Want to enjoy a scrumptious Chinese dinner whilst admiring an enormous fish? Then head to the charming haven of Oberon, New South Wales, where you can have a photo with The Big Trout as you wipe succulent sweet ‘n’ sour sauce from your chin. The scaly scamp, with his flabbergasted expression, lives in front of the Oberon Rainbow Chinese Restaurant and the adjoining Big Trout … Continue reading The Big Trout, Oberon, NSW
Whether you’re a brother or whether you’re a mother, you’re takin’ a drive, takin’ a drive… out to Forbes! There you’ll find Varanus, the grooviest goanna on the planet. The 20-metre-long metal lizard haunts the bushland southwest of town but, despite his remote location, usually has a few scantily-clad go-go girls jitterbugging around him. And this Fever doesn’t just happen on Saturday Nights, because you … Continue reading Varanus the Big Goanna, Forbes, NSW
Depression, much like a hideous squid from the darkest depths of the deepest ocean, wraps its slimy tendrils around us all at some point or another. Tragically, Big Things, despite their beauty and fame and cultural importance, are no more likely than the rest of us to escape its wrath. Never is this more evident than with Diver, who stands forlornly out the front of … Continue reading The Big Diver, Darling Harbour, NSW
People are always complimenting me on my childlike exuberance (or, as they usually put it, my emotional immaturity), so when I found out there was a six-metre-tall statue of a playful kiddie on the Sunshine Coast, I grabbed Bigella and trundled over there. After having my sippy cup and an afternoon nap, of course! iDIDIT! was created by babyfaced artist Russel Anderson in 2017, and … Continue reading iDIDIT!, Birtinya, QLD
Ungarie, a speck of a town hidden in the scrub between West Wyalong and Lake Cargellio, is remarkable for two reasons. Firstly, the Daniher brothers, a quartet of fearsome footballers who rose from obscurity to become the most celebrated sportsmen in the country. Secondly – and most notably – The Big Footy, which was built in their honour and looms large over the sleepy village … Continue reading The Big Footy, Ungarie, NSW
He’s huge, he’s handsome, he’d probably taste great slathered in a few litres of garlic butter. Please put your pincers together for the loveable, legendary, and oh-so-large Larry the Lobster! Jut watch out – he can be a bit crabby! At 17 metres tall, 15.2 metres long and 13.7 metres wide, and weighing in at four tonnes, Larry casts an imposing shadow over Kingston SE. … Continue reading Larry the Lobster, Kingston SE, SA
Bon appétit, sweeties! It is I, erudite New York socialite and cultivated wine snob, Bigs von Bubbles. But then you already knew that, ya putz! Rare is it that I venture past West 29th – it all gets a bit ethnic for my cultivated tastes – but, when I heard there was a gigantic corkscrew at the Bendooley Estate in the Southern Highlands of New … Continue reading The Big Corkscrew, Berrima, NSW
Rising above his surroundings like a Soviet phoenix, The Cowra Eagle serves as a tribute to the wedge-tailed wonders of Western NSW. With his barrel chest and piercing gaze, this Big has watched over his comrades since 1972. No wonder he’s the hawk of the town! The majestic creature was conceived and designed by the ever-affable Don Kibbler. Inspired by Cowra Council’s original corporate seal … Continue reading The Cowra Eagle, Cowra, NSW
Yes, that’s a giant plastic thingy used to keep bags of bread closed, made from thousands of little plastic thingies used to keep bags of bread closed. And they say Australia lacks culture! Officially known as Monolith, The Big Bread Clip was unveiled to a bewildered public in November 2018, bringing a touch of glamour to Sydney’s inner west. Unique. Elegant. Colourful. This crust-see attraction … Continue reading The Big Bread Clip, Dulwich Hill, NSW
Walk like an Egyptian to beautiful Buronga, near Mildura, where you’ll find an eight-metre-tall tribute to King Tutankhamun. All together now – Way-oh-way-oh, ooh-way-oh-way-oh! Surrounded by swaying palm trees and perfectly located by the roadside for a selfie (don’t forget to Nile!), King Tut provides the full Egyptian experience, without the 45-hour flight to North Africa. Like Cairo, there are a few dodgy types lurking … Continue reading The Big Tutankhamun, Buronga, NSW
