Where can you have an authentic Méxican meal, get a great night’s rest, and stare in open-mouthed wonder at an incredible Big Thing, all in the same place? Right here at the Presidente InterContinental Hotel in Mexico City’s trendy Polanco district – home to the beautiful and historic El ChapulÃn. That’s ‘The Grasshopper’ for you gringos. ¡Buen provecho! El ChapulÃn started life as the logo … Continue reading El ChapulÃn, Polanco, México
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
At Red Iguana 2, a festively-painted cantina on Salt Lake City’s eclectic Temple Street, diners come for Xochitónal, the 33ft-long lizard in the carpark. But they stay for the authentic Mexican cuisine, competitively-priced drinks, attentive service and irresistible party atmosphere. Red Iguana‘s signature mole coloradito – a luscious blend of chocolate, pine nuts and guajillo chiles, blended with fresh poblano and served with carnitas – … Continue reading The Red Iguana, Salt Lake City, Utah
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
Holy mackerel, look at the size of that fish! Installed upon the steps of Donegall Quay one warm afternoon in 1999, The Big Fish, with her supple lips and bedroom eyes, has been many a Belfastian lad’s first kiss. It’s not uncommon to see a line of teens – and the odd curious tourist – waiting patiently for a memorable encounter with The Fish. You … Continue reading The Big Fish, Belfast, Northern Ireland
The prophet, Bigs Bardot said: “And lo, the beast looked upon the streets of Keswick. And it stayed its hand from killing. And from that day, it was as one dead.” – Old Land of the Bigs Proverb A big, black, hairy guy has moved into the picturesque village of Keswick – and the locals just love him! Kong, a four-metre-tall gorilla with a cheeky … Continue reading Kong, Keswick, England
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
Oh give me a home, where a Big Buffalo roams. Where a Big Lego Man and Big Ant like to plaaaaaaaaay. Well, pardner, it looks like your new home is Grand Junction, Colorado, a leafy oasis that’s just bursting with beautiful Bigs. It’s right there in the name – they don’t call it Small Junction, after all! Mosey on down the quirky main street, past … Continue reading Chrome on the Range 2, Grand Junction, CO
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
Have you been running round like a headless chicken in search of roadside attractions? Then strut over to Fruita, Colorado, where you’ll find a bonkers statue dedicated to Mike the Headless Chicken! The bizarre story of a chook who lived for 18 months after having his noggin lopped off – and went on to become a national celebrity – has long enthralled locals and visitors … Continue reading Mike the Headless Chicken, Fruita, CO
Leave it to Beaver to create a couple of the cutest, cuddliest critters you’ve ever seen! The handsome rodents call the local Shell gas station home, and the good people of Beaver – an eccentric village nestled high in the Mineral Mountains of Southern Utah – are just as proud as punch of them. Nicknamed Justin and Sigourney by besotted locals, The Big Beavers sit … Continue reading The Big Beavers, Beaver, Utah
Bigs is back, dressed in lilacWith tiny Gordon on his backAt Arca de NoéGuatemalan pet shop, so you know Joaquin the DogJust Joaquin the DogIf you haven’t been to see himI’ll help you find Joaquin the Dog As a French bulldog it makes senseThat Joaquin is a bit intenseBut he’s a misunderstood guyIf Joaquin’s left alone at night he’ll cry Joaquin the DogJust Joaquin the … Continue reading Joaquin the Dog, Ciudad de Guatemala
Dogs love chasing cars, but this pooch actually caught one. Of course, it helps that she’s 38 feet tall! Spot the Dalmatian is the pet project of roguish sculptor Donald Lipski, and can be found loyally guarding the Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital in Manhattan. Playful, joyous and large enough to stand out amongst the chaos of the city, Spot’s not only man’s best friend – she’s … Continue reading Spot the Dalmatian, Manhattan, New York
Cute, camp and draped in the rainbow hues of the pride flag, Lenny the LGBee should be the queen of Manchester’s buzzing gay community. Sadly, when I arrived for our playdate, this not-so-creepy crawly was locked within a cage of his own sexual and genderial repression. Honestly, it would be honey if it wasn’t so tragic. Lenny can be found in a quiet corner of … Continue reading Lenny the LGBee, Manchester, England
