Big Things of Australia

Big Things of Australia: The Ultimate Guide to Quirky Roadside Attractions

Australia’s Big Love for Big Things

Australia’s love affair with Big Things began in the 1960s with the iconic Big Banana, sparking a nationwide phenomenon of oversized roadside sculptures. These giant landmarks celebrate local culture, industries, and quirky histories — from giant fruits and animals to everyday objects turned monumental.

Explore our comprehensive, state-by-state guide to Australia’s most famous Big Things, including fun facts like their year built, towering heights, and the quirkiest attractions nearby. Plus, discover some lesser-known but equally delightful Bonus Big Things scattered across the country, perfect for travellers seeking unique photo opportunities and stories off the beaten path.

Whether it’s the Big Lobster of South Australia, the Big Gumboot of Queensland, or the Big Penguin in Tasmania, these oversized icons make for memorable stops on any Aussie road trip.

Big Things of New South Wales (NSW)

Big Thing Location Year Built Height Fun Fact
Big Ant Broken Hill 1980 6m Created by artist Pro Hart; symbolizes the hardworking nature of locals.
Big Banana Coffs Harbour 1964 13m long Australia’s first Big Thing — it kickstarted the trend!
Big Beer Can Cobar 1990s 5m Mounted atop the Grand Hotel, it’s a tribute to Aussie pub culture.
Big Golden Guitar Tamworth 1988 12m Celebrates Tamworth’s country music roots.
Big Merino Goulburn 1985 15.2m Nicknamed “Rambo” — you can go inside and climb to its eyes.
Big Prawn Ballina 1989 9m Weighs 35 tonnes; saved from demolition in 2013.
Big Trout Adaminaby 1973 10m Located in one of Australia’s top trout-fishing areas.
Big Ugg Boots Thornton 2015 13ft tall (~4m) The only Big Thing that’s wearable — they’re outside a UGG store.

Big Things of the Northern Territory (NT)

Big Thing Location Year Built Height Fun Fact
Big Aboriginal Hunter Anmatjere 2005 17m One of the most culturally significant Big Things in Australia.
Big Books Alice Springs 2000s 3m Situated outside a library; promotes literacy.
Big Boxing Crocodile Humpty Doo 1988 9m Built to celebrate Australia’s Bicentenary — and it wears gloves!
Big Buffalo Darwin 1980s 5m Located in a car yard; a quirky roadside attraction.

Big Things of Queensland (QLD)

Big Thing Location Year Built Height Fun Fact
Big Bundy Bottle Bundaberg 1988 7m A nod to the famous Bundaberg Rum distillery.
Big Cane Toad Sarina 1983 2m Nicknamed “Buffy.” It honors a local cane toad race tradition.
Big Captain Cook Cairns 1972 14m Once a motel mascot; now a quirky landmark.
Big Cassowary Mission Beach 1996 5m Near actual cassowary habitat — photo op with a wild twin?
Big Cow Yandina 1976 10m Celebrates the region’s dairy industry.
Big Gumboot Tully 2003 7.9m Celebrates Tully’s record rainfall and its sugar cane farming heritage.
Big Mango Bowen 2002 10m Once “stolen” as part of a PR stunt by Nando’s.
Big Mower Mareeba Unknown 4m Pays tribute to local farming machinery.
Big Peanut Tolga 2019 3m Celebrates the local peanut farming industry.
Big Pineapple Woombye 1971 16m You can go inside it — part of an old theme park.

Big Things of South Australia (SA)

Big Thing Location Year Built Height Fun Fact
Big Cockroach Dublin 1990s 4m Erected as a protest against a proposed waste dump.
Big Dice Yunta 1980s 3m Two large dice beside the highway; a gambler’s delight.
Big Galah Kimba 1993 8m Located halfway across Australia — and very photogenic!
Big Lobster (“Larry”) Kingston SE 1979 17m One of Australia’s tallest — originally mismeasured due to an imperial/metric mix-up.
Big Olive Tailem Bend 2005 11m Sits beside an olive oil factory — sample tastings available.
Big Orange Berri 1980 15m Once housed a café and lookout; now a nostalgic relic.
Big Scotsman Adelaide 1963 5m One of the oldest Big Things, built by the creator of the Big Lobster.

Big Things of Tasmania (TAS)

Big Thing Location Year Built Height Fun Fact
Big Penguin Penguin 1975 3m Built for the town’s centenary — and yes, the town is actually called Penguin.
Big Spud Sassafras 1990s 4m Celebrates the local potato farming industry.
Big Tassie Devil Mole Creek Unknown 2.5m Located at a wildlife park dedicated to saving real Tasmanian devils.
Big Wickets Westbury 2000s 6m Honors the town’s cricketing history.

