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Australia's big things facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

The Big Things of Australia are a collection of really large structures you can find all over the country. Some of them are fun, quirky buildings, while others are huge sculptures. There are more than 150 of these giant objects scattered across every state and territory in Australia.

Most of these Big Things started as tourist traps. They were built along main roads to get people to stop and visit shops or attractions.

These giant landmarks have become super popular, almost like a cult phenomenon! Many people go on special road trips just to see as many Big Things as they can. They love taking photos with them. Some of these Big Things are even seen as important pieces of folk art and are protected.

Australia's Giant Roadside Attractions

What are Australia's Big Things?

Australia's Big Things are huge, eye-catching structures. They are often shaped like everyday objects, animals, or fruits. These giant roadside attractions are designed to grab your attention. They make you want to stop, explore, and take a fun photo!

Why are There So Many Big Things?

Many Big Things were built to attract tourists. They helped towns stand out, especially those off the main highways. Imagine driving for hours and suddenly seeing a giant banana or a huge pineapple! It makes you curious and encourages you to visit the local shops or learn about the area.

Famous Big Things Across Australia

Big Things Postcard
A postcard showing some of Australia's famous Big Things.

Australia is full of amazing Big Things. Let's explore some of the most famous and interesting ones in each part of the country!

Big Things in the Australian Capital Territory

The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) has some unique Big Things, often linked to art or local landmarks.

  • The Big Acorns in Molonglo Valley are part of a cool playground. They are giant acorns built into children's play equipment.
  • At the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies in Acton, you can see the Big Bogong Moths. These are six large concrete sculptures of bogong moths.
  • The Giant Mushroom in Belconnen is 8 meters tall! It covers a children's playground at the Fresh Food Markets.
  • In Belconnen, there's also a huge Owl statue. It's 8 meters tall and cost $400,000 to build!

Big Things in New South Wales

New South Wales (NSW) is home to many iconic Big Things.

  • The Big Banana in Coffs Harbour is one of the oldest and most famous. Built in 1964, it's 13 meters long! It's part of a fun tourist complex.
  • In Broken Hill, you'll find the Big Ant. This sculpture was designed by artist Pro Hart.
  • The Big Axe in Kew is 8 meters tall. It stands proudly next to the visitor information centre.
  • The Big Merino in Goulburn is a giant sheep statue. It's 15 meters tall and 18 meters long! It was moved closer to the highway so more people could see it.
  • Nyngan has a unique one: The Big Bogan. This 3.6-meter-tall statue celebrates a local character.
  • Near Lake Eucumbene, in Adaminaby, you can see The Big Trout. This 10-meter-long fish is made of fiberglass.
  • In West Ballina, there's The Big Prawn. It's 6 meters tall and 9 meters long. It was saved from demolition and now sits next to a Bunnings store.
  • The Big Golden Guitar in Tamworth is 12 meters tall. It's a tribute to the city's country music heritage.

Big Things in the Northern Territory

The Northern Territory also has its share of impressive Big Things.

  • In Anmatjere, you'll find the Big Aboriginal Hunter and the Anmatjere Woman and Child. These large sculptures celebrate local Indigenous culture.
  • The Big Boxing Crocodile in Humpty Doo is 8 meters tall and 8 meters wide. It was built to celebrate Australia winning the America's Cup!
  • In Yarrawonga, there's a huge Big Dinosaur, a 13-meter-long Brachiosaurus made of fiberglass.
  • The Big Stubbie in Larrimah is a giant beer bottle, a fun sight for travelers.

Big Things in Queensland

Queensland boasts many Big Things, often related to its tropical produce or unique wildlife.