Hey, hey, he’s a monkey!And people say he monkeys aroundBut he’s too busy singingIn the middle of México Town! With his outlandish dance moves and carnal passion for raucous bluegrass music, Chango Con Banjo is chimply irresistible! Famous for boogying up a storm on the renowned Avenida Juárez, this funky monkey has been a real ba-boon to the tourism industry since arriving in 2017. Beloved … Continue reading Chango Con Banjo, Ciudad de México
Sizzling, popping, beckoning. Cecina grilling over hot coals awakens something primitive and passionate within even the hardest heart. The smoky aroma, simultaneously sweet and sultry, fills the manic market and tantalises with promises of clandestine desires realised. A swarthy man, his moustache dripping with perspiration, roughly tosses the fragrant meat upon a plastic plate and then delicately drowns it in mole, the legendary, intoxicating local … Continue reading El Trio de Jaguares Alebrije, Oaxaca
Looking to cross a majestic Big off your list and grab a competitively-priced home loan for your Guatemalan chalet at the same time? Then head to any branch of Banco Industrial, where you might find El Majestuoso Tecolote, a festively-decorated owl of epic proportions, right next to the ATM. I’m talon you, it’ll be worth the trip! Twenty-two of these enormous creatures were created by … Continue reading Majestuoso Tecolote, Ciudad de Guatemala
Guatemala is home to a vast array of birdlife, from quetzals to macaws to toucans, earning it a reputation as a feather fancier’s favourite place in Central America. For lovers of hummingbirds – known as colibri in the local dialect – Guatamala is without peer. On warm spring afternoons, the air becomes heavy with sound of their hovering. There are 38 varieties of the flamboyant … Continue reading Ebony y Ivory, Los Pocitos, Guatemala
Holey moley, check out Canoli! Cheeky, colourful and charismatic, this king-sized cockatoo is as irresistible as the ricotta-laced desert he’s named after. With his devil-may-care attitude and trendsetting mohawk, the wooden Big is widely regarded as the mascot of Wagga Wagga – the town so nice they named it twice. Canoli is the crowning achievement of Justin McClelland, a gifted yet enigmatic artist who expresses … Continue reading Canoli the Cocky, Wagga Wagga, NSW
To journey into the Land of the Bigs is to see the world through the eyes of a child, with all the wonder and excitement that brings. The massive melons and mega marsupials, scattered haphazardly across Australia like toys on a playmat, harken back to a more innocent age. They make us feel small again. Never is this more true than when standing in the … Continue reading The Big Rocking Horse, Gumeracha, SA
As Victoria burned during the horror 2009 bushfires, the world gasped as one when heartwarming footage emerged of a brave koala guzzling water from a drink bottle. Sam, as her admirers came to know her, climbed out of the flames and into our hearts. The plucky little survivor became the furry face of the tragedy; a chubby-cheeked sliver of hope. Sadly, Sam soon passed away … Continue reading The Giant Koala, Dadswells Bridge, VIC
How much is that Big Doggy in Dunkeld? The one with the ethically-sourced recycled metal tail? He’s free to visit but pawsitively priceless! This labradorable fellow can be hound out the front of the pupular Dunkeld Park Pet Hotel, in the terrier-riffic Bathurst hinterland. Say hello to Big Dog, your new best fur-riend! With his rugged, steampunk sensibilities and smooth, canine lines, Big Dog is … Continue reading Big Dog, Dunkeld, New South Wales
Just when you thought it was safe to go back for another mango and jalapeño margarita, along swims a Big who’ll leave your JAWS hanging wide open in horror. Please put your pectoral fins together to welcome Paco el Sharko – and this time, it’s personal! Serving as an ostentatious anomaly betwixt the swaying palms and braying hawkers of Puerto Escondido’s beachside entertainment precinct, Paco … Continue reading Paco el Sharko, Zicatela, México
