apple is 4.5m in diameter. It was crafted by local artisan Johnny Ross. It went into temporary retirement in 2003 when the Applethorpe site was redeveloped. After a brief facelift, the re-grafted apple emerged as a Royal Gala apple slightly north of town at Thulimbah. Its new home is Vincenzo's at the Big Apple, which is situated on the opposite side of the new England Highway to Suttons Apple Orchard & Cidery."[35][36]
Big Apple Acacia Ridge Located at 1102 Beaudesert Road.
Banana the Bullock Banana Dun bullock after which the Shire and Town of Banana were named.
Big Banana North Mackay 1987 9.2 m × 1.8 m (30.2 ft × 5.9 ft) [37]
Big Bowling Pin Maryborough unknown, restored 2020 Previously from Toowoomba, The ‘Big Bowling Pin’ was restored and put on display again in 2020 out the front of Maryborough Tenpin Bowl, located at 2 Quarry Court, Maryborough, Queensland
Big Kronosaurus Richmond 'Krono', a full sized replica of the Kronosaurus queenslandicus. Outside Kronosaurus Korner Fossil Museum, Richmond.
Big Barrel Bundaberg 2005 25 m × 10 m (82 ft × 33 ft) The Barrel is an interpretive visitors' centre, gift and bottle shop for Bundaberg Brewed Drinks, located at 147 Bargara Road. According to a commemorative plaque inside the Barrel, it was opened by the Hon. Mr. Mark Vaile MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the Nationals on Friday, 18 November 2005.
The Big Barramundi Normanton 1995 7 m × 2 m (23.0 ft × 6.6 ft) [38]
The Big Barramundi Daintree 1986 7.5 m × 2 m (24.6 ft × 6.6 ft) [39]
Big Bolt and Nut Roma Located in front of Banks Bolts and Fastners at 87 Raglan Street.
Big Boomerangs Nindigully 1989 3m high These 3 big boomerangs are what remain from the roof of the diner that was built on site and featured in the 1999 Australian film The Paperback Hero with Hugh Jackman and Claudia Karvan
The Big Boot / Shoe Chermside 1960s A large shoe mounted on the roof of a car sales yard on the corner of Rode and Gympie Roads (621 Gympie Road). The boot originally came from a boot and footwear factory on the corner of Hale and Caxton Streets in Paddington, operated by the Morris family in 1960. In 1976, the factory became a restaurant called the Spaghetti Emporium, and the boot remained on the roof there until it was brought to its current location in the late 1970s as a marker for Boots Camping.[40]
The Big Brolga Townsville 1988 [41] The Big Brolga was originally located at the Visitor Centre on the Bruce Highway, south of Townsville. It has been removed and is no longer displayed.
Big Brolgas and Snake Near Mackay
Big Bulls Rockhampton 1978 Initially there were two bull statues but over time others were added reaching a total of seven. Five of the bulls were created by sculptor Hugh Anderson.[42][43]
The Big Cane Toad Sarina 1983 4 m × 1 m (13.1 ft × 3.3 ft) "Buffy", short for the cane toad's scientific name 'Bufo Marinus', is located in Broad Street, Sarina.

