When it comes to weird and wonderful tourist attractions, Australia has an abundance of unique things to check out, especially when it comes to the country’s obsession with Big Things.
There’s no rhyme or reason why we’ve embraced these wacky structures, but every state has them, with over 150 littered across the nation. We’ve already highlighted some of the most famous Big Things in South Australia, so we thought we’d showcase some of our favourite Big Things you can visit in Queensland.
Read on and discover what other wild statues and structures exist with this guide to Queensland’s Big Things.
The Big Pineapple
Woombye
Arguably the most well-known Big Thing in the country, the Big Pineapple sits on a large area of land on the delightful Sunshine Coast. The 16-metre fibreglass structure is viewable from the Nambour Connection Road and attracts over 1 million tourists a year.
Originally built in 1971 on Bill and Lynn Taylor’s pineapple plantation to attract tourists, it soon became synonymous with Queensland.
You can’t currently climb the Big Pineapple but there is hope once the redevelopment of the surrounding land—which includes a zoo, new visitor centre, adventure playground and soon-to-be complete food and beverage precinct—is finished, the Big Pineapple will once again be open for business.
The Big Gumboot
Tully
Nothing is more Australian than a giant gumboot. Located in the town of Tully, this $30,000 golden-coloured gumboot is 6.1 metres long and 8 metres high and features a green fibreglass frog climbing up one side of the boot.
The erection of the Big Gumboot came about due to the rivalry that developed between the towns of Tully, Babinda and Innisfail over who receives the most rainfall. An old gumboot was traditionally awarded to the winner since the rivalry began in the 70s, but looking to cement its status as the wettest town in north Queensland, Tully built the Giant Gumboot in 2003 as a sign of their dominance.
It caused a bit of controversy amongst the towns but also became a major tourist attraction, putting Tully on the map. The Big Gumboot features a rain gauge built into the heel and a viewing platform at the top offering views of the delightful country town.
The Big Kangaroo
Traveston
Affectionately known as Matilda the Kangaroo, this oversized Roo was the Australian mascot for the 1982 Brisbane Commonwealth Games. Standing 13 metres tall, this cute structure weighs a mighty six tonne and has been relocated several times over the years, finally finding its forever home out the front of a service station near the town of Traveston.
While the kangaroo used to be able to turn its head and blink, Matilda now sits idle, although it has recently been given a fresh coat of paint, making it easy to spot when driving by on the Bruce Highway.
The Big Deckchair
Winton
Unofficially the world’s biggest deckchair, this Big Thing can be found at the open-air Royal Theatre in the town of Winton. The Big Deckchair was originally constructed in 2002 for an event in Victoria by the Free Masons Taskforce.
Nobody knew what to do with the Big Deckchair once it had served its original purpose, so it was hidden away in a warehouse for several years before being donated in 2005 to the Royal Theatre in Winton.
It’s now a tourist attraction sitting among regular-sized chairs at the open-air theatre, sadly one of only two open-air theatres that remain in Australia.
The Big Cane Toad
Sarina
Only in Australia will you find pest that threatens the biodiversity of the nation celebrated with a statue. The locals in Sarina take great pride in the Big Cane Toad and the tourists it brings to the town.
Made from paper-mâché and initially part of a float paraded during the 1983 Sugar Festival, the Big Cane Toad was covered in fibreglass and placed in the town centre as a tribute to the area’s cane farming history.
Like the Big Kangaroo, the Big Cane Toad also has a nifty nickname, Buffy, which is a riff on the cane toad’s scientific name Bufo Marinus.
The Big Bull
Rockhampton
There are actually six Big Bull statues dotted around the town of Rockhampton, with each representing the main breeds of beef from the area. All come in varying sizes, with the oldest being the Brahman Bull constructed in 1978 on the median strip of the Bruce Highway.