Slothfulness, the Bible tells us, casts one into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger (Proverbs 19:15). Well, it might be time to update the Good Book, because this sizeable sloth guides the way to one of the finest eating establishments in Costa Rica. Known by the mononym of SLOTH to his galleon of admirers, this happy fellow forms the entrance to … Continue reading SLOTH, Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
Once there was a super cute fellow with a slight bad boy edge whose name was Bigs Bardot. This story is about something that happened to him when he was sent away from Australia – and its wonderful collection of Big Things! – due to his family refusing to accept that he’d rather take selfies with The Big Bandicoot than slave away at an office … Continue reading Aslan the Lion, Belfast, Northern Ireland
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
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
Those who wade unwarily into the windswept waters beneath Murray Bridge risk being ravaged by something truly frightening. Frighteningly fantastic, that is, because Bertha the Bunyip is both an ancient indigenous spirit guardian who devours those foolish enough to take a dip in the Murray River, and a proud, brave trans woman. Meanwhile, I have a doozie of a time keeping up with two Netflix … Continue reading Bertha the Bunyip, Murray Bridge, SA
The inimitable Bigs Bardot was beginning to get very tired of hanging around the quaint Welsh seaside village of Llandudno, and of having nothing to do. Once or twice he had clambered to the peak of The Great Orme, and he had availed himself of the reasonably-priced goods at the local Aldi, but neither activity truly set his heart aflutter. “What is the use of … Continue reading Alice in Wonderland, Llandudno, Wales
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
What do we want? More Bigs!When do we want ’em? Now! When the slimeballs at the South Australian Government threatened to turn his backyard into a dump, local legend Stephen Jones fought back in the only way he knew how – with a series of increasingly bizarre Big Things. Throughout the 90s, the windswept stretch of road between Lower Light and Dublin welcomed a studious … Continue reading The Protest Statues, Lower Light, SA
Peli-can you imagine anything more de-flight-ful than this wonderful waterbird? No, I don’t bill-ieve you can! The Big Pelican is the main attraction of South Australia’s verdant Riverland region, and has a story more wing-credible than you can imagine. With a personality even larger than his beak, The Big Pelican has long been the darling of Loxton’s robust social scene. He’s vivacious and outgoing with … Continue reading The Big Pelican, Loxton, SA
“The High Horses” We will fly, to Leeds, oh my!Where the cold wind blowsThere is no sun, but it’s still funThere’s a stallion there, don’t you know?Equus Altus, by Andy Scott, is situatedDeep in Trinity Leeds‘ beating heartHe’s the most handsome hunk in the herdCaught above some shopping cartsCan’t you hear him?Oh, he neighs so loudCasts his wild note over the gobsmacked crowd That’s the … Continue reading Equus Altus, Leeds, England
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
They smell funny, strut around with their chests puffed out looking for fights, and love to eat rubbish they find on the ground. But enough about the good people of Blackpool, we’re here to talk about pigeons. Of course I’m kidding; Blackpudlians are warm-hearted, perspicacious people (and I don’t want to get glassed next time I’m in town for a drag show!). Standing 3.5 metres … Continue reading Big Bird, Blackpool, England
It’s common to catch crabs in Cancún and, with cuties like Clawdia, that’s cause for shellebration. Just look at her melon-heavy cephalothorax – who wouldn’t want to drizzle lemon juice all over it 🥵 The leggy Latina lives atop Ferry’s Cantina, which is famous throughout México for its fresh fish tacos and all-you-clam-eat lobster burritos. I’m on a low-crabohydrate diet, so went with a nip … Continue reading Clawdia, Cancún, México
Liam Hemsworth. Luke Wilson. Dewey Schwarzenegger. Being the lesser-known brother of a beloved celebrity can be a heartbreaking struggle – just ask wannabe actor Bronson Pinchot (née Bardot), who will go to any lengths to step out of my shadow. And so it is for the Big Prawn at Tweed Heads, who will forever be compared to his much larger sibling in nearby Ballina. This … Continue reading The Big Prawn, Tweed Heads, 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
