Big Orange (South Australia) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Big Orange |
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| General information | |
| Type | Big thing |
| Architectural style | Novelty |
| Location | Berri, South Australia |
| Coordinates | 34°14′47″S 140°37′15.1″E / 34.24639°S 140.620861°E |
| Construction started | 14 January 1980 |
| Cost | A$145,000 |
| Client | Bronte Coombe, Ven Chubb and David Marshall |
| Height | 15 metres (49 ft) |
| Dimensions | |
| Diameter | 12 metres (39 ft) |
| Weight | 15 tonnes (15 long tons; 17 short tons) |
| Technical details | |
| Structural system | Fiberglass panels over steel frame |
| Floor count | Four |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | John Twopenny |
| Main contractor | Hoffmann Engineering |
The Big Orange is a giant orange-shaped building in Berri, South Australia. It's one of many "Big Things" you can find across Australia. This huge orange stands 15 metres tall and is 12 metres wide. It's the biggest "big fruit" in Australia!
Inside, the Big Orange has a cafe and a souvenir shop. There's also a special room for events and a lookout point. You can even see a 360-degree mural inside. It first opened in 1980. Even though it has faced some challenges over the years, many people see it as a very important symbol of the Riverland area.
The Story of the Big Orange
The idea for the Big Orange came from three people: Bronte Coombe, Vern Chubb, and David Marshall. They invested about $145,000 to build it. The Big Orange officially opened its doors on January 14, 1980.
When it first opened, people said it was the "largest sphere in the southern hemisphere." Bronte Coombe also mentioned that it was the only "Big Thing" at the time that had a business operating inside it.
Changes Over the Years
Over time, the Big Orange has had a few different owners. In 2002, it was sold to an organization called RivSkills. They used it as a learning center. However, it had to close two years later because of money problems.
In 2006, a new owner named Kevin Dickerson bought it. He had plans to make it even bigger. But rising fuel prices and a drought made things difficult for his business. The Big Orange was no longer a good fit for his plans.
The site was then put up for auction in 2008. People even suggested turning it into a "big golf ball"! The auction didn't find a buyer right away. But in November of that year, a local businessman bought it. The new owner wanted the Big Orange to stay where it was. He also planned to open it to the public again.
How the Big Orange Was Built
The Big Orange was designed by an Adelaide architect named John Twopenny. Hoffmann Engineering was the company that built it.
It stands 15 metres tall and is 12 metres wide. This makes it the largest "big fruit" landmark in Australia. The structure is made from strong fibreglass panels. These panels are built around a sturdy steel frame. The whole thing weighs about 85 tonnes!
To get inside, you walk across a footbridge. Once inside, there are four different levels to explore:
- The first level has a room for events and gatherings.
- The second level holds the souvenir shop and a cafe.
- The third level features a large 360-degree mural. This mural shows beautiful scenes from the local area.
- The fourth floor is a lookout point. From here, you can see amazing views of the surrounding orchards.
