Exploring Notable Monumental landmarks along Australia's East Coast for an Unforgettable Journey
Australia's Big Things: A Celebration of Local Culture
Traveling across Australia, one cannot miss the quirky and iconic Big Things that dot the landscape. These oversized sculptures, each representing a different symbol of local industry or heritage, have become a beloved part of road trips and a unique cultural phenomenon in the country.
The trend of Big Things began in the 1960s with the creation of the Big Banana in Coffs Harbour, Queensland. Built in 1964, the Big Banana is widely recognized as the original and pioneering Big Thing that inspired subsequent large-scale landmark sculptures across the country.
One such Big Thing is the Big Golden Gumboot, located in Tully, Queensland, near Cairns. Standing at 7.5 meters tall, this giant gumboot is an homage to the town's record rainfall. Inside, visitors can find an internal staircase filled with information and images about Tully.
Another notable Big Thing is the Big Pelican, also known as Percy, located at 180 Gympie Terrace, Noosaville, Queensland. Originally a Noosa Council float, Percy now resides at Pelican Boat Hire on Noosa River's foreshore after being restored.
In Rockhampton, Queensland, six 'official' Big Bullock statues can be found. These were built between 1978 and 1997 to attract tourists to the beef farms, each designed after the main breeds of cattle in the region.
The Big Pie, a cultural icon located at 48 Old Pacific Hwy, Yatala, Queensland, is visible from the freeway and brings in thousands of visitors daily. Selling over 3,500 pies every day, it's a must-visit for pie lovers.
The Big Pineapple, a heritage-listed attraction located at 76 Nambour Connection Rd, Woombye, Queensland, was built in 1971. It offers a Pineapple Train, music festival, zoo, zipline course, fresh produce, and visitor centre, making it a full day out for visitors.
The Big Cane Toad, named Buffy, is located in Sarina, Queensland, on Bruce Highway. This giant cane toad is a nod to the region's cane farming history.
More recent additions to the Big Things family include the Big Mango, located at Bruce Highway, Bowen, Queensland, which stands ten meters high and was built in 2002 as an homage to the region's booming mango district. The Big Melon, located in Chinchilla, Queensland, on the Warrego Highway, was built in 2018 and stands nine meters wide and three meters tall. The town hosts an annual Melonfest in February.
Lastly, the Big Cassowary, located at 32 Wongaling Beach Rd, Wongaling Beach, Queensland, is a tribute to the coastal town's famous bird species that roam throughout the town and the UNESCO-listed Daintree Rainforest.
These Big Things serve both as tourist landmarks and community symbols, made from materials like fiberglass. They offer playful photo opportunities and celebrate regional distinctiveness, aligning with the broader trend of roadside Americana features but adapted uniquely in Australia to showcase local culture and heritage through monumental art. This peculiar cultural phenomenon became a beloved part of road trips, offering a fun and quirky twist to Australian travel.
In the realm of lifestyle and travel, exploring Australia's Big Things provides a unique blend of entertainment and home-and-garden admiration. These large-scale sculptures, found in various regions, showcase the country's local culture and heritage through monumental art, offering unique photo opportunities and enriching experiences for visitors.
For example, the Big Golden Gumboot in Tully and the Big Pie in Yatala are testimonies of local weather records and culinary traditions, respectively, catering to a mix of home-and-garden, entertainment, and travel interests. The Big Pineapple in Woombye, among others, extends this experience with attractions like a Pineapple Train, zipline course, and music festival, redefining the concept of roadside Americana and entertainment.
