Lyla Lindsey
Australia is known for its giant sculptures, including the Big Watermelon, the Big Banana, the Big Prawn, and the Big Potato. One of the most famous sculptures is the Big Cow, which was built in the 1970s to attract tourists to a working dairy farm in Kulangoor, Queensland. The Big Cow is seven times the size of a typical Ayrshire cow and was sculpted by Hugh Anderson, who also created the Big Bulls in Rockhampton. In addition to the Big Cow sculpture, Australia also has a real-life giant cow named Knickers, who gained fame in 2018 as a steer deemed too large for processing into meat.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Knickers |
| Location | Kulangoor, Queensland, Australia |
| Sculptor | Hugh Anderson |
| Size | Seven times the size of an Ayrshire cow |
| Material | Concrete |
| Year Built | 1970s |
| Purpose | To attract tourists to a working dairy farm |
| Current Status | Reopened and unveiled in 2020 |
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What You'll Learn
The Big Cow in Kulangoor, Queensland
Kulangoor, a locality in the Sunshine Coast Region of Queensland, Australia, was known as the home of The Big Cow for many years. The Big Cow was built in the 1970s to attract tourists to a working dairy farm at 9-11 Ayrshire Road. It was one of the many Australian Big Things and was sculpted by Hugh Anderson, who also sculpted the Big Bulls in Rockhampton. The Big Cow is seven times the size of an Ayrshire cow, on which it is modelled. It is made of concrete and is described as "able to withstand a cyclone".
The Big Cow was a landmark at Kulangoor and was recognised around the nation. It stood at the entrance to what was Sunshine Coast Dairy, later Country World. Sunshine Coast Dairy, with the Big Cow as its star attraction, was officially opened by deputy prime minister Doug Anthony on September 10, 1976. The dairy farm was founded by Des Scanlan, who organised many charity events there. He sponsored Miss Australia quest entrants, ran the Children's Hospital Appeal, hosted Shetland pony shows, and welcomed steam trains laden with tourists from Brisbane.
After the dairy farm closed, the Big Cow remained on the property, which was used for a variety of purposes. In March 2016, the Big Cow was described as "closed and fallen into disrepair". It was dismembered on January 10, 2020, and taken to Highfields Pioneer Village Museum and Park 16km north of Toowoomba.
In the 2021 census, Kulangoor had a population of 455 people. The Bruce Highway forms the eastern boundary of the locality, with the Nambour Connection Road running immediately parallel to it. The North Coast railway line traverses the locality from south to north. The eastern part of the locality is in a valley, approximately 30-40 metres above sea level, and this is the developed area, including small farms and rural residential use. The western part of the locality is mountainous and densely forested, with Mount Wappa (200 metres above sea level) and Mount Combe (150 metres above sea level).
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The Big Cow is seven times the size of an Ayrshire cow
The Big Cow, located in Highfields, Queensland, Australia, is a massive structure that has attracted many visitors over the years. Built in the 1970s by sculptor Hugh Anderson, it stands seven times taller than the Ayrshire cows it is modelled on. This concrete creation is described as being able to "withstand a cyclone".
The Big Cow was originally constructed to attract tourists to a working dairy farm located at 9-11 Ayrshire Road in Kulangoor, Queensland. This area is known for its many "Big Things", and The Big Cow joined the ranks of other Australian landmarks like the Big Banana, the Big Prawn, and the Big Potato.
After the dairy farm closed, The Big Cow remained on the property, and the site was used for various purposes, including serving as a halfway house for recovering drug addicts. Despite falling into disrepair over the years, The Big Cow was eventually redeemed and reopened to the public in September 2020.
Today, The Big Cow stands as a beloved landmark, drawing fans from near and far. Its impressive size and unique history have made it an iconic attraction on Australia's Land of the Bigs.
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The sculptor of The Big Cow, Hugh Anderson
The Big Cow, a landmark in Yandina, Kulangoor, Queensland, since 1976, was sculpted by Hugh Anderson. Anderson is also known for sculpting the Big Bulls in Rockhampton, Queensland, five of which are located near highways and major roads. The Big Cow, which stood at the entrance to Sunshine Coast Dairy, was made of concrete and was seven times the size of an Ayrshire cow, on which it was modelled. It was built in the 1970s to attract tourists to the dairy farm. The sculpture was 3.5m wide, 12m long, 5.7m at the shoulders, 7.9m high, and weighed 12 tonnes. Anderson used a technique of applying concrete render to a wire sub-structure to create life-like images.
