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Big Things

"When size does matter"

Australia has long had a fascination for "Big Things". Get the local townspeople together, make a drawing of a local trademark, enlarged by 2000%, build it, and place it on the road on the entrance to town.

Many people in fact travel this land visiting as many BIG THINGS as possible. What better reason to head off on a journey? (other than visiting a Pub) Here are some BIG THINGS we have visited and some that have been submitted by dedicated enthusiasts of the craft of BIGTHINGERATION

Some photos enlarge. Email us your BIG THINGS pics. That would be excellent. Include your name and the location. Thanks and Cheers.

NEW SOUTH WALES

Big Avocado

1
Tweed Heads
G'day again Naomi. Photo by Vic. Been past the big avocado myself a couple of times but never stopped so thanks for the pic. Look for the tropical fruit world sign on the highway between Murwillumbah and Tweed Heads to see it.

Big Banana

1
Coffs Harbour
That's Naomi next to the walk-through Banana.
Photo by Vic. Thanks guys. Naomi said she loves the chocolate coated, frozen babanas'. We always wondered about Naomi. Vic also recommends a toboggan through through the babanas and make sure you pick up a banana water pistol at the "really really good" gift shop

Big Blue Heeler

1
Muswellbrook
Gday Vic. Nice pic taken by Naomi.
Seems to have longer legs than Cally.
The Heeler, the Heeler.

Big Bull

1
Wauchope
Gday Naomi. That is a mighty fine look. Didn't want to get too close eh. Looks a bit viscious. The Bull that is.
Photo by Vic.

Big Bull (2)

1
Wauchope
Yep this is the same Big Bull as previous pic but what is a bloke to do. No udder option than to show it and that's a lot of Bull. Thanks for another photo Vic. Really needs Naomi doing the charging pose to carry it off. Does this photo remind you off a Goodies episode? Or perhaps when doogle came to life in the magic roundabout

Big Chicken

1
Moonbi
That's Naomi with this monument to the Moonbi Chicken. Photo by Vic.
Thanks ladies, this collection would not have been complete without this fine looking fowl. request from the Ladies to the world. " Does anyone know what the hell this one is all about"? At gday pubs we reckon the question should be "Why isn't the chicken on the other side of the road"? Truly if you do know the story behind the chicken the girls would really apreciate it

Big Coke Can

1
Gunnedah
A not too rare big thing but this one deserves a run because it looks like it lights up??
From Pamela Paddick. Thanks Pamela

Big Eight Ball

1
Port Macquarie
From Vic and Naomi. Vic says it's really big. Normally commercial biggies arent tacky or quirky enough to make this list, however this Eight Ball has its own RKO style tower. It belongs to the local pool table gear supplier just to confirm that for you.

Big Fish

1
Wilcannia
It looks very new - it is in a park which has an aboriginal setting.
From Pamela Paddick. Thanks Pamela

Big Gold Panner

1
Bathurst
That's a ripper!
Submitted by Rae Dare. Thanks Rae

Big Golden Guitar

1
Tamworth
Looks like Vic Modelling the Guitar. Tamworth, home of the country music festival in January and the Golden Guitar awards. Commemorated in a 50c postage stamp release june 2007.
Thanks Vic.

Big Little Uluru

1
Pacific Highway, north of Karuah
This was a Leyland Brothers project. Colloquially known to travellers as "the brothers folly" Nice close up of Vic. You girls are going off.
PS watch out for the killer magpies apparently. Thanks Vic

Big Lollipop

1
Jerilderie
Tthe "World's Largest Lollipop". Found it in a shop window in Jerilderie NSW. Would last a lifetime!

From Pamela Paddick. Thanks Pamela

Big Merino

1
Goulburn
At last we have it thanks to the Vic team. One of Australia's best known Big Things. A landmark to Hume Highway travellers for decades. Check the souvenir shop inside. Just how many things can you make out of wool. You will be surprised. The Big Merino featured on the Australia Post commemorative 50c release June 2007.
HAS BEEN MOVED June 2007 now 100 metres up the road from the service station.

