Trigger warning: the following article contains information and photos of a deceased Big Thing, that you may find distressing. But it also contains a super cute photo of a very young Bigs Bardot wearing a gorgeous pink hat, so it all balances out. Gympie was, for a time, the most desirable tourist destination on the planet. Hollywood stars and tech billionaires bypassed Bora Bora as … Continue reading The Big Pineapple, Gympie, QLD
If you dig shovels, the charming village of Chiltern has them in spades! The only question is, can you handle the excitement? Read on, because your pal Bigs Bardot has the scoop! The Big Miners Spade stands regally beside the southern entry to Chiltern and, at five metres tall, simply can’t be missed. Serving as a tribute to the region’s proud gold mining history, the … Continue reading The Big Miners Spade, Chiltern, VIC
Batlow’s got a lovely bunch of applesThere they are, all standing in a rowBig ones, bigger ones, some as big as a shedTheir enormous size draws tourists like fliesThat’s what Bigs Bardot said They reckon Batlow is a town built on apples but, after a thorough investigation, I can reveal that most buildings are actually constructed upon concrete foundations. The locals do, however, go wild … Continue reading The Big Apples, Batlow, NSW
He’s more than just a Big BatHe’s the source of Coota’s prideHe’s more than just one Big ThingHe has some stumps by his sideFathers take their sons to Bradman’s Bat ’cause they find it’s really, really grand! The rustic regional village of Cootamundra has plenty to be proud of, but the locals hold cricket legend Don Bradman closer to their hearts than anything else. And … Continue reading Bradman’s Bat, Cootamundra, NSW
Fee-fi-fo-fumLook at me with my massive chumHe be large and he be hairyBut the Coota Giant is never scary! Now THIS is a Giant worth climbing up a beanstalk for! The Cootamundra Giant is enormous, approachable, fun to take a photo with… and, best of all, he won’t try to gobble you up! But this big boy has a story even larger than his smile, … Continue reading The Giant, Cootamundra, NSW
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
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
Yo, yo, yo! Put your hands in the air like you just don’t care about anything other than Big Things! This is Fatboy Big in da house… or, more precisely, betwixt the Big Headphones! Should you hip hop long to see these merry music-makers? Tune in to find out! Looming loud and proud in the Beats-ing heart of Newcastle, it’ll come as music to your … Continue reading The Big Headphones, Newcastle, 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
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
The Big Doc Martens make for a socking sight in the middle of Newcastle, and I certainly wouldn’t like to bump into the miscreant large enough to wear them! Their punk rock swagger and detailed feet-ures are more than enough to earn my heel of approval. These hedonistic headkickers live outside the Famous Rock Shop, which is overflowing with leather jackets and vinyl records from … Continue reading The Big Doc Martens, Newcastle, NSW
I know what you’re thinking. “Bigs, you’ve lost your mind! The Mini Harbour Bridge can’t possibly be a Big Thing because it’s substantially smaller than the object it’s modelled after. Look, it’s even there in the name. Mini. Mini! Next you’ll be inducting Cockington Green!” Your concern is appreciated, but the only thing I’ve lost is 5kg due to a controversial new exercise regime, and … Continue reading The Mini Harbour Bridge, Warwick Farm
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
Put your hands together for these funky fingers, which seem to be emerging from Playa Brava’s golden sand. For some reason they really grabbed my attention, but I can’t put my finger on why! This world-famous work of art is also known as Los Dedos (The Fingers), or Hombre Emergiendo a la vida (Man Emerging into Life). If your Spanish is a bit rusty, you can just call it The … Continue reading La Mano, Punta del Este, Uruguay
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
He gets knocked down, but he gets up againYou’re never gonna keep him down! The Brasileiros are gutter-ly in love with Big Things, and this striking stud was right up my alley. In fact, I was totally bowled over by this perky pinhead! The four-metre-tall Tenpin lives outside the delightful Boliche Beer House in Curitibanos, Santa Catarina, where cerveja and sensational service flow freely. To … Continue reading O Grande Pino de Boliche, Curitibanos
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
Movin’ to Anna BayGonna eat a lot of peachesI’m movin’ to Anna BayI’m gonna eat me a lot of peachesMovin’ to Anna BayGonna eat a lot of peachesMovin’ to Anna BayThe Big Red Bug also likes peaches Bakker’s Big Peach is on a standShe was put there by a manBut is now a little rundownIf I had my little wayI’d hug the Big Peach every … Continue reading Bakker’s Big Peach, Anna Bay, NSW
