Damon Mcknight
Australia is home to a cult phenomenon of big things: enormous sculptures of objects ranging from fruits and animals to musical instruments and furniture. These sculptures, scattered throughout the country, are part tourist attraction, part cultural treasure, and part kitsch. They range from the well-known, such as the Big Banana in Coffs Harbour and the Big Pineapple, to the more obscure, like the Big Boxing Croc in Humpty Doo and the Big Root in Nowa Nowa. These big things have become beloved landmarks, with over 1075 of them dotted across Australia in 2022.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of "Big Things" in Australia | Over 1075 |
| Examples | The Big Banana, The Big Pineapple, The Big Prawn, The Big Rocking Horse, The Big Lobster, The Big Barramundi, The Big Cane Toad, The Giant Koala, The Big Galah, The Big Mango, The Big Ant, The Big Bull, The Big Chicken, The Big Guitar, The Big Spider, The Big Boxing Croc, The Big Root, The Big Orange, The Big Merino |
| Purpose | Tourist attractions, cultural landmarks, advertising |
| Materials | Steel, fibreglass, bronze, concrete |
| Average size | N/A |
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What You'll Learn
The history of 'big things' in Australia
Australia's "big things" are large structures, some of which are novelty architecture and sculptures. They are considered a uniquely Australian phenomenon, though they emerged at the same time as the United States' "Roadside Giants". There were just over 1075 big things in Australia in 2022, scattered throughout the country.
The "big things" were originally conceived as tourist traps strategically placed along major roads to entice travellers to stop and explore the surrounding areas. They served as eye-catching attractions, drawing attention to local businesses and promoting tourism in the region. Over time, these structures have evolved beyond their initial purpose and have acquired a special place in Australian culture.
The golden era of "big things" was the 1970s to the early 1990s. During this time, the "Big Pineapple" drew in a million tourists a year and was even visited by Prince Charles and Princess Diana on their 1983 tour of Australia. The "Big Pineapple" is so iconic that it was heritage-listed in Queensland in 2009, ensuring its preservation as a site of "cultural heritage significance".
Some other famous "big things" include the "Big Banana" in Coffs Harbour, one of the country's first "big things", constructed in 1964; the "Big Rocking Horse" in Gumeracha, completed in 1981 and standing at 18 metres tall; the "Big Lobster" in Kingston, also known as "Larry the Lobster", standing at 17 metres tall; and the "Big Barramundi" in Normanton, Queensland, constructed in 1995 and celebrating the town's status as the "Barramundi Capital of the North".
These "big things" have become beloved landmarks and a quirky national obsession, with some even appearing on Australian commemorative coins. Despite their popularity, many of these aging monuments are now in danger of becoming a thing of the past, as the cost of maintaining them can be high.
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The Big Banana in Coffs Harbour
The Big Banana is located in the southeastern city of Coffs Harbour and is one of the most iconic "big things" in Australia. It has become a part of Australia's national identity and is recognised as a symbol of the country's culture, history, hopes and dreams. The Big Banana is also featured on a set of 50c postage stamps issued by Australia Post in 2007 to commemorate big things.
The Big Banana Fun Park offers a range of attractions and activities for families and volunteers, including laser tag, mini-golf, an ice skating rink, a theatre, a toboggan ride, a water park, a reptile zoo, and escape rooms. The park also features a Giant Slide that is 82 metres long. Visitors can also take a photo in front of the big banana, see lolly making and opals for free. The Big Banana Fun Park also offers combo packages and gift cards for the various activities and attractions available at the park.
The Big Banana has gone through a period of decline due to bad business decisions and a perception that "Big Things" were not cool anymore. However, with additional investment and expansion, the Big Banana has regained its popularity and is now considered one of the world's greatest tourist attractions, on par with Disneyland and Machu Picchu.
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The Giant Koala in Dadswells
Australia is known for its "big things", which are large structures, sculptures, and novelty architecture scattered throughout the country. These "big things" are part tourist attraction, part cultural treasure, and have become a beloved and quirky national obsession.
One of these "big things" is The Giant Koala in Dadswells, Victoria. Standing at 14 metres tall, it is about 16 times larger than a real koala. It was built in 1989 by Dutch sculptor Ben Van Zetten and commissioned by Beryl Cowling, the then-owner of Koala Country Kitchen and Koala Country Motor Inn. The Giant Koala, also known as Sam, rose to fame when she was photographed drinking from a water bottle offered by a firefighter in the burned bushland in 2009. The statue weighs 12 tonnes and is made of steel, fibreglass, and bronze.