Built out of Paper Mache in 1983, for a float in the Apex Sugar Festival Parade, the Sarina council eventually cast the Big Toad in fiberglass to become a permanent fixture in the town's centre.[44]
The Big Captain Cook Cairns 1972 14 m × 2 m (45.9 ft × 6.6 ft) Built by Roberto Paiaro from Cairns, and it originally had "Made in Japan" painted on the lower leg as a joke. Modelled on the explorer Captain Cook.[45]
The Big Cassowary Mission Beach 4 m × 4 m (13 ft × 13 ft) Built by Darryl Lourigan.[46]
The Big Cockatoo Mossman In front of the Mossman Hotel and Holiday Villas.
The Big Cow Highfields 1976 12 m × 7.62 m (39.4 ft × 25.0 ft) [47] Moved from Kulangoor on 10 January 2020 to Highfields Pioneer Village near Toowoomba. Under restoration.[48]
The Big(Mud)Crab Cardwell 1986 4 m × 1 m (13.1 ft × 3.3 ft) Built by Terry Tebble, senior preparator at the Queensland museum.[49] Located at Seaview Cafe in Cardwell. The original mold is kept at NatureWorks, a company near Samford, QLD.
Big Crab Miriam Vale 1979 Located at the Shell petrol station and roadhouse on the corner of Dougall Street and Roe Street (Bruce Highway). Created by proprietor Lex Milner, who owned the service station at the time and wanted to promote his tasty mud crab sandwiches.[50]
Big Crocodile Daintree 2001 2 m × 4 m (6.6 ft × 13.1 ft) [51]
Big Crocodile Wangetti 1984 7.9 m × 1 m (25.9 ft × 3.3 ft) Also known as 'Big Ted', this Big Thing is at Hartley's Creek Adventures, a crocodile farm with over 3000 crocs. Big Ted is a life-sized replica of one shot by Krys Pawlowski near Karumba in 1957.[52]
Big Crocodile Normanton 1996 8.63 m (28.31 ft) An accurate artist's impression of the largest recorded saltwater crocodile ever killed. "Krys the Savannah King" was shot in 1957 by Krystina Pawlowski on the banks of the Norman River.[53]
Big Deck Chair Winton 2002 18.3 m (60.04 ft) Located at the Royal Theatre, an open air picture show, on Elderslie Street. The chair was donated in April 2005 by the Free Masons Taskforce Victoria. Claimed to be the World's largest, but claim has not been verified.[54]
The Big Dinosaur Ballandean 1998 2.1 m × 6.7 m (6.9 ft × 22.0 ft) Also known as 'The Big Triceratops' or 'Fruitisforus', this large fibreglass triceratops was originally used as a float in the 1998 Apple & Grape Festival. After the festival, residents placed it on the roadside to help sell fruit for a local fundraiser, and it became a popular landmark. The triceratops was refurbished in 2009 to repair weather damage and then returned to its original post in front of the Ballandean railway station.[55]
The Big Dugong Rockhampton 1992 22 m × 12 m (72 ft × 39 ft) Located at the Rockhampton Dreamtime Cultural Centre.[56]
The Big Easel Emerald 1999 25 m (82 ft) The Big Easel, located off Capricorn Highway in Morton Park, holds a 7 m × 10 m (23 ft × 33 ft) reproduction of one of Van Gogh's Sunflower paintings.[57][58]
The Big G Gracemere 2015 5.4 m × 6.6 m (18 ft × 22 ft) Made from 6mm mild steel and weighing Almost 5000 kg, this impressive structure marks the entry to Gracemere Industry Park.[59]
Big Golf Ball Broadbeach
The Big Golden Gumboot Tully 2003 8 m × 6.1 m (26 ft × 20 ft) [60]
The Big Gun Underwood A 155 mm (6.1 in) field gun mounted on top of a two-story fruit shop. The gun was in a metal scrap yard that occupied the site in the 1960s before the shops and offices were built in the 70s.
The Big Hard Rock Guitar Surfers Paradise 1996 10 m × 3 m (32.8 ft × 9.8 ft) The iconic large guitar that fronts every Hard Rock Cafe. The Surfers Paradise location was established 22 March 1996.[61]
The Big Macadamia Nut Woombye, 5.5 kilometres (3.4 mi) south of Nambour 1978 16 m (52 ft) Six years after the Big Pineapple opened the owners built the Big Macadamia nut. Once part of the "Nut Country Tour", the building was eventually converted to the "Rainforest Creatures of the Night" display in 2000. The building has since closed, and remains unused as of June 2013.[62]
The Big Mandarin Mundubbera 1983 11 m × 15 m (36 ft × 49 ft) [63]
The Big Mango Bowen 2002 10 m × 8 m (33 ft × 26 ft) The Big Mango stands at the tourist information centre in Bowen.[64] In February 2014, the Mango was temporarily "stolen" by restaurant chain Nando's as a publicity stunt.[65][66]
Big Map of Australia Goondiwindi ? 5m x 5m This is made from pieces old machinery and pipes. it is on the Ingelwood side of Goondiwindi
The Big Marlin Cairns 1980 10 m × 2 m (32.8 ft × 6.6 ft) [67]
Matilda The Kangaroo Kybong 1982 13 m (42.7 ft) Built to be the mascot for the 1982 Commonwealth Games, Matilda the Kangaroo now resides at Matilda Fuel's Kybong service centre on the Bruce Highway, South of Gympie.[68][69][70]
Big Meat Ant Augathella 2011 5 m (16 ft) A giant meat ant sculpture commissioned by Murweh Shire Council, in the hope of attracting "thousands of tourists".[71]
Big Melon Chinchilla 2018 8-metre (26 ft) long In 2018, Chinchilla won a national competition run by Wotif to create a Next Big Thing as a tourist attraction. The melon was installed next to the town's information centre in November 2018.[72]
Big Merino Blackall 1983 3 m × 4 m (9.8 ft × 13.1 ft) [73]
