For the past 50 years millions of tourists in Australia have made detours on their road trips to ‘big things’ such as the Big Banana or the Big Mower!
We’ve pulled together some interesting facts on these in our Big Things of Australia infographic below.
Australia’s Big Things
Australia has plenty of ‘Big Things’ to offer. The question is: how and where will you experience your first big thing? No matter when or where you’re travelling, you’ll be able to get great deals on car rentals from East Coast Car Rentals!
A cult phenomenon and Australian tourist trap, the Big Things are a set of large structures located on major travel routes between popular destinations. Thought to be around 150 structures in total, the Big Things are considered as pieces of folk art and range from a colossal shrimp to a humungous pineapple.
Often an excuse for a road trip, the Big Things have been backdrop to many a group photograph and have also featured on a set of 50c postage stamps celebrating the ‘five most iconic Big Things’ in 2007.
A must see for any traveler, maybe you will start your Big Things adventure mounting the original Big Scotsman in Medindie, Adelaide; the first Big Thing erected in 1963. Who knows? The world is your giant oyster!
Here is our guide to finding the hottest Big Things in Australia
A.C.T
Giant Mushroom: The Giant Mushroom was built in 1988 in Belconnen and measures 8m by 4m in size. This magic mushroom can be found in the Fresh Food Markets of Beloconnen and is home to a children’s playground.
New South Wales
Big Ant: The Big Ant now lives next to the tourist centre in Broken Hill after being donated in 1990, its original birth place was the Stephens Creek Hotel in 1980.
Big Apple: Located on the Hume Highway in Yerrinbool, this Big Apple is the second biggest to New York.
Big Avocado: Ironically located at Tropical Fruit World in Duranbah, many believe the avocado to be a vegetable: but they’d be wrong!
Big Axe: Hanging threateningly over your head, the 8 metre Big Axe is located alongside the Kew Visitor Information Centre and was erected in 1979. It had to be replaced in 2002 due to ant induced damage; lets hope no heads were chopped that day!
Big Ayres Rock: A large but miniature by comparison tribute to Australia’s natural beauty, Big Ayers Rock houses The Rock Restaurant in North Arm Cove.
Big Banana: Argued as the first erected Big Thing in 1964, ‘go bananas’ at the Big Banana tourist complex in Coffs Harbour, where you can celebrate the fruit with a tour of the plantation and souvenir from the gift shop.
Big Beer Can: Feeling Thirsty? The Big Beer Can in Cobar sits at the front of the Grand Hotel’s entrance and measures 5m by 2.5m; now that’s a lot of beer!
Big Bench: Reconstructured from a park bench, Broken Hill’s Big Bench was erected in 2002 at the top of large mine hill The Line Of Lode; perfectly placed for a rest after all that hiking!
Big Blue Heeler: Standing as an erect 2 metre high wolf-like structure in Muswellbrook since 2001, this statuesque beast is also known as ‘Dog on the Tuckerbox’.
Big Bottles: Get your snapshots in and quench your thirst at the Big Bottles in Mangrove Mountain, Hanwood.
Big Bowl: If you are a fan of bowling, visit the biggest bowl ball at Lake Cathie, New South Wales.
Big Bunch of Bananas: Near the Big Banana at Coffs Harbour, this lovely bunch is not to be missed.
Big Bicycle: This giant cycle was built in 1997 at Chullora by John Ridley, Andy Lugiz and Phillip Becker.
Big Cheese: Stop and get your smiles ready to ‘say cheese’ at this picturesque stop in Bodalla.
Big Chook: Basically a large scale Coq, the Big Chook has been in Moonbi since 1970 and has a partner in Mount Vernon.
Big Flower: Stop for some flower power or seek shade under the Big Flower’s large petals in Ourimbah.
Big Gold Panner: ‘There be gold in them woods’ at Bathurst. Could the Big Gold Panner be your sign of luck?
Big Golden Guitar: Commemorating awards given at the Country Music Awards the Big Golden Guitar has been representing musical talent in Tamworth since 1988.
Big Knight: Get some nuts and stand next to the Big Knight located in Knockrow outside the Macadamia ‘nut themed’ Castle.
Big Lamb: Say ‘Baaa’ and taste some potatoes at the Big Lamb in Guyra: celebrating lamb and potatoes since 1988.