  • The Big Apple in Thulimbah is 4 meters tall and 4.5 meters wide. It's a giant Granny Smith apple!
  • In Bundaberg, you can visit The Big Barrel, which is 25 meters long and 10 meters wide. It's a visitor center for Bundaberg Brewed Drinks.
  • The Big Barramundi can be found in places like Normanton (7 meters long) and Daintree (7.5 meters long).
  • Rockhampton is famous for its Big Bulls. There are seven of these bull statues around the city.
  • The Big Cane Toad in Sarina is 4 meters tall. Named "Buffy," it was originally a parade float!
  • In Cairns, there's The Big Captain Cook, a 14-meter-tall statue of the famous explorer.
  • The Big Pineapple in Woombye is 16 meters tall. It's a huge tourist attraction on the Sunshine Coast.
  • The Big Golden Gumboot in Tully is 8 meters tall. It celebrates Tully's reputation as one of Australia's wettest towns.
  • The Big Mango in Bowen is 10 meters tall. It was even "stolen" once as a publicity stunt!

Big Things in South Australia

South Australia has some impressive sculptures and unique Big Things.

  • The Australian Farmer in Wudinna is an 8-meter-tall sculpture carved from 70 tonnes of granite. It honors the region's early settlers.
  • In Kimba, you'll see The Big Galah. This 8-meter-tall bird is made of fiberglass.
  • The Big Lobster in Rosetown, known as "Larry," is a massive 17-meter-long lobster. It was supposedly built extra large by mistake!
  • Map the Miner in Kapunda is an 8-meter-tall statue honoring the Cornish miners who worked there.
  • The Big Orange in Berri is a huge 15-meter-tall orange building.
  • The Big Rocking Horse in Gumeracha is over 18 meters tall and weighs more than 25 tonnes! You can even climb inside it.
  • In Adelaide, you can find The Big Scotsman, built in 1963. He's 5 meters tall and stands at Scotty's Motel.
  • The Big Winch in Coober Pedy is 8 meters tall. It celebrates the town's famous opal-mining industry.

Big Things in Tasmania

Tasmania has its own charming collection of Big Things.

  • The Big Apple in Spreyton is a large apple sculpture.
  • In Latrobe, you can see The Big Cherry and The Big Platypus.
  • The Big Coffee Pot in Deloraine was made by adding a spout and handle to a grain silo!
  • The Big Penguin in Penguin is 3 meters tall. It was built to celebrate the town's 100th birthday.
  • The Big Tasmanian Devil in Mole Creek is 2 meters tall and 3 meters long. It stands at the entrance to a wildlife park.

Big Things in Victoria

Victoria also has some memorable Big Things.

  • Big Lizzie in Red Cliffs is a massive tractor built between 1915 and 1916. It's over 10 meters long!
  • The Big Cigar in Churchill is a replica of Sir Winston Churchill's cigar, after whom the town is named.
  • In Newhaven, you'll find the Big Cows outside the Phillip Island Chocolate Factory.
  • The Giant Koala in Dadswells Bridge is 14 meters tall and weighs 12 tonnes! It's made of bronze.
  • The Giant Murray Cod in Swan Hill is 3 meters tall and 9 meters long. It's located at the train station.
  • The Big Ned Kelly can be seen in Glenrowan, a tribute to the famous bushranger.
  • The Big Pheasant in Tynong is 8 meters tall and 17 meters long. It sits at the entrance to Gumbuya Park.
  • In Koonoomoo, there's a Big Strawberry, 2 meters tall and 4 meters long.

Big Things in Western Australia

Western Australia has some unique and modern Big Things.

  • The Big Periodic Table in Joondalup is the world's largest! It's 600 square meters and is on the side of a science building at Edith Cowan University.
  • In Donnybrook, there's a Big Apple that's 7 meters tall.
  • The Nannup Clock Tower in Nannup used to house the world's largest wooden pendulum clock.
  • The Big Bobtail in Kalamunda is a huge blue-tongued skink carved from rammed earth.
  • In Brunswick Junction, you'll find a Cow on the Corner, 5 meters tall.
  • The Giant Ram in Wagin is a massive 13-meter-long ram statue.

In popular culture

Australia's Big Things are so famous, they even appear in movies, musicals, and books!