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
Dropping the little ones off at pre-school is a heart-wrenching experience for any parent. But the mummies and daddies of Ipswich can rest easy in the knowledge their kiddies are being cared for by a bizarre giraffe/alpaca/human hybrid with a stylish bob. Ally the Alpaca is the star employee at Ally’s Kindy in the trendy suburb of One Mile, and is the wackiest Big Thing … Continue reading Ally the Alpaca, One Mile, 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
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
Hell came to Lismore in early 2022, when a wall of water surged through the northern New South Wales town and consumed everything before it. Lives and homes and businesses were obliterated as weeks of wild weather caused flood waters to reach an incredible 15 metres. With official rescue efforts consumed by chaos, survivors were left stranded on rooftops for days as the nightmare worsened. … Continue reading Dirrawuhn the Big Goanna, Lismore, NSW
Are you teddy for a good time? Then track down this snout-standing bronze bear, who is paws-ibly the hairiest, scariest, most delicious chap in Seattle. Trust me, you’ll fang me for it later! Known as The Undaunted Spirit, the giant grizzly can be found outside the un-bear-lievably bargain-priced Brown Bear Car Wash. They boast centres across the hiber-nation, most with ultra-sized ursidaes out the front. … Continue reading The Undaunted Spirit, Fremont, Washington
Port Macquarie? More like Port Mac-don’t-worry, because there’s a giant aquatic lizard watching over the town! The Big Water Dragon was installed in 2017, as part of major upgrades to the historic Kooloonbung Creek Nature Park. The park is also home to over 100,000 flying foxes, who can be seen hanging from trees down by the well-maintained mangroves boardwalk. Sadly they’re all normally-sized and prone … Continue reading The Big Water Dragon, Port Macquarie, NSW
For more than half a century, Harvey the Rabbit has brought love and laughter to the good people of West Portland. The quirky 25-foot-tall bunny stands merrily beside the Tualitin Valley Highway in scenic Aloha, offering a big wave and a warm grin to generations of Oregonians. Most pass by, honk, and think no more of the brief encounter. But those brief moments are all … Continue reading Harvey the Rabbit, Aloha, Oregon
McLatchy Park, home to a happy-go-lucky turtle and a rag-tag selection of oversized fruit and junk food, seems like the happiest place on Earth. It’s hard to imagine that this tranquil slice of Californian suburbia was the site of one of history’s most tragic events. Joyland Amusement Park opened to a flabbergasted public in 1913, boasting a giant racer, swimming baths, and a zoo. There … Continue reading Howie the Turtle, Oak Park, California
“(Sittin’ With) the Crab for the Day” Sittin’ in the San Fran sunThe Crab’ll be snippin’ when the evenin’ comesWatching Bigs Bardot roll inThen he’ll make an excuse and scuttle away forever, yeah I’m sittin’ with the Crab for the dayWondering which way he sways, oohBecause it’s scientifically proven crabs can be gayCrustacean time! I left my home in GosfordHeaded for the Frisco Bay‘Cause I’ve … Continue reading The Big Crab, San Francisco, California
We are familyI got all my koalas with meWe are familyGet up to Port Mac for this Big Thing Good things come in threes… or should I say Big Things come in TREES! Either way, this trio of torpid titans are the perfect embodiment of the modern euc-lear family. The Big Koala Family stand a grand total of eight metres tall and take pride of … Continue reading The Big Koala Family, Port Macquarie, NSW
London. New York. Rio de Janeiro. Taree. There was a time, not too long ago, when this coastal oasis was one of the world’s great tourist destinations. With the Big Oyster luring fascinated fans in their millions, Taree was the playground of the rich and famous, and the centre of the Big Thing universe. Then this riverside paradise was bypassed by the Pacific Highway and … Continue reading Joanna the Goanna, Taree, NSW
Anglers love trawling the crystal clear waters of Adaminaby, a charming poplar-lined village nestled high in the Snowy Mountains. But it’s snow laughing matter when I say the main attraction is the Big Trout which, at 10 metres and 2.5 tonnes, is o-fish-ally the largest aquatic, craniate, gill-bearing animal in the tunaverse! Living on prime eel estate in the i-gill-ic Lions Park in the centre … Continue reading The Big Trout, Adaminaby, NSW
