The big things of Australia are large structures, some of which are novelty architecture and some sculptures. In Australia, big things have come to be seen as a uniquely Australian phenomenon, although they emerged at the same time as the so-called Roadside Giants (fibreglass sculptures of things) of the United States.
These structures have become affectionately known landmarks scattered throughout the country. As of 2022, there were 1,075 big things in Australia across all continental states and territories.
History and importance Many of these sculptures originally emerged as an inspiration from the growing trend of roadside attractions in the United States during the mid 20th century. They were built as promotional advertisements, art installations or to draw attention to small towns and businesses, becoming tourist icons in the process.
They are also generally considered comedic and intended to be funny as Australia generally has a cultural preference against earnestness and does not take itself too seriously. Artist and musician Reg Mombassa, who created a series of postage stamps featuring the big things in 2007, once compared them to pyramids and temples. Mombassa has many memories of the big things and said of them:
There is conjecture about which big thing was the first with there being a division of opinion as to whether it was The Big Banana in Coffs Harbour built in 1964 or Ploddy the Dinosaur who was constructed at the Australian Reptile Park in 1963. Much of this is due to a lack of clarity about what is considered a big thing and whether it is required that they are roadside attractions. It is also worth noting that, when first built, Ploddy the Dinosaur was not named and not necessarily considered an attraction in and of himself.
In 2009, the Big Pineapple in Queensland was heritage listed.
List of big things (by state or territory) Australian Capital Territory Name Location Built Size NotesImageBig AcornsNational Arboretum Canberra in Molonglo Valley2013The giant acorns are children's play equipment at the playground. Often referred to as the 'Acorn Park'.The Big BunyipCorner Of Hibberson Street And Gozzard Street, Gungahlin2011The Big Bunyip is based on Alexander Bunyip from the 1972 children's book, The Monster That Ate Canberra by Micheal Salmon.Big CoinsRoyal Australian Mint 62–114 Denison St, DeakinThe Big Coins are a group of sculptures located in Deakin, Australian Capital Territory next to the Royal Australian Mint.Big SwoopGarema Place20222.4x3.5 mBig Swoop depicts an Australian magpie pecking at a chip.Big GalahsWatson2013Project of artists Bev Hogg and Elizabeth Patterson, the Galahs mark the entrance to a modern planned community, and represent the concept of new families nesting in the area. Giant Mushroom Belconnen 1998 Located in the Belconnen Fresh Food Markets, the Giant Mushroom shelters a children's playground. It was officially launched in 1998 by the ACT Chief Minister. No longer exists as of 2022. The Big Powerful Owl Belconnen 2011 Located at the main entrance to Belconnen town centre, the statue cost $400,000 and was built by Melbourne sculptor Bruce Armstrong.Big Pool BallYarralumla20191.8 m (5'10")Located at Yarralumla Play Station, which is home to one of the largest mini-golf courses in Australia.Big Coffee Pot and CupMonash1993Located at the main entrance/courtyard of the CIC (Canberra Islamic Centre).
New South Wales Name Location Built Size Notes Image Big Ant Broken Hill 1980 A bull ant sculpture designed by artist Pro Hart, which was erected in 1980 and originally stood at the Stephens Creek Hotel. It was moved to its current location next to the Tourist Information Centre in Broken Hill after being donated to the city in 1990. Big Apple Batlow Located in the middle of an orchard about 3 km north of Batlow; no public access. Only its top is visible from Batlow-Tumut Road, as it is largely blocked by apple trees.No longer surrounded by apple trees. The introduction of imported apples under the Howard government has seen most of Batlow's apple producers change their production.Big AppleTallongLocated on Caoura Rd at Jim Watling Park. Tallong is home to the big apple and host to the award-winning annual "Apple Day" festival. The Big Apple made its return at the 2016 Apple Day festival. Big Apple Yerrinbool Visible from the Hume Highway Big Avocado Duranbah Located at Tropical Fruit World. The Big Axe Kew 1979 Located at the Kew Visitor Information Centre. The original sculpture was replaced in 2002 as a result of ant induced damage. The Axe was remodelled and a new one was displayed on 26 January 2017. Big Ayers Rock North Arm Cove 1990 This 1:40 scale model of Uluru was formerly an attraction at Leyland Brothers World, and later formed the roof of the Rock