The Big Miner Rubyvale 1983 In front of the Bobby Dazzler mine. Missing its left hand in May 2012. Hand repaired and statue repainted prior to December 2012.[74]
The Big Mower Beerwah 1974 11 m × 3.6 m (36 ft × 12 ft) [75]
The Big Ned Kelly Maryborough 7 m × 2 m (23.0 ft × 6.6 ft) The Big Ned Kelly stands in front of the Ned Kelly Motel and service station. Built by Dat Romano.[76]
The Big Orange Gayndah 1977 [77]
The Big Orange Lockyer Valley Corner of Lake Clarendon Way and Crowley Vale Road.
The Big Paperclip West End, Brisbane 3 m × 2 m (9.8 ft × 6.6 ft) This was a public sculpture that once stood on the lot next to Paul's dairy factory on Montague Road. The area is now part of the ramp onto the Go Between bridge, and the fate of the sculpture is unknown. Last photo located on the internet was dated 2007.
The Big Peanut Tolga 1977 [78]
The Big Pelican Noosaville Mounted on a motorised float in parkland next to the Noosa River.[79]
The Big Pick, Shovel and Sieve Sapphire 1999 4 m × 2.5 m (13.1 ft × 8.2 ft) Located in front of the Blue Gem Store Van Park. Built by Barry Richardson and David Gould.[80]
The Big Pie Yatala late 1970s 4.5 m (15 ft) diameter Mounted atop a 10 m (33 ft) pole next to the car park of the Yatala Pies drive-through pie shop.[81]
Big Pineapple Gympie 1971 16 m (52 ft) high Formerly located next to a service station on the Bruce Highway, the Gympie Big Pineapple was demolished in 2008 during redevelopment of the site.[82][83]
The Big Pineapple Woombye, 5.5 kilometres (3.4 mi) south of Nambour 1971 16 m × 6 m (52 ft × 20 ft) The Big Pineapple is a tourist attraction on the Sunshine Coast in South East Queensland, Australia. It is 16 metres high and is claimed to be the world's largest pineapple, gaining this title after a large pineapple-shaped water tower in Hawaii was dismantled in 1993 (see List of World's Largest Roadside Attractions). The pineapple was originally opened on 15 August 1971, and is situated on a 165-hectare site in Woombye.[84][85]
The Big Pumpkin Beaudesert
The Big Pumpkin Gumlu The Big Pumpkin is situated outside the same roadside fruit and vegetable store as the Big Watermelon.
The Big Red Elephant Hatton Vale Located at 4138 Warrego Highway in Hatton Vale. Part of the "Jumbo" shopping centre.
The Big Redback Eight Mile Plains, Brisbane 1996 5 m × 3 m (16.4 ft × 9.8 ft) The Big Redback resided on the premises of Redback Landscaping at Eight Mile Plains. The business has since moved to Underwood and disassembled the Big Redback. Inquires have garnered that it is unlikely to be reassembled due to lack of space.[86]
The Big Rig Roma over 30 m (98 ft) tall A tourist attraction which commemorates the finding of oil in Roma.
The Big Rum Bottle Bundaberg 1988 7 m × 1 m (23.0 ft × 3.3 ft) The bottle started out as the Bundaberg Rum Company's pavilion at World Expo 88 in Brisbane, and is now located outside the visitors' centre at the Bundaberg Distillery. Since then there have been several copies of the bottle which are found in various locations throughout Queensland, one being outside of the Sundowner Saloon in Haigslea.[87]
The Big Sapphire Anakie 1982 3.7 m × 2.26 m (12.1 ft × 7.4 ft) Located in front of the Big Sapphire and Gemfield Information Centre at 1 Anakie Road, which was closed as of May 2012.[88]
The Big Sapphire Ring Sapphire 1984 Located in front of Pat's Gems. Built by Victor Saunders.[89]
The Big Sausage King Centenary Heights, Toowoomba The Big Sausage King sits on the roof of Gray's Modern Meat Mart in Centenary Heights. In 2010 it was stolen, and in spite of 10 kg (22 lb) sausage reward from the store and an additional $500 being offered by radio station Triple M, it was eleven months before it was discovered in a local quarry.[90][91][92]
The big Scout hat Cairns 1982 The octagonal Cairns Control Room is listed on Queensland's Heritage Register. The fibreglass Scout hat was added to the building in 1982.
The Big Shell Tewantin 1960s 6 m × 2 m (19.7 ft × 6.6 ft) The Big Shell is the entrance to a Hawaiian / tropical lifestyle store, full of little treasures and shells. The Shell is now under the third owner.[93]
The Big Spanner Sapphire 1982 2 m (6.6 ft) The first big thing in the area of Rubyvale and Sapphire, and was built by Allen May.[94]
The big strawberry Elimbah 2014 Over five metres tall Outside Rolin Farms, a strawberry and orchid farm on Rutters Road, Elimbah, near Caboolture.
The Big Stubby Tewantin 1966 9 m × 4 m (30 ft × 13 ft) No longer there. Queensland's first big thing, built by George Clifford out of 17,000 empty stubby bottles.[95]
Big Teepee Millmerran ? 4m high The Big Teepee was erected reportedly as a Rendezvous Place for a local club.
Big Thermometer Stanthorpe 2018 10 m (33 ft) "The coldest place in Queensland", has the Big Thermometer to proudly display the temperature.[96]
Big Thongs Calen 2021 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) [97]
Big Watermelon Gumlu The Big Watermelon is situated outside the same fruit and vegetable roadside store as the Big Pumpkin.
The Big Whale Kinka Beach Built by Kevin Logan.[98]
William the Wombat Thallon, Queensland 2018 2 m × 3.5 m (6.6 ft × 11.5 ft) The wombat depicted is a northern hairy-nosed wombat which is critically endangered.[99][100]