The Big Cow was removed from its original location in Kulangoor on January 10, 2020, and taken to the Highfields Pioneer Village Museum and Park, 18km north of Toowoomba. The removal of the sculpture caused some distress to the locals, as it had been a well-known landmark in the area for decades. However, volunteers at Highfields restored the Ayrshire cow to its former glory, and it is now open to the public. The Big Cow's interior has been converted into a museum, featuring photos of her construction and a collection of souvenirs.
Hugh Anderson, the talented sculptor behind The Big Cow, also created a gold mining monument that was transported from his Alexandra Headland studio to Charters Towers as a bicentennial project in 1988. It is now located at the Gold Panner Motor Inn in Bathurst. Anderson's works have undoubtedly added to the unique landscape of Queensland, attracting tourists and locals alike to marvel at these supersized creations.
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Australia's fascination with giant structures
Australia is known for its fascination with giant structures, often referred to as "Big Things". These structures range from novelty architecture to sculptures, and they have become iconic landmarks scattered throughout the country. In 2022, there were over 1075 Big Things in Australia, with at least one in each state and some territories.
The Big Things phenomenon emerged in Australia around the same time as the Roadside Giants in the United States, which are fibreglass sculptures. Many of Australia's Big Things were initially conceived as tourist traps, strategically placed along major roads to entice travellers to stop and explore the surrounding areas. The Big Cow in Kulangoor, Queensland, is one such example. Built in the 1970s, it attracted tourists to a working dairy farm. Made of concrete and sculpted by Hugh Anderson, it is seven times the size of a typical Ayrshire cow.
Over time, these structures have evolved beyond their original purpose and have become an integral part of Australian culture. Several Big Things have been heritage-listed, ensuring their preservation and contributing to the country's cultural heritage. They serve as reminders of the unique character and history of the regions they represent. The Big Pineapple, for instance, received a royal seal of approval when Princess Diana and Prince Charles visited in 1983, and it has been added to the Queensland Heritage Register.
The influence of Australia's Big Things extends beyond its borders, inspiring the creation of oversized sculptures and replicas worldwide. They have also found their way into popular culture, with references in films, television shows, and even an album cover by the Melbourne punk band Private Function.
While some may question the reasons behind Australia's fascination with giant structures, it remains a unique aspect of the country's culture and identity that continues to capture the imagination of locals and foreigners alike.
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Knickers, the steer, is not a cow
Australia has long been obsessed with building giant things to line its highways, from the Big Watermelon to the Big Banana, the Big Prawn, and the Big Potato. So, it is no surprise that the country was fascinated by Knickers, a giant steer from Australia. However, despite often being referred to as a "cow", Knickers is, in fact, a steer.
Knickers gained viral fame for his size, which was so large that he was spared from the slaughterhouse. His owner, Geoff Pearson, noted that Knickers was simply "too big" for the slaughtering process. At seven years old, Knickers was much older than most steers, which are usually sold to processing plants at the age of two or three years.
Knickers stands at 193 cm, towering over other cattle. His size has prompted questions about whether he was bred to be this large or pumped full of hormones. However, according to his owner, Knickers' immense size is simply "a freaky thing". While his exact cause of gigantism may be unknown, it is likely that he was able to grow so large because he was not slaughtered at a young age.
Knickers now lives on a 3,000-acre property in Australia, home to 4,000 head of cattle. He acts as a "coach" to the other cattle, showing them where to roam. His story has captivated people worldwide, with media outlets from the UK, US, Canada, and New Zealand picking up on the tale of this colossal steer from Down Under.
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Frequently asked questions
The Big Cow is located in Highfields, Queensland, Australia.
The Big Cow was built in the 1970s to attract tourists to a working dairy farm at 9-11 Ayrshire Rd in Kulangoor, Queensland. It is one of the many Australian Big Things and was sculpted by Hugh Anderson, who also crafted the Big Bulls in Rockhampton. The Big Cow is seven times the size of an Ayrshire cow, on which it is modelled. After the dairy farm closed, the Big Cow fell into disrepair, but it was later restored and reopened to the public in September 2020.
The Big Cow is a popular tourist attraction and has become an iconic landmark in Queensland. It is one of the many oversized structures that Australia is known for, along with the Big Banana, the Big Prawn, and the Big Potato. The Big Cow has also been featured in various media outlets worldwide and has attracted visitors from all over the globe.
