A bird in hand is worth two in the bush, and Bird in Hand is waaaaaaaaay out in the bush! Handcrafted by sculptor Mike Van Dam, this beautifully-manicured chainlink mitt can be found near Jemalaong, by the side of the endless Lachlan Valley Way. It’s a glovely quiet spot on the edge of the outback, so there’s not a lot of palm trees around. Whether … Continue reading Bird in Hand, Jemalong, 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
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
Sixty-seven million years ago, when rivers ran red with molten magma, the towering tyrannosaurus traipsed across the bleeding badlands we now call Canada. Standing six-metres tall and with a head full of lancinating ivories, this terrifying thunder lizard tore all before her to shreds. Well, it’s 2022, and the tyrannosaurus has evolved. Now seven-storeys tall and capable of gobbling dozens of bemused tourists at once, … Continue reading World’s Largest Dinosaur, Drumheller, AB
Ewww, who farted? It must’ve been Squirt the Skunk, but we’ll forgive him because he’s just soooo dang cute! Chubby and cheerful, Squirt’s been stinkin’ up the Beseiker Municipal Campground since 1992. Clutching a bouquet of flowers in a futile attempt to mask his acrid stench, this bucktoothed beauty demands that visitors ‘have a nice spray!’ But how did a 13-foot skunk end up in … Continue reading Squirt the Skunk, Beiseker, Alberta
You’ll be quivering with excitement during an encounter with this archer-eally large Bow and Arrow. Just look at the size of that cock feather! You can find the Big Bow and Arrow outside the beloved Hastings Valley Archery Club, who hold regular open days to target new members. Apparently the shaft-erparties are not to be missed! Let me know if you’d like to give it … Continue reading The Big Bow and Arrow, Lake Innes, NSW
He might be the Hindu God of War, but Lord Murugan just wants to win the battle for your heart. This tall, dark and handsome gentleman is 42.7 metres from fetching feet to friendly forehead, and can be found in front of the world-renowned Batu Caves. Murugan is the tallest statue of a Hindu deity in Malaysia, the third-tallest Hindu on Earth, and the biggest … Continue reading Lord Murugan, Batu Caves, Malaysia
When I heard rumours of a giant bicycle rolling through the verdant hills of Lac d’Annecy, I contacted someone who knows a thing or two about riding around the Alps – former Tour de France champion Cadel Evans. ‘Cuddles’ is a self-confessed Big Thing tragic and became a professional cyclist to finance a trip to the Big Oyster, so he was only too happy to … Continue reading Le Grand Velo, lac d’Annecy, France
With his hen-dsome looks, im-peck-able dress sense and cocky attitude, it’s no wonder Charlie the Chicken is a real coop-erstar in Newcastle. He’s been the spokeschicken for Charlestown Toyota for decades and his admirers flock to see him. Yes, this ravishing rooster really is something to crow about. Charlie’s no one-chick pony, because his googly eyes also move around. Well, they’re meant to – sadly … Continue reading Charlie the Chicken, Charlestown, NSW
Call me Bigs Bardot. Some weeks ago – never mind how long precisely – having little or no money in my Dolce & Gabbana clutch purse, and nothing particular to interest me on Netflix during those dark days between the final episode of Squid Game and the premiere of Tiger King 2, I thought I would ride my super-cute carnation pink Vespa about a little … Continue reading Moby Big, Nelson Bay, NSW
The Big Milkshake brings all the boys to the yardAnd I’m like, it’s bigger than yoursDang right, it’s bigger than yoursCan’t drink it, ‘cos it’s just too large There’s no use crying over spilt milkshake, because this dairly-loved Big Thing is a real cream-boat! O Milkshake Grande lives in front of the Damay Cafe in the seaside resort town of Piçarras, and is just begging … Continue reading O Milkshake Grande, Brasil
Dashing out of the frying pan and into our hearts, please receber the wacky and charismatic Massive Portuguese Cuttlefish! Or Choco Frigideira, to give him his formal name. The stunning seaside citadel of Setubal is synonymous with choco frito – that’s fried cuttlefish to you and I – and this mesmerising mollusc is the most scrumptious item on the menu. Choco’s just so much fun … Continue reading Choco Frigideira, Setúbal, Portugal