Amidst the rolling glens and castle-like homesteads of the sprawling Imagine Estate, an enormous kingfisher surveys his kingdom. This steel-and-perspex critter was built by gifted artist Folko Kooper and, perched high above a billabong, offers a breathtaking photo opportunity for all Bigs-thusiasts. Pleased with my happy snaps – my light grey shirt really popped against the native flora – I prepared to leave the park … Continue reading The Big Kingfisher, Strathfieldsaye, VIC
It’s Big Thing o’clock, yeah, it’s lizard-thirtyI’m here in Somersby and it’s real purty (okay)Is everybody set for someone scaly?Who you can visit all up on the dailyLizzo can make you smile quite gaylyHow you feelin’? How you feel right now? Ooooh, Lizzo the Big Lizard’s a treasureFind her near the Aus Reptile Park, yeahOh, she’s not the creature she was or used to beUh, … Continue reading Lizzo the Lizard, Somersby, NSW
Hallelujah! Your prayers have been answered, because Brother Bigs is here to introduce you to a clam of biblical proportions. And, best of all, it doubles as a church, so you won’t have to take a break from worshipping Big Things in order confess your sins to a man of the cloth. It’s a miracle, baby. A dadgum miracle! The Clam rises divinely above Long … Continue reading The Clam, Long Jetty, NSW
‘Bert, the magic dragon lived near ErnieAnd frolicked in the autumn sun in Shepparton, you seeLittle Bigs Bardot loved that rascal ‘BertAnd brought him strings, and funny things, and even peach yoghurt Norbert the Yellow Dragon is friendly chap – and the Gaffy family, who constructed the creature as a holiday art project, couldn’t be more disappointed. If they had their way, Norbert would be … Continue reading Norbert the Yellow Dragon, Mooroopna, VIC
Roll up, roll up to the ravishing Rolin Farm, where you’ll find a truss-see attraction – The Big Strawberry! This plump, juicy fruit stands four metres tall from rambunctious receptacle to perky peduncle, and is sure to in-stem-tly find a place in your heart. The Strawberry was crafted to draw attention to the farm’s pulp-ular store, which is open from June to October each and … Continue reading The Big Strawberry, Elimbah, QLD
Every chap in Western Sydney has seen this Big Beaver! She’s hairy, wet and open for inspection every day of the week. Best of all, you won’t have to waste money on flowers and a KFC meal before you’re allowed to see this Beaver. Sure, the Big Beaver has seen better days and been around the block a few times, but that just gives her … Continue reading The Big Beaver, Wilberforce, NSW
Drawing a blank on what to do this weekend? Are you locked and loaded for a Big that’ll make you go ballistic? Then it’s time to pull the trigger and shoot off to Sydney’s sprawling Hyde Park, where you’ll find seven big bullets of supreme size. And you thought you’d have to venture into Sydney’s southwest to find a bunch of spent cartridges strewn around … Continue reading YININMADYEMI, Sydney, NSW
Nobody wants ants to turn up during a meal, but you’ll love sharing your food with this irrepressible insect! The Black Ant was brought to life by legendary local artist Steve Weis and can be found, appropriately enough, outside the Black Ant Gourmet Cafe in the verdant Sunshine Coast Hinterland With his homespun charm and quirky, indigenous-inspired paintjob, The Black Ant is right at home … Continue reading The Black Ant, Kin Kin, QLD
Nǐ hǎo, dear reader! Looks like you’ve caught me Peking at the extra-orchid-nary Golden Dragon Lotus! Built in 2010 as the centrepiece of Bendigo’s Dai Gum San Chinese district, the mandarin-credible specimen stands five metres tall and weighs about wonton. But really, it’s more than the dim sum of its parts. The wok-manship is simple yet elegant, like the finest Mao suit. The Lotus is … Continue reading The Golden Dragon Lotus, Bendigo, VIC
The Big Bandicoot? More like The Big Bandi-CUTE! This hyperactive heartbreaker is the beloved mascot of the Bandicoot Motor Inn, just minutes from the vibrant centre of Hamilton. Caught forever in mid-stride, the mega-sized marsupial is poised to bound his way into your heart. Whimsical, cheeky and deliciously kitsch, the Bandicoot really pops against the backdrop of this quintessentially mid-60s guesthouse. The owners pride themselves … Continue reading The Big Bandicoot, Hamilton, VIC
