What better way to know the icons of Australia than visiting and exploring its famous landmarks? Plan your tour around the country with Klook’s ultimate guide to 13 of the Land Down Under’s iconic “big” things!
Here are 13 of Australia’s “big” landmarks:
- The Big Merino
- The Giant Koala
- The Big Penguin
- The Big Pheasant
- The Big Bench
- The Big Potato
- The Big Prawn
- The Big Wine Bottle
- The Big Banana
- The Big Melon
- The Big Pineapple
- The Big Mango
- The Big Orange
1. The Big Merino
Marvel at The Big Merino’s towering height! Image Credits: @josiewanders
Built in 1985 as an homage to the city’s wool industries, The Big Merino can be found in Goulburn, NSW. Standing at 15.2 metres high and 18 metres long, with a staggering weight of 97 tonnes, this giant sheep is around 15 times larger and 900 times heavier than your average Merino ram! As one of Australia’s icons of big things, The Big Merino also has gift shops open to visitors where you can buy the city’s prized wool items.
While you’re in the area, you may be looking for a place to stay nearby. You can check out Mercure Goulburn, which is only a few steps away from the Big Merino!
2. The Giant Koala
Look at the Giant Koala towering over the trees! Image Credits: @artbyduff
As koalas are Australia’s national wildlife icons, it's no surprise that a giant version is dedicated to these cuddly creatures. The Giant Koala was built in 1989 in Dadswells, Victoria, which is situated between Melbourne and Adelaide. This giant mammal is 14 metres tall which makes it 16 times larger than a regular-sized koala!
During your travel from Melbourne to Adelaide, you may want to check the best stops you can for a fun experience!
3. The Big Penguin
The Big Penguin was seen rocking the holiday theme. Image Credits: @madsen_retreat
Penguins are adorable birds usually known for their tiny size. Ironically, The Big Penguin is at around three metres tall, making them seven times bigger than average-sized penguins! This huge penguin attraction was built as a monument to celebrate the centenary of its town named—yup; you guessed it—Penguin, Tasmania.
After seeing The Big Penguin, you can try getting a look at actual penguins in action in the Tasman Island Cruise!
4. The Big Pheasant
The Big Pheasant’s tail is longer than its height! Image Credits: @snakes.plants.stuff
There are heaps of activities to keep you entertained at Gumbuya World in Tynong, Victoria. Still, it’s pretty hard to miss this iconic Australian big thing at the park’s entrance: The Big Pheasant. At eight metres tall and 17 metres long, this giant bird is 18 times bigger than an average pheasant bird!
Did you know: Gumbuya World used to be a pheasant farm? Although it’s now an amusement park, you can still see actual pheasants in the park’s exhibit.
5. The Big Bench
The Big Bench certainly looks like a comfy place to rest after a long bike. Image Credits: @mattia__cv
With a size two-and-a-half times larger than a regular-sized bench, The Big Bench in Broken Hill, NSW, was built in 2002 for the Landscapes and Backgrounds exhibit atop a hill of mining deposits. While not as big as some of the other large things in this list, The Big Bench is a famed landmark you shouldn’t miss. It was even featured in famous movies like Mad Max and The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.
If you plan on staying longer to explore more of the city’s mining culture, you can check-in at Ibis Styles Broken Hill for a comfy stay only a few minutes away from The Big Bench.
6. The Big Potato
The Big ‘Tato in its home at Robertson, NSW. Image Credits: @syaptz
With the country’s love for potatoes and all things big, you bet The Big Potato has become one of the most famous Australian landmarks. Standing at four metres tall and 10 metres long (1,000 times bigger than the size of a regular one!), the Big ‘Tato was built in 1977 as an homage to Robertson’s top crop.
While in the area, you might want to check in at The Robertson Hotel for a place to stay while sightseeing in the city!
7. The Big Prawn
Calling all prawn lovers! You’re gonna want to get a picture with this Big Prawn in Ballina! Image Credits: @stretched_lc79
At the city of Ballina on the north coast of Byron Bay, seafood is a must-have! This is why The Big Prawn can be found in the city, standing at nine metres tall and weighing 35 tonnes. It was built as a tribute to the city’s prawn industry and was even named “The World’s Largest Artificial Prawn”.
While you’re in Byron Bay, you can try kayaking and dolphin watching, where you can even take pictures underwater (remember to use a waterproof camera, though)!
8. The Big Wine Bottle
If only you could bring The Big Wine Bottle on date night. Image Credits: @suetraveller_
Originally a water tower, The Big Wine Bottle is one of Australia’s icons of big things. It was built in 1969 in Victoria for the Rutherglen Wine Festival (now The Winery Walkabout), which paid for the mesh top to turn the water tower into a wine bottle. In case you didn’t know, The Big Wine Bottle is 36 metres tall which is 120 times more than a standard wine bottle.
While in Victoria, you may want a drive around the Great Ocean Road to enjoy its breathtaking sceneries!
9. The Big Banana
Visit this realistic-looking giant ‘nana in Coffs Harbour. Image Credits: @karinawils
Built in 1964, The Big ‘Nana is one of Australia's oldest iconic big things. Found in Coffs Harbour, NSW (a 5-hour drive from Sydney), you can spot this giant yellow fruit at the Big Banana Fun Park, where people of all ages can enjoy fun rides and attractions. It stands at five metres in height and 13 metres in length, making it 86 times larger than an average-sized banana.
While you’re in the area, try exploring Sydney through a road trip in the city and discover exciting activities!
10. The Big Melon
A visit to The Big Melon will refresh you during summer! Image Credits: @stretched_lc79
You can find The Big Melon at Chinchilla, Queensland, where people can admire the structure and take photos with it. It was built in 2018 from a competition of what and where the next Australian iconic big thing will be. This one is three metres tall and 9 metres wide, 60 times larger than your average watermelon slice.
If you want to visit nearby attractions after, check in at the luxury Chinchilla Downtown Motor Inn which is located at the heart of the city!
11. The Big Pineapple
Look at how tiny the SUV is next to the Big Pineapple Image Credits: @stretched_lc79
There are many activities to enjoy in Queensland and one of them is visiting the iconic Big Pineapple in the town of Woombye. Constructed in 1971, this giant fruit is around 57 times bigger than a regular pineapple. Get the full experiencing by riding the Pineapple Train and checking out their souvenir shop for pineapple-themed items!
Take more exciting adventures in the city and try river rafting in Cairns or Port Douglas with your friends or family!
12. The Big Mango
Check this off your bucket list by seeing The Big Mango up close. Image Credits: @sangjin______
Originally built in 2002, The Big Mango stands at 10 metres, making it 83 times larger than an average mango. Located in Bowen, Queensland, did you know the Big Mango was “stolen”—aka borrowed for a publicity stunt—by Wandos in 2014? It was eventually returned, though!
After marvelling at this huge mango, why not go on a beach day tour for a relaxing trip in the area?
13. The Big Orange
Squeeze out the fun at the Big Orange in Berri, SA.
Ending this list is the largest fruit among Australia’s most iconic big things: The Big Orange in Berri! This massive orange is 15 metres tall, making it 214 times bigger than an average orange. While this Australian landmark used to have a café and souvenir shop inside (before closing in 2002), you can still admire the structure and take pictures with it from the outside.
If you want to venture more into the area’s food culture, you can try Adelaide Central Market Highlights Tour to discover South Australia’s culinary capital.
