Australian Big Things

Australia is a massive country with a relatively small population, meaning there is lots of lovely space. So it is understandable that the Aussies go ‘big’ and have several large things around the country that have long attracted visitors. There are SO many big things around Australia. These are only the big things I have managed to see so far. What is the story behind Australia’s big things?

Hello Mr Prawnie! This large prawn on the road from Learmonth airport to Exmouth is the symbol of a seafood factory, which processes various types of seafood, but a local favourite is prawns and when they are so fantastically fresh and priced around half the price of supermarket–bought prawns around the rest of Australia, the locals should consider themselves very lucky! Due to Exmouth being the gateway to Ningaloo Reef there is also a large Whaleshark at the petrol station. See below.

The Big Mango, Bowen, Queensland

I LOVE mangos. So felt a trip to see the Bowen mango something of a necessity. Bowen’s big mango stands about 4km South of Bowen off the Bruce Highway. It is a Bowen mango (so-named for being a local variety) and standing upside down (ie not the way it would be hanging from a tree). There is a visitor centre next to the mango that sells big mango merchandise and other mango products.

The Big Gumboot, Tully, Queensland

Tully is a tiny town just off the Bruce Highway in northern Queensland. The huge gumboot with a frog climbing up the side stands in the middle of town. Tully’s gumboot and its annual Golden Gumboot festival celebrates Tully’s status as one of the wettest towns in Australia. On average it rains 150 days a year. Fortunately there was no downpour while we were there. The gumboot is 7.9m high indicating the record annual rainfall, which was in 1950.  There is a spiral staircase inside the gumboot and it is possible to climb to the viewing platform at the top.

Captain Cook, Cairns, Queensland

This giant statue of Captain Cook has stood gazing south along Cairns’ Sheridan Street for years. He was the not-so-subtle and rather enormous symbol of the Captain Cook Backpackers hostel but since the hostel closed and the land was sold the captain’s future is uncertain.

The Bull, Rockhampton, Queensland

Rockhampton is the beef capital of Australia. In the centre of the roundabout that forms the southern gateway into the city, stands a large statue of a bull. There is an ongoing mystery surrounding the bull though, whose masculinity is constantly under threat. It doesn’t matter how many times the council replaces them, the bull’s coconut-sized balls are regularly stolen. This strange crime has been going on for 20 years.

The Rum Bottle, Bundaberg, Queensland

Bundaberg is the home of Bundaberg rum, distilled in Bundaberg and made from the area’s sugar cane since 1888. Outside the factory and merchandise store stands a 6m tall Bundaberg rum bottle.

The Bundaberg Barrel, Bundaberg, Queensland

Bundaberg Brewed Drinks is another beverages company based in Bundaberg, specializing in soft drinks, and ginger beer especially. The barrel houses the family-owned brewery, interactive visitor experience and shop. A little piece of history is parked outside, their original delivery van.

The Big Whale Shark, Exmouth, Western Australia

Exmouth is well furnished for large things, considering the town itself is so tiny. Being the access point for Ningaloo reef, the whale sharks that frequent the reef are virtually part of the town. There are at least five whale shark tour operators in town. This whale shark is on Murat Road, by the petrol station and, unusually for Australia’s big things, is probably smaller than the real thing. Whale sharks are gentle giants and a whale shark would have to be very young to only be this size (about 5m).

The Big Ram, Wagin, Western Australia

Wagin the sheep-rearing town of rural Western Australia. The giant and rather grumpy-looking ram in the centre of town is enormous and elevated, so it is possible to walk beneath it. It was constructed in 1985 and stands 9m high.

Have you visited any of Australia’s big things? Which ones and what did you think? Do you have a favourite?

Looking for more of Australia’s big things? There are so many I’ve written another post! Read it here.