Is it cool? Is it quirky?
Call it what you like, but you won’t spend long in Australia before you come across a ‘Big Thing’.
“What is an Australian Big Thing?” I hear you say. Well, let me explain.
Australia is a huge country; absolutely enormous in fact. Australian drivers cover massive distances without giving it a second thought. They’re used to it. So, to provide landmarks along the way, and to celebrate local features, giant models are placed along roadsides all around Australia. These are known as Big Things.
It all started with the Big Banana, which was constructed with the intention of attracting customers to a banana stall by the road in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales. It quickly became an Australian habit.
From big prawns, whales, and mangoes, to kangaroos and guitars, there are lots of Australian Big things – almost 150! Motorists could cover hundreds of kilometres before they had seen all of the Australian Big Things. You can definitely go on a dedicated Big Things tour in Australia.
Here’s a list of some of my favourite Australian Big Things. On your next Aussie road trip, see how many you can see!
Big Things in New South Wales
Big Banana, Coffs Harbour
Big Windmill, Coffs Harbour
Golden Guitar, Tamworth
Big Tomato, Gunnedah
Big Avocado, Duranbah
Big Beer Can, Cobar
Big Wine Bottle, Cobar
Big Ant, Broken HIll
Big Bench, Broken Hill
Big Prawn, Ballina
Big Things in Queensland
Big Mango, Bowen
Big Gumboot, Tully
Big Bull, Rockhampton
Captain Cook, Cairns
Big Rum Bottle, Bundaberg
Big Barrel, Bundaberg
Big Apple, Thulimbah
Big Barramundi, Daintree
Big Boot, Chermside
Big Cassowary, Mission Beach
Big Crab, Miriam Vale
Big Cockatoo, Mossman
Big Pineapple, Woombye
Big Macadamia Nut, Nambour
Big Marlin, Cairns
Big Pelican, Noosaville
Big Aussie Meat Pie, Yatala
Big Things in Victoria
Big Koala, Cowes
Giant Koala, Dadswells Bridge
Big Miner, Ballarat
Giant Murray Cod, Swan Hill
Big Ned Kelly, Glenrowan
Big Strawberry, Koonoomoo
Big Tap, Cowes
Big Things in South Australia
Big Galah, Kimba
Big Wombat, Scotdefsco Community
Big Whale, Nullarbor Roadhouse
Big Dice, Barrier Highway
Big Lobster, Kingston
Big Olive, Tailem Bend
Big Orange, Berri
Big Oyster, Ceduna
Big Scotsman, Medindie
Big Things in West Australia
Big Prawn, Exmouth
Big Whale Shark, Exmouth
Big Kangaroo, Border Village
Big Whale, Eucla
Tin Camels, Norseman
Big Ram, Wagin
Big Banana, Carnarvon
Big Crocodile, Wyndham
Big Things in Northern Territory
Big Boxing Crocodile, Humpty Doo
Big Aboriginal Hunter, Anmatjere Community
Big Stubbie, Larrimah
Check out: Australian Northern Territory: A Journey from Alice Springs to Darwin
Big Things in ACT
Big Mushroom, Belconnen
Big Owl, Belconnen
Big Things in Tasmania
Big Penguin, Penguin
Big Tasmanian Devil, Mole Creek
Big Platypus, Latrobe
Big Cherry, Latrobe
Big Coffee Pot, Deloraine
How many Australian Big Things have you seen, and which are your favourites? Here’s another map of Big Things to look at!
