Over 150 and counting, there are ‘big’ people, objects, animals and foodstuffs, even a cigarette and a mosquito. But that’s probably 140 too many to care about. So, we’ve put together a list of our top 10 – the quirky, the classics and the plain stupid.
The Big Penguin
Tell me more: The cool thing about the Big Penguin is that its the only Big Thing named after its hometown. It’s also inTasmania, one of very few big things on that beautiful and distant island off Australia’s south coast. The 3.15 metre model of the little penguin (ironically the smallest species of penguin), plays Mum to the hundreds of little black-and-white flightless birds that flock to the seashore each evening. It was built in 1975 to mark 100 years since the Proclamation of the town of Penguin.
Where: We think you can figure out the name of the town. It’s on Tasmania’s north-west Coast, around 140km northwest of Launceston.
The Big Banana
Tell me more: An oldie but a goodie, the Big Banana is (according to their website) Australia’s “most famous icon”. In 1964, John Landy decided the best way to boost sales at his road-side banana stall was to build the biggest banana in the world. At 1500 pounds, the huge yellow fruit is now a fully-fledged tourist attraction, home to a toboggan ride, ice-skating rink, the “banana slip” waterslide and too many banana-themed gifts.
Where: North of Coffs Harbour, NSW, on the Pacific Highway. About 565 km North of Sydney or 450 km South of Brisbane.
The Big Bull
Tell me more: This big beast stands as a beacon of pride for Australia’s “Beef Capital”. Unfortunately, we don’t think the bull has much pride left- his coconut-sized balls have been robbed on a regular basis for the past 20 years. The locals don’t seem to mind, but we imagine the Council worker who’s job it is to replace them could be quite a test-y (ha!) bloke.
Where: Rockhampton 700km North of Brisbane.
The Big Peanut
Tell me more: The Big Peanut is, er, not very big. Unless of course you take in to account the ratio between real peanut size and replica size, then its one big nut. No, actually, the peanut is why we mentioned “plain stupid” in the first paragraph. The peanut stands outside a peanut shop, wearing a big, corny, peanut-y smile and a top hat.
Where: Atherton Tablelands, far north Queensland, one-two hours drive from Cairns.
The Big Pie
Tell me more: Is it a UFO? No, it’s a giant pie mounted on a totem pole between Brisbane and the Gold Coast. It’s not a bad Aussie icon considering that each Australian puts away an average of 12 meat pies a year. The Big Pie measures 4.5m in diameter and celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. It is a grand advert that was constructed for Yatala Pies, who now have a drive through to rival that of McDonalds. So, it must be pretty good.
Where: Yatala, QLD. Take the Yatala north turn off and look for the giant pie-in-the-sky.
The Big Ned Kelly
Tell me more: No other character is so much a part ofAustralia’s bush history as the legendary bushranger Edward Ned Kelly. Ned Kelly was captured and hanged in 1880 following a string of bush theft and murders. Despite this, he is one of Australia’s most loved men. Big Ned rises to 6m tall and is, in fact, the third Big Ned Kelly to be constructed. The first was stolen and found floating in a river and the second was relocated inside the Kellyland Museum.
Where: Glenrowan, Victoria, near where Victorian police finally caught up with the Kelly gang.
The Big Prawn
Tell me more: What could be more tacky than a giant prawn that’s 27m long, 20m high, 4.5m wide and sits atop a building? In fact, because of the size of the Big Prawn and the hike in liability insurance, the viewing platform at the top of the building had to be closed. Still, it certainly deserves to be on this list – it’s really big!
Where: Ballina, northern NSW, you can’t miss it!
The Big Boxing Croc
Tell me more: A giant crocodile wasn’t quite gimmicky enough for this NT attraction, so they decided to put boxing gloves on this giant icon. The things Australians do to make our top 10… This Big Thing doesn’t take itself too seriously and is definitely worth the effort of finding. It isn’t signposted and may be quite difficult to find if you don’t know where you’re looking, despite standing at over 13m tall.
Where: In front of the service station in Humpty Doo, about 47 km from Darwin on the Arnhem Highway.
The Big Wine Cask
Tell me more: The eight-metre high, 11-metre long, seven-metre wide water-purifying plant for the winery was turned into Australia’s next Big Thing by as little as a coat of paint and a tap. The original wine cask was called “improved container and pack for liquids” and certainly this giant cask is an improved version of the (much smaller) original. If it was a real wine cask it would hold 400,000 litres of wine. That’s one Big Hangover.
Where: BRL Stanley winery at Buronga, along the Silver City Highway, NSW.
The Big Golden Guitar
Tell me more: The Big Golden Guitar celebrates its 21st birthday this year! Tamworth’s Big Thing is 12m high, weighs over half a tonne and is one of the most visited and photographed sites in Australia. Unveiled by the “King of Country Music”, Slim Dusty, in 1988, the Big Golden Guitar is an exact (but ah…. bigger) replica of the 325mm Golden Guitar award.
Where: Tamworth, NSW. As you ride up to Tamworth along the New England Highway.