Here in Australia, we are serious about our BIG THINGS. In fact, there are more than 60 BIG THINGS in all sorts of locations throughout Australia. They come in all shapes and sizes and generally highlight what a town or region is famous for. They are a massive tourist draw card and there’s nothing better than lining up the family for a great photo in front of one of the BIG THINGS. We decided we’d make a list of 12 BIG THINGS and see how many ‘The Holidaying Family’ community have visited.
Can you take out all 12?
Here we go (in no particular order):
1. The Big Golden Guitar, Tamworth, NSW
Tamworth is Australia’s country music capital so it makes sense that it would also be home to the famous Big Golden Guitar. It stands proudly at 12m high and weighs half a tonne. Australia’s King of Country, Slim Dusty unveiled the golden guitar statue in 1988.
2. The Big Merino, Goulburn, NSW
This big fella is 15.2m tall and made out of concrete. The Big Merino contains a gift shop and wool display inside. You can climb to the top and look out through the Merino’s eyes to take in a good view of the local area.
3. The Big Penguin, TAS
What else would you expect to find in the town of Penguin, Tasmania? A home to hundreds and hundreds of gorgeous fairy penguins? The coolest BIG PENGUIN sits at the beach front park and is said to be the largest penguin in the world! Make sure to visit this one if you can for the cutest photo ever.
4. The Big Banana, Coffs Harbour, NSW
Voted the #1 thing to do in Coffs Harbour, you can have a whole ‘bunch’ of fun at The Big Banana. The 5m x 11m long banana cannot be missed and is one of the very first of Australia’s “Big Things”. There is so much to see and do at The Big Banana – you can check out all the details here.
5. The Big Ned Kelly, Glenrowan, VIC
In the town of Glenrowan stands a 7m high statue of the infamous Australian bush ranger, Ned Kelly. This is the town where Ned had his final shootout.
6. The Big Lobster, Kingston SE, SA
In a renowned fishing town in Kingston SE, South Australia you will find this glorious red spiny lobster affectionately called ‘Larry’ by the locals. It is a very popular tourist attraction! Lovely local ‘Larry’ is 17 metres tall and made of fibreglass and steel.
7. The Big Cassowary, Mission Beach, QLD
Standing at an impressive 5 metres tall the Big Cassowary is a must-see if you’re visiting Mission Beach. The area is known for its high population of cassowaries and is definitely worth a selfie with the big bird!
8. The Big Orange – Harvey, WA
The Big Orange has been restored and now sits upon a 10 metre tower. You can climb an extra 4 metres to reach a viewing platform. Once inside the Big Orange, local history and photos can be viewed.
9. The Big Watermelon, Chinchilla, Queensland
The Big Watermelon is the newest to the ranks of Big Things in Australia with the four-tonne, 9 metre-long structure arriving in the town of Chinchilla this month. Chinchilla is known as the ‘melon capital of Australia’. There isn’t a gift shop along side it (yet) but if you’re heading out that way, it’s definitely worth a stop and a photo.
10. The Big Galah, Kimba, SA
The Big Galah stands an impressive 8 metres high and perches itself directly in front of the Halfway Across Australia Gem Shop on the Eyre Highway. It is located at the geographical halfway point between Sydney and Perth.
11. The Big Koala – Dadswells Bridge, VIC
The Big Koala is a tourist attraction and is on the Western Highway in the Grampians, between Melbourne and Adelaide. The Koala stands 14m high and weighs 12 tonnes. Visitors can enter The Giant Koala and purchase giftware and souvenirs.
12. The Big Boxing Crocodile, Humpty Doo, NT
Last, but certainly not least, stands the Big Boxing Croc. Not to be messed with in Humpty Doo, Northern Territory. It is a humorous reference to the large population of crocodiles in the area! Eeek!
[AN EXTRA FOR SENTIMENTAL REASONS 😀]
13. The Big Pineapple, Woombye, Queensland
Nestled in the Sunshine Coast, Queensland is The Big Pineapple. I have sooo many childhood memories of visiting here and getting a fancy pants ice-cream parfait, walking inside the pineapple and climbing to the top….
Apparently planning is well advanced to renew and modernise the Big Pineapple experience, and I can’t wait!!
So, how did you go? How many have you and/or your family ticked off the list? I love Australia and I love the quirky things we do to signify an area or township.