Big Miner

1
Broken Hill
Not a classic walk inside and buy a souveneir BIG THING but points for originality which is all important.

From Pamela Paddick. Thanks Pamela

Big Oyster

1
Taree
Yep that is an oyster. In a Car yard. Brilliant.
Looks a bit like a clam or dinosaur head or something. Photo by Vic. Thanks

Big Pavlova

1
Marulen
Alice modelling this tasty treat. As you continue north from the Big Merino you will come to Marulen. Well known as a truckies stop. Not so well known as the home of the Big Pavlova which is unfortunately a dessert out of fashion as you can see. Although apparently it's still open according to the sign. In it's days of greatness there was a Pavlova outlet near by from memory. Vic, pictured , believes that in the world of fruity toppings , this historic big thing is still hard to top.

Big Potato

1
Robertson
From Vic and Trev. Not the Renowned Vic of monument meanderings that has supplied many of the photo's for previous galleries, but a welcome members to the team of Big Thing Hunters. Thanks Vic and Trev.
Robertson Spuds are well known to be of exceptional quality and certainly deserved this artistic masterpiece. Big and round at one end, about the same size in the middle and big and round at the other end. Or so the theory goes. The staff at Gday Pubs would like to congratulate themselves on the remarkable restraint shown in commenting on this one.

Big Prawn

1
Ballina
Here is the Ballina Big Prawn with Vic in front. One of the BIG 5 BIG THINGS in Oz. Photo by Naomi. Cheers. The Servo is right next door. Lights-up at night. Like a prawn under torch light in a net.

Big Sundial

1
Singleton
Thanks Vic and Naomi, the intrepid bigthingerationists. Not sure who that is in the sundial but it looks about midday in Singleton.

Big Saw

1
Casino
Photo is a bit long in the tooth. Sometimes we need to let a business ad in.

From Pamela Paddick. Thanks Pamela

Big Tinnie

1
Grand Hotel, Cobar
Now that is what I call a tinnie. Give that man a New.
Apparently it's empty but wouldn't mind checking

Photo 23/09/2007 The tinnie measures 5m x 2.5m and holds 79,398 middies (10oz) and one 7oz. The Tinnie was erected in June 1990.

Submitted by Jon G. Thanks Jon

Big Strawberry

1
Tocumwal
On the River Murray. Lets sell that sucker to Wimbledon.
Photo: Pamela Paddick. Thanks Pamela

Big Tomato

1
Gunnedah
Could be about half a dozen different fruits. Should get a discount on your rates for doing a BIG THING in your frontyard.
Photo: Pamela Paddick. Thanks Pamela

Big Triceratops

1
Ballendean
Even though its big, it is actually only triceratops size so maybe its a "to scale big thing". Why have a triceratops at Ballendean on the New England Highway. Vic says its made out of foam and is near the train station so that would explain it.

Big Trout

1
Adaminaby
Yep that's a biggun.
Photo from Vicki and Trevor
Thanks heaps.

Big Tree

1
The tallest tree in NSW, Buladelah

Meets none of the criteria. Not man made and not quirky. But big and on the side of the road so and from Vic and Naomi
so good enough for us. Thank you very much for these photos
No one does big things quite like mother nature herself.

Yeah Yeah if your in WA we know its only a sapling... We've been to the valley of the giants as well.

Big Waterfall

1
Ellenborough Falls
The BIGGEST single drop falls in the Southern Hemisphere.

Located outside Ellenborough on the Oxley Highway. First photo from the girls without a cameo.Thanks Vic and Naomi.