  • The musical Priscilla, Queen of the Desert mentions the Big Prawn, Big Merino, Big Pineapple, and Big Banana.
  • The ABC made a documentary called Big Things.
  • The National Museum in Canberra has a cool exhibit about many Big Things.
  • In 2007, Australia Post released special stamps featuring five iconic Big Things: The Big Banana, The Big Golden Guitar, The Big Lobster, The Big Merino, and The Big Pineapple.
  • Travel writer Bill Bryson wrote about visiting the Big Lobster and the Big Bull in his book Down Under.
  • English comedian Ross Noble visited many Big Things during his Australian tour.

Images for kids

  • Molonglo Valley - BIG Acorn Playground

    Big Acorns in Molonglo Valley, ACT

  • Acton - BIG Moths

    Big Bogong Moths in Acton, ACT

  • Deakin - BIG Coins

    Big Coins in Deakin, ACT

  • The Big Gallah's

    Big Galahs in Watson, ACT

  • Giant Mushroom Belconnen

    Giant Mushroom in Belconnen, ACT

  • Giant Owl

    Giant Owl in Belconnen, ACT

  • Parkes - BIG Pears

    Big Pears in Parkes, ACT

  • Big Ant

    Big Ant in Broken Hill, NSW

  • Tallong Big Apple

    Big Apple in Tallong, NSW

  • The Big Apple Yerrinbool

    The Big Apple in Yerrinbool, NSW

  • Big Avocado

    Big Avocado in Duranbah, NSW

  • BigAxe Kew

    The Big Axe in Kew, NSW

  • Big banana

    The Big Banana in Coffs Harbour, NSW

  • Big Beer Can Tooheys

    The Big Beer Can in Cobar, NSW

  • Big Bench, Australia's big things

    Big Bench in Broken Hill, NSW

  • BigBlueHeeler Muswellbrook

    The Big Blue Heeler in Muswellbrook, NSW

  • Big Bogan, Nyngan, 2017 (01)

