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!