Big Things of Victoria (VIC)

Big Thing Location Year Built Height Fun Fact
Big Cigar Churchill 1980s 10m Represents the town’s namesake, Winston Churchill.
Big Koala Dadswells Bridge 1989 14m Weighs 12 tonnes and has glowing red eyes at night.
Big Miner Ballarat 2000s 7m Symbolises the region’s gold rush heritage.
Big Mullet Fish Creek 2001 6m Draped over the Fish Creek Hotel; a nod to local fishing heritage.
Big Ned Kelly Glenrowan 1992 6m Commemorates the bushranger where he made his final stand.
Big Strawberry Koonoomoo 2000 5m Located at a strawberry farm — stop in for scones.
Big Tap Cowes 1990s 4m Located at a plumbing store; water flows from the spout.
Big Wine Bottle Rutherglen Unknown 10m Located at a local winery — can’t drink from it, sadly.

Big Things of Western Australia (WA)

Big Thing Location Year Built Height Fun Fact
Big Apple Donnybrook 1980s 4m Celebrates the town’s apple-growing heritage.
Big Camera Meckering 1979 5m Doubles as a museum of photography and weird curiosities.
Big Crocodile Wyndham 1987 20m Positioned at the entrance of town — made of concrete and mesh.
Big Mushroom Balingup 1970s 6m Marks the entrance to a local mushroom farm.
Big Orange Harvey 1984 10m Perched atop a tower — overlooks citrus orchards.
Big Ram Wagin 1985 9m Has a massive concrete fleece — one of WA’s top photo ops.
Big Wheelbarrow Port Hedland 2000s 5m Symbolizes the region’s mining industry.

Drive the Benalla Silo Art Trail

by | 7 April 2021 | Free Stuff, Quirky Australia, Quirky Outdoor Adventures, Road Trip, Victoria | 0 Comments

Drive the Benalla Silo Art Trail (also known as the North East Victoria Silo Art Trail) and see painted silos in regional Victoria.

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Coober Pedy underground hotel

by | 29 September 2020 | Outback Australia, Quirky Australia, Quirky Outdoor Adventures, South Australia | 0 Comments

Have a sleeping experience like never before in a Coober Pedy underground hotel. Experience living underground in Australia.

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Bonus Big Things & Quirky Roadside Attractions Across Australia

Australia is famous worldwide for its giant roadside icons like the Big Banana in New South Wales and the Big Lobster in South Australia. But beyond these famous landmarks, many towns feature lesser-known Bonus Big Things — quirky, oversized sculptures that celebrate local heritage, industries, and unique stories. These hidden gems offer fun photo opportunities and a fascinating glimpse into Australia’s rich and diverse culture and landscape.

      New South Wales (NSW)

      • Big Potato (Robertson) — Built in the 1990s, this 4.5-metre-tall monument celebrates Robertson’s rich potato farming history and attracts visitors interested in agricultural landmarks.

      • Big Horse (Gundagai) — A unique tribute connected to the famous Dog on the Tuckerbox, one of Australia’s most iconic bush heritage statues.

        South Australia (SA)

        • Big Almond (Loxton) — Celebrates the thriving nut industry in the Riverland region with this photogenic almond sculpture.

        • Big Citrus Fruit (Renmark/Loxton region) — A bright and vibrant nod to the region’s expansive citrus orchards, perfectly complementing South Australia’s famous Big Orange.

        Tasmania (TAS)

        • Big Apple (Huon Valley) — A charming symbol of Tasmania’s renowned apple-growing tradition and a popular roadside attraction for visitors exploring the region.

          Victoria (VIC)

          • Big Gum Tree (Various towns) — Smaller yet meaningful sculptures that honour Victoria’s historic forestry and timber industry.

          • Mini Pineapple (Local farms) — Charming, lesser-known tropical fruit sculptures complementing Queensland’s bigger pineapple icons.

            Western Australia (WA)

            • Big Boat (Geraldton and other coastal towns) — Pays homage to Western Australia’s rich maritime heritage and fishing industries.

            • Big Camel & Big Sheep (Various farming towns) — Unique agricultural icons representing the significance of livestock farming in rural WA.

              Why Visit Australia’s Bonus Big Things?

              These quirky, oversized sculptures provide unique roadside attractions and excellent photo opportunities for travellers exploring regional Australia. Perfect for road trips and local tourism, Bonus Big Things add character and local flavour beyond the most famous landmarks.

                  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.

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