Tintaldra is an indigenous word that roughly translates to ‘a young man by the water’. I’m not sure what the indigenous word for ‘a young man by the water, admiring a predatory perch of epic proportions, before retiring to the nearby historic hotel for a glass of economically-priced pinot noir and a portion of the famous fish and chips’, but it might be time to … Continue reading The Big Murray Cod, Tintaldra, Vic
Hey hey hey, good old Big Eagle Rock’s here to stayI’m just crazy ’bout his wings – so smoothDoin’ the Big Eagle RockOh oh oh, don’t drive past, he’s nicer than a crowI’m just crazy ’bout his wings – so smoothDoin’ the Big Eagle Rock Watch out, there’s a hat thief about! This enormous Wedge-Tailed Eagle soars through the skies of northern Victoria, on a … Continue reading The Big Eagle, Mt Alfred, Vic
Yibbida yibbida, this is fishing expert and notorious philanderer Rex Bardot, on the hunt for the Big Rainbow Trout! And look, there she is, out front of Mountain Fresh Trout & Salmon Farm. Trust me, folks, it doesn’t get any better than this! If she looks familiar, that’s because the Big Rainbow Trout was the star attraction of the 2006 Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony in … Continue reading The Big Rainbow Trout, Harrietville, Vic
“The Big Octopus’s Garden” I’d like to beRight by the seaIn the Big Octopus’s gardenWearing suede He’d let me inTo see his collectionOf shells and coral and evenA model railway I’d ask my friendsTo come and seeThe Griffith’s Sea Shell MuseumWith me I’d like to danceThrough Lakes EntranceTo the Big Octopus’s gardenWithout my pants His cuddles have charmsBecause he has eight armsAfter admiring him for … Continue reading The Big Octopus, Lakes Entrance, Vic
Ladies and jellyfish, barras and gilas, pilchards of all ages. Please welcome the mystical, magical, great Big Clownfish! Bright and beautiful, this silly sausage is trapezy to find outside Lakes Caravilla Caravan Park, and you’ll feel like a bozo if you pass him by. He’s certainly hard to fish – I mean miss – because the tropical delight is right beside the main road into … Continue reading The Big Clownfish, Lakes Entrance, Vic
Ladies and tramps, please put your claws together for a pup-standing citizen with a paws-itive attitude – Pat the Dog and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat! Perky Pat patrols the perimeter of picturesque Yarragon Railway Station, and is a welcome sight for those returning home after bark on a poochoo train. The two-metre-tall, 500-kilogram mutt was the passion project of the Baw Baw Arts Alliance, and … Continue reading Pat the Dog, Yarragon, Vic
Forever stylin’ and profilin’, Bruno the Big Pheasant has been sauntering around rural Gippsland for decades. But this colourful character is more like a phoenix, having survived a terrorist attack and come out the other side looking better than ever. During a dark and stormy night October 2011, a deranged terrorist stormed into Bruno’s enclosure and, with hatred in his heart, approached the enormous bird. … Continue reading Bruno the Big Pheasant, Tynong North, Vic
He’s chimp-ly irresistible! This 15-metre-tail repro-douc-tion of the Hindu monkey god Lord Hanuman sits on primate real estate in front of the Batu Caves, and promises a gorill-a-minute experience – but that’s a gibbon! You may have ape expectations for this marmoset-piece, and I’m happy to lesusa-nnounce he’s a total babe-oon, from his simian-kles to his capu-chin. He’s also a very urakaring individual. They just … Continue reading Lord Hanuman, Batu Caves, Malaysia
My unquenchable thirst for Big Things has taken me to some of the most beautiful and wondrous places on earth. It also dragged me through the frozen wastelands of northern Siberia, to the decaying industrial town of Nadym. I was lured to this remote corner of Russia by fellow Big Thing enthusiast Yevgeny Kafelnikov. No, not the world famous tennis player – every second Russian … Continue reading Mammoth and Baby Mammoth, Nadym, Russia
Koalas aren’t endangered in scenic Port Stephens, with a pair of massive marsupials lazing about beside the main road into town. The Big Koalas fiercely guard the entrance to Oakvale Wildlife Park, where visitors kan kuddle a kangaroo or kiss an ekidna. All those animals are regular-sized, though, so who cares. Known as Blinky and Bill, these silver studs are around 150 centimetres tall. Not … Continue reading The Big Koalas, Salt Ash, NSW