Big Windmill

1
Coffs Harbour
There's Naomi in another of those close ups. Thanks for the Photo Vic. Keep them coming.
This is the Land of Big Things after all

Big Wine Bottle

1
Cobar
Just round the corner from the Big Beer Can. Figures.

Photo: Pamela Paddick. Thanks Pamela

Big Guitar

1
Narrandera
Located in the Tourism information Centre. Claimed to be the worlds largest playable guitar. Is actually in tune and there have been performances played on it</b>
Photo: Gday Pubs

Big Axe

1
Kew
On the highway.
2klms north of Kendall.

Yep thats a BIG axe.

Photo submitted bu Aga Ciszewska, Many Thanks

Big Flying Ford Van??

1
Lightning Ridge

Outside the Lightning Ridge Hotel.

Photo Gary Pope, Many Thanks

Big Cod

1
Tocumwal

Photo submitted by Gary Pope, Many Thanks

Big Drinking Glass

1
Coleambally

Thats a reasonable drink....

Photo submitted by Gary Pope, Many Thanks

Big Purple Stick man

1
"I recently went on a road trip to Walgett, NSW and we found a giant purple stick man along the way. - Katie Sloan."

Thanks Katie

A big Purple Wheat Farmer

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QUEENSLAND

Big Boomerang

1
Eumundi
From the Butter Factory in Eumundi Qld.
This boomerang is designed to hunt very large animals

Big Bundy Ginger Beer Bottle

1
Tewantin
Made from, what else, Tens of thousands of ginger beer bottles

Big Cow

1
Nambour
Nambour is famous for its beef and proud of it.
Hi Vic. Photo by Naomi. Got to introduce this cow to the Wauchope Bull.

You girls have outdone yourselves with this one. Thanks for the Photo.

Big Apple

1
Stanthorpe
Stanthorpe is Queenslands apple capital and Naomi looks very proud of this find, during their great "Big Thing" hunt. No point waiting for a single doctor here Naomi.

Vic says Stanthorpe is not quite New York. Photo by Vic.

Big Fish

1
Caboulture
Vic looking very alluring in front of what looks like an Angel fish. Situated at a go cart track.
Let us know if that's wrong. Photo by Naomi

Big Macadamia Nut

1
Nambour
Top work Naomi. You look great.
Now that's a Macadamia Nut. Photo by Vic. The girls have put up the challenge. They reckon that in terms of emlargement ratios, from a tiny macadamia nut to this is possibly the biggest in Australia. Does any body know a bigger one? Like, is there a 10 metre giant flea or amoeba somewhere? Yep that's it in a nutshell

Big Pumpkin

1
Beaudesert
A fruit shop in Beaudesert that likes to attract the motorists attention. Sells pumpkins too. Photo: John

Big Pumpkin

1
Goomeri
There is a Pumpkin festival at Goomeri so check it out. This pumpkin is next to the servo
Photo: John

Big Pineapple

1
Gympie
On the highway and you can buy a pineapple there. In fact that is a huge pineapple
Photo: John

Big Pineapple

1
Nambour
Photo by Naomi. Stunning pineapple model is Vic. This is our second big pineapple and probably bigger than the Gympie one. Hard to tell. Anyway, it's a beauty and you look great Vic. That's a lot of pina coladas.

Big Shell

1
Tewantin
This shell was made for the entrance to a private home.
Now there's an architectural insight.

Big Snake

1
Plantation Park- Ayr
The BIG Kabalamunda Snake -
totem of the Juru people

Submitted by Judy M.
(Her son took the photo. Thanks heaps)

Big Sticks

1
Eumundi Butter Factory
Also from the Butter Factory. What everyone needs in their arsenal. The emu catcher, crocodile catcher, wormarang and kangarang. listing mainly just to get wormarang and kangarang onto search engines.
Photo: John

Big Dinosaur

1
Muttaburra Motors And Cafe
They found the skeletal remains of the original dinosaur not far from town.

Well worth a visit.