    The Big Bogan in Nyngan, NSW

  • BowlAtLakeCathie

    Big Bowl in Lake Cathie, NSW

  • Big Bull March 1993

    Big Bull in Wauchope, NSW

  • BigBunchOfBananas Sawtell

    Big Bunch of Bananas in Coffs Harbour, NSW

  • Chullora Recycling Centre

    The Big Bicycle in Chullora, NSW

  • BigCheese2

    Big Cheese in Bodalla, NSW

  • YoungBigCherries&Y

    Big Cherries in Young, NSW

  • The Big Chook, Moonbi

    Big Chook in Moonbi, NSW

  • Big Chook

    Big Chook in Mount Vernon, NSW

  • GoldPanner

    The Big Gold Panner in Kelso, NSW

  • The Kurri Kurri Kookaburra at Rotary Park in Kurri Kurri

    The Big Kookaburra in Kurri Kurri, NSW

  • BigLamb Guyra

    The Big Lamb in Guyra, NSW

  • Big Merino

    The Big Merino in Goulburn, NSW

  • BigMinersLamp

    The Big Miner's Lamp in Bowenfels, NSW

  • Big Mosquito Hexham

    Big Mosquito in Hexham, NSW

  • Tocumwal Big Cod

    Big Murray Cod in Tocumwal, NSW

  • Big Potato in Robertson, NSW

    The Big Potato in Robertson, NSW

  • Ballina BigPrawn3

    The Big Prawn in West Ballina, NSW

  • Big Rocket in Moree NSW

    The Big Rocket in Moree, NSW

  • The Big Soldier, Uralla

    The Big Soldier in Uralla, NSW

  • UranaWaterTowerSpider

    The Big Spider in Urana, NSW

  • LargeSundial

    The World's Biggest Sundial in Singleton, NSW

  • Big Swan in Dunedoo NSW

    The Big Swan in Dunedoo, NSW

  • Big Tennis Racquet Barellan 2009-10-03

    Big Tennis Racquet in Barellan, NSW

  • Adaminaby big trout

    The Big Trout in Adaminaby, NSW

  • Oberon Big Trout 001

    The Big Trout in Oberon, NSW

  • The Big Ugg Boots

    The Big Ugg Boots in Thornton, NSW

  • Big Windmill

    The Big Windmill in Coffs Harbour, NSW

  • Big WineBottle Pokolbin

    The Big Wine Bottle in Pokolbin, NSW

  • MourquongBigWineCask

    The Big Wine Cask in Mourquong, NSW

  • BigThingsMullumbimby

    The Biggest Smallest Town in Mullumbimby, NSW

  • Katherine - BIG Barramundi

    Big Barramundi in Katherine, NT

  • Ghan - BIG XXXX Can

    Big Beer Can in Ghan, NT

  • Alice Springs - BIG Books

    Big Books in Alice Springs, NT

  • Big Dinosaur Darwin

    The Big Dinosaur in Yarrawonga, NT

  • Wanguri - BIG Fish

    Big Fish in Wanguri, NT

  • Darwin City - BIG Frogs

    Big Frogs in Darwin, NT

  • Douglas Daly - Gold Nugget

    Big Gold Nugget in Douglas-Daly, NT

  • Alice Springs - BIG Hand

    Big Hand in Alice Springs, NT

  • Wak Wak - BIG Jumping Croc

    The Big Jumping Crocodile in Wak Wak, NT

  • Fly Creek - Stock whip

    The Big Stockwhip in Acacia, NT

  • Big stubby Larrimah

    The Big Stubbie in Larrimah, NT

  • Lyons - BIG Turtle

    Big Turtle in Lyons, NT

  • Daly Waters

    Big Wine Bottle in Daly Waters, NT

  • BigApple Thulimbah

    The Big Apple in Thulimbah, QLD

  • BigThingApple

    Big Apple in Acacia Ridge, QLD

  • Banana Bullock

    Banana the Bullock in Banana, QLD

  • Bigbowlingpin

    Big Bowling Pin in Maryborough, QLD

  • The Big Barrel

    The Big Barrel in Bundaberg, QLD

  • Big Barra Normanton

    The Big Barramundi in Normanton, QLD

  • Big barra daintree

    The Big Barramundi in Daintree, QLD

  • Big Bolt and Nut

