Lyla Lindsey
Standing tall at 17 metres, The Big Lobster is a popular sculpture of a red spiny lobster located near the entrance of Kingston SE, a renowned fishing town in South Australia. Affectionately known as Larry by the locals, the structure was designed by artist Paul Kelly and built in 1979. The colossal lobster is one of the many Big Things scattered across Australia, attracting thousands of visitors each year to Kingston SE.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | The Big Lobster |
| Nicknames | Larry, Kingston's icon |
| Location | Kingston SE, South Australia |
| Address | 17 Princes Highway, Kingston S.E |
| Height | 17 metres |
| Length | 15.2 metres |
| Width | 13.7 metres |
| Weight | 4 tonnes |
| Material | Steel frame, fibreglass shell |
| Designer | Paul Kelly |
| Owner | Jenna Lawrie and Casey Sharpe |
| Restaurants | The Old Woolstore Cafe & Restaurant, Janet's Takeaway, Humbugz |
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What You'll Learn
The Big Lobster's location
The Big Lobster, known as Larry to locals, is located in Kingston SE, South Australia. Kingston is a renowned fishing town, known for its bountiful lobster-rich coastal waters. Standing tall at 17 metres, the Big Lobster is constructed from four tonnes of steel and fibreglass. It was designed and built by Paul Kelly, who modelled the structure on a lobster that he purchased and had stuffed. The sculpture took around six months to construct and was opened to the public on 15 December 1979.
The Big Lobster is situated at 17 Princes Highway, at the entrance to Kingston SE. It is a popular tourist attraction, drawing thousands of visitors each year. The site originally consisted of a restaurant, a tourist area, and a small theatre. Today, the restaurant is known as Janet's Takeaway, serving a range of seafood and other dishes.
The Big Lobster has undergone several changes in ownership over the years. It was initially run by Ian Backler and Rob Moyse until 1984, followed by other owners until 1990 when it was sold to Eric and Kath Peltz. In 2007, the current owners, Jenna Lawrie and Casey Sharpe, purchased the property and renovated the site.
The Big Lobster is included in the list of 'Australian Big Things To See' and has become an iconic symbol of South Australia. In 2016, a charity campaign called #PinchAMate was launched by the radio duo Hamish and Andy to raise funds for the restoration of the Lobster. The campaign successfully reached its goal, restoring Kingston's icon to its original beauty.
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Its construction
The Big Lobster, known locally as Larry, is a 17-metre-tall (some sources say 50 feet or 15.2 metres) fibreglass and steel sculpture of a lobster located in Kingston SE, South Australia. It was designed and built by Paul Kelly, who had previously constructed the Big Scotsman in North Adelaide. Kelly built the lobster in Edwardstown, South Australia, and it was then transported by road to Kingston SE, where it has stood since 1979.
The structure was commissioned by two private clients who intended to use it to attract visitors to their restaurant and visitor centre. The lobster was modelled on a real lobster that Kelly purchased and had stuffed. It was constructed out of a steel frame with a fibreglass shell, with the details carved out of foam before the fibreglass was applied. The process took approximately six months.
The Big Lobster has changed hands several times since its construction. Initially, the site consisted of a restaurant, tourist area, and a small theatre. Today, it features a restaurant, a tourist centre, a playground, and a wine-tasting area.
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The people behind it
The Big Lobster, or Larry the Lobster as it is affectionately known, was designed and built by Paul Kelly. Kelly, who had previously built the Big Scotsman in North Adelaide, was employed to design and build the structure to attract visitors to the restaurant and visitor centre in Kingston SE. The sculpture took around six months to construct and was opened to the public on 15 December 1979 by the South Australian Premier David Tonkin.
The 17-metre-tall lobster is made of fibreglass and steel and was modelled on a lobster that Kelly purchased and had stuffed. Kelly built the lobster in Edwardstown, South Australia, and it was then transported by road to Kingston SE, where it has become a popular tourist attraction.
The site was initially run by Ian Backler and Rob Moyse, who owned it for 15 years before selling it in 1984. It changed hands again in 1990 when it was sold to Eric and Kath Peltz. The current owners, Jenna Lawrie and Casey Sharpe, purchased the property in 2007 and have since renovated the site, including steam cleaning Larry and planning to repaint him.
In 2016, a charity campaign called #PinchAMate was launched by radio duo Hamish and Andy to promote the owners' crowdfunding campaign to restore the Lobster. The campaign was a success, and Larry was restored to his original beauty.
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The restaurant inside
The Big Lobster in Kingston SE, South Australia, is home to an award-winning restaurant serving the "finest seafood in town". The restaurant, which is located inside the visitor centre, offers a range of lobster-based dishes and fresh local seafood. Visitors can also purchase fresh lobster to take home and cook. The complex also includes a tourist area and a small theatre.
The Big Lobster sculpture was originally built to attract more visitors to the restaurant and visitor centre. The sculpture was designed by artist Paul Kelly and took around six months to construct. Kelly built the 17-metre-tall lobster out of steel and fibreglass, modelling it on a real lobster that he had purchased and had stuffed. The final product was transported by road to the site and opened to the public on December 15, 1979.
Over the years, the complex has changed hands several times and has undergone renovations. In 2017, the lobster itself received a makeover. The current owners, Jenna Lawrie and Casey Sharpe, purchased the property in 2007 and renovated the site, making changes to the complex and steam-cleaning the lobster. They also formed plans to repaint the sculpture, known affectionately by the locals as "Larry".
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Its popularity
The Big Lobster is a popular tourist attraction in Kingston SE, South Australia, that draws thousands of visitors each year. The sculpture, designed by Paul Kelly, was initially built to attract more visitors to the restaurant and visitor centre. Standing at 17 metres tall, it is hard to miss and has become an iconic spot in the town.
The Big Lobster has gained a cult following, with people travelling from far and wide to catch a glimpse of the unique structure. It has also been featured on Tripadvisor, with mixed reviews. One visitor mentions the "bizarre souvenirs" and "nice range of fish to be fried" available at the site, while another criticises the food and service at Janet's Cafe, located within the sculpture.
The sculpture was initially opened to the public on 15 December 1979 and has undergone several ownership changes since then. In 2007, the current owners, Jenna Lawrie and Casey Sharpe, purchased the property and renovated the site, including steam cleaning the lobster and planning to repaint it.
In 2016, a charity campaign called #PinchAMate was launched by radio duo Hamish and Andy to promote the owners' crowdfunding campaign to restore the Lobster. The campaign successfully reached its goal, and the Big Lobster was restored to its original beauty.
The Big Lobster is now home to Janet's Takeaway, which serves a variety of dishes, including seafood platters, mixed grills, schnitzels, and warm chicken salads. The sculpture's popularity has helped put Kingston SE on the map as a tourist destination and continues to attract visitors to the region.
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Frequently asked questions
The Big Lobster is located in Kingston, South Australia.
The Big Lobster is 17 metres high, 15.2 metres long and 13.7 metres wide, with an approximate weight of 4 tonnes.
The Big Lobster is one of Australia's "Big Things", a collection of over 200 colossal attractions scattered across the nation. It is a popular tourist attraction, drawing thousands of visitors each year.
The Big Lobster is home to Janet's Takeaway, which serves a range of breakfast, lunch, and dinner options. Visitors can also purchase fresh lobster to take home and cook. There is also a visitor centre where you can learn about the Mount Gambier region and find other things to see and do in South Australia.
