“Go big or go home”, or so the expression goes, and Australia has certainly taken this to heart. Indeed, for whatever reason, the Australia is BIG on the oversized. There are currently over 150 legitimately “big” things scattered throughout the country.
Even though it was beaten to the punch by at least a year by the “Big Scotsman” outside Scotty’s Motel in Adelaide, the "Big Banana" in Coffs Harbour on the NSW coast is often credited to be the first big thing in Australia. It was built in 1964 by entrepreneur John Landi as a way to attract visitors to his roadside banana stall.
The success of the Big Banana in drawing tourists inspired other communities across Australia to create their own oversized landmarks, leading to the proliferation of big things throughout the country. Australian big things are often representations of everyday objects or animals.
While Australia's big things are generally embraced as quirky and fun landmarks, they have also faced criticism from some who argue that they are kitschy or tacky. This is probably true, although, in the case of Big Things, that’s partly the point. It’s so bad, it’s good, and all that …
Not much more to say here other than to list some of our favourite Big Things in Australia:
Big Prawn | Ballina, NSW | Since 1989
Unloved and demolished in 2009; rescued and refurbished by Bunnings Warehouse in 2011.
Big Pineapple | Woombye, QLD | Since 1971
16-metre high pineapple with facilities that include train rides, a restaurant and a zoo.
Big Merino | Goulburn, NSW | Since 1985
At 15.2 metres high, weighing 97 tonnes, Ya big dag takes on a whole new meaning.
Big Wine Bottle | Rutherglen, VIC | Since 1969
Enterprising locals added the mesh to turn this water tower into a 36-metre tall bottle of wine.
Big Banana | Coffs Harbour, NSW | Since 1964
The original piece of oversized fruit. Taking its photo was a 70s road trip rite of passage.
Big Melon | Chinchilla, QLD | Since 2018
The result of a competition beating out competitors including the Big Peanut and Big Tulip.
Big Lobster | Kingston, SA | Since 1979
Known locally as Larry the Lobster, the sculpture of a spiny lobster stands 17 metres tall. Bonus fun fact: Designed and built by Paul Kelly, who also designed the Big Scotsman.
Big Potato | Robertson, NSW | Since 1977
Potato farmer built a monument to one of the area’s main crops. Looks vaguely faecal.
Big Bench | Broken Hill, NSW | Since 2002
Built on top of a hill of mining deposits, it seats eight people or one very big person.
Big Penguin | Penguin, TAS | Since 1975
Created in 1975 to mark the centenary of Penguin. Pingu would be proud.
Big Bogan | Nyngan, NSW | Since 2015
Nyngan is in Bogan Shire; the proposal to erect a statue of a "bogan" had a mixed reception.
If you’d like to explore more, maybe get onto this Australia's Big Things Map published in July 2022 by UBD Gregory’s.
Story Idea: Remo Giuffré
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References
wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_things_(Australia)
bigthingsofaustralia.com/
timeout.com/australia/travel/a-guide-to-australias-best-big-things
australiantraveller.com/australia/most-iconic-big-things-of-australia/
amazon.com.au/Australias-Big-Things-Map-Gregorys/dp/0731932994
Images
1 & 14. Australia's Big Things Map published in July 2022 by UBD Gregory’s.
2. Big Prawn. Photo credit: cn2480.com.au / Wikimedia Commons.
3. Big Pineapple. Photo credit: Anne and David / Flickr / Public Domain.
4. Big Merino. Photo credit: Mattinbgn via Wikimedia.
5. Big Wine Bottle. Photo credit: Ride High Country.
6. Big Banana
7. Big Melon. Photo credit: Gotadollarmate / Wikimedia Commons.
8. Larry the Big Lobster, Kingston, SA
9. Designer Paul Kelly's big South Australian contributions: Scotty at the Medindie motel from 1963 and Larry the Lobster at Kingston SE since 1979
10. Big Potato. Photo credit: Maksym Kozlenko via Wikimedia.
11. Big Bench. Photo credit: Destination NSW.
12. Big Penguin
13. Big Bogan