Port Stephens has been invaded by the largest pest in the world – and the locals couldn’t be happier! The Big Red Bug stands two metres tall and can be found rocking out at 419 Lemon Tree Passage Road. With his cocksure swagger and cheeky smile, this is one roadside attraction with a ’tude just as big as he is. The only thing he’s missing … Continue reading The Big Red Bug, Salt Ash, NSW
He’s supple, shiny and perfectly proportioned – but enough about the inimitable Bigs Bardot! We’re here to talk about the scrumptious Big Apple of Darkes Forest. Whilst he’s not the biggest of the many apples south of Sydney – that honour goes to the Tallong Apple – this red delicious is a real man of the people. He’s super close to the ground and perfectly … Continue reading The Big Apple, Darkes Forest, NSW
We need to discuss the true star of the 2000 Sydney Olympics… or should that be discus? The stunning, circular Discobolus lies within the shadows of the Olym-big stadium, and serves to link the Aussie sporting extravaganza with the ancient Greek games. Well, it’s certainly a more family-friendly option than a bunch of naked gentlemen wrestling each other. Crafted by Australian artist Robert Owen, Discobolus … Continue reading Discobolus, Sydney Olympic Park, 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
Hey gang, I have some bad news. I’ve been shrunk down to a fraction of my normal height! Just look at me sitting here on a normal, regular-sized chair. Tee-hee, only kidding! I’m still as Big as I always was, it’s just that I’m perched upon the immense Googong Giant Chair. Although I must say that being smaller would have its perks, such as Big … Continue reading The Googong Giant Chair, Googong, 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
Big Girls don’t cry, but I’m man enough to admit I was reduced to a blubbering mess after an encounter with this fifteen-foot female. Not even a few jars of homemade chutney and pair of happy pants from the nearby Eumundi Markets could settle me down. Officially known as For You, she’s the work of local artist Meg Geer, who installed the Big Girl in … Continue reading The Big Girl, Eumundi, QLD
Alright, stop your hooting! Let’s get the obvious out of the way – the Big Powerful Owl looks more like the Big Powerful Male Appendage. But don’t let that scare you away from this eight-metre avian, who was erected in 2011. The Owl was pumped out by Bruce Armstrong and cast from steel, hard wood and lots of nuts, based on a design doodled on … Continue reading The Big Powerful Owl, Belconnen, NSW
Cauliflowers are the sexiest and most sophisticated of vegetables, so of course there’s a massive one living in the trendy inner-city suburb of Waterloo. The Big Cauliflower lurks above the historic Cauliflower Hotel, where it’s happy flower all the time! The Hotel dates back to 1862, but the vast veggie isn’t that old. In fact, he looks quite fresh! The original publican, a Mr George … Continue reading The Big Cauliflower, Waterloo, NSW
Set your heart to ‘swoon’ and say hello to a big, burly bloke who’s good with his hands and could build a rat trap out of some paper clips and a broken zip-tie. Oh no, not me! I call Hire-a-Hubby to change my toilet paper. I’m talking about the hunky Hardware Man, who I was lucky enough to have a drilling encounter with during a … Continue reading The Hardware Man, Unanderra, NSW
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
You’ll go nuts for these king-sized kernels, which loom large over the National Arboretum Canberra and double as a playground. Just make sure to behave yourself, or you’ll end up in the naughty acorner! The Pod Playground burst open on June 22, 2013, and I’m not oaking when I say it’s nutting short of incredible. Not only are there all sorts of slippery dips and … Continue reading The Big Acorns, Molonglo Valley, ACT
For a ’room with a view, you can’t beat this monstrous mushie! She sprouted up beside the Belconnen Fresh Food Market in 1998, with a well-appointed playground beneath her colossal cap. Just be warned that, with so many slippery dips and see-saws, there’s not mushroom inside for adults. With a diameter of almost 16 metres, the Giant Mushroom is the grandest Big Thing in the … Continue reading The Giant Mushroom, Belconnen, ACT
Love is in the air, everywhere in Canberra townLove is in the air, no native bird has a frownAnd I don’t know feather I’m being foolishDon’t know feather I’m being wiseBut Big Galah love’s something I believe inBeak-ause they’re making out in front of my eyes As a hopeless romantic who aches to discover love, the allure of Australia’s most passionate Big Things proved irresistible. … Continue reading The Big Kissing Galahs, Watson, ACT
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
