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Australia's Big Things

The Big Things of Australia are a loosely related set of large structures or sculptures representing much smaller objects which pertain to the area in which they are located. Each one is individual and constructed without reference to any of the others, but together they have certain things in common and are collectively known as Australia's Big Things. For example, the first Big Thing was the Big Banana built in 1964 in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, but now there are over fifty similar objects around the country.

To qualify as a "Big Thing", a structure must obey the following "formula":

  • At least twice the size of the object it represents.
  • At least twice human size.
  • Dominant and accessible.
  • Lifelike quality of construction.
  • Enterprising and/or locally representative.

The Big Things have become something of a cult phenomenon, and are sometimes used as an excuse for a road trip , where many or all Big Things are visited and used as a backdrop to a group photograph.

The ABC produced a documentary titled "Big Things" as part of its programme The Big Picture.

Contents

List of Big Things

Western Australia

  • The Big Crocodile, Wyndham - 3m x 18m
  • The Big Banana, Carnarvon - 6m x 1m
  • The Big Apple, Donnybrook - 7m x 4m
  • The Big Ram, Wagin - 8m x 10m

South Australia

Victoria

  • The Big Murray Cod, Swan Hill - 3m x 9m
  • The Giant Ned Kelly, Glenrowan - 6m x 2m
  • The Big Pheasant, Tynong - 8m x 17m
  • The Big Worm, Bass - 250m x 4m
  • The Big Woolbales, Hamilton - 3m x 12m
  • The Giant Koala, Dadswells Bridge - 14m x 8m

Tasmania

  • The Big Penguin, Penguin - 3m x 1m
  • The Big Tasmanian Devil, Mole Creek - 2m x 3m

New South Wales

  • The Big Wine Cask, Wentworth - 6m x 8m
  • The Big Playable Guitar, Narrandera - 6m x 2m
  • The Big Murray Cod, Tocumwal - 2m x 7m
  • The Big Trout, Adaminaby - 10m x 3m
  • The Big Merino, Goulburn - 15m x 18m
  • The Big Cherries, Young - 2m x 4m
  • The Big Gold Panner, Bathurst - 5m x 3m
  • The Big Chook, Mt Vernon - 4m x 4m
  • The Big Wine Bottle, Pokolbin (Hunter Valley) - 6m x 2m
  • The Big Oyster, Taree - 4m x 12m
  • The Big Bull, Wauchope - 14m x 21m
  • The Big Golden Guitar, Tamworth - 12m x 4m
  • The Big Banana, Coffs Harbour - 11m x 2m
  • The Big Prawn, Ballina - 6m x 9m
  • The Big Potato, Robertson

A.C.T.

  • The Big Mushroom, Belconnen - 4m x 8m

Queensland

Northern Territory

  • The Big Boxing Crocodile, Humpty Doo - 8m x 8m
  • The Big Stockwhip, Acacia - 7m x 10m


External links

Last updated: 05-07-2005 02:27:51
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