The other breeds of bull represented are Santa Gertrudis, Droughtmaster, Bradford and Romangnola, with the most recent addition being another Brahman Bull you can find at the roundabout near the southern entrance to the city.
The Big Pie
Yatala
The Big Pie appeared in 2009 out front of the famous Yatala Pie Shop. It was constructed as part of Queensland’s Q150 celebrations signifying the 150th anniversary of Queensland separating from New South Wales.
The reason the Big Pie was constructed was to recognise the history of the Yatala Pie Shop which first opened in 1914. Over the past 100 years, it has earned a reputation as one of the country’s best spots to grab a hot steak and kidney pie.
As for the Big Pie itself, the structure is roughly 4.5 metres in diameter and sits on a pole out the front of the shop, acting as a welcoming beacon for those hungry to try one of Australia’s great bakeries.
The Big Cassowary
Mission Beach
Native to Northern Australia, cassowaries are tall, flightless birds identifiable by their blue necks, red wattle and the horn-like shape bump on the top of their heads, called a casque.
Cassowaries can be found in great numbers around Mission Beach, and while generally shy, they can get aggressive if approached. Instead of risking injury, make your way to the Wongaling Beach Shopping Centre and get a snap for the gram next to the Big Cassowary.
Standing five metres tall, this sculpture is impressive and the safest way to get up close and personal with a cassowary without the fear of being attacked.
The Big Easel
Emerald
Have you ever wanted to gaze upon an extra-large version of Vincent Van Gogh’s iconic sunflower painting? If the answer is yes, get to Morton Park in Queensland’s Central Highlands and marvel at The Big Easel.
Weighing 13.6 tonnes and standing 25 metres high, this impressive easel and painting is the biggest recreation of Van Gogh’s famous painting in the world.
Designed by artist Cameron Cross, the Big Easel is both a tribute to Van Gogh and a nod to the area’s history as one of Australia’s major producers of sunflowers.
The Big Apple
Thulimbah
Along with the Big Pineapple, another fruit that’s celebrated with a giant statue is the humble apple. Constructed by local tradie John Ross and erected by Brian Wilmot in 1978, the Big Apple sits out the front of Vincenzo’s – a popular café in Thulimbah. Just across the road is Sutton’s Juice Factory, Cider and Shed Café where you can sample different apple ciders and warm apple pies.
The surrounding area of Stanthorpe is where all of Queensland’s apple orchards are located, with the Big Apple built as a tribute to the hard-working apple farmers.
Fun fact: the apple was originally painted green but was then given a makeover and painted red to represent Royal Gala apples, one of the more popular apples grown in the region.
The Big Barrel
Bundaberg
Bundaberg Brewed Drinks, the company best known for Bundaberg Ginger Beer, is where you will find the Big Barrel.
Built in 2005 to attract more visitors, the Big Barrel is really half a barrel rising out of the ground that also doubles as a museum and tasting bar.
Take a guided tour, taste the Bundaberg range—which includes the brand’s classic ginger beer and 12 other flavours—and pick up a few bottles from the gift shop on your way out.
The Big Mango
Bowen
Queensland’s obsession with fruit continues, with the Big Mango another of the state’s iconic Big Things.
Standing 10 metres high, the Big Mango was erected in 2002 and is located next to the Bowen Visitor Information Centre off the Bruce Highway. As well as taking a photo next to the Big Mango, there are several public artworks on display worth checking out along with the delicious mango sorbets on offer from Stackelroth Farms.
Other Notable Big Things in Queensland
- The Big Wombat, Thallon
- The Big Scout Hat, Cairns
- The Big Whale, Kinka Beach
- The Big Thermometer, Stanthorpe
- The Big Mower, Beerwah
- The Big Dugong, Rockhampton
- The Big Pelican, Noosaville
- The Big Thongs, Calen
- The Big Kronosaurus, Richmond
- The Big Bottle of Run, Bundaberg
- The Big Cockatoo, Mossman
- The Big Meat Ant, Augathella
