When most people mention the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) there are generally two things that come to mind—Parliament House and the Australian War Memorial. We’re here to inform you there’s a lot more going on in Australia’s capital, especially when it comes to the ACT’s collection of Big Things.
There’s a surprisingly impressive range of Big Things dotted about the ACT, and considering how small the territory is, ticking them off your Big Things bucket list is something that can be achieved over the course of a couple of days, provided you have a set of wheels.
Although there’s nothing as massive as the Big Pineapple or the Big Merino, the ACT has some great Big Things to gaze upon, with most erected within the past 20 years.
So read on and discover all about the best Big Things in the ACT.
The Big Magpie
Garema Place
Arguably the most famous Big Thing in the ACT is the Big Magpie, affectionately known as Big Swoop.
Funded by the City Renewal Authority, Big Swoop was created by local artist Yanni Pounartzis and depicts a magpie swooping on a chip.
Landing in Garema Place in March 2022, Big Swoop weighs a tidy half-tonne, stands 2.4 metres high and comes in at 3.5 metres long.
Big Swoop’s popularity amongst the locals has resulted in an online store slinging Big Swoop merch, like embroidered caps and graphic t-shirts.
The native bird also features on a run of Big Things-themed stamps released by Australian Post earlier this year.
The Big Coins
Deakin
Australia’s capital gets a bad rap when it comes to tourist attractions, but one highlight we recommend is the Royal Australian Mint. Here you can learn more about Australia’s currency and how it is manufactured.
A visit also gives you the chance to cross off the Big Coins on your list of the ACT’s best Big Things. The collection of coins consists of large versions of the 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, $1 and $2 coins, along with an extra coin emblazoned with ‘Est. 1965’ in reference to the year the Royal Australian Mint opened.
The Big Galahs
Watson
This cute sculpture features two pink galahs perched on a branch having a little makeout sesh.
Often referred to as ‘the kissing galahs’, this Big Thing was crafted by Canberra residents Bev Hogg and Elizabeth Patterson in 2013.
The idea for the Big Galahs was to welcome families to the new modern planned community being built in the area.
While it doesn’t quite match South Australia’s the Big Galah, this statue is certainly one of the more romantic Big Things in Australia.
The Big Pool Ball
Yarraalumla
Yarralumla Play Station is home to one of the largest mini-golf courses in the country. While playing the 36 hole course (choose between the Lake Walter Links and Lake Walter Putt Putt or play both) you will come across a series of interesting sculptures, including the Big Pool Ball.
Unlike the traditional number two ball found on a pool table that’s blue, the Big Pool Ball is pink in colour and stands 1.78 metres high and is 1.8 metres wide.
Once you’ve taken a photo with the Big Pool Ball and played a round of mini-golf, there are plenty of other activities you can enjoy at Yarralumla Play Station.
Explore the Weston Park Minature Railway and pat some animals (ponies, sheep, miniature pigs and more) at the kid-friendly Mini Farm Friends area.
The Big Bunyip
Gungahlin
Unveiled in 2011, the Big Bunyip is based on the mythical creature featured in Michael Salmon’s 1972 children’s book, The Monster That Ate Canberra. In the book, Alexander the Bunyip travels to Canberra and begins eating the city’s major attractions.
Although on a smaller scale than many of Australia’s Big Things, the bronze statue captures Alexander perfectly, with the Bunyip caught mid-run with his trusty briefcase in hand.
Created by artist Annie Ross, the Big Bunyip can be found in Gungahiln’s $3.8 million redeveloped town park alongside miniature sculptures of the National Library, Science Museum and Telstra Tower, all buildings Alexander attempts to chow down on in the book.
Speaking about the statue, Chief Minister Jon Stanhope said: “The sculpture is a wonderful addition to Gungahlin’s new town park and highlights the importance of literacy and imagination and of playfulness and freedom of thought.”
The Big Acorns
Molonglo Valley
The Big Acorns are one of the few interactive Big Things you’ll find in Australia. The acorns are part of the POD Playground—which includes slides, climbing nets and cubby houses—at the National Arboretum Canberra in Molonglo Valley.
Known as ‘Acorn Park’ by the locals, the playground is designed “to create wonder, imagination and enchantment, and to encourage activity and spontaneity in play.”
There are also giant banksia seeds that can be used to play hide and seek and a nearby cafe and gift shop where parents can have a coffee and a chat while watching the kids play.
The Big Powerful Owl
Belconnen
Constructed by artist Bruce Armstrong using cast composite, steel and hardwood, the Big Powerful Owl represents the Ninox strenua (aka the Powerful Owl), the largest species of owl native to Australia.
Although it looks fairly basic, the statue is believed to have cost the local government a cool $400,000.
Unfortunately, the Big Powerful Owl has also earned the nickname ‘Penis Owl’ due to its resemblance to a certain male body part.
The Big Pears
Parkes
After a visit to the National Gallery of Australia, take a walk around the grounds and you’ll stumble upon the Big Pears.
Designed by artist George Baldessian during the 60s, the Big Pears (officially named Pear – Version Number 2) was secured by the National Gallery in 1973 and originally featured in the Gallery’s forecourt.
In 2018 the Big Pears were moved to the Australian Garden where they now sit behind the gallery.
The Big Bogong Moths
Acton
The Big Bogong Moths are located between the National Museum of Australia and the Australian Institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies.
These two moth sculptures were created by Ngunnawal artist Jim Williams in 2001 to celebrate the history and culture of the Ngunnawal people.
The Bogong moths were chosen as the object for the sculpture as they were once a major food source for the Ngunnawal people.