South Australia
Name Location Built Size Notes Image
The Australian Farmer (also known as the Big Farmer) Wudinna 2008 8 m (26 ft) Taking 17 years to develop from the initial proposal to the final unveiling, the Australian Farmer, located in the town of Wudinna in South Australia, was carved by artist Marijan Bekic and his son David between 2007 and 2009. Representing the early settlers of the region, the work stands at 8 m (26 ft) in height, and was carved out of approximately 70 tonnes (69 long tons; 77 short tons) of local granite.[101]
The Big Ant Poochera 2008 Situated at The Poochera Roadhouse on Highway 1, South Australia.
The Big Bee Kingscote
The Big Bob-tail Lizard Port Lincoln Outside the Kuju Aboriginal Arts Centre, 30 Ravendale Rd, Port Lincoln
The Big Cherries Pages Flat Located at Fleurieu Cherries on Pages Flat Road (B34) in Pages Flat, SA
The Big Church Block Bottle McLaren Vale 2010 10 m (33 ft) The Big Church Block Bottle is no longer on display at the Wirra Wirra Winery, having been removed in 2016. The Big Church Block Bottle, named Our Work of Art, was a 10 m (33 ft) high replica bottle of Wirra Wirra, Church Block wine. The bottle was constructed to launch the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival in March 2010, located at Southbank in Melbourne, Victoria. The bottle was located in Melbourne from 14 March 2010 through to 19 March 2010 before it was re-located to the Wirra Wirra vineyard in McLaren Vale, South Australia, during April 2010. The bottle was designed in five sectional pieces, made from steel framework covered in wire mesh. The mesh has been cladded entirely by recycled corks. Each cork was individually drilled and threaded onto elastic before being cable tied around each section of the bottle.[102]
The Big Cockroach Port Wakefield Rd, Lower Light 1990s 4m x 4m (approx.) The Big Cockroach is part of the Port Wakefield road sculptures, and features a sign verifying its global size dominance. This is a difficult Big Thing to approach, well inside private land and next to a highway. It was originally constructed in the 1990s, and was almost destroyed in 2013 but saved through public action and returned to the site.[103]
The Big Dice Barrier Highway The Big Dice consist of six concrete blocks piled into a small pyramid. They are located 24 km east of Yunta / 20 km west of Mannahill, just off the Barrier Highway at Cockscomb Creek
The Big Galah Kimba 1993 8 m × 2.5 m (26.2 ft × 8.2 ft) Residing at the "Halfway Across Australia Tourist Shop" at Kimba, South Australia, the Big Galah was built from fiberglass over a steel frame by Robert Venning, and was opened in 1993. Modelled on the Galahs that frequent the region, it stands at 8 metres (26 ft) high and 2.5 metres (8 ft 2 in) wide, and weighs in the vicinity of 2.3 tonnes (2 long tons; 3 short tons).[104]
The Big Hat Cradock 2013 Located opposite the Cradock Hotel.
The Big Hills Hoist O'Sullivan Beach Located next to the Orrcon Steel carpark, at the corner of Morrow Rd and O'Sullivan Beach Rd, in O'Sullivan Beach. Google Maps Street View: https://goo.gl/maps/kUpvN6Aiiqgb7ZSQ8
The Big Kangaroo Border Village 1986 5 m × 2 m (16.4 ft × 6.6 ft) Also known as "Rooey II", the Big Kangaroo can be found at Border Village in South Australia, located just shy of the border with West Australia.[105] Made from papier-mâché and fiberglass over a steel frame, from a design by Bill Metheral, Rooey was intended to capitalise on traffic journeying to Perth for the America's Cup, and was opened in 1986.[106]
The Big Lobster Rosetown 1979 17×15×13 m (56×49×43 ft) Known locally as "Larry", the Big Lobster was designed and built by Paul Kelly (who also designed the Big Scotsman) as a means of attracting attention to the visitor centre and restaurant at which it is located. It was built in six months out of a steel frame with a fiberglass shell. The size is said to have been an error: the original plans were drawn in feet, but the designer misinterpreted them to be metres.[107]
Map the Miner Kapunda 1988 8 m × 2 m (26.2 ft × 6.6 ft) Named Map Kernow, the "son of Cornwall", Map the Miner represents the Cornish miners who once worked at the town of Kapunda. Standing at the southern end of the town, the work was built by Ben van Zetten and opened on 5 June 1988.[108] The statue was destroyed by a fire in 2006,[109] but has since been rebuilt.[110]
The Big Olive Tailem Bend 2009 11 m (36 ft) The Big Olive was constructed to attract tourists to The Big Olive processing plant and visitors' center. Located just outside Tailem Bend, it consists of two olives – one green and one black – which together stand at 8 metres (26 ft) and weigh over 1 t (2,200 lb). The olives were constructed out of fiberglass by The Newell Group, and were placed on the site in April 2005.[111]
The Big Orange Berri 1980 15 m × 12 m (49 ft × 39 ft) Located in the South Australian Riverland, the Big Orange was designed by Adelaide-based architect John Twopenny. It is constructed with fiberglass panels covering a steel frame, with the entire structure weighing in the vicinity of 85 tonnes (84 long tons; 94 short tons).[112][113] The structure consists of four levels, with a function room on the first floor, a souvenir shop and cafe on the second, a mural depicting the local scenery on the third, and a lookout on the fourth.[114] *Edit Dec 2013, now closed but can still get photos from the road*
The Big Oyster Ceduna 1992 As with the Big Pelican, the Big Oyster was originally built as a float for a local festival – in this case, Ceduna's annual Oysterfest. Built by Leon Veerhuis out of ferro-concrete, it was retired from parade duties in 1994.[115] It is located next to an information booth on Eyre Highway just north of Ceduna.
The Big Pelican Loxton 1992 The Big Pelican was originally constructed as a float for a local Mardi Gras in 1979. After being employed for this purpose on a number of occasions, including once in Adelaide, the papier-mâché structure was remodelled, and, in 1992, it was overlaid with fibreglass. Today it can be found at the Loxton Caravan Park.[116]
Another Big Pelican Meningie 2015 This Big Pelican was carved from a single tree. It includes depictions of a pelican as well as an Indigenous and a European child holding a fish together. It was created by Ants Redgum Gallery and unveiled in August 2015. It is located in Jubilee Park on the Princes Highway (B1)
The Big Pigeon Adelaide 2020 The Big Pigeon is a mirrored stainless steel sculpture by South Australian artist Paul Sloan, installed in Rundle Mall Adelaide, on 6 November 2020. The pigeon is more than 2 metres tall, and cost $174,000.[117]
The Big Ram Karoonda 2003 2 m × 3 m (6.6 ft × 9.8 ft) The Big Ram in Karoonda recognises the importance of the sheep industry in the region. Instigated by the Karoonda Development Group and located on the Railway Lawns, the Big Ram is 2 metres (6 ft 7 in) high and 3 metres (10 ft) long, and is built from concrete. It was completed in 2003.[118]
The Big Rocking Horse Gumeracha 1981 18 m × 17 m (59 ft × 56 ft) Part of a complex that includes a wooden toy factory and a wildlife park, the Big Rocking Horse in the Adelaide Hills stands at over 18 metres tall and weighs more than 25 tonnes. Designed by David McIntosh and John Twopenny (the latter also designed The Big Orange), it took eight months to build at a cost of over $100,000. The steel structure incorporates three viewing platforms.[119]
The Big Santa (Father Christmas) Adelaide 1960s 16.4m x 5m x 2.5m Adelaide's iconic Father Christmas (the Big Santa) was installed on the front of retailer John Martin's in the lead-up to Christmas, and later those premises became David Jones.