The Giant Koala has wide, red eyes and a blank-faced grimace, giving it an intimidating appearance. Visitors can walk through the koala's paws to find a gift shop inside, as well as a small zoo on-site. The structure is located in western Victoria's Wimmera region.
The Giant Koala is just one of Australia's many "big things", which include the Big Banana in Coffs Harbour, the Big Pineapple, the Big Prawn in Ballina, the Big Rocking Horse in Gumeracha, the Big Lobster in Kingston, and many more. These "big things" have become iconic landmarks and are often cherished by locals and tourists alike, with some even sparking protests when threatened with demolition. They have evolved beyond their initial purpose as tourist traps and have acquired a special place in Australian culture.
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The Big Pineapple in Queensland
Australia is known for its big things, which are large sculptures and structures that have become beloved landmarks across the country. One of the most iconic of these is The Big Pineapple, a 16-metre-high fibreglass structure located on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland.
The Big Pineapple was opened on 15 August 1971 and was originally part of a pineapple farm owned by Bill and Lyn Taylor. The farm became an agri-tourism project, showcasing various fruits, nuts, spices, and sugar cane, and was known as the Sunshine Plantation. The Big Pineapple itself is a two-level structure and is situated on a large site that includes retail and restaurant spaces, a train ride, a Nutmobile, crops, a rainforest, a Macadamia Nut Factory, and more.
The Big Pineapple quickly became a popular tourist attraction, drawing over a million visits a year and even attracting royalty, with Prince Charles and Princess Diana visiting during their 1983 tour of Australia. It holds a special place in the memories of many domestic and international tourists who have passed by on road trips. In 2009, it was added to the Queensland Heritage Register, recognising its cultural significance and ensuring its preservation.
Today, the Big Pineapple remains a popular destination, hosting a variety of attractions and events. It is home to Wildlife HQ, a zoo with over 200 animal species, including Queensland's only Sun Bear Maly. The zoo is set in a relaxed rainforest environment, allowing visitors to explore and interact with unique animals. The site also features the TreeTop Challenge, a high ropes and zipline course, and hosts the annual Big Pineapple Music Festival, showcasing leading Australian musical talent. With its ongoing renewal and transformation, the Big Pineapple continues to be a beloved icon in Queensland, celebrating the region's agricultural heritage and providing entertainment for all ages.
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The Big Rocking Horse in Gumeracha
Australia is known for its "big things", which are large structures, some of which are novelty architecture and sculptures. These structures have become beloved landmarks scattered throughout the country. One such structure is The Big Rocking Horse in Gumeracha, South Australia.
The Big Rocking Horse is a tourist attraction located in the town of Gumeracha, in the Adelaide Hills, about 40 minutes from Adelaide. It is part of a larger complex that includes a wooden toy factory, a wildlife park, a cafe, and a souvenir shop. The structure weighs 25 tonnes, stands at over 18 metres (59 ft) tall, and is set in 80 tonnes of concrete to prevent rocking. The Big Rocking Horse is the largest of its kind in the world.
The history of The Big Rocking Horse dates back to the early 1970s when Wal Wilkinson opened a wooden toy factory in Gumeracha. To attract passing traffic, Wilkinson first installed a large wooden giraffe outside the factory, which stood at approximately 5 metres (16 ft) tall. This was followed by a series of wooden rocking horses, with the first being 3 metres (9.8 ft) tall and the second being 5 metres tall. Finally, in 1980, Wilkinson enlisted the help of structural engineer David McIntosh Taylor to build the giant rocking horse that stands there today.
The Big Rocking Horse features stairs inside that lead to three viewing platforms: one at the head, one on the saddle, and one on the "rocker bows" near the base of the structure. For a small fee, visitors can climb to the top and enjoy the surrounding views. The wildlife park, cafe, and souvenir shop also offer visitors a range of experiences and attractions.
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Frequently asked questions
The big things in Australia are large structures, some of which are novelty architecture and sculptures. They are considered a uniquely Australian phenomenon, emerging around the same time as the US's Roadside Giants. There are over 1000 big things in Australia, scattered throughout the country.
Some of the most famous big things in Australia include the Big Banana in Coffs Harbour, the Big Pineapple, the Big Merino in Goulburn, the Big Rocking Horse in Gumeracha, the Big Lobster in Kingston, the Big Barramundi in Normanton, the Giant Koala in Dadswells, and the Big Melon in Chinchilla.
The big things were originally conceived as tourist traps, strategically placed along major roads to entice travellers to stop and explore the surrounding areas. They served as eye-catching attractions, promoting tourism and local businesses in the region.
The big things have evolved beyond their initial purpose and have acquired a special place in Australian culture. While some are cherished as cultural treasures, others are now facing the threat of becoming a thing of the past due to their costly maintenance.
