Did you visit the Big Banana or the Big Pineapple as a child? Were you impressed by their size, or disappointed they weren’t actually a bit bigger?
There is something quintessentially Australian about these quirky roadside attractions known as “big things”.
And whether you have children, or just want an excuse to release your own inner child, you can’t go wrong with a road trip guided by big things.
There are more than 150 big things around Australia, and It will come as no surprise that Queensland has the most big things of all, but each State has some well-known and not-so-well-known roadside icons that you must visit at least once.
So if you’re planning a camping trip, add some of these iconic gems to your itinerary and make some fun memories along the way.
Victoria’s roadside icons stand tall
If the Grampians is on your must-visit list this year, plan a stop at the Giant Koala at Dadswell Bridge between Stawell and Horsham. Standing 14 metres tall, this Victorian icon is the perfect place for a photo opportunity, a rest, or grab a bite to eat at the cafe.
If you’re heading through Victoria’s northwest, check out the Giant Murray Cod, an 11 metre long blue and green fish which was originally built as a movie prop but adopted by locals hoping to make the “big things” list of Victoria. Well, it has!
Head to NSW for even bigger things
From the Big Merino of Goulburn to the Giant Golden Guitar of Tamworth, you’re spoilt for big things in NSW.
One of Australia’s most famous big things would have to be the Big Banana in Coffs Harbour. This colossal fruit pays homage to the region’s banana industry and offers visitors a chance to explore its history and enjoy banana-themed treats.
Next, head a couple of hours further north to Ballina where you’ll find the Big Prawn. Standing over nine metres high, it’s said to be 30,000 times bigger than a real prawn.
Top it off in the Sunshine State
No trip to Queensland would be complete without a visit to the Big Pineapple at Nambour, however with the attraction currently undergoing redevelopment, it’s probably best to check what’s open before visiting.
There are many other big things to be found throughout the Sunshine State – in fact it’s a whole fruit bowl. There’s the Big Mandarin, the Big Melon and the Big Mango.
Great Scott! South Australia had the first big thing
Australia’s first ever “big thing” was The Big Scotsman who has been welcoming visitors to Scotty’s Motel at Medindie, Adelaide, since1963.
While in SA check out the world’s biggest rocking horse, located on the main road in Gumeracha. Children are actually allowed to climb to the top of the 18-metre high Big Rocking Horse, so that should tire them out for the next leg of the journey!
Head west for these roadside icons
For those heading way out west, keep your eyes open for the Giant Ram in Wagin, WA, or the imposing King Neptune at Two Rocks north of Perth.
Childhood dreams are made of this: there’s a giant lollipop outside a candy store in Ravensthorpe, around 530 kilometres southeast of Perth.
How about those reptiles in NT?
In the Northern Territory it’s all about the reptiles really, and they are huge!
Head to Humpty Doo to find the Big Boxing Crocodile, a tribute to the region’s reptilian inhabitants. Not far from the Big Boxing Crocodile is the Giant Jumping Crocodile.
Standing on its tail, the Giant Jumping Crocodile resides at the car park of The Original Adelaide River Queen Jumping Crocodile Cruises, off the Arnhem Highway, close to the Adelaide River.
There are big things in Tassie too!
Thanks to the Spirit of Tasmania it’s easy to take your van or RV across Bass Strait and go exploring all the Big Things in the Apple Isle.
There are plenty of big attractions, including the Big Coffee Pot in Deloraine, the Big Cherry in Latrobe and the Big Spud in Sassafras.
But our favourite is the Big Penguin in the pretty town of Penguin, 15 minutes east of Burnie.
How many big things have you been to?
