Big Things of Australia: Iconic Roadside Attractions & Photo Stops
Big Things of Australia: The Ultimate Guide to Quirky Roadside Attractions
From bananas to penguins and pitchforks, Australia’s obsession with oversized sculptures is both hilarious and heartwarming. These Big Things have become roadside icons — and in this guide, we take you across the country to visit them all.
Why Big Things of Australia Are the Ultimate Road Trip Stops
Australia’s vast landscapes and epic road trips are made even more memorable by its quirky “Big Things” — larger-than-life sculptures scattered across every state and territory that celebrate local produce, wildlife, and community spirit. From the Big Banana in Coffs Harbour to the Big Lobster in Kingston SE and the Big Penguin in Tasmania, these iconic, often kitschy landmarks were originally designed to attract passing motorists but have become beloved photo stops reflecting local character. This guide helps you plan your next adventure with a comprehensive list of Big Things across Australia, complete with locations, sizes, and unique backstories for the ultimate road trip experience.
Big Things in Canberra and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
Big Thing
Location
Year Built
Size / Dimensions
Fun Fact
Big Acorns
National Arboretum, Molonglo Valley
2013
N/A
Part of the Pod Playground; whimsical and popular with children.
The Big Bunyip
Gungahlin (Hibberson & Gozzard Streets)
2011
N/A
Depicts Alexander Bunyip from The Monster That Ate Canberra.
Big Coins
Royal Australian Mint, Deakin
2001
N/A
Oversized coins outside the Mint; a hit with numismatists.
Big Swoop
Garema Place, Civic
2022
2.4 × 3.5 m
Magpie pecking at a chip; briefly removed but reinstated in 2023.
The Big Powerful Owl
Belconnen Town Centre
2011
8 m
Controversial sculpture; nicknamed the “Phallic Owl.”
Big Pool Ball
Yarralumla Play Station
2019
1.8 m
Giant 8-ball sculpture at a mini-golf course.
Big Coffee Pot & Cup
Canberra Islamic Centre, Monash
1993
N/A
Decorative sculpture symbolizing hospitality.
Big Things in New South Wales (NSW)
Big Thing
Location
Year Built
Size / Dimensions
Fun Fact
Big Aboriginal Fish
Wilcannia
N/A
N/A
In Ray Hunter Memorial Park; celebrates Indigenous culture.
Big Ant
Broken Hill
1980
6 m
Created by Pro Hart; symbolizes local work ethic.
Big Ant
Salt Ash
N/A
N/A
Red ant sculpture on a trailer outside a pest control business.
Big Apple
Batlow
N/A
N/A
Tribute to the town's apple-growing heritage.
Big Banana
Coffs Harbour
1964
13 m long
Australia’s first Big Thing — started the national trend!
Big Beer Can
Cobar
1990s
5 m
Mounted on the Grand Hotel; would hold 22,000 litres if filled.
Big Bogan
Nyngan
2015
5.96 m
Steel statue in singlet and thongs with a fishing rod and Southern Cross tat.
Big Golden Guitar
Tamworth
1988
12 m
Celebrates the city’s country music heritage.
Big Merino
Goulburn
1985
15.2 m
Nicknamed “Rambo”; you can climb inside and look out its eyes.
Big Murray Cod
Tocumwal
N/A
~7 m
Located near the Murray River; nod to local fishing culture.
Big Potato
Robertson
1977
10 m long
Giant concrete tuber known as “The Spud.”
Big Prawn
Ballina
1989
9 m
Weighs 35 tonnes; saved from demolition in 2013.
Big Tennis Racquet
Barellan
2009
13.8 m
Replica of Evonne Goolagong-Cawley’s childhood racquet.
Big Trout
Adaminaby
1973
10 m
Celebrates regional trout fishing; refurbished in 2023.
Big UGG Boots
Thornton
2015
4 m
Wearable sculpture outside Mortels UGG factory.
Big Water Dragon
Port Macquarie
2017
N/A
Colourful reptile sculpture popular with families.
Big Wine Cask
Buronga
Unknown
N/A
Giant Stanley wine cask; formerly used for water filtration.
World’s Largest Sundial
Singleton
1987
7.6 m
Still functional; once the world’s largest one-piece sundial.
Big Things in the Northern Territory (NT)
Big Thing
Location
Year Built
Size / Dimensions
Fun Fact
Anmatjere Man
Aileron
2005
17 m
Aboriginal hunter sculpture by Mark Egan.
Anmatjere Woman & Child
Aileron
2008
N/A
Companion sculptures to the Anmatjere Man.
Big Barramundi
Katherine
N/A
2.5 m
On top of Rod & Rifle Tackleworld.