Big Merino: This large ram has been nicknamed ‘Rambo’. You can get to grips with Big Merino’s horns in Goulburn.
Big Miners Lamp: You can find the Big Miners Lamp in Lithgow. Will it light your path to a new adventure?
Big Mosquito: Don’t get bit by ‘Ossie The Mossie’ at the bowls club in Hexham.
Big Murray Cod: Feeling a bit fishy? Pap your best trout pout at the Big Murray Cod in Tocurnwal.
Big Orange: Put some sunshine into your trip at the Big Orange in Tenterfield.
Big Oyster: Will you find a pearl in the Big Oyster? Stop in Taree and find out!
Big Playable Guitar: Rock out and make some noise at the world’s largest playable guitar in Narrandera.
Big Potato: Many have tried to make chips from this giant spud in Robertson and failed.
Big Poo: Exactly what you think it is, the Big Poo was dumped in Kiama in 2002 in protest against Sydney Water’s decision not to reuse waste water.
Big Prawn: In Ballina since 1989, if you love shrimp you need to visit the Big Prawn.
Big Rubik’s Cube: Think you can solve this giant size puzzle in Maroubra?
Big Slurpee: Feeling hot and bothered? Stop at the Big Slurpee in Coffs Harbour.
Big Soldier: This Big Soldier stands guard outside Hassett’s Military Museum, Uralla.
Big Spider: Don’t like creepy crawlies? Don’t worry; you can do the crawling over this big spider in Urana.
World’s Biggest Sundial: Tell the time old style at the world’s biggest sundial in Singleton.
Big Tennis Racquet: Game, Set and Match! The Big Tennis Racquet was built to honour of Evonne Goolagong, who grew up in Barellan.
Big Trout: In Adaminaby’s snowy mountain you will find this Big Trout standing tall. You can also find his partner in Oberon.
Big Windmill: Generating power at Coffs Harbour the Big Windmill homes a 41 room hotel and restaurant.
Big Bottle of Wine: This retro bottle of wine is also the chimney of an open fire at Hunter Valley Gardens in Pokolbin.
Big Wine Cask: Like a bit of wine tasting? Get inside the Big Wine Cask at Constelation Stanley Winery in Mourquong.
Northern Territory
Big Boxing Crocodile: Try not to get ‘crocked out’ at the Big Boxing Crocodile in Humpty Doo.
Big Stockwhip: Crack the whip at the Big Stockwhip in Acacia.
Big Stubbie: Looks like pink panther has stopped at this large drinking treat in Larrimah.
Queensland
Big Apple: Take in the red crisp Big Apple at Thulimbah and Acacia Ridge.
Big Banana: Can you do the splits outside the Big Banana in North Mackay?
Big Barrel: Roll over for a picture at the Big Barrel in Bundaberg.
Big Barramundi: Another statuesque fish, you can catch the Big Barramundi in Normanton and Daintree.
Big Brolga: This Crane seeks out his prey in Townsville.
Big Bulls: Grab the bulls by the horns whilst stopping in Rockhampton.
Big Cane Toad: Could a kiss turn this toad into your prince? Find out in Sarina.
Big Captain Cook: Stand and salute at the Big Captain Cook in Cairns.
Big Cassowary: This giant bird is a great landmark for Mission Beach.
Big Cow: Want to see something ‘moo’tiful? Stop at the Big Cow in Yandina.
Big Crab: Get to grips with this shelled creature at Cardwell and Miriam Vale.
Big Crocodile: Feeling snappy? Get your group photo with the Big Crocodile in Normanton and Rockhampton.
Big Dugong: Visit this placid beast at Rockhampton.
Big Dinosaur: Pull your best Fred Flintstone pose at the Big Dinosaur in Ballandean.
Big Easel: Part of a Van Gough project the Big Easel artistically stands in Morton Park, Emerald.
Big Golf Ball: Get your clubs ready and try for a ‘hole in one’ at the Big Golf Ball in Broadbeach.
Big Golden Gumboot: How many people can you fit in this big boot? Find out in Tully.
Big Gun: ‘Bang, Bang!’ This gun now mounts a fruit shop in Underwood.
Big Hard Rock Guitar: Celebrating the world famous eatery, the Big Hard Rock Guitar stands at Surfers Paradise.
Big Macadamia Nuts: Got nuts under this giant macadamia in Nambour.