Let me tell you of an interview with The Real Big EmuHe’s one of the most gorgeous Big Things, but the poor old fella ain’t got no wingsAren’t you jealous of The Big Wedge-Tailed Eagle? – dom ba da little da da da “While the eagle’s design is very sound, I keep my two feet firmly on the groundI can’t fly, but I’m telling you, … Continue reading The Big Emus, Strathfieldsaye, VIC
For a cherryfic experience that’ll really cherry you up, head out to Pages Flat to see the cherrybly handsome Big Cherries. Plump, sweet and oh-so-juicy, these are two of the most cherrysmatic Bigs you’ll ever meet – and I’m not just being cherrytable when I say that. The Big Cherries sit atop a rustic wagon in front of Fleurieu Cherries, which is just 45 minutes … Continue reading The Big Cherries, Pages Flat, SA
Howdy pardner, spare a dollar for a po’ ol’ down-on-his-luck cowboy? This is all what’s left of your ruggedly masculine buckaroo, Biggie the Kid. Strap yo’sef in, this tale’s just as sad as the day is long. Some time back I lassoed myself a steam engine and rode the rails on into Mount Gambier, lookin’ for cheap moonshine an’ cheaper womenfolk. Oh, an’ Big Things … Continue reading Signalling Change, Mount Gambier, SA
Death threats, fraud and deplorable hygiene standards – The Big Olive is at the centre of the most bizarre and shocking scandal in Australian history, and has become the most controversial roadside attraction on the planet. Built on love and good intentions, the decadently-crafted Big Olive has been dragged through the tabloid media, casting a dark shadow across the rugged South Australian landscape. The delicious … Continue reading The Big Olive, Tailem Bend, SA
What’s beneath a Scotsman’s kilt? Head to Scotty’s Motel, in the northern Adelaide suburb of Medindie, to find out. There’ll you’ll encounter the five-metre-tall Big Scotsman, who makes up for his lack of trousers by having a truly remarkable story to tell. Scotty, as he’s known to his clan of admirers, is a beloved citizen of the city and a must-see tourist attraction. Brimming with … Continue reading Scotty the Big Scotsman, Adelaide, SA
For time immemorial, word has been passed down from father to son about an eel-like creature of immense proportions lurking in the depths of Lake Bumbunga. Once in a generation, when the silvery moon shines just right upon the lagoon, a terrified local may catch a glimpse of the Loch-Eel Monster and run frantically into the hinterland. Then, once more, nothing. Deciding that the good … Continue reading The Loch-Eel Monster, Lochiel, SA
A woman’s work is never done, but a clothesline this size certainly makes things easier! Hills Hoists – a type of spinning, adjustable contraption for drying tunics and underpants – are ubiquitous throughout Australia and an integral part of the country’s cultural psyche. That makes them a perfect candidate for getting the Bigs treatment! For decades Hills Hoists were manufactured in the beachside suburb of … Continue reading The Big Hills Hoist, O’Sullivan Beach, SA
Trundle down Rundle Mall any day of the beak, and you’ll flappen upon the peck-tacular Big Pigeon. The elegant, mirrored bird was lovingly crafted by local artist Paul Sloan and strutted into town in late-2020. Adelaidians, not surprising, have been cooing and ahhing at him ever since. Despite his flashy looks, he’s a bashful chap and the epitome of the boy nest door. The Big … Continue reading The Big Pigeon, Adelaide, SA
There’s nothing minor about this miner! Seven metres tall, carved from bronze and with his oversized tool in his hand, Map the Miner will dig his way into your heart. Guarding the entrance to the ambrosial village of Kapunda, Map casts a brutally masculine figure amongst the lapidarian landscape. He’s intimidatingly large and, whilst his monochrome complexion may pale in comparison to flashier Bigs such … Continue reading Map the Miner, Kapunda, SA
Ay Caramba, lovers of Big Things! Is me, El Grande Gonzales, greatest luchador in all México and Latin America’s leading expert on oversized roadside attractions. Hola! You may look at mi beautiful smile, mi carefree disposition, and conclude that Gonzales is a happy hombre. But there is sadness deep within mi corazón. Bashing in the brains of mi enemies has been a lot of fun – … Continue reading The Big Ram, Karoonda, SA