In 2015, the Big Santa was moved to his new home at the Adelaide Central Market, after building changes in Rundle Mall removed the canopy he used to stand on.

Now the Big Santa stands proud each Christmas on the Market's red brick Grote Street tower, built in 1900, and has become the new home for the Christmas feature, which weighs almost three tonnes.
The Big Scotsman Medindie, Adelaide 1963 5 m × 1 m (16.4 ft × 3.3 ft) The Big Scotsman, affectionately known as 'Scotty', was erected in 1963 and thus predated the Big Banana by a year. Located at Scotty's Motel on the corner of Main North Road and Nottage Terrace in the inner-city suburb of Medindie, the Big Scotsman was designed by Paul Kelly, who later went on to build the Big Lobster.[120]
The Big Teddy Bear Minlaton 4 m × 3 m (13.1 ft × 9.8 ft) The Teddy Bear is constructed from round and square hay bales, and is located 7 kilometres north of Minlaton at 20006 Spencer Hwy, Koolywurtie SA 5575.
The Big Winch Coober Pedy 1986 8 m × 5 m (26 ft × 16 ft) The Big Winch acknowledges Coober Pedy's opal-mining industry. Built by Klaus Wirries in the 1970s, the original Big Winch was destroyed in 1986 and rebuilt shortly thereafter.[121]
The Big Windmill Penong The windmill museum includes the largest windmill in Australia.
The Big Wombat Bookabie Situated at Scotdesco Aboriginal Community (Tjilkaba), on Highway 1, South Australia. Link To Scotdesco Page and The Big Wombat
The Big Yabby Clayton 1973 2 m (6.6 ft) Built in 1973 by Henry Jones, the Big Yabby resides at the Murray River town of Clayton, and originally sat outside his family's Yabby City Restaurant. While the concrete yabby remains, the restaurant has since changed both owners and name to become Sails at Clayton, and yabbies are no longer on the menu.As of 2015, the Yabby is no longer there.[122][123] The Big Yabby now resides next to a private house in Clayton Bay and can be seen from the street in 2020.

Tasmania
Name Location Built Size Notes Image
Big Apple Spreyton
The Big Cherry Latrobe Adjacent to the Bass Highway at The Cherry Shed.
The Big Coffee Pot Deloraine Constructed by the addition of a spout and handle to a grain silo.
The Big Penguin Penguin 1975 3 m × 1 m (9.8 ft × 3.3 ft) Constructed from fibro cement to mark the centenary of the proclamation of the township of Penguin. Unveiled 25 October 1975.
The Big Platypus Latrobe
The Big Rock Lobster Stanley Mounted on the roof of Hursey Seafoods.
The Big Slide Rule University of Tasmania, Hobart Located in the School of Mathematics and Physics.
The Big Spud Sassafras
The Big Tasmanian Devil Mole Creek 2 m × 3 m (6.6 ft × 9.8 ft) Standing at the entrance to the Trowunna Wildlife park and Tasmanian Devil research centre.
The Big Thumbs Up Scottsdale Scottsdale, Tasmania.
The Big Wickets Westbury 3 m × 8 m (9.8 ft × 26.2 ft) Located at the front of the local cricket pitch, commemorating locally born player Jack Badcock.