Big Beer Can
Kulgera
N/A
N/A
Giant XXXX Gold can outside Kulgera Roadhouse.
Big Books
Alice Springs
2018
N/A
Oversized books outside the public library.
Big Boxing Crocodile
Humpty Doo
1988
13 m
Crocodile with boxing gloves; cyclone-proof.
Big Buffalo (“Lefty”)
Winnellie
N/A
N/A
Pink buffalo statue at a car dealership.
Big Dinosaur
Yarrawonga
N/A
13 m
Brachiosaurus sculpture outside Bunnings Palmerston.
Big Fish
Wanguri
N/A
N/A
Decorative sculpture at Wanguri Pre-School.
Big Frogs
Darwin
N/A
N/A
Colourful frogs outside Ramada Suites Zen Quarter.
Big Gold Nugget
Douglas-Daly
N/A
N/A
Tribute to gold mining outside the historic hotel.
Big Hand
Alice Springs
N/A
N/A
Red sculpture of a hand emerging from another.
Giant Jumping Crocodile
Wak Wak
1984
N/A
At Adelaide River Queen Cruises carpark.
Giant Jellyfish
East Point
2014
2.2 m
Woven jellyfish by Aly de Groot.
Big Owl (“Chinute Chinute”)
Darwin
2010
N/A
Outside the Darwin Supreme Court.
Big Stockwhip
Fly Creek
N/A
7 × 10 m
Sculpture of a traditional cattle stockwhip.
Big Stubbie
Larrimah
N/A
N/A
NT Draught bottle sculpture.
Big Turtle
Lyons
2004
1.5 × 4 m
Sea turtle sculpture by Techy Masero and Larrakia Nation artists.
Big Wine Bottle
Daly Waters
N/A
N/A
Mounted on a ute at Daly Waters Historic Pub.
Big Things in Queensland (QLD)
Big Thing
Location
Year Built
Size / Dimensions
Fun Fact
Big Apple
Acacia Ridge
N/A
N/A
Located at 1102 Beaudesert Road.
Big Apple
Thulimbah
1978
4 × 4.5 m
Moved from Applethorpe; part of the Granite Belt trail.
Big Banana
North Mackay
1987
9.2 × 1.8 m
Distinct from the original in Coffs Harbour.
Big Barrel
Bundaberg
2005
25 × 10 m
Bundaberg Brewed Drinks visitor centre.
Big Barramundi
Daintree
1986
7.5 × 2 m
Sculpture alongside Big Crocodile at Daintree River Wildlife Park.
Big Barramundi
Normanton
1995
7 × 2 m
One of many aquatic-themed sculptures in town.
Big Bolt and Nut
Roma
N/A
N/A
Outside Banks Bolts and Fasteners.
Big Boomerangs
Nindigully
1989
3 m
Remnants from diner roof used in The Paperback Hero.
Big Brolga
Townsville
1988
N/A
Formerly at Visitor Centre; now removed.
Big Brolgas and Snake
Near Mackay
N/A
N/A
Sculptures referencing local Aboriginal stories.
Big Bulls
Rockhampton
1978+
Varies
Seven bulls throughout town — Rockhampton’s cattle capital tribute.
Big Cane Toad (“Buffy”)
Sarina
1983
4 × 1 m
Parade float turned public statue.
Big Captain Cook
Cairns
1972
14 × 2 m
Removed in 2022; formerly stood outside motel.
Big Cassowary
Mission/Wongaling
1996
5 m / 4 × 4 m
Represents endangered local species.
Big Cockatoo
Mossman
N/A
N/A
In front of Mossman Hotel and Holiday Villas.
Big Cow
Yandina / Highfields
1976
12 × 7.6 m
Moved to Highfields Pioneer Village in 2020.
Big Crab
Miriam Vale
1979
N/A
At the Shell roadhouse; popular photo stop.
Big Mud Crab
Cardwell
1986
4 × 1 m
Built by local artist Terry Tebble.
Big Crocodile
Daintree
2001
2 × 4 m
Sculpture outside crocodile boat tours.
Big Crocodile (“Big Ted”)
Wangetti
1984
7.9 × 1 m
Lurking roadside croc statue.
Big Crocodile
Normanton
1996
8.63 m
Represents the largest recorded saltwater crocodile.
Big Deck Chair
Winton
2002
18.3 m
Part of Royal Theatre open-air cinema.
Big Dinosaur (“Triceratops”)
Ballandean
1998
2.1 × 6.7 m
Also known as “Fruitisforus” outside a vineyard.
Big Dugong
Rockhampton
1992
22 × 12 m
At Dreamtime Cultural Centre.