She’s plump, juicy and oh so delicious – but enough about me, the inimitable Bigs Bardot! We’re here to celebrate the scrumptious Big Apple, who sits regally above The Olde Apple Shed, high in the Adelaide Hills. This ruby-red rascal is the pride of Balhannah, and boasts a rustic charm just as dainty delicacies she promotes. Stop by for a memorable photo that’s sure to … Continue reading The Big Apple, Balhannah, SA
Rising fifteen metres above the outback, The Big Orange is undoubtedly South Australia’s finest feat of engineering. Generations of Aussies have gazed in wonder at her enormity and stepped, hearts aflutter, into her juicy endocarp. This Orange is more than just Big; her grandeur is all-consuming. Songs have been sung about this spherical marvel. Legends of her size have been passed down from father to … Continue reading The Big Orange, Berri, SA
¡Ay Caramba! Hola, is me, El Grande Gonzales, greatest luchador in all México. As a red-blooded Latino it is in mi carazón to fight, so when I was invited to a big match in Sydney, I fly there straight away. Boy, are my arms tired! Sí, Gonzales also greatest comedian in all México! But when I arrive do I find my greatest rival, Juan Carlos … Continue reading Almost Once, Sydney, NSW
Hop along to Carrara Markets to meet Kat, the world’s largest wooden kangaroo. This five-metre-tall marsupial mixes brutalist design philosophies with a fun, quirky and approachable sense of honesty. You can even climb into her prodigious pouch to live out your fantasies of being a joey! Kat bounded into the Gold Coast in 2016 (which was, appropriately, a leap year), and is the passion project … Continue reading Kangaroo Kat, Carrara, QLD
She’s green, she’s a queen, and she needs to be seen – get your sourdough toast ready for the scrumptious Big Avocado. This four-metre marvel can be found at Tropical Fruit World, and is exocarp-ly guac you’ve been looking for. The Big Avocado was revealed to a curious public in 1983, promoting what was then known as Avocadoland. Still a working farm, the renamed Fruit … Continue reading The Big Avocado, Duranbah, NSW
Long before the humble ‘avo’ became the brunch of choice for perpetual children the world over, the Big Avocado was providing comfort and companionship to the damaged kiddies of Australia – including a very young Biggles Leticia Bardot. Aw, just look at how gosh darn cute we both were! The riboflavin-rich ragamuffin stood sentinel outside the House with No Steps in leafy Alstonville for time … Continue reading The Big Avocado, Alstonville, NSW
A single, trembling chela drew me closer. A set of bulbous eyes crawled across my lithe body. Shivers ran down my spine and, for the briefest of moments, I contemplated following my deepest carnal urges. Then reason returned and I struggled against the advances of the massive crustacean. Klaws Kinski, with his movie star good looks and bad boy swagger, was the sort of enormous … Continue reading Klaws Kinski, Tweed Heads, NSW
Moo Moove over, because there’s a really cool motorbike coming through! Permanently parked across the road from the Moo Moo Roadhouse, this super-sized superbike is three times the height of the one Wayne Rainey rode to the MotoGP world championship in 1992. Yessir, this replica Yamaha YZR500 is nigh-on identical to the one made famous by the legendary American, with everything from the spring forks … Continue reading The Big Motorcycle, Mooball, NSW
Put the hot chips away, because the Gold Coast has been taken over by a behemoth beach chicken with an amazing appetite. Fortunately, Katey Seagull is as hungry for hugs as she is for deep-fried potatoes. Named after glamorous Married… With Children actress Katey Sagal, this super-sized seabird has made her nest out front of the Tugun Domestic and Commercial Waste Facility. Leggy Katey was … Continue reading Katey Seagull, Tugun, QLD
The Man on the Bike has been the heart and soul of the Tallebudgera Valley for more than four decades, and anyone who says otherwise is pedalling misinformation. The dapper gentleman, complete with boater and bowtie, coasted into the Gold Coast in 1970 when the tandem of Cliff Douglas and shock jock Bob Rogers bought him from a ski school. I guess he could snow … Continue reading The Man on the Bike, Tallebudgera, QLD