Big Mandarin: Get fruity with the Big Mandarin in Mundubbera.
Big Mango: ‘Mamma Loves Mango’, snap this colourful fruit in Bowen.
Big Marlin: Fancy a sword fight? Try your luck at the Big Marlin in Cairns.
Big Merino: Visit this big sheep, famous for its luxurious wool in Blackall.
Big Miner: This brave miner lost his left hand in 2012! Find him kneeling at the Bobby Dazzler Mine in Rubyvale.
Big Mower: Need your hedge cutting? Not a problem with the Big Mower in Beerwah.
Big Ned Kelly: Get your photo taken with the famous Big Ned Kelly at the Ned Kelly hotel in Maryborough.
Big Orange: You will find another large ode to the citrus fruit in Gayndah and Lockyer Valley.
Big Paperclip: You won’t miss the Big Paperclip if you’re in the West End of Brisbane.
Big Peanut: Allergic to nuts? Not a problem, give the Big Peanut your best shot in Tolga.
Big Pelican: Moving near the Noosa River the Big Pelican is on a motorised float in Noosaville.
Big Pick, Shovel and Sieve: These big tools would be great for finding gems at the Blue Gem Store Van Park in Sapphire.
Big Pie: Feeling hungry? The Big Pie is hard to reach at the top of ten-metre pole in Yatala, but you can satisfy your sweet tooth as it is located at a pie drive through.
Big Pineapple: Get fruity and juicy by the Big Pineapple in Woombye.
Big Pumpkin: The perfect stop for celebrating Halloween, you will find the Big Pumpkin in Beaudesert.
Big Red Elephant: Ever seen a red elephant? Well you can in Lockyer Valley!
Big Redback: This scary bug mounts a shack in the Eight Mile Plains of Brisbane. Watch out he might bite!
Big Rig: The Big Rig commemorates the finding of oil in Roma.
Big Rum Bottle: The eye-catching brown and yellow rum bottle stands in Bundaberg.
Big Sapphire: This big sapphire was closed in May 2012, but stood in front of the Sapphire and Gemfield Information Centre in Anakie.
Big Sapphire Ring: Thinking of popping the question? The Big Sapphire Ring in Sapphire is the perfect place to get down on one knee.
Big Sausage King: Who knew meat was valuable? In 2010 the Big Sausage King was stolen and the Modern Meat Mart in Centenary Heights, Toowoomba, offered a 10 kg sausage reward and an additional $500.
Big Shell: This large oceanic beauty can be found in Tewantin.
Big Shoe: Could it be Cinderella’s? This large shoe sits on top of a car sales yard in Chermside.
Big Spanner: Put a spanner in the works with this big tool standing in Sapphire.
Big Whale: At Kinka Beach you will find this Big Whale, which we reacon is much larger in real life!
South Australia
Australian Farmer: This big farmer took seventeen years to develop and finally stands in Wudinna.
Big Church Block Bottle: A ten metre high replica of Wirra Wirra Church Block Wine this is a must see for the wine connoisseur.
Big Dice: Can you roll a six? The Big Dice in Barrier Highway uses six die to create a pyramid.
Big Galah: If you love birds then the Big Galah will be your ‘tweet’ treat in Kimba.
Big Kangaroo: Also known as ‘Rooey two” the Big Kangaroo protects Border Village.
Big Lobster: Stand underneath ‘Larry’ the Big Lobster’s pincers at Kingston SE.
Map The Miner: Representing Cornish miners in Australia, the Big Map Miner was destroyed by a fire in 2006 but has since been rebuilt.
Big Olive: representing the Big Olive Processing Plant this mix of green and black olives stands in Tailern Bend.
Big Orange: Another zesty fruit stands in the South Australian Riverland in Berri.
Big Oyster: This giant clam was originally built for a float in Ceduna’s annual Oysterfest.
Big Pelican: Originally built as a float for the local Mardi Gras in 1979, the Big Pelican now stands in Loxton Caravan Park.
Big Ram: Another chance to go ‘baa’ with the Big Ram in Karoonda.
Big Rocking Horse: Standing over 18 metres high in the Adelaide Hills, your definitely won’t be rocking on top of this big horse.
Big Scotsman: Have a peak under the Big Scotsman’s kilt in Adelaide.