Victoria
Name Location Built Size Notes Image
The Big Abalone Laverton North A rotating fibre glass replica of an abalone that sits illuminated and rotating atop a 5.3 m tower at the Plummer Road premises of the Australian Abalone Exports office.[124]
Big Apple Bacchus Marsh The Apple was removed from display at the road side when the adjacent fruit shop closed down. It used to sit behind a fence next to a dumpster however this has now been removed. There is now a concrete version that is not quite as grand.
Big Lizzie Red Cliffs 1915–1916 10.36 m × 3.35 m × 5.49 m (34.0 ft × 11.0 ft × 18.0 ft)
The Big Apple Gladysdale The fiberglass Big Apple hangs from a pole outside the Gladysdale Primary School which is the home of the annual Gladysdale Apple and Wine Festival. After sustaining damage from vandals some time ago it has been restored to its former glory by a local builder and aircraft engineer. Organisers of the festival are planning to unveil the restored apple at the 2014 event on 4 May 2014.
The Big Cherry Glenrowan Owners of the property removed the Big Cherry in 2010/11.
Big Cigar Churchill Replica of Sir Winston Churchill's cigar, after whom the town is named.
Big Coffee Maker Brunswick 3 m × 1 m (9.8 ft × 3.3 ft) Located outside Georges Gourmet Coffee, 340 Victoria Street, Brunswick, Melbourne.
Big Cows Newhaven The Big Cows are located outside the Phillip Island Chocolate Factory.
Big Dead Fish Fish Creek Positioned on the roof of the Fishy Pub.
Fairfield Industrial Dog Object (FIDO) Fairfield 2000 Created in 2000 and positioned next to Fairfield Railway Station.
The Big Flower Yarra Junction March 2014 The Big Flower sits atop a florist on Warburton Highway, Yarra Junction
The Big Golf Ball Centre Dandenong Road, Heatherton, Victoria, Melbourne Victoria Contrary to most popular information, the Big Golf Ball is not at the Spring Valley Golf Club in Clayton South
Big Hens Meredith Adjacent to the Midland Highway outside a battery egg farm.
Big Koala Cowes The Big Koala can be found next to Rusty Water Brewery and Restaurant on Phillip Island Road.
The Giant Koala Dadswells Bridge 1989 14 m × 8 m (46 ft × 26 ft)

The Giant Koala is 27 km (17 mi) north-west of Stawell in the small township of Dadswells Bridge. The Koala is 14 m (46 ft) high, and weighs 12 tonnes (12 long tons; 13 short tons). It is made of bronze set on a steel frame. The sculptor is Mr Ben Van Zetton who was hired in 1988 to design and construct the piece. In 2009 it was renamed Sam to commemorate a koala rescued from bush fires.[125]
Big Lizard Marysville The Big Blue-Tongued Lizard takes pride of place in Gallipoli Park, Marysville
Big Mallee Bull Birchip
Big Mallee Fowl Patchewollock 2013 The Big Mallee Fowl consists of two corrugated iron Mallee Fowl sculptures which were installed by artist Phil Rigg in 2013. They are located on the grounds of the old railway yards on Federation Street (Opposite the Hotel).
Big Mallee Root Ouyen The Big Mallee Root is an actual mallee root rather than an oversized replica like most of Australia's big things. It is on display in a park.
Big Miner Warrenheip opened 1 December 2006 Located at Gold Rush Golf on the Western Highway (M8) on the eastern side of Ballarat with the Big Ned Kelly.

"The Big Miner stands as a tribute to the tens of thousands of gold prospectors who frequented regional Victoria during the second half of the nineteenth century. The statue stands 8 meters tall (6 meters of statue on a 2-metre base). It has been hand sculptured from polystyrene and has a 1.5 ton steel frame. The 2-metre high concrete base is approximately 15 tons. It was designed by Wayne Johnston of 3D Theme Concepts and sculptured by Steve Bristow. Ballarat Mayor, David Vendy, officially unveiled the statue on 1 December 2006."
Big Ned Kelly Warrenheip Located at Gold Rush Golf on the Western Highway (M8) on the eastern side of Ballarat with the Big Miner.
Giant Murray Cod Swan Hill 3 m × 9 m (9.8 ft × 29.5 ft) Located at the train station.
Big Cherry Wyuna Located in the car park down the driveway
The Big Ned Kelly Glenrowan 6 m × 2 m (19.7 ft × 6.6 ft) A tribute to the bushranger Ned Kelly.
The Big Pheasant Tynong 8 m × 17 m (26 ft × 56 ft) The Big Pheasant sits at the entrance to Gumbuya Park. It was the victim of an attack by vandals in October 2011,[126] and was restored to its previous condition by April 2012.
The world's largest rolling pin Wodonga The Big Rolling Pin sits atop a bakery and spins.
Big Smoke, also known as the Big Cigarette[127] Myrtleford No longer painted as the 'Big Smoke' due to closure of cigarette factory, located on Myrtleford–Yackandandah Road
The Big Sphinx North Geelong, Victoria 1998 15m tall
Big Strawberry Koonoomoo 2 m × 4 m (6.6 ft × 13.1 ft) Located at the Big Strawberry store on the corner of Goulburn Valley Hwy and Cobram-Koonoomoo Rd.
Big Tap Cowes The Big Tap suspended in the air above A Maze'N Things on Phillip Island Road.
Big Wave Newhaven The Big Wave is a popular photo point, where you can ride the wave. Located at the Island Surf Experience, Phillip Island Road, Newhaven.
Big Wine Bottle Rutherglen The Wine Bottle was the towns original water tower in the 1900s. The tower became a backup supply once the new reservoir was constructed in 1945. The mesh top section was erected in December 1969 with funds from the Rutherglen Wine Festival, and from a distance gives the effect of a large wine bottle.
Big Wool Bales Hamilton 1989 3 m × 12 m (9.8 ft × 39.4 ft) The cafe and souvenir shop within the Big Wool Bales closed in June 2013 due to a lack of profit.[128]
The Giant Worm Bass 250 m × 4 m (820 ft × 13 ft) Located on the Bass Highway, the Big Worm contains interactive displays and one can walk inside. There are also animals to view and a gift shop on the property. Closed to the public since 2010 and covered in graffiti.
Public Purse Melbourne Located at the North-West end of the Bourke Street Mall outside the GPO.
Giant Pocket Watch Melbourne Located in the atrium of Melbourne Central Shopping Centre opposite the Coop's Shot Tower