The mournful cry of a kookaburra swept across the frozen valley, and then the world was blanketed by deep, velvety silence. Within our lonely cabin, a carefully-prepared platter of calamari linguine lay restlessly upon the kitchen table, unloved and cooling as the interminable minutes ticked by. Gordon Shumway, my lifelong partner and bosom friend, was late home from work again. Welcome to the worst days … Continue reading Maddie and Mike, Southport, QLD
“While My Big Guitar Gently Weeps” I look at the Hard Rock Cafe, see the people there eatingWhile my Big Guitar gently weepsMy love for him will not be fleetingStill my Big Guitar gently weeps I don’t know why nobody told youThe Guitar was installed in ’96It cost half-a-million to mould youI long to hold you In 2004 I noticed the Big Guitar was burningYes, … Continue reading The Big Guitar, Surfers Paradise, QLD
Believe it or not! The Gold Coast is home to the largest octopus in the whole dang world! Ladies and jellyfish, please welcome Ring-O, starr of the glitter strip! The nine-metre-wide Big Octopus wiggled into Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise, in Octo-ber 2020, making a home for himself above the popular Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! odditorium. He was cephala-produced by local company Pico-Play, and I … Continue reading The Big Octopus, Surfers Paradise, QLD
Bigfoot is sick of hiding, and has retired to an exclusive beachside chateau on the Gold Coast. The legendary monster now spends his days perusing the local tattoo dens, dodging drunks in Cavill Avenue and tanning himself to a crisp on Surfers Paradise beach. Bigfoot’s Cave can be found in the midst of the verdant McIntosh Island Park, and can be reached via a baroque … Continue reading Bigfoot, Surfers Paradise, QLD
Bright red and perfectly spherical, the Acacia Ridge Big Apple lures in unsuspecting visitors with the promise of a wholesome photo opportunity. But be warned, because this scarlet woman is rotten to the core. Disarmingly located in a suburban car park, the innocent-looking treat is surrounded by a dog-grooming salon and a well-stocked ethnic supermarket. It’s an idyllic slice of Australiana – or so I … Continue reading The Big Apple, Acacia Ridge, QLD
Howdy pardner, this is your hat-wearing hawtie Biggie the Kid! I don’t mind a cockatoo, so when word rang round the holler that a gang of giant birds was causin’ trouble out near Ipswich, I jumped on my trusty stead Liberace and moseyed on out to the badlands of Camira. The settlement’s welcome sign has long been a thing of cotton-pickin’ beauty, and a source … Continue reading The Camira Critters, Camira, QLD
I believe I can flyI believe I can kiss this big guyI think about Big Blue every night and dayHis handsome wings take my breath awayI believe he wants moreCuddlin’ each other till we’re both soreI believe I can flyI believe Big Blue’s all mineI believe he’s my guy (wooooooo) The words of urban visionary R-Kelly resonate with visitors to The Big Blue-Faced Honeyeater, who … Continue reading The Big Honeyeater, Logan Reserve, QLD
Feeling famished on the long trip between Brisbane and the Gold Coast? Then bake a stop in Yatala for the best snacks money can pie. The pastries from world famous Yatala Pies receive g-rave-y reviews and are truly to pie for! This crust-see attraction is easy to spot – just keep a pie out for the super-sized snack out the front, which sits atop a … Continue reading The Big Pie, Yatala, QLD
Do you have a viper-active child with heaps of ser-pent-up energy? Want to put a great big reptile on their face? Maybe you’re just after a quiet spot to sit and enjoy a meat pie-thon? Then give the Big Red Belly a try-pan! Located in sprawling Gibirrngaan Park within Maudsland’s exclusive Huntington Estates (which, sadly, doesn’t offer anaconda-miniums), the Big Red Bellied Black Snake is … Continue reading The Big Red Belly, Maudsland, QLD
I’ve bin everywhere, man, I’ve bin everywhere! But few places can rival the majesty and mystique of Helensvale Waste & Recycling Centre – home of the Otto-ly delightful Big Wheelie Bin. At a dump-foundingly impressive three metres tall, the Bin is wheelie easy to find in the heart of the Gold Coast. He’s fun for Big Thing enthusiasts of all garb-ages, so bring the whole … Continue reading The Big Wheelie Bin, Helensvale, QLD
