Murray the Cod, St George, Queensland, Australia

Proving that one man’s trash is another man’s Big Thing, Murray the Cod was built completely out of rubbish – and the end result is a gill-a-minute experience! He truly is some-fin special and, whilst I’m not sure what weight he tips the scales at, he’s surely one of the biggest aquatic critters in the tuna-verse!

Acclaimed sculptor Dion Cross spent more than 18 months designing and building Muzza out of discarded tools, old farming equipment and scrap metal, and the big fella was completed in 2019. If he looks swam-iliar, that’s because he might remind you of another scrap metal Big, Kurri Kurri’s Kookaburra.

Murray’s one of the most chilled-out Bigs, and can be found relaxing by the banks of the peaceful Balonne River. St George is the inland fishing capital of Queensland, so this 2.5 metre-long bait-biter is certainly popular with the locals.

Sure, there are bigger Murray cods around – like The Big Murray Cod in Tocumwal and The Giant Murray Cod in Swan Hill – but this catch of the day knows that bigger isn’t always batter!

Don’t Murray, Be Happy!

Whilst it’s worth making a trip out to St George just for Murray, this tranquil outback town offers plenty more to see and do. Queensland’s westernmost vineyard, the Riversands Winery, is a short walk up the road, and there’s also the famous Unique Egg museum. Yes, it’s all it’s cracked up to be! Located (or should that be yolk-ated?) in the main street, it’s home to dozens of intricately-carved emu eggs.

Gosh, what would Stanley the Emu think?

Although, to be perfectly honest, anything would be a letdown after spending a whimsical afternoon with a large fish made out of old bibs and bobs.

Sorry to keep carping on about it, but Murray the Cod really is a delicious treat. My only question is, where are the Big Hot Chips?

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