Western Australia
Name Location Built Size Notes Image
Big Periodic Table Joondalup 2019 600 m2 (6,500 sq ft) The world's largest permanent periodic table of the elements can be found on the side of the five storey science building (Building 15) at Edith Cowan University and can be viewed from a smaller periodic table picnic table nearby. The periodic table is more than 4 times larger than the previous largest at the University of Murcia in Spain. It was inaugurated to coincide with the 150th anniversary of the table's creation by Russian chemist Dmitri Mendeleev.
Big Apple Donnybrook

-33.55239, 115.83901

 7 m × 4 m (23 ft × 13 ft)
Big Banana Carnarvon 6 m × 1 m (19.7 ft × 3.3 ft) Cnr Robinson St & Boundary Rd
World's Tallest Bin Kalgoorlie 1980 About 8 m (26 ft) tall Located on Hannan Street[129]
Bert Bolle Barometer Denmark 1985 Over 12.5 m (41 ft) A working water barometer being the largest barometer in the world, recognised by the Guinness Book of Records. Built in the Netherlands by Bert Bolle and donated to the community of Denmark in 2007. The barometer was considered a monument and carried the name 'The Bert Bolle Barometer'. It was set up in The Barometer Tower in the Denmark Visitor Centre, but was removed in 2011
The Nannup Clock Tower

(Owner and maker of the Wooden Clock was made to remove the clock in May 2019, only building remains)

 Nannup 2019 Over 6 m (20 ft) The world's largest wooden pendulum clock. Built in the Nannup by Kevin Bird and housed in a purpose built tower it opened to the public as a tourist attraction in January 2019. Made out of local timber Jarrah and Sheoak.
Big Bobtail Stirk Street, Kalamunda, Perth 2012 9 m × 1.3 m (29.5 ft × 4.3 ft) Carved out of rammed earth by Yagan memorial artist Roman Antoniuk,[130] and modelled on a 300 mm (11.8 in) blue-tongued skink that lives on the block.
The Big Camera Meckering

-31.63167, 117.0071

 A building housing a museum of photography and a huge collection of cameras
The Big Cricket Bat Narrikup The eight metre tall bat was constructed by Tony Poad, who has revived the local general store into not only a thriving mixed business, but also a cricketing museum. Although the museum is located at the general store, the Big Cricket Bat is situated at the local cricket ground. Accompanying the Bat is the worlds first known cricket oval cricket bat fence, which is essentially the boundary picket fence with eh top and bottom rails made out of normal planks and the vertical pickets are cricket bats. The fence is currently unfinished and it is assessed that the builders (who are on the local cricket team and led by Tony Poad) need approximately 2,000 more bats to complete the project.
Cow on the Corner Brunswick Junction 5 m × 1.5 m (16.4 ft × 4.9 ft)
The Big Crocodile Wyndham

-15.4874, 128.12385

 1987 18 m × 3 m (59.1 ft × 9.8 ft)
The Big Lobster Dongara Corner of the Brand Highway & Moreton Terrace
The Big Marron Old Kent River Winery,

4341 S Coast Hwy, Kent River WA 6333

 Known as "Rex of the River", based on the local species of freshwater crayfish, the Cherax tenuimanus. The Big Marron is located at the Old Kent River Winery, between Denmark and Walpole.
The Big Mushroom Balingup

-33.78859, 115.97637

 Situated in the gardens of the Old Cheese Factory, Nannup Road, Balingup.
Big Orange Harvey

-33.06318, 115.89183

 2 m (6.6 ft) diameter
The Big Prawn Learmonth Situated outside the MG Kailis dock, 20 km south of Exmouth.
The Giant Ram Wagin 13×9×6 m (43×30×20 ft)
Leeuwin Way Whale Eucla 10 m × 3 m (32.8 ft × 9.8 ft) Situated in the carpark of the Eucla roadhouse, Eyre Highway.
King Neptune Two Rocks, Yanchep 1982[131] Heritage-listed (2006). Originally built for Atlantis Marine Park.
The Big Wheelbarrow Port Hedland Situated at the entrance to the Wedgefield Industrial Area between Port Hedland and South Hedland.