    Big Bolt and Nut in Roma, QLD

  • Big Boomerang

    Big Boomerangs in Nindigully, QLD

  • BigThingBoot

    The Big Boot / Shoe in Chermside, QLD

  • Big BrolgaSnake

    Big Brolgas and Snake near Mackay, QLD

  • Big Bull of Rockhampton

    Big Bulls in Rockhampton, QLD

  • Big CaneToad

    The Big Cane Toad in Sarina, QLD

  • Captain Cook statue, Cairns

    The Big Captain Cook in Cairns, QLD

  • Giant Cassowary at Mission Beach

    The Big Cassowary in Mission Beach, QLD

  • BigCockatoo

    The Big Cockatoo in Mossman, QLD

  • Big Crab of Miriam Vale

    Big Crab in Miriam Vale, QLD

  • BigCroc Hartleys

    Big Crocodile in Wangetti, QLD

  • Winton Open Air Theatre Museum, The World's Biggest Deckchair

    Big Deck Chair in Winton, QLD

  • Ballandean triceratops

    The Big Dinosaur in Ballandean, QLD

  • The Big Easel, Emerald

    The Big Easel in Emerald, QLD

  • Big G

    The Big G in Gracemere, QLD

  • Big golfball Gold Coast

    Big Golf Ball in Broadbeach, QLD

  • GGumboot

    The Big Golden Gumboot in Tully, QLD

  • Big Gun, Underwood

    The Big Gun in Underwood, QLD

  • Surfers HardRockGuitar

    The Big Hard Rock Guitar in Surfers Paradise, QLD

  • The Big Macadamia Nut in Queensland

    The Big Macadamia Nut in Woombye, QLD

  • MundubberaBigMandarin

    The Big Mandarin in Mundubbera, QLD

  • Big mango

    The Big Mango in Bowen, QLD

  • Big Map of Australia

    Big Map of Australia in Goondiwindi, QLD

  • BigThingMatilda

    Matilda The Kangaroo in Kybong, QLD

  • BigThingMelon

    Big Melon in Chinchilla, QLD

  • Ram Park, Blackall

    Big Merino in Blackall, QLD

  • The Big Miner in Rubyvale

    The Big Miner in Rubyvale, QLD

  • BigMower Beerwah

    The Big Mower in Beerwah, QLD

  • Maryborough BigNedKelly

    The Big Ned Kelly in Maryborough, QLD

  • The Big Orange

    The Big Orange in Lockyer Valley, QLD

  • The Big Peanut, Tolga

    The Big Peanut in Tolga, QLD

  • BigPelicanNoosaville

    The Big Pelican in Noosaville, QLD

  • The Big Mining Tools

    The Big Pick, Shovel and Sieve in Sapphire, QLD

  • Yatala BigPie

    The Big Pie in Yatala, QLD

  • GiantPineappleNambour

    The Big Pineapple in Woombye, QLD

  • Beaudesert BigPumpkin

    The Big Pumpkin in Beaudesert, QLD

  • Big Pumpkin1

    The Big Pumpkin in Gumlu, QLD

  • The Big Red Elephant

    The Big Red Elephant in Hatton Vale, QLD

  • Big Rig Roma

    The Big Rig in Roma, QLD

  • Big Bundy

    The Big Rum Bottle in Bundaberg, QLD

  • The Big Sapphire

    The Big Sapphire in Anakie, QLD

  • The Big Sapphire Ring

    The Big Sapphire Ring in Sapphire, QLD

  • The Big Sausage King

    The Big Sausage King in Centenary Heights, QLD

  • Cairns Control Room with Scout's Hat

    The Big Scout hat in Cairns, QLD

  • Tewantin BigShell

    The Big Shell in Tewantin, QLD

  • The Big Spanner

    The Big Spanner in Sapphire, QLD

  • BigThingStrawberry

    The big strawberry in Elimbah, QLD

  • Big Teepee

    Big Teepee in Millmerran, QLD

  • Stanthorpe Big Thermometer with the Moon overhead

    Big Thermometer in Stanthorpe, QLD

  • Thebigwatermelon

    Big Watermelon in Gumlu, QLD

  • The Big Whale (Kinka Beach)