Big Easel
Emerald
1999
25 m
Reproduction of Van Gogh’s Sunflowers.
Big Golden Gumboot
Tully
2003
7.9 m / 8 × 6.1 m
Records Tully’s highest annual rainfall.
Big G
Gracemere
2015
5.4 × 6.6 m
Steel sculpture marking Gracemere Industry Park.
Big Golf Ball
Mermaid Beach
1970s
N/A
At Putt Putt Mermaid Beach.
Big Gun
Underwood
N/A
N/A
Mounted atop a fruit shop.
Big Hard Rock Guitar
Surfers Paradise
1996
10 × 3 m
Icon of the Hard Rock Café.
Big Macadamia Nut
Woombye
1978
16 m
Remnant of the “Nut Country Tour.”
Big Mango
Bowen
2002
10 × 8 m
Stolen by Nando’s in a famous marketing stunt.
Big Map of Australia
Goondiwindi
N/A
5 × 5 m
Constructed from old farm machinery.
Big Mandarin
Mundubbera
1983
11 × 15 m
Celebrating citrus-growing heritage.
Big Marlin
Cairns
1980
10 × 2 m
Catches the eye in this fishing town.
Big Meat Ant
Augathella
2011
5 m
Located at the town entrance.
Big Melon
Chinchilla
2018
8 m long
Part of the “Big Things” revival campaign.
Big Merino
Blackall
1983
3 × 4 m
Smaller cousin to Goulburn’s “Rambo.”
Big Mower
Mareeba
N/A
4 m
Outside a mower shop.
Big Peanut
Tolga
2019
3 m
Near Atherton Tablelands peanut farms.
Big Pineapple
Woombye
1971
16 m
Formerly an iconic theme park; visitors can go inside.
Big Rubber Duck
Cairns
2016
16 m tall
Inflatable art installation.
Big Shoe House
Kuranda
1970s
~7 m
A literal house shaped like a boot.
Big Dragon
Childers
N/A
~6 m
Huge fibreglass dragon at Snakes Downunder Reptile Park.
Coffee Pot Café
Mareeba
1990s
~5 m
Building shaped like a steaming coffee pot.
Denmark Hill Dinosaurs
Ipswich
N/A
3–5 m each
Giant dinosaur statues in a local park.
Big Things in South Australia (SA)
Big Thing
Location
Year Built
Size / Dimensions
Fun Fact
Australian Farmer
Wudinna
2008
8 m
Carved from granite over 17 years; tribute to early settlers.
Big Cockroach
Poochera
N/A
~3 m
Tribute to a local species of trapdoor spider.
Big Dice
Keith / Cockscomb Creek
1980s
~1.5 m each
Stacked concrete dice; roadside attraction.
Big Galah
Kimba
1993
8 m
Iconic stop on the Eyre Highway.
Big Kangaroo (Rooey II)
Border Village
N/A
~5 m
Holds a beer can; greets travelers on the Nullarbor.
Big Lobster (“Larry”)
Kingston SE
1979
17 × 15 m
Built to draw diners; became a national icon.
Big Olive
Tailem Bend
2000
11 × 10 m
Located at a large-scale olive processing facility.
Big Orange
Berri
1980
15 × 12 m
Once a café/lookout; undergoing redevelopment.
Big Pigeon
Rundle Mall, Adelaide
2020
Over 2 m
Mirror-polished sculpture by Paul Sloan.
Big Rocking Horse
Gumeracha
1981
18.3 m
Climbable; adjacent to a toy factory and wildlife park.
Big Scotsman (“Scotty”)
Medindie, Adelaide
1963
5 m
One of Australia’s earliest Big Things.
Big Wombat
Bookabie
N/A
N/A
At Scotdesco Aboriginal Community on the Eyre Highway.
Big Winch
Coober Pedy
1986
8 × 5 m
Overlooks town; celebrates the opal industry.
Map the Miner
Kapunda
1988
8 × 2 m
Tribute to Cornish miners; rebuilt after fire.
Big Things in Tasmania (TAS)
Big Thing
Location
Year Built
Size / Dimensions
Fun Fact
Big Axe
Longley
N/A
N/A
Outside Longley International Hotel; linked to woodchopping.
Big Coffee Pot
Deloraine
N/A
~2.5 m
Whimsical sculpture built from a tank.
Big Nut and Bolt
Launceston
N/A
N/A
At Nuts and Bolts Tasmania, 60 Frederick St.
Big Penguin
Penguin
1975
3 m
Marks town centenary; cement mascot.
Big Platypus
Latrobe
N/A
~2.5 m
Near Australian Axeman’s Hall of Fame.