Locations of a number of Australia's big things
  • The London production of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert: the Musical references the Big Prawn, Big Merino, Big Pineapple and the Big Banana.
  • The ABC produced a documentary titled Big Things as part of its program The Big Picture.
  • The National Museum in Canberra has a comprehensive multimedia exhibit displaying many big things.
  • In 2007 Australia Post issued a set of 50c postage stamps by Reg Mombassa, commemorating five of the most iconic big things:
    • The Big Banana at Coffs Harbour (NSW)
    • The Big Golden Guitar at Tamworth (NSW)
    • The Big Lobster at Kingston SE (SA)
    • The Big Merino at Goulburn (NSW)
    • The Big Pineapple at Nambour (QLD)[132]
  • Danny Wallace mentions Australia's big things in his book Yes Man.
  • Travel writer Bill Bryson details his visit to the Big Lobster and the Big Bull in his book Down Under / In a Sunburned Country
  • In the Australian comedy film Young Einstein, when the titular character books into a hotel, the desk clerk asks if he's "Here to see the Big Bed?"
  • English stand-up comedian Ross Noble visited many of Australia's big things during his 2009 tour Ross Noble's Australian Trip.
  • Australian comedians The Listies categorise Australian's big things in their comedy dictionary, Ickypedia as "Enbigenating".

See also

References

General references
  • Clark, David (2004). Big Things: Australia's Amazing Roadside Attractions. Penguin Books. ISBN 0-14-300200-7.
  • Scutt, Craig. The Little Book of Big Aussie Icons. Five Mile Press. ISBN 9781741786002.
  • Clarke, Amy (2017). "Australia's 'Big' problem – what to do with our ageing super-sized statues?" The Conversation (Australia). 19 September 2017.
  • Clarke, Amy (2017). "Australia's Big Dilemma: Regional/National Identities, Heritage Listing and Big Things." Quotation: Proceedings of the 34th Annual Conference of the Society of Architectural Historians, Australia and New Zealand, edited by Gervork Hartoonian and John Ting, p. 46–56. University of Canberra. ISBN 9780646981659.

Specific references and notes
  1. "Big, brash and finally treasured". Sydney Morning Herald. 14 July 2009. Archived from the original on 5 April 2014.
  2. Clarke, Amy. "Australia's 'big' problem – what to do with our ageing super-sized statues?". The Conversation. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 1 December 2017.
  3. "How we can become the next Big Thing". Canberra Times. 31 July 2005.
  4. Armstrong, Bruce (2011). "Owl". www.arts.act.gov.au. ACT Government Directorate. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  5. "Owl artwork alights in Belconnen". ABC Canberra. 12 May 2011. Archived from the original on 2 June 2014.
  6. Finlay, Keith (17 December 1980). "Pro Hart's outback art complex". Australian Women's Weekly.
  7. "Big Apple". Big Trip. Archived from the original on 27 February 2012. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
  8. "Big Axe back home at Kew". Port Macquarie News. 24 January 2017. Archived from the original on 20 November 2017. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
  9. Cockburn, Paige; Wakatama, Giselle; Millington, Ben (31 July 2018). "'Fake Uluru' at The Rock Roadhouse near Newcastle destroyed by fire". ABC News. Archived from the original on 1 August 2018.
  10. Southerden, Louise (19 April 2008). "Beyond the Big Banana". Brisbane Times. Archived from the original on 19 April 2014. Retrieved 23 December 2012.
  11. Clutterbuck, Angela (6 April 2015). "The Big Bogan set to put Nyngan on the map". Daily Liberal. Fairfax Regional Media. Archived from the original on 10 April 2015.
  12. "NSW town of Nyngan unveils the 'Big Bogan' to encourage tourism". The Daily Telegraph. 10 September 2015.
  13. Hoey, Tom (9 October 1975). "Biggest thing in bowls". The Age.
  14. Honan, Kim (15 October 2007). "The Big Bull gets the chop". ABC Rural Report. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 15 May 2009.
  15. Thorne, Dan (24 August 2015). "In pictures: Largest spider sculpture makes a big splash at Australian water slide park". Guinness World Records. Archived from the original on 11 September 2015.
  16. Hall, Keith and Susan (19 April 2011). "Big Bird". Somewhere Else Blog. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 2 January 2013.
  17. Sharpe, Donna (30 December 2008). "Big Kookaburra new Kurri attraction". Archived from the original on 14 October 2013.
  18. Hogarth, Murray (31 December 1988). "Attilla out to change face of NSW". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  19. "Newspix search results for Big Merino". Newspix. Archived from the original on 14 February 2008.
  20. "Ploddy the Dinosaur" Archived 1 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Australian Reptile Park. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  21. "Is That A Giant Peg?". www.canowindraphoenix.com.au. Archived from the original on 17 December 2017. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
  22. Huntsdale, Justin (3 September 2012). "Robertson Big Potato land sell boils down to rates". ABC News. Archived from the original on 15 December 2012. Retrieved 23 December 2012.
  23. Hornery, Andrew (30 April 2002). "The back road into town is clear". Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 11 September 2009. Retrieved 25 August 2009.
  24. Stolz, Greg (25 September 2009). "Ballina's Big Prawn may move to Gold Coast". The Courier-Mail. Archived from the original on 26 January 2012. Retrieved 23 December 2012.
  25. Turnbull, Samantha (7 November 2011). "Long live the Big Prawn". ABC News. Archived from the original on 28 October 2013. Retrieved 23 December 2012.
  26. "Ballina Bunnings? $21.3 million. The Big Prawn? Priceless". The Northern Star. 7 October 2014. Archived from the original on 31 January 2017. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
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