Top-5 Big things

While the world chuckled at America’s obsession with all things large in the 2004 movie Super Size Me, the fact is Australia is a big country, and Australians too love BIG things.

Here’s our starter pack of crazy big things we think are definitely worth a drive or, at the very least, a detour.

Giant Murray Cod, Swan Hill, Victoria

Most big landmarks have nebulous reasons for existence. Usually it’s to attract attention to a business or town, but Swan Hill’s Giant (yes, bigger than big) Murray Cod was built to be a movie star.

Affectionately named Arnold, the 14 metre-long model of the Murray River’s most famous fish was built for the early 1990s ABC telemovie Eight Ball which, ironically, is about a township’s quest to attract tourism. The movie came and went, but Arnold stayed; he’s now fibre-glassed, reinforced and waterproofed and sits outside Swan Hill’s railway station.

When you combine Arnold with a visit to the fabulous Pioneer Settlement nearby, the youngsters might even thank you for the four-hour drive from Melbourne via either the Murray Valley, Calder or Sunraysia highways.

Big Banana, Coffs Harbour, NSW

About seven hours into the long drive between Sydney and Brisbane you could be forgiven for thinking hallucinations were kicking in just a few kilometres north of Coffs Harbour when you come across a 13 metre banana alongside the Pacific Highway. But the Big Banana is one of Australia’s most famous ‘Big Things’ and, having been around since 1964, is also one of the oldest.

It’s on the site of a banana plantation, so you can quickly walk through, learn about tropical fruit, buy a keepsake in the souvenir shop and be back in the car again. Better yet, plan a stopover (Sapphire Beach caravan park and several resorts are very close), let the children go wild at the adjoining water park or, if you don’t want to get wet, try the toboggan track for some outdoor speed thrills. Not surprisingly, many rate the banana thickshakes served here as Australia’s best.

Big Lobster, Kingston, South Australia

Australia’s southern coastline is famous for its succulent lobsters and none come bigger than Larry, who lives in Kingston on South Australia’s Limestone Coast. Standing 17 metres tall and measuring 15.2 metres long he’s definitely huge and, since 1979, has guarded the information centre and restaurant where you can sample some of his cousins.

Travelling between Melbourne and Adelaide on the Princes Highway is a good alternative to the inland route and you can also stop at Robe, Mount Gambier and the Coorong National Park.

Big Pineapple, Woombye, Queensland

Over the last 40-plus years there cannot be many Australian refrigerators, pin boards or office noticeboards which haven’t been adorned by a fridge magnet/postcard from a visitor to Queensland’s Big Pineapple. It’s been on the main road near Nambour, inland from the Sunshine Coast, since 1971 and is even heritage listed.

At 16 metres in height, the Big Pineapple is hard to miss. Climb it for the views and some pineapple-growing education, visit the cafe, take the train to the adjoining Wildlife HQ or catch a concert (Midnight Oil for instance, performed there recently). Just don’t forget to send a postcard.

Big Golden Guitar, Tamworth, NSW

If you’re into country music, Tamworth needs no introduction, being the Australian home of that gentle genre at least since the Golden Guitar awards started in 1973. Those not in line to win a 235mm tall trophy version can at least view something much bigger, such as the 12 metre high Big Golden Guitar on the southern entrance to the town.

It’s outside a tourist information centre which has a cafe, a wax museum, a Donald Bradman memorabilia display and, of course, you can pick up a country music CD at the record shop.

Tamworth is about five hours by road north-west of Sydney via the Pacific and New England highways. The Golden Guitar awards are part of the Tamworth Country Music Festival – 2018 dates are 19-20 January.

Honourable mentions:

Big Cockatoo – located at Kimba café, South Australia “half way across the Nullarbor”.

Big Prawn -- Ballina, NSW's big crustacean is nine metres high and weighs 35 tonnes!

Big Red, Birdsville – unlike most ‘Big’ attractions, this super sand dune’s natural and a magnet for off-roaders and Big Red Bash festival goers

Big beer can, Kulgera, NT – popular fuel stop on Stuart Highway, just across the South Australian border