Big Winch: Another ode to the mining industry, celebrate past and present miners at the Big Winch in Coober Pedy.
Big Yabby: Standing outside the Sails at Clayton restaurant, yabby is no longer on the menu but it surely was when the Big Yabby was first erected in 1973.
Big Apple: This fruity statue sits on top of a building in Spreyton. Can you spot it?
Big Coffee Pot: Looking for your next caffeine hit? Visit the Big Coffee Pot in Deloraine.
Big Penguin: Waddle on down to the Big Penguin, conveniently located in Penguin.
Big Platypus: Find the Big Platypus chilling on a fence in Latrobe.
Big Slide Rule: Get to grips with some mathematics at the University of Tasmania.
Big Spud: The Big Spud of Sassafras comes complete with his own hat!
Big Tasmanian Devil: Find your darker side with the Big Tasmanian Devil in Mole Creek.
Big Wickets: Celebrating Australia’s love of cricket, these Big Wickets can be found in Westbury.
Victoria
Big Cigar: Want to know what cigars Winston Churchill smoked? Churchill is home to a giant replica of the cigars the revolutionary man smoked.
Big Cows: This loving couple of cows can be found in Newhaven.
Big Dead Fish: Would it put you off dining there? The Big Dead Fish lays on top of the Fishy Pub in Fish Creek.
Fairfield Industrial Dog Project: Exactly what it says on the tin, this big dog is part of an industrial project in Fairfield.
Big Happy Hens: Go clucking crazy with the Big Happy Hens at Meredith’s Battery Egg Farm.
Big Koala: This big, cute and cuddly Koala sits in Cowes.
The Giant Koala: Made of bronze and set on a steel frame the Giant Koala of Dadswells Bridge has been standing since 1989.
Big Mallee Bull: This big red bull stands erect in Birchip, how would you pose for your photo?
Big Mallee Root: Rather than a man made replica the Big Mallee Root is an actual Malle Root on display in a park in Ouyen.
Big Miner: Standing ready to do the job at hand, the Big Miner opened in 2006 in Ballarat.
Giant Murray Cod: Pose net to this fishy fiend in Swan Hill.
Big Ned Kelly: Standing in Glenrowan this is another chance to stand next to the Australian wide famous New Kelly.
Big Pheasant: The Big Pheasant in Tynong had to be refurbished in 2012 after it was vandalised in 2011.
Big Rolling Pin: Like to get busy in the kitchen? The world’s largest rolling pin spins above a bakery in Wodonga.
Big Smoke: The Big Smoke used to represent a cigarette factory that has since been shut down in Myrtleford.
Big Strawberry: Juicy and sweet this larger than life red delight can be found in Koonoomoo.
Big Tap: Get ‘wet n wild’ underneath the Big Tap in Cowes.
Big Watermelon: Known to quench your thirst, the Big Watermelon sits in Wantirna South.
Big Wave: ‘Surfs Up’, catch a ride on the Big Wave in Newhaven.
Big Wine Bottle: Fancy a drink? Stop at the Big Wine Bottle in Rutherglen.
Big Wool Bales: Witness wool bales in their larger than life glory in Hamilton.
Big Worm: This giant worm of Bass measures a lengthy 250 metres long!
Western Australia
Big Apple: Another chance to get a bite of the Big Apple at Donnybrook.
Big Banana: See yellow and take your pose with the Big Banana in Carnarvon.
Bert Bolle Barometer: The Bert Bolle Barometer is measured as the largest barometer in the world and is recorded in the Guiness Book Of Records. This working barometer is set up in Denmark’s Visitor Centre.
Big Bobtail: This blue tongued lizard is carved from the earth and lives in Kalamunda, Perth.
Big Camera: Stand, pose, smile and take a snap at the Big Camera in Meckering.
Cow on the Corner: This big cow at Brunswick Junction is part of the Brunswick Lions Project.
Big Crocodile: Watch out for this scaly croc when passing in Wyndham.
Big Orange: Get orange and happy with this larger than life fruit in Harvey.
Giant Ram: Go head to head with the Giant Ram of Wagin and grab hold of his horns.
Leeuwin Way Whale: Standing ten metres long hop on board the Way Whale and see how many of you can stretch in on photo opportunity.
So, which Big Thing will you experience first in Australia? With plenty of choice, make sure you have enough room on your camera and get snapping!