Restaurant. Technically not a "Big Thing" as it was substantially smaller than the item it is modelled on, however, the Rock Restaurant was loosely grouped with the big things as an object of roadside art. It was destroyed in a fire on 31 July 2018. Big Banana Coffs Harbour 1964 Sometimes incorrectly claimed to be the first Big Thing in Australia. (The Big Scotsman in Adelaide was built over a year earlier). The Big Banana tourist complex includes a banana-themed souvenir shop, tours of the surrounding plantation and an indoor ski slope. The Big Beer Can Cobar 1990 The Big Beer Can has a Tooheys New design, and is located above the entrance to the Grand Hotel. The Big Beer CanNewcastle NSW2026The Good Folk Big Danny's Wedge Beer can is located in Kotara Bowling Club Newcastle NSW The Big Grifter Beer CanMarrickville NSW202610mThe Big Grifter Beer Can is located at Grifter Brewing in Marrickville NSW Big BenchBroken Hill September 2002 As part of the Landscapes and Backgrounds exhibition, a 2.5 times scale park bench was constructed in the Line of Lode Reserve, which is on top of a high hill of mine deposits in the centre of the city of Broken Hill. The Big Blue Heeler Muswellbrook 2001 highStatue of an Australian Cattle Dog ("blue heeler"). Located adjacent to the town information centre. The Big Bogan Nyngan 2015 high The Big Bogan is the creation of Reverend Graham McLeod from Nyngan's St Mark's Anglican Church. Located on Pangee Street next to the railway lines. In 2022 a dog was added. Big BowlLake Cathie 1975 A replica of a lawn bowl, consisting of one and a half tonnes of steel and concrete. Big Bull Wauchope The Big Bull was pulled down in October 2007. Big Bunch of Bananas Coffs Harbour Formerly located in Sawtell, the Big Bunch of Bananas was relocated when the Pacific Highway bypassed the town and now lays just to the south of Coffs Harbour. The Big Bicycle Chullora 1997 Built by Jonh Ridley, Andy Lugiz and Phillip Becker; adorns the entrance to the Chullora Waste Transfer Station, Chullora. The Big Bush TurkeyKyogle20188.5 x 4 mThe Big Bush Turkey was constructed by a Kyogle couple, John and Chrystine Graham, and it is located on Summerland Way, 2.6 km from the town.The Big ChairliftJindabyneThe Big Chairlift is on the river walkway overlooking the Snowy River. Big Cheese BodallaThe Big Cheese is located at the former Bodalla Cheese factory on the Princes Highway. It is closed.Big Cherries YoungOriginally located off Short Street, but moved with the tourist information centre to Lovell Street at Young railway station. Big Chook Moonbi 1970s Big Chook Mount Vernon Big DogDunkeld2020 high, weighs over 1 tonneLocated in Dunkeld between Bathurst and Orange. Made wholly of recycled metal collected from refuse centres, farms, discarded car parts, rusty tools etc.
Sculptor Jane lives in Orange and was commissioned by Brendan. Don Bradman's Bat and StumpsCootamundra19758mLocated on the western side of Bradman Oval; celebrates the career of cricket legend Don Bradman Big Fish Manilla The Big Fish is located at the Big Fish Roadhouse at 79 Arthur Street Big Funnel Web Spider Jamberoo 2015 The Big Funnel Web Spider was built at Jamberoo Action Park and is a steel, fibreglass and concrete structure 420 times larger than a female Sydney funnel-web spider. It was awarded a Guinness World Record as the Largest Spider Sculpture in August 2015. The Big Gold Panner Kelso 1979 Located in front of the Gold Panner Motor Inn. The Big Gold Pick and Pan Grenfell 2005 Pick ,Pan (diam) Located between the Goods Shed and historic Station Building at the Grenfell railway station precinct, just off the northern end of West Street. The Big Golden Guitar Tamworth 1988 Modelled on the Golden Guitar trophies given to winners at the Country Music Awards of Australia ceremony night during the Tamworth Country Music Festival. The Big Hammer Mudgee Located at Rosby Wines (122 Strikes Lane, Eurunderee); previously located at the Fairview ArtSpace. Relocated in 2016 when the ArtSpace closed down. The Big Hat Yeoval 2017 Sculpture of Banjo Paterson's hat. Made in 2014 and transported to Yeoval in 2017. The Big Headphones Newcastle 2015 Located on Darby St, this fully operational pair of headphones was designed by Mark Tisdell and built in collaboration with Tom Ireland (fabrication and design detailing), Sean Bell (graphics), Adrian Garner (electrical engineering), Brad Phillips and Rhian Leek (architectural design), with the support of the Darby Street Traders Group. The Big Knight Knockrow This was previously at the entrance to the Macadamia Castle, a nut-themed park and store. In 2022 the site became the Byron Bay Wildlife Sanctuary and the Knight was removed. The Big KoalaGundagaiLocated at 31 Annie Pyers Dr, Gundagai NSW 2722