Everything’s going pear-shaped in the nation’s capital, and that’s just how they like it! Please welcome this incom-pear-able bunch. Officially known as Pear (version No.2) despite there being seven of the fruity fellows, they were created by George Baldessin in 1973. The Pears rest enticingly at the entrance to the National Gallery of Australia, and appear to be scattered around as if as if displayed … Continue reading The Big Pears, Parkes, ACT
Oh don’t mind me, I’m just hanging out with my good mate Fiddy Cent. No, not the hip hop luminary, which is a good thing because I don’t need to get into another gang turf war. I’m talking about the Big Coins, who currency live outside the Royal Australian Mint. The Coins certainly offer bang for your buck, because there are eight of them. The … Continue reading The Big Coins, Deakin, ACT
You’ll be drawn to these winged wonders like a moth to a flame! The Big Bogong Moths rest peacefully beside the Australian Institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies. Based on a design by indigenous artiste Jim Williams, and crafted by Matthew Harding, they celebrate the history of the local Ngunnawal people. No, no, no, the Ngunnawal aren’t some sort of human-moth hybrid tribe, … Continue reading The Big Bogong Moths, Acton, ACT
Crumb one, crumb all to see a true work of tart – the Bilpin Apple Pie! The sweet treat rests on the back of an old truck, a few kilometres north of the sleepy township of Bilpin. He’s certainly not a short crust, in fact he’s quite tall! My encounter with this homemade hottie proved to be a pie-opening experience. The round rascal is certainly … Continue reading The Bilpin Apple Pie, Bilpin, NSW
He is a sk8er boyBig like the Potato boyHe is good enough for meHe has a pretty laceTakes up quite a lot of spaceYou need to come down to Penny Roll out the red carpet, because I rink this colossal clog is wheely exciting! The lone loafer lives atop the entrance to Penrith Skatel, and is a shoe-in to send you head-over-heels in love! Widely … Continue reading The Big Roller Skate, Emu Plains, NSW
If it’s wrong for a 38-year-old man to dress up as a pansy and dance in front of The Big Flower, then I don’t want to be right. What can I say – this daisy is drivin’ me crazy! As tall as he is handsome, the Big Flower has a kitschy charm and refreshing innocence that’s granted him cult status on the Central Coast. For … Continue reading The Big Flower, Ourimbah, NSW
Wood you like to visit a towering tomahawk and grab a load of quality kindling at the same time? I’ll go out on a limb and take that as a yes, so hatchet a plan to swing by Big Axe Firewood in beautiful Box Hill! The Axe lives beside busy Windsor Road, ready to welcome anyone lumbering along. He’s behind a fence, so I asked … Continue reading The Big Axe, Box Hill, NSW
Yes, I know, I never seem to age, but sadly the same can’t be said about the Big Strawberry. With peeling paint and a wilted stem, she’s one of the most pip-iful Bigs I’ve ever encountered. The strawberry emporium she promotes is closed, and a darkness has descended upon the village of Luddenham. Honestly, if the Big Strawberry were any gloomier, she’d be a blueberry. … Continue reading The Big Strawberry, Luddenham, NSW
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
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
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!
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 hello to Chinute Chinute, who’s so nice they named her twice! The 1.8-metre-tall avian landed outside the Northern Territory’s Supreme Court in 2010, and is modelled after a Dreamtime spirit who’s watched over the Top End for thousands of years. Aboriginal elder and … Continue reading Chinute Chinute the Big Owl, Darwin, NT
These burgundy bud-dies have been bravely garden the entrance to Gosford for a few years now, and have blossomed into the city’s top tourist destination. The nine nice guys stand by the shore of the gorgeous Brisbane Water, and I’m not pollen your leg when I say it’s a bloomin’ beautiful place to spend an afternoon! The Big Poppies were brought to life by local … Continue reading The Big Poppies, Gosford, NSW
2B or not 2B, that is the question. And the answer, of course, is not 2B, as the perky Pencil is clearly an HB, the most princely on the graphite grading scale. Positioned beneath the jaw-droppingly beautiful Nobbys Lighthouse along Newcastle’s eastern beaches, he doubles as a seat from which to enjoy this glorious part of the world. Despite what you may think, the area’s … Continue reading The Big Pencil, Newcastle, NSW
For more than a decade, the far-flung village of Narrandera was the centre of the Big Thing universe. As home to the World’s Largest Playable Guitar – a 5.82m-long acoustic axe that fascinated music lovers and Thing-o-philes alike – the region’s economy boomed. Then the unthinkable happened, and it all came crashing down. This is the story of how the music almost died. Looking to … Continue reading The Big Playable Guitar, Narrandera, 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