Photo: October 2007
Courtesy of Grant Mills, many Thanks

Big Kronosauras

1
Kronosauras Korner, Richmond Fossil Centre
Thats a serious croc.
Photo: Courtesy of Tourism Queensland

Big Bull

1
Rockhampton
Needs to visit Wauchope. Have I seen this before?? Getting a feeling of DeJaMoo
Photo: Courtesy of Tourism Queensland

Big Barramundi

1
Daintree
Tropical North Queensland. A serious fish worth a visit.
Photo: Courtesy of Tourism Queensland

Big Fig

1
Binna Burra
Illinbah Circuit, Lamington National, Gold Coast Hinterland.
An absolutely magnificent Fig.
Photo: Courtesy of Tourism Queensland

Big Apple

1
Stanthorpe
Not sure if this is a different apple to the one shown above. We have photos of it gree, red and detail painted above?

Photo: Courtesy of Tourism Queensland

Big Gumboot

1
Tully
The big golden gumboot.
Tully Tropical North Quuensland

Photo: Gary Pope, Many Thanks

Big Miner

1
Rubyvale
Also home of the Big Spanner and the Big Sapphire and Big Pic and Shovel.
Photo: Courtesy of Tourism Queensland

Big Pelican

1
Noosa

Photo submitted by Aga Ciszewska</b>

Big Dinosaur

1
Hughenden

That's the Grand Hotel in the background

Photo Courtesy of Tourism Queensland.

Big Bull

1
Rockhampton

One of 3 Big Bulls in Rocky

Photo courtesy Gary Pope, Many Thanks

Big Dugong

1
Rockhampton

Photo Courtesy of Tourism Queensland

Musical Big Ants

1
Mt Molloy

With Betty. August 2006. Photo submitted by Gary Pope, Many Thanks.

Big Bull

1
Rockhampton

The other of 3 Big Bulls in Rocky

Photo courtesy Gary Pope, Many Thanks

Big Mango

1
Bowen

Photo August 2006
Photo submitted by Gary Pope, Many Thanks.

Erected early 2000's The Big Mango is standing upside down as opposed to how a mango hangs from the tree. Done to aid in recognition of the fruit. It's how we see it packed.

Located at the Bowen Visitor Information Centre, 4 km south of Bowen. Mango products on sale.

Big Dinosaur

1
Ballandean

Peter found the whereabouts of this Big Thing for us. Thanks Peter

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SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Big Dice

1
Yunta
Facing side are all different numbers. Yahtzee long straight 50 points.

From Pamela Paddick. Thanks Pamela

Big Freckle

1
Penola
This was in a shop window in Penola, South Australia. Not really sure if it qualifies as a town big thing but there is just something about the title.

From Pamela Paddick. Thanks Pamela

Big Galah

1
Kimba
From Simon of the G'day Pubs Team taken on his recent trip to document the Nullabor Roadhouses. Kimba is on the Eyre highway on the Eyre Peninsula end of the journey

Big Lobster

1
Kingston
Photo from Rae Dare
Located on the Adelaide side of Kingston, on the Princess Highway. Larry resides by a travellers stop where you can get some refreshments and then have your picture taken with him. In fact he even has his own website at www.kingstonse.com/larry.htm

Big Orange

1
4 kms from Berri, on the Old Sturt Highway, South Australia
Wayne took this photo of his wife Jane and daughter Michelle in front of the Big Orange and kindly sent it to us. That appears to be a lookout at the top of the orange with all sorts of good things inside.

So many things it is probably a bit of a squeeze, which would give you the pip, but still looks a-peeling so get the juices flowing and give it a visit.
Pics submitted by Wayne.
Thanks heaps Wayne, Jane and Michelle.