    The Big Whale in Kinka Beach, QLD

  • William the wombat

    William the Wombat in Thallon, QLD

  • Wudinna Australian Farmer Cropped

    The Australian Farmer in Wudinna, SA

  • The Big Ant

    The Big Ant in Poochera, SA

  • The Big Bee, Kingscote SA

    The Big Bee in Kingscote, SA

  • Bob-Tail Lizard sculpture, Port Lincoln, South Australia

    The Big Bob-tail Lizard in Port Lincoln, SA

  • Big Cherries Pages Flat

    The Big Cherries in Pages Flat, SA

  • Big Cork Bottle

    The Big Church Block Bottle in McLaren Vale, SA

  • Big Cockroach, South Australia

    The Big Cockroach in Lower Light, SA

  • Big Dice

    The Big Dice on Barrier Highway, SA

  • Big Galah Kimba

    The Big Galah in Kimba, SA

  • The Big Hat SA

    The Big Hat in Cradock, SA

  • Big Hills Hoist, O'Sullivan Beach, South Australia

    The Big Hills Hoist in O'Sullivan Beach, SA

  • Rooey II Border Village

    The Big Kangaroo in Border Village, SA

  • Kingston SE lobster

    The Big Lobster in Rosetown, SA

  • Map the Miner at Kapunda South Australia

    Map the Miner in Kapunda, SA

  • Big Olive

    The Big Olive in Tailem Bend, SA

  • Big Orange

    The Big Orange in Berri, SA

  • Big Oyster, Ceduna, South Australia

    The Big Oyster in Ceduna, SA

  • Big Pelican at Loxton

    The Big Pelican in Loxton, SA

  • Big Pelican Meningie

    Another Big Pelican in Meningie, SA

  • Big Pigeon

    The Big Pigeon in Adelaide, SA

  • Big Ram in Karoonda

    The Big Ram in Karoonda, SA

  • Gumeracha giant rocking horse

    The Big Rocking Horse in Gumeracha, SA

  • Adelaides Big Santa on the Central Market tower

    The Big Santa in Adelaide, SA

  • The Big Scotsman

    The Big Scotsman in Medindie, SA

  • Coober-Pedy2

    The Big Winch in Coober Pedy, SA

  • Big Windmill, Penong, South Australia

    The Big Windmill in Penong, SA

  • Spreyton BigApple

    Big Apple in Spreyton, TAS

  • Big cherry latrobe

    The Big Cherry in Latrobe, TAS

  • Big Coffee Pot

    The Big Coffee Pot in Deloraine, TAS

  • Penguin BigPenguin

    The Big Penguin in Penguin, TAS

  • Latrobe BigPlatypus

    The Big Platypus in Latrobe, TAS

  • Big Rock Lobster

    The Big Rock Lobster in Stanley, TAS

  • Sassafras BigSpud

    The Big Spud in Sassafras, TAS

  • Big Tassie Devil

    The Big Tasmanian Devil in Mole Creek, TAS

  • Big Wickets

    The Big Wickets in Westbury, TAS

  • Big Apple

    The Big Apple in Bacchus Marsh, VIC

  • BigApple BacchusMarsh

    The Big Apple in Bacchus Marsh, VIC (concrete version)

  • Big Lizzie in Red Cliffs, Victoria, Australia

    Big Lizzie in Red Cliffs, VIC

  • Cigar

    Big Cigar in Churchill, VIC

  • Big Coffee Maker

    Big Coffee Maker in Brunswick, VIC

  • Big Cows

    Big Cows in Newhaven, VIC

  • Big Dead Fish

    Big Dead Fish in Fish Creek, VIC

  • FIDO-Fairfield-Industrial-Dog-Object

    Fairfield Industrial Dog Object (FIDO) in Fairfield, VIC

  • Spring Valley Golf Course Big Golf Ball

    The Big Golf Ball in Heatherton, VIC

  • Meredith Happy Hens 001

    Big Hens in Meredith, VIC

  • Big Koala at Cowes

    Big Koala in Cowes, VIC

  • Giant Koala

    The Giant Koala in Dadswells Bridge, VIC

  • Mallee Bull Birchip

    Big Mallee Bull in Birchip, VIC

  • Patchewollock Big Mallee Fowl 003

    Big Mallee Fowl in Patchewollock, VIC

  • Big Miner at Ballarat

    Big Miner in Warrenheip, VIC

  • Ned Kelly

    Big Ned Kelly in Warrenheip, VIC

  • Big MurrayCod SwanHill

    Giant Murray Cod in Swan Hill, VIC

  • Wyuna Big Cherry 001

    Big Cherry in Wyuna, VIC

  • Glenrowan Kelly

    The Big Ned Kelly in Glenrowan, VIC

  • Big Pheasant

    The Big Pheasant in Tynong, VIC

  • Big Sphinx, North Geelong, Victoria

    The Big Sphinx in North Geelong, VIC

  • KoonoomooBigStrawberry

    Big Strawberry in Koonoomoo, VIC

  • Big Tap wp

    Big Tap in Cowes, VIC

  • Big Wave

    Big Wave in Newhaven, VIC

  • The Big Woolbales at Hamilton (2012)

    Big Wool Bales in Hamilton, VIC

  • Giant Worm

    The Giant Worm in Bass, VIC

  • The Public Purse, Bourke Street Mall, Melbourne, November 2014

    Public Purse in Melbourne, VIC

  • MCFobWatch

    Giant Pocket Watch in Melbourne, VIC

  • Bert Bolle Barometer, Denmark WA

    Bert Bolle Barometer in Denmark, WA

  • RE BluTongLizd

    Big Bobtail in Kalamunda, WA

  • Cow on the Corner, Brunswick, Western Australia

    Cow on the Corner in Brunswick Junction, WA

  • The Big Marron

    The Big Marron in Old Kent River Winery, WA

  • BALINGUP Bigthings bigmushroom small

    The Big Mushroom in Balingup, WA

  • Wagin Giant Ram, Western Australia

    The Giant Ram in Wagin, WA

  • Big Whale Statue at Eucla, Western Australia

    Leeuwin Way Whale in Eucla, WA

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Australia's big things Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.