With a sassy attitude, girl-next-door good looks and legion of rabid fans, Aranha Grande is fast becoming the most popular arthropop-star in the Americas. The leggy luminary has wowed the New World with hit songs such as God is a Spider, Dangerous Spider, 34+35=Spider and Break Up With Your Girlfriend, I’m A Spider. Not a whole lot of variety, sure, but pretty good for an … Continue reading Aranha Grande, Penha, Brasil
This extra-large lizard might be cold-blooded, but he’ll warm your heart! La Iguana Grande lives in front of a mini-market a few ki-monitors outside the delightful village of Puerto Viejo, where the tequila sunrises and turquoise sunsets seem to last forever. Known as Iguana Azalea to the locals due her dream of being a rap-tile singer, this big bopper really is one in chameleon. The … Continue reading La Iguana, Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
Oh, you want more-itius Big Things from around the world? Here’s a really stat-huge one hidden within the gorgeous Black River Gorges National Park, on the island paradise of Mauritius! The world’s biggest statue of Hindu goddess Durga took six years to complete and lives above the pristine Grand Bassin crater-lake. As the official Big Thing consultant to the Mauritian Government, I oversaw the closing … Continue reading Durga Maa Statue, Mauritius
If this big guy was any happier, we’d have to call him a smile-adon! As the fearless guardian of the remote town of Puerto Natales, The Big Mylodon has taken over a round-a-bout near the waterfront. Just follow your extincts to find him. Mylodons swaggered across Patagonia’s frozen tundra 10,000 years ago. They didn’t swagger too quickly, though, because they were basically giant sloths with … Continue reading El Monumento Milodón, Puerto Natales
I’m a handsome teapotThere’s no doubtHere is my handle, here is my spoutWhen I find a Big ThingThen I shoutStop the car and let me out! Although I’m not one to spill the tea, I must say that this ‘pot is really brew-tiful! You can find her in front of Bygone Beautys, which houses the world’s largest private teapot collection. There are more than 5,500 … Continue reading The Big Teapot, Leura, NSW
Darwin’s one of the best cities to have a BIG adventure, with all sorts of giant animals to meet! Those willing to brave the heat can find a frightening fish, a charismatic turtle, and one of the biggest dinosaurs to ever roam the Earth. Follow this delightful guide to Australia’s northern capital, and your next holiday to the Territory is sure to be a Dar-winner! … Continue reading The Awesome Big Things of Darwin
Big Things are a super-sized slice of Sunshine Coast tourism, with holidaymakers thrilling to the delights of the Big Shell and Big Pelican. There are plenty of roadside attractions within a short drive of the tourist hotspot of Noosa, and they’ll put a giant smile on your face! Read this definitive guide to Sunshine Coast Big Things and see if you can visit them (Big) … Continue reading The Stunning Big Things of the Sunshine Coast
Australia is famous for its hundreds of Big Things and roadside attractions, but you won’t find any as un-beak-lievable as these! From the Big Pelican to the Big Penguin, if it squawks it’s in here! Chinute Chinute the Big Owl, Darwin, Northern Territory Without feather ado, I’d like to in-duck-t this oversized owl – and I’m talon you, be prepared to fowl in love! Say … Continue reading 6 Wacky Aussie Big Things with Wings! Big Penguin!
Australia is famous for its big crocodiles, but you won’t find any larger than these six! These Big Things are fun to find on road trips and are sure to put a smile on your ‘dile. From the swamps of Darwin to the mountains of northern Sydney, these Big Crocodiles won’t eat you, because they just want to meet you! The Big Boxing Crocodile, Humpty … Continue reading The Craziest Big Crocodiles in Australia!
Queenslanders love guzzling icy cold XXXX beer almost as much as they adore their Big Things, so Koumala is like honey to the bee for those up north! The colossal can stands like a beacon outside the well-presented Koumala Hotel, luring in travellers from the Bruce Highway for a cool drink and a bite to eat from the expansive bistro menu. The titanic tinnie is … Continue reading The Big Beer Can, Koumala, QLD
For a bloomin’ great time in the Garden City of Toowoomba, visit Picnic Point to see the Big Sunflowers. The popular petal-heads have plenty of pollen power, with piles of plant-o-philes posy-ing for a picture. The bud-dies sprouted in 2012 as a tribute to the people of the city, the local schools, the Lions Club, and Toowoomba legend Ian Orford. I’m sure there were half-a-dozen … Continue reading The Big Sunflowers, Toowoomba, QLD