A word of warning, this Big is a real gold digger! Tall, dark and handsome, the Big Gold Panner Man sauntered into the historic inland city of Bathurst in 1979, taking up residence outside the lavish Gold Panner Motor Inn. He welcomes millions of visitors from Sydney each year, many of whom can barely pan-dle their excitement. Not surprisingly, he’s become by far the most … Continue reading The Big Gold Panner Man, Bathurst, NSW
Some think he looks more like a Poo-tato than a Potato, but I reckon he’s a real spud-muffin! The 10-metre-wide, four-metre-tall Big Potato was carefully crafted in 1977 by local farmer Jim Mauger, and stands in starch contrast to the rural village of Robertson that houses him. Modelled after the delicious Sebago variety of spud, the beguiling Big Potato was designed to house a vegetable … Continue reading The Big Potato, Robertson, NSW
Hear ye, hear ye! ‘Tis I, Sir Bigs-a-Lot of Kingdom Bardot, and I doth welcome thee to a time when fearless warriors and ferocious dragons roamed the landscape of northern New South Wales. Please pop on ye olde face mask, as ’tis a spot of bubonic plague around – tee hee! Just kidding, I’m really your friend Bigs Bardot, and it’s knights for you to … Continue reading The Big Knight, Knockrow, NSW
As a passionate supporter of the LGBTQI+ community, it’s my pleasure to introduce Australia’s very first transgender Big – the voluptuous Wo-Man! Xe is loud and proud and shimmers like a disco ball, bedazzling all who venture into the backwoods of Wollombi. This remote location is a surprising home for such a progressive Big, who’s happy to show off xis ample bosom and metallic member … Continue reading Wo-Man, Garland Valley, NSW
Serving as a monument to Wimbledon champion and Barellan local Evonne Goolagong Cawley, the 13.8-metre-tall Big Tennis Racquet is a real grand slam and I’m sure you’ll love (it) all! Locals were courting the idea of a towering tribute to their tennis treasure for years, and made such a racquet that they netted themselves a Big! This wonderfully-realised statue was unveiled in October 2009 during … Continue reading The Big Tennis Racquet, Barellan, NSW
You might think it’s silly, but I’m in love with a man who’s frilly! For a frill-a-minute encounter with a cold-blooded cutie, head to spectacular Somersby on the scenic Central Coast. Honestly, you’ll be reptiling from ear to ear when you meet this gigantic frilled-neck lizard… but a word of warning, he has a fiery side to him! Frilly was painstakingly constructed by the geniuses … Continue reading Frilly the Lizard, Somersby, NSW
Everybody’s heard about this bird, which isn’t surprising because Stanley’s 18 metres tall and one of the nest-looking Big Things around. Yes, he’s aviary nice chap indeed! The elegant emu was lovingly crafted by local artist John Murray out of old VW Beetle bonnets and doors, then placed atop a stunning steel girder. This gem took up residence on the outskirts of the opal-mining village … Continue reading Stanley the Emu, Lightning Ridge, NSW
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
He’s absolutely mango-nificent, but this tropical treat has flirted with scandal to become one of the most controversial Bigs around. The Big Mango, who lives beside the Visitor Information Centre, stands a regal 10 metres tall and was erected in 2002 as a tribute to Bowen’s ebullient agricultural industry. He cost $90,000, weighs in at seven tonnes, and is modelled after the delicious Kensington Pride … Continue reading The Big Mango, Bowen, 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
“Bigs,” I’m sure you’re screaming, “the Big Rig – despite standing 140 metres tall and being an icon of the Maranoa Region – isn’t a Big Thing at all! He’s an actual oil drilling rig from the 1960s who was relocated to the centre of Roma in 2000 to attract tourists. If you’re going to include him, you might as well open the flood gates … Continue reading The Big Rig, Roma, QLD
Have a bowl, have a bat. Howzat! Howzat! Add eight Bigs to your score – all balls! Alright, alright, settle down! You’ve had a good giggle at the name of these Bigs, now it’s time to take an in-depth look at Alan Davidson’s Balls. Oi, I said quit it! There are seven oversized cricket balls dotted around the picturesque Alan Davidson Oval, each emblazoned with … Continue reading Alan Davidson’s Balls, Wyoming, NSW
Let me take you down‘Cause I’m going to Big Strawberry FieldsThe size is realAnd something to be amazed aboutBig Strawberry Fields forever Bright red and bursting with life, the Big Strawberry looks delicious enough to gobble up with a dollop of cream. But this blushing beauty is actually an unstoppable tough guy, having defeated a crazed cyclone in 2013. The turbulent tempest tore through Koonoomoo … Continue reading The Big Strawberry, Koonoomoo, VIC