Please rise for Her Royal Wetness, Queany the Platypus! The 500kg mammalian monarch rests regally by the Queanbeyan River, ruling the hearts of locals with a strong yet webbed fist. Queany is the crowning achievement of Neil Dickinson and ascended to the throne in 2016. She was designed to put Queanbeyan – which has long stood in Canberra’s shadow – on the map. She’s certainly … Continue reading Queany the Platypus, Queanbeyan, NSW
Don’t be sluggish if you want to see the world’s largest snail, just escar-go to beautiful Queanbeyan. There you’ll find shy, reclusive Morty hiding in the town’s sensory garden. And despite his relaxed demeanour, he’s fast becoming a local legend! Artist Neil Dickinson has worked wonders on this sheepish slowpoke. Morty’s handsome head is quirky and exotic, yet cheerful and comforting. He is at once … Continue reading Morty the Snail, Queanbeyan, 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
What’s cute, cuddly, and widely beloved despite being considered daggy by zoomers? These three guys right here! Sardonic alien Gordon Shumway joined me on this visit to Featherdale Wildlife Park, where we met the un-bear-ably handsome Big Koala. He’s not the biggest arboreal herbivorous marsupial around – that distinction goes to the Giant Koala in Dadswells Bridge, Victoria. But he’s 1.5 metres tall and made … Continue reading The Big Koala, Doonside, NSW
You don’t need to leave the Land of the Bigs to have a memorable encounter in the African wilderness. Just pop over to the Botanic Gardens in sunny Darwin, where a monstrous metallic maneater meanders through the Madagascan-modelled meadows. Mmmmm… marvellous! Surrounded by breathtaking baobabs and bubbling brooks, Gorgeous George delights with his size and looks. The 10-metre-long lizard was cast from steel by local … Continue reading George the Big Crocodile, Darwin, NT
She’s a sexy humpbackThem other Bigs don’t know how to actI think she’s special, what a large humpback!Go visit Nala and don’t forget a snack Have a whale of a time and a blowhole lot of fun with Nala, the 22-tonne pride of Hervey Bay! The town is one of the best places on Earth for whale watching, but now you don’t need to risk … Continue reading Nala the Big Whale, Hervey Bay, QLD
For an unforgetta-bull experience, head to Rocky, where you’ll find multi-bull bulky bovines on display. All six Big Bulls have moo-vie star good looks and would love to meat you, so it’d be a mi-steak to miss them! The first two Bulls – a Braford by the Bruce Highway and a Brahman located on the main median strip in town – were con-chuck-ted in 1978 … Continue reading The Big Bulls, Rockhampton, QLD
Never smile at Daryl the CrocodileNo, don’t get friendly with Daryl the CrocodileDon’t be taken in by his games and larkOr the fact he lives at the Aussie Reptile Park Never smile at Daryl the CrocodileNever kiss his handsome head and stop to talk awhileNever listen to his hopes and dreamsOf gobbling up six football teams You may very well lose your bodyJust up the … Continue reading Daryl Somersby the Croc, Somersby, NSW
Tilly bounced her way into our hearts during the 1982 Commonwealth Games, taking centre stage at the opening ceremony in front of 50,000 enamoured fans. The cute kangaroo flirted with the crowd, winking her long lashes and swivelling her perfectly-proportioned head as a forklift flittered her around the track. The world drew breath as one when the voluptuous Matilda lingered in front of the Duke … Continue reading Matilda the Kangaroo, Traveston, QLD
There was a time, long before the age of man, when enormous creatures roamed the wasteland we now call Australia. From Tiddalick the Frog to Biladurang the Platypus, these behemoths filled the rivers with water, shaped the mountain ranges, and cast the stars into the sky. Dreamtime stories, passed down through a thousand generations, keep the history of our homeland alive. Gubulla Munda, a carpet … Continue reading The Big Snake, Ayr, QLD