Big Raspberry
Westerway
N/A
N/A
Located at Westerway Raspberry Farm.
Big Spud (“Kenny”)
Sassafras
N/A
~4 m
Fibreglass sculpture outside a produce store.
Big Tasmanian Devil
Mole Creek
N/A
2 × 3 m
At entrance to Trowunna Wildlife Sanctuary.
Big Truffle Dog (“Doug”)
Needles
N/A
N/A
At The Truffle Farm Tasmania; truffle-hunting mascot.
Big Trout
Cressy
N/A
6 m
Near public facilities in town centre.
Big Things in Victoria (VIC)
Big Thing
Location
Year Built
Size / Dimensions
Fun Fact
Big Apple
Bacchus Marsh
N/A
N/A
Original removed; now a more modest concrete version.
Big Apple
Gladysdale
N/A
N/A
Fibreglass apple at primary school; restored in 2024.
Big Cherry
Wyuna
N/A
N/A
Located in car park, down a long driveway.
Big Cherry
Glenrowan
Removed 2010
N/A
Previously roadside, now dismantled.
Big Forks & Potatoes
Between Trafalgar & Yarragon
N/A
N/A
Sculpture outside The Spud Shed.
Big Bowls Ball
Belmont
N/A
N/A
At Belmont Bowls Club.
Big Brake Shoes
Smiths Gully (orig. Templestowe)
1957–58
N/A
Historic motor sport relic now at Rob Roy Hillclimb.
Big Chess Piece
Upper Ferntree Gully
N/A
N/A
Giant king piece near football oval.
Big Coffee Maker
Brunswick
N/A
3 × 1 m
Moka pot sculpture at Georges Gourmet Coffee.
Giant Koala
Dadswells Bridge
1989
14 × 8 m
Named “Sam” after Black Saturday koala; popular stop on Western Hwy.
Big Kookaburra
Donald
2025
5.5 m
At Kookas Country Cookies factory.
Big Ned Kelly
Glenrowan
N/A
6 × 2 m
Iconic statue near historical museum.
Big Ned Kelly
Warrenheip
N/A
N/A
Part of Gold Rush Golf complex, alongside the Big Miner.
Big Miner
Warrenheip
2006
8 m
Tribute to gold prospectors near Ballarat.
Big Lizzie
Red Cliffs
1915–16
10.4 × 3.4 × 5.5 m
Historic tractor; vital to local agricultural development.
Big Mouth
St Kilda
1912
N/A
Iconic Luna Park Melbourne entrance.
The Big Pram
Eaglehawk
N/A
N/A
On roof of Helens Baby Wear Store.
Big Shovel
Chiltern
N/A
N/A
Roadside sculpture by Hume Freeway exit.
Big Strawberry
Koonoomoo
N/A
2 × 4 m
Outside a strawberry-themed store on Goulburn Valley Hwy.
Giant Worm
Bass
1985 (closed)
250 × 4 m
Former wildlife park; demolished in 2020.
Big Koala
Cowes
N/A
N/A
Outside Rusty Water Brewery on Phillip Island.
Big Lizard
Marysville
N/A
N/A
Blue-tongue sculpture in Gallipoli Park.
Big Wave
Newhaven
N/A
N/A
Popular photo spot near Island Surf Experience.
Giant Pocket Watch
Melbourne
N/A
N/A
Hanging inside Melbourne Central shopping centre.
The Big Pheasant
Tynong
N/A
8 × 17 m
Entrance to Gumbuya Park; restored after vandalism.
Public Purse
Melbourne
N/A
N/A
Sculptural purse outside the Bourke St GPO.
The Big Cigar
Churchill
N/A
N/A
Tribute to Sir Winston Churchill.
Big Smoke (Cigarette)
Myrtleford
N/A
N/A
Faded with factory closure.
Big Wine Bottle
Rutherglen
1900s
N/A
Former water tower; wine-themed makeover in 1969.
Big Elf
Anakie
N/A
N/A
At Fairy Park, a fantasy-themed amusement park.
Big Eyed Scad
Edenhope
2006
N/A
From Commonwealth Games opening; displayed in Lions Park.
Big Magpie
Euroa
N/A
N/A
Known as “Swoop”; in Seven Creeks Park.
Big Mallee Bull
Birchip
N/A
N/A
Landmark at town entrance.
Big Mallee Fowl
Patchewollock
2013
N/A
Corrugated iron bird sculptures by Phil Rigg.
Big Mallee Root
Ouyen
N/A
N/A
Actual mallee root displayed in park.
Big Trout
Harrietville
N/A
N/A
Outside fish farm at Stoney Creek Rd.