Wine me, dine me, 21-foot-nine me! No visit to New South Wales’ Wine Country is complete without sharing a cheeky glass of red with this vine fellow, who’s been baffling drunkards since 1998. The Big Wine Bottle takes pride of place at the sprawling Hunter Valley Gardens, which offers an array of restaurants and gift shops against a backdrop of rolling fields. A visit is … Continue reading The Big Wine Bottle, Pokolbin, NSW
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
You can’t pan-dle the truth! Actually, you probably can, because it’s an indisputable fact that the Big Gold Pick and Pan are ri-pick-ulously magnificent! The cheerful chums were built by another legendary pair – Peter Mason and Tony Durham – under the supervision of the Grenfell Men’s Shed, in recognition of Grenfell’s history as a gold town. But first, a confession. When I was told … Continue reading The Big Gold Pick and Pan, Grenfell, NSW
BREAKING NEWS: It’s with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of the beautiful, whimsical Big Prawn. Our fearless friend was found dismembered on the morning of August 5, 2023, his head and legs sawn off by an angle grinder and stolen. Police believe they could turn up on the black market. Next time you pick up a bag of frozen prawns, please, please … Continue reading The Big Prawn, Crangan Bay, NSW
Pining for some Bigs with a view? Then cone on down to splendid Caves Beach, which boasts sparkling blue water, resplendent golden sand, and two of the largest pine cones you’re ever likely to see! Officially known as Norfolk – after the spiky spheres dropped by the many Norfolk Island pines growing in the area – these stately seed pods were created by Newcastle-based artist/beekeeper … Continue reading The Big Pine Cones, Caves Beach, NSW
“Oh my cod, isn’t he big!” Visitors to the river village of Tocumwal have been exclaiming this for almost six decades, and this water-dwelling dreamboat has lived a life most of us would be en-fish-ious of. This bulky baby boomer’s story starts in the swingin’ 60s, when three of the more rebellious members of the local Chamber of Commerce decided the town needed something exciting … Continue reading The Big Murray Cod, Tocumwal, 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
Open the door, get on the floorEverybody walk with Digby the Dinosaur! She might be 65 million years old, but this delightful dino is still a big kid at heart. Digby lives in Albury Botanic Gardens’ wonderfully-presented Children’s Garden and is more than happy to be kissed, cuddled and climbed upon. It’s safe to say she’s dinos-awfully popular! Digby’s not as famous as her aunty … Continue reading Digby the Dinosaur, Albury, NSW
Cairo has the Pyramids, Paris has la tour Eiffel. Bundy has its own tribute to the culture of its people – this fantastic flagon of the good old fighting juice! The Big Rum Bottle wearily outside the Bundaberg Rum Distillery, which is a mecca for barflies Big Thing fanatics. The rum-filled Romeo was constructed for World Expo ’88 in Brisbane. He overshadowed the futuristic monorail … Continue reading The Big Rum Bottle, Bundaberg, 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
Victorian bushranger Ned Kelly is known for his handsome beard, wacky armour, and penchant for ruthlessly slaughtering innocent people. He is not, however, known for taking relaxing holidays in sunny Queensland. So how did this seven-metre-tall tribute end up in Maryborough? Your fearless reporter, Bigs Bardot, headed to the scene to find out! My quest for the truth started by asking Ned himself, but the … Continue reading The Big Ned Kelly, Maryborough, 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
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
The Southern Highlands of New South Wales has Big Things apple-nty, but none are as scrumptious as this crimson cutie! The Big Apple is of epic proportions, astonishingly detailed – just look at his hyper-realistic leaf – and always in season! Tallong legend Jim ‘The Apple Man’ Watling set the peels in motion in 1988. He commissioned a chap named Carl Zeschke to build a … Continue reading The Big Apple, Tallong, NSW
Put the Mortein away, he’s friendly! Ossie the Mossie watches vigilantly over the much-loved Hexham Bowling Club, and after giving him a good insect-ion I’m pleased to report that he certainly doesn’t suck! Hexham Grey mosquitos have long been the bowlo’s symbol, so in 1994 members cobbled together $17,200 to build a personable pest of epic proportions. Basing his design on an oversized chicken displayed … Continue reading Ossie the Mossie, Hexham, NSW
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