The old man’s hands belied their age as he nimbly manoeuvred the thawing prawn onto the hook; in through the head and out through the belly, as always. I feigned disgust, of course, but the process fascinated me. “Next time, Bigs, you’ll be baiting your own hook,” he said in his usual brusk tone, then handed over the rod and reel. Our eyes and smiles … Continue reading The Big Marlin, Iluka, NSW
Coffs Harbour is the town built on bananas – quite literally. The bendy yellow wonders are so abundant that the locals have been making their houses out of banana peels and leaves for years. Ripe that smile off your face! It’s a berry serious safety issue and has led to a bunch of serious accidents over the years. The upshot is that the good folk … Continue reading Cunningham’s Bananas, Coffs Harbour, NSW
The benevolent bowerbird is nature’s great recycler, borrowing anything bright and blue to beautify his abode. Bonza bloke Nick Warfield is the mid-north coast’s great recycler, borrowing anything bright and blue to build the beautiful Big Bowerbird. The metal marvel has been lovingly pieced together from door handles, garden equipment, bike parts and even a few fans. I assume Nick used a crow bar and … Continue reading The Big Bowerbird, Raleigh, NSW
This 1/40th scale Ayers Rock was, by most measures, a full-scale failure. Poorly constructed and awkwardly located, the undersized Uluru was designed to offer an authentic outback experience, but instead presented an insight into the dark underbelly of Big Thing culture. The Rock fell into disrepair shortly after construction in the early ’90s, becoming the butt of jokes for generations of travellers along the Pacific … Continue reading The Rock, North Arm Cove, NSW
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon. The World Trade Center. Nambour’s Big Pineapple. Time has claimed many of mankind’s greatest achievements, and it’s with a heavy heart that I add one more wonder to this sombre list; the Big Boomerang. This curved cutie welcomed visitors to the Murrook Cultural Centre for many years, and was taken down in late-2018 due to renovations. The owners promised his … Continue reading The Big Boomerang, Williamtown, NSW
Canberra’s home to many hideous, cold-blooded monsters, but I’m not here to talk politics. No, my dear readers, I want to let you know I’ve sold my soul to the devil – the Big Thorny Devil! This three-metre-long lizard of Oz is a fine recreation of the real-life beasties, who call the outback home. They’re a mere 21cm from rugged head to spiny tail, and … Continue reading The Big Thorny Devil, Acton, ACT
Want to tackle another Big? Then allow me to lure you towards the dusty outpost of Katherine, where there’s a fish so large you’ll be swimming in tears of pure joy when you encounter her! The Big Barra can be found perched pleasantly atop the Rod & Rifle Tackle World shop (open Mundi to Saturdi). At three metres long, she’s certainly some-fin special and still … Continue reading The Big Barramundi, Katherine, NT
I remember herring rumours of a big fish in Manilla – the lovely country town that’s just half-an-hour from Tamworth’s Big Golden Guitar, not the capital of The Philippines – for years, and was hooked on the idea of tracking it down Continue reading The Big Fish, Manilla, NSW
At a relatively modest four metres from round, supple bottom to prickly, handsome top, the Ballina Pineapple is outsized by his imitators, but remains a quirky throwback to a gentler time Continue reading The Big Pineapple, Ballina, NSW
Don’t be sheepish, visit the ewe-mungous Big Merino today! At 15.2m high, 18m long and weighing more than 100 tonnes, you’ll be amazed by the shear size of this gentle giant, who features p-ruminant-ly on the Goulburn landscape. Continue reading The Big Merino, Goulburn, NSW
There’s something fishy going on in North Queensland, and it has to do with this titanic tin of sardines! Continue reading The Big Sardine Can, Home Hill, QLD
this Taree icon is a bit of a seafood basketcase, and maybe that’s why I love him so much – because I am too Continue reading The Big Oyster, Taree, NSW
The princely prawn is one of the most famous and celebrated roadside attractions on the planet, and for good reason – he’s massive, looks fantastic, and has an unbelievable tale… or is that tail? Continue reading The Big Prawn, Ballina, NSW
the unreal ukelele has no strings, but has struck a chord with the more than four million admirers who’ve had their photo taken with him over the years Continue reading The Big Golden Guitar, Tamworth, NSW