Big Rocking Horse

1
Gumeracha
Thats a ripper. These are rare as..

Photo: Pamela Paddick. Thanks Pamela

Big Scotsman

1
Adelaide
If anyone knows the answer to the question I am not even going to bother to type, that would be much appreciated.
From Pamela Paddick. Thanks Pamela

Big Shell

1
Kingston
Borderline case between front yard bad taste and BIG THING. Would be used to give directions as turn left at the BIG SHELL so we will give it a run.
From Pamela Paddick. Thanks Pamela

The Big Whale

1
Nullarbor Roadhouse
Taken by Simon during his 2001 east west run. Nullarbor Roadhouse is near the Head of Bight on the Eyre Highway, 186 klms from the WA Border. Between the Nullarbor Roadhouse and Border Village on the WA/SA border are a number of lookouts, famous for watching whales at play in the Bight.

The Big Whale Nullarbor (2)

1
Nullarbor Roadhouse

"A slightly clearler big whale from the Nullarbor roadhouse SA – similar to the one already on the Big sites."

Cheers Bill Parker

Eucla Roadhouse Whale

1
Eucla Roadhouse

"And hot from WA – Eucla roadhouse yet another big whale"

Cheers Bill Parker
Thanks Bill

Big Diprotodon Australis

1
Naracoorte

Diprotodon australis was the largest marsupial to ever live.(full story at:
www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks/sanpr/naracoortecaves/ea11.html )

With Betty.

Is it a genuine Big Thing if it is big yet not bigger than the real article. Maybe if its extinct.

Photo and information submitted by Gary Pope, Many Thanks

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VICTORIA

Big Cod

1
Swan Hill
Cod blimey!!
From Pamela Paddick. Thanks Pamela

Big Mallee Stump

1
Ouyen
Found this in Ouyen. It is the largest mallee stump in Australia and is estimated to be hundreds of years old.
From Pamela Paddick. Thanks Pamela

Big Wheat

1
Ouyen
Next to the Big Mallee Root.
From Pamela Paddick. Thanks Pamela

Big Koala

1
Phillip Island

Photo 03/02/2008
Photo and comments Gary Pope, Many Thanks.

Phillip Island on the road between San Remo and Cowes at Koala sanctuary.

For those not in the know this is NOT a bear. It is just a Koala, despite this one being a little bigger than the usual 600mm long ones.

As usual, the real ones are as high as a kite wedged up some gumtree somewhere, sleeping off an overdose of their favourite elixir: their special Eucalypt Leaf concoction!

Big Koala

1
Dadswells Bridge near Horsham
South on the Western Highway

That's a BIG Koala. A tourism complex, souvenirs and a Tavern no less..

Photo submitted by Rikki, Many Thanks

Big Wine Bottle

1
Tower Hill, Rutherglen

Covering the big water tank in Rutherglen.

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NORTHERN TERRITORY

Big Termites Nest

1
That's Carlene in the Photo taken by Tony. Thanks folks.
High density living in termite world gone mad.

Big Darwin Stubby

1
Larrimah Hotel

Behind the Pink Panther at the front of the Pub.

Holds 2250 gallons. The original is two litres. Thats serious supersizing!!.

Photo by Dominik Giezma. Many Thanks.

Big Jumping Crocodile

1
Adelaide River, Humpty Doo

Photo Sue Holloway submitted by Gary Pope, many Thanks

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AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

Big Mushroom

1
Belconnen Fruit Markets
Thanks Vic. A good find this fine fungi.
It is apparently a kids play area at the markets and very popular as well. Known as the Big Mushroom to the locals so that qualifies, no doubt.

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WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Big Marron

1
Old Kent Winery

(35km east of Walpole)
Photo, Simon Clark, Many Thanks

Big Camels

1
<b<Norseman</b>

"How about the big corrugated iron/tin camels at Norseman WA? Must be worth a mention.

Taken last year after driving across the Nullarbor to Perth from home in Adelaide." Bill Parker.

Cheers Bill

Giant Tingle tree

1
Walpole

"With 24 metres girth, this is the largest, living, ed eucalypt in the world. The Giant Tingle tree at Walpole WA with its 24M girth

Cheers Bill Parker

Not technically a man made roadside BIG THING but hey its Australian and the biggest in the world so lets go with it. Thanks Bill. Ed

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