Sunglasses, cheeky grin, rockstar swagger. No, I’m not talking about myself, I’m describing the coolest cat in the Goulburn Valley, the legendary Big Cherry! The bright-red dude with ’tude has been breaking hearts for the past two decades, so I decided the time to meet this cherry was ripe! As I researched the Cherry in my la-big-atory, I discovered that rumours of his current whereabouts … Continue reading The Big Cherry, Wyuna, Vic
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
If an apple a day keeps the doctor away, the good people of the Southern Highlands mustn’t have seen a quack in years! The un-Bool-ievable snack is conveniently located just off the Hume Highway and is as fresh as the day it fell off the tree. Despite being de-cider-edly larger than anything you’ll find at a green grocer, you’ll be disappointed if expecting something on … Continue reading The Big Apple, Yerrinbool, NSW
Roll up, roll up, because I want to introduce you to the largest, most-in-charge-est rolling pin you’ll ever see. She’s 14-metres-long, weighs more than two tonnes, and looms large over the famous Henri’s Wodonga Bakery. You definitely knead to see the World’s Biggest Rolling Pin! The larger-than-loaf pin was installed in 1992, in what has been described as Wodonga’s finest flour. The good people at … Continue reading World’s Biggest Rolling Pin, Wodonga, VIC
Our next Bigs are spineless, brainless, and most unwelcome at pool parties – and that’s just how they like it. Please put your tentacles together for Jerry and Janine, the Giant Jellyfish! The bloodthirsty blubbers can be found floating menacingly along the waterfront at the entrance to Darwin’s sprawling East Point Reserve. Despite appearances, they’re actually very approachable and fun to play around with. They’re … Continue reading The Giant Jellyfish, East Point, NT
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
I’m a lumberjack and I’m OKI sleep all night and visit Bigs all day! Axe yourself this – how much excitement can you handle? If the answer is ‘plenty’, then swing by this towering tool and get ready to chop till you drop! A fixture of the exquisite Camden Haven district since 1979, the wonderful whacker celebrates the local timber industry and rests happily beside … Continue reading The Big, Beautiful Axe, Kew, NSW
Football, meat pies, kangaroos and the Big Banana. This prodigious plantain has grown to become a huge part of Australia’s national identity. He represents this great country’s culture and history, hopes and dreams. Every child holds fond memories of popping into the Banana on a road trip up north, having their photo snapped in front of the Coffs Harbour icon, and then smashing into a … Continue reading The Big Banana, Coffs Harbour, NSW
Long before the age of Bananas, Penguins, Pineapples and Prawns, an enormous concrete dinosaur watched over Australia’s highways. Ploddy, the oldest of her kind and the grandmother of the Bigs, was unlike anything anyone had ever seen before. With her timeless beauty and vivacious personality she ushered in the era of massive roadside attractions, becoming a national celebrity in the process. However, like the ancient … Continue reading Ploddy the Big Dinosaur, Somersby, NSW
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
I highly recommend you take a squawk on the wild side and have a claws encounter with this odd, little-known and underappreciated Big Thing Continue reading The Big Parrot, Apple Tree Creek, QLD
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
There’s only one place where you can snap up a sensibly-priced socket set, swallow a scrumptious sausage sandwich, and sequester yourself back 65 million years to the age of the sauropods – and that’s Bunnings Palmerston. It’s home to Big Kev the brachiosaurus and trust me, he’s excited! Kev is absolutely massive, to the point it can be difficult to snap a good photo with … Continue reading Big Kev the Big Dinosaur, Palmerston, NT
He might be modeled after the most brutal, bloodthirsty bushranger in Aussie history, but the only thing the Big Ned Kelly is going to steal is your heart! The six-metre-tall buckethead prefers taking photos to taking hostages, but is still very much on the most wanted list of anyone travelling through rural Victoria! The original, smaller, nastier Ned became a national hero during the 1800s, … Continue reading The Big Ned Kelly, Glenrowan, VIC
Diehard Big Thing aficionados dream of living inside a giant roadside attraction, and there are few cosier homes than this giant jogger Continue reading The Big Shoe, Baxter, VIC
Although he may seem shy at first, Colin is a turtle-y awesome dude once he comes out of his shell. And what a glorious exoskeleton it is, because it’s covered in shiny rep-tiles and features plenty of intricate details. This proud Territorian is one of the most beautiful Bigs around, and ready to splash his way into your heart! Colin was built in 2004 to … Continue reading Colin the Turtle, Lyons, NT