Have you heifer herd the udder-ly moo-diculous story about the two-story cow who become a Sunshine Coast icon, fell into a life of depravity, climbed out of the gutter to become a leader of the lost, and eventually retired to a leafy farm near beautiful Toowoomba? Yeah, I know it sounds like a load of bull, but be-hoove yourself because it’s true! The Big Cow … Continue reading The Big Cow, Highfields, QLD
Itsy Bitsy the Big SpiderClimbed up the water towerDown came the rainAnd made the spider cowerOut came the sunAnd dried up all the rainAnd Itsy Bitsy the Big SpiderClimbed up the tower again! You’d hate to be a fly in the cosy village of Urana, because it’s home to a spider the size of a small car! But don’t be scared, because this aspiring web … Continue reading Itsy Bitsy the Big Spider, Urana, NSW
Roll out the red carpet, because we’re in the company of some Hollywood bad boys… Ribbet Redford and Dennis Hopper! The amphibian actors squat smugly out the front of the salubrious Ramada Suites, just a hop, skip and jump from Darwin’s waterfront. Ribbet and Dennis spawned at the humorously-named Get Stoned Masonry, before re-croak-ating to their current spot when the shop shut. Their identical sisters … Continue reading The Big Frogs, Darwin, NT
What’s chookin’, good lookin’? This king-sized cockerel really is something to crow about, and you’ll have egg on your face if you don’t chick him out! A Western Sydney icon for decades, the Chook is an extremely charismatic old-school Big. He looks a bit homemade, like the Big Golden Dog and fellow feather-head the Big Parrot, but that just makes him more relatable. He stands … Continue reading The Big Chook, Mount Vernon, NSW
Our next Big weighs in at seven tonnes and hails from Humpty Doo, Northern Territory. He is the saltwater slugger, the concrete treat and the leather-weight champion of the woooooooooorld… ladies and gentlemen, put your claws together for the Big Boxing Crocodile! Or Bite Tyson, as I like to call him! Our punchy pal was made possible by enigmatic businessman Marshall Brentnall. He was hoping … Continue reading The Big Boxing Crocodile, Humpty Doo, NT
Everyone fantasises about spending a luxurious evening inside a Big Thing. The only place you can do that is in the remote Northern Australian village of Jabiru. Deep in the heart of the mystical Kakadu National Park you’ll find the senses-shattering Crocodile Hotel. At 250 metres long and 30 metres wide, he’s earned a reptile-tation as the most massive Big in this sunburnt country. Being … Continue reading The Crocodile Hotel, Jabiru, NT
He was a bad boy with a heart of gold from the wrong side of the Adelaide River. I was a fresh-faced Big Thing enthusiast discovering myself in the wild Australian outback. Together we found love and the forbidden art of the samba. This is Dirty Water Dancing. They say you should never smile at a crocodile. But I challenge you to look at this … Continue reading The Giant Jumping Crocodile, Wak Wak, NT
Big teeth? It must be Keith! For those who believe the Giant Jumping Crocodile is a little too wacky, there’s a more realistic, down-to-earth, version just a short sinusoidal stagger away. He lives in the courtyard of the Original River Queen Jumping Crocodile Tours cafe and is an unassuming monster who shuns the limelight. Nobody at the cafe knows who built him or when (I’d … Continue reading Keith the Crocodile, Wak Wak, NT
If alcoholics see pink elephants, then those who prefer the intoxicating allure of Big Things must see pink buffalos! This festively-coloured fella is named Lefty, due to the unfortunate fact one of his bulbous, confronting testicles is larger than the other. Alright, alright, settle down! Small things (or, rather, massive dangly things) amuse small minds, I guess. To spend a right good time with Lefty, … Continue reading Lefty the Big Pink Buffalo, Winnellie, NT
The Tassie Terror is a curious and unforgettable Big in a quiet corner of the country, and you’ll have a hell of a time if you visit this devil! Continue reading The Big Tasmanian Devil, Mole Creek, TAS
You’d have to be barking mad to miss out on The Big Golden Dog, which is conveniently located just 30 just minutes west of Coffs Harbour’s Big Banana! This four-metre tall, six-metre-long dreamboat scampered into Glenreagh in 2011 and has proven to be a howling success, with visitors often paws-ing for a photo with the handsome fellow. The massive mutt stands guard outside the prosperous … Continue reading The Big Golden Dog, Glenreagh, 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
