Australia is full of Big Things. Many we are all familiar with; the Big Banana (Coffs), the Big Prawn (Ballina), the Big Golden Guitar (Tamworth) or the Big Merino (Goulburn). But have you heard of the The Big Gumboot in Tully , or the Big Peg in Canowindra?
This a list of the more obscure Big Things that we feel are worthy of a visit! If, for no other reason, at least you can say you have been there! There are many more second grade big things that could make it to this list and we would love to hear about them! Send photos and share stories,
Big Pelican, Noosa, QLD.
The Big Pelican is located on the Noosa River in Noosaville and is probably not one the most obscure Big Things in Australia. It is the story behind popular tourist attraction that the helped the Big Pelican make this list of Big Things.
According to the signage the Big Pelican was first seen in public for an ANZAC Day parade in 1974, because nothing says ANZAC Day like a big pelican!
The Big Pelican makes a mention in Lisa Walker’s book Arkie’s Pilgrimage to the Next Big Thing.
The Big Gumboot, Tully, QLD
Built in 2003 the Golden Gumboot or Big Gumboot was built as a monument to the rain, recognising Tully’s claim as being Australia’s wettest town.
In 2017 with funds from Rotary the big gumboot was repainted with a special golden paint. President of the Tully Rotary Ron Hunt said he was excited to see the project happening.
“The final two coats of paint will be sprayed on – it’s a special brew that has been called ‘gumboot gold!’, he said. “It’ll look schmick when it’s finished.”
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The Big Peg, Canowindra, NSW
The Big Peg weighs in at 750 kilograms and stands in a paddock owned by the Stacey family in Canowindra, New South Wales.
The local paper reports that Pete Stacey got the idea for the peg from a picture of a giant wooden peg in a field in Belgium.
“If people drive past and smile and have a giggle at the peg then my job has been done,” said Mr Stacey.
“If they keep driving and spend money in our town, then an extra bonus has been added.”
There is a marketing opportunity here for the local businesses!
The Big DNA, Perth, Western Australia
Sometimes also described as the Big Staircase, this Big Thing can be found in Kings Park, Perth. It is really just a fancy staircase and viewing platform that is very cleverly designed and looks like a double helix. Apparently the design was inspired by a double staircase at a chateau in France.
This DNA tower is quite possibly the only staircase in the world designed to take you back to where you started.
The Big Bolt and Nut, Roma, QLD
If you are a fan of hardware this has to be on your “to go to” list. Located in front of ‘Banks Bolts and Fasteners’ at 177–183 Raglan Street, this striking sculpture would set Banks apart from all the other Bolt and Fastener shops in Roma. If there were any!
It is a beautiful piece of sculpture and if you know who the sculptor is we would be keen to know,
The Big Mosquito, Hexham, NSW
‘Ossie the Mossie’ at the Hexham Bowls Club is not only big, but anatomically correct. He is modelled on a local mosquito species, Ochlerotatus alternans, also known as ‘Hexham Greys’. The area, surrounded by marshy swamplands is an ideal environment for mosquitoes. Maybe not so great for camping!
However, his eyes are illuminated every night…
The Big Potato, Robertson, NSW
The Big Potato is a 10-metre long, four-metre wide concrete sculpture in Robertson, New South Wales. Built in 1977 by a local farmer, it is hollow and you can walk inside.
Its nicknames include The Big Spud and The Big Turd.
Creative vandals gave it a face lift eyes, a nose and a mouth in 2010
The Big Potato was up for sale in 2017, the real estate agent Steve Myers said “there had been more interest in the block of land the potato sits on, than in the Big Potato itself.”
Trip Advisor has some hilarious reviews of this Big Thing that are worth reading before you visit the Southern Highlands.
And finally
The Big Bogan, Nyngan, New South Wales
Built as a tourist attraction for the Bogan Shire, the structure divides the locals as to whether a Big Bogan fairly represents their town.
The five metre steel Big Bogan is complete with singlet, shorts, thongs, mullet and Southern Cross tattoo.