Big Tap
Cowes
N/A
N/A
Suspended above A Maze’N Things.
Big Seat
Arthurs Seat
1989
1.4–1.8 m
Donated for the scenic chairlift.
Big Cows
Newhaven
N/A
N/A
Outside the Phillip Island Chocolate Factory.
Big Golf Balls (x2)
Clayton South & Heatherton
N/A
N/A
Located at their respective golf clubs.
Fairfield Industrial Dog Object (FIDO)
Fairfield
2000
N/A
Metal sculpture near railway station.
The World’s Largest Rolling Pin
Wodonga
N/A
N/A
Rotating sculpture on a bakery rooftop.
Big Things in Western Australia (WA)
Big Thing
Location
Year Built
Size / Dimensions
Fun Fact
Bert Bolle Barometer
Denmark
1985–2011
Over 12.5 m
World’s largest working water barometer; built in the Netherlands.
Big Apple
Donnybrook
N/A
7 × 4 m
One of several apple-themed sculptures in town.
Big Banana
Carnarvon
N/A
6 × 1 m
Corner of Robinson Street & Boundary Road.
Big Bobtail
Kalamunda (Stirk Street)
2012
9 × 1.3 m
Rammed-earth sculpture of a blue-tongued skink by Roman Antoniuk.
Big Camera
Meckering
N/A
N/A
Houses a museum of 3000+ vintage cameras.
Big Cricket Bat
Narrikup
N/A
8 m
Freestanding bat as part of cricket bat fence project.
Big Crocodile
Wyndham
1987
18 × 3 m
Monumental croc at the town entrance; one of WA’s most photographed.
Big Dog
Corrigin
N/A
N/A
Near Corrigin Dog Cemetery; tribute to working dogs.
Big Frilled Neck Lizard
South Perth
N/A
N/A
Part of local outdoor sculpture trail near ferry terminal.
Big Lobster
Dongara
2005
N/A
Sculpture outside Dongara Visitor Centre.
Big Lollipop
Ravensthorpe
N/A
N/A
Outside Yummylicious Candy Shack — sweet stop along the highway.
Big Marron
Capel
N/A
N/A
"Rex of the River" sculpture of a freshwater crayfish (Cherax tenuimanus).
Big Mushroom
Balingup
N/A
N/A
Hidden in the gardens of the Old Cheese Factory.
Big Numbat
Williams
N/A
~1 m
Sculpture of WA’s state animal near town visitor centre.
Big Orange
Harvey
N/A
2 m diameter
Bright citrus sculpture on roadside near orchard shops.
Big Periodic Table
Joondalup
2019
600 m²
Largest permanent periodic table; on ECU science building facade.
Big Prawn
Exmouth
2005
7 m
2000 kg sculpture outside cultural centre.
Big Redback Spider
Nannup
N/A
~2 m
Fibreglass sculpture in park opposite the pub.
Big Snail
Bremer Bay
N/A
~700 kg
Celebrates endangered South Coast Land Snail; by artist Peter Hill.
Big Tractor
Carnamah
2024
11.5 × 16 m
Replica of a Chamberlain 40K; world’s largest tractor sculpture.
Big Whale
Eucla
N/A
~10 × 3 m
At roadhouse carpark along the Eyre Highway.
Giant Ram
Wagin
N/A
13 × 9 × 6 m
Visitors can walk between its legs; symbol of WA wool heritage.
King Neptune
Two Rocks
1982
N/A
Heritage-listed statue from former Atlantis Marine Park.
World’s Tallest Bin
Kalgoorlie
1980
~8 m
Oversized yellow wheelie bin on Hannan Street; a quirky local icon.
Explore More of Quirky Australia’s Unique Roadside Attractions
Australia’s Big Things are iconic symbols of the country’s playful spirit and rich regional heritage, attracting visitors from near and far. To make the most of your road trip, be sure to also explore the vibrant Silo Art of Australia, where large-scale murals transform rural landscapes into open-air galleries. For a dose of the unexpected and eccentric, the Offbeat Aussie Icons showcase even more quirky landmarks that celebrate local stories and community pride. Together, these three collections offer a comprehensive and unforgettable journey through the quirkiest corners of regional Australia — perfect for art lovers, photographers, and adventurers alike.
Spotted a Big Thing that’s Missing or Moved?
If you’ve visited one of these big icons and found it’s no longer accessible, or if you know of another great “Big Thing” that should be on this list, please get in touch!
Send us a photo along with the location details, and we’ll be happy to update the page and share it with everyone.
Contact us here at gday@australiabucketlist.com.au — we’d love to hear from you!
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