The top 20 ‘Big Things’ in NSW
The Big Banana Fun Park - Credit: Gethin Coles | The Big Banana Pty Ltd
Australia loves its oversized objects, and in NSW there are plenty of them. From giant animals to enormous ugg boots, here are the iconic ‘Big Things’ in NSW to add to your road-trip bucket list.
Mar 2024 -
5
min readThe Big Bogan, Nyngan
Offering a friendly welcome to the country town of Nyngan, near Dubbo, the 5.96m-tall Big Bogan – with his thongs, fishing rod, esky and Southern Cross tattoo – references the town’s warm hospitality and serene Bogan River. While you’re in town visit the Nyngan Museum for a wander through the town’s past, and stay the night at luxurious farm stay Callubri Station.
The Big Bogan, Nyngan
The Big Potato, Robertson
In honour of the Southern Highlands town’s biggest crop, the 10m-long Big Potato is modelled on a sebago. Next door at Robertson’s supermarket, you can buy merch and locally farmed spuds, and the Robertson Potato Festival is held every May. Try a potato pie from the Robertson Pie Shop, and taste more local ingredients at farm, restaurant and cooking school Moonacres Kitchen, which grows produce for many Sydney restaurants.
Big Potato, Southern Highlands - Credit: Eloise Basuki
The Big Tennis Racquet, Barellan
In honour of Australian tennis star, Barellan local and Wiradjuri woman Evonne Goolagong-Cawley MBE AC, the Big Tennis Racquet is an exact 20:1 scale model of Evonne’s signature wooden Dunlop racquet. Swing south to go bird watching at the Fivebough Wetlands, and learn its Indigenous significance at the Budyaan Baamirra Centre and Wiradjuri Garden.
Barellan's Big Tennis Racquet - Credit: Narrandera VIC
The Big Trout, Adaminaby
The waterways that run off the Snowy Mountains are famous for their pristine quality, and, in turn, excellent fishing. The 10m-tall Big Trout in Adaminaby references the plentiful trout in nearby Lake Eucumbene. Bait and fishing tackle, boat hire and fishing charters are available around Adaminaby and Lake Eucumbene, or go on a fly fishing tour nearby in Lake Jindabyne with Snowy Monaro Fly Fishing.
Big Trout, Adaminaby - Credit: Pete Wilson/Australian High Country Photography
The Big Beer Can, Cobar
Standing proudly at the entrance to the Grand Hotel in Cobar, the 5m-tall Tooheys beer can is so big that if it was filled with actual beer it would hold 22,000 litres (or about 58,666 tinnies). Another massive site in town is Cobar’s famous copper mine – the best views are at Fort Bourke Hill Lookout. And don’t miss the Cobar Sound Chapel, a permanent sound installation set in an old water tank and inspired by the Australian outback.
Big Beer Can, Cobar - Credit: www.letitbefood.com | @Australia's Big Things Facebook Group
The Big Murray Cod, Tocumwal
Located on the banks of the Murray River, Tocumwal is an idyllic town perfect for fishing – symbolised by its Big Murray Cod. Head to the Visitor Information Centre to find the best fishing spots and tours, and treat yourself to a workshop at the Tocumwal Chocolate School, which also has beautiful accommodation right on the water.
Big Murray Cod, Tocumwal - Credit: Tocumwal Visitor Information Centre
The Big Yabby, Fords Bridge
It may be surprising to learn that this outback town near Bourke is known as one of the best places to source Australia’s freshwater shellfish: the yabby. Try spotting some yourself in the Warrego River, or simply take in the scale of the giant yabby sculpture, then head to the historic Warrego Hotel for a cold drink. Nearby, the Warrego Floodplain walking track in Toorale National Park is known for its brilliant wildflowers.
The Big Yabby, Fords Bridge - Credit: Keshia Tiffen | Bourke Shire Council
The Big Ant, Broken Hill
Designed by Broken Hill artist Pro Hart, the Big Ant is located in the Broken Hill Conservation Gardens, a place that honours native plants that thrive in the outback region. See more of the artist’s creations at the Pro Hart Gallery, and don’t miss the epic sandstone artworks at the Living Desert and Sculpture Park, best visited just before sunset.
Big Ant, Broken Hill Conservation Gardens - Credit: Broken Hill City Council
The Big Ugg Boots, Thornton
Towering over the Mortels Sheepskin Factory in Thornton in the Hunter Valley, the Big Ugg Boots are 13 times the size of a women's size eight ugg boot. After a selfie with the shoes, go on a tour of the factory and pick up your own pair of genuine sheepskin uggs. You can see the region’s sheep on parade at the Maitland Show held each February, and see fabrics and fashions from around the world at the Museum of Clothing and Textiles.
Mortels Sheepskin Factory - Credit: Maitland Visitor Information Centre
The Big Cherries, Young
Considered the cherry capital of Australia, Young’s Big Cherries are found in the middle of the Hilltops town. Visit in December, when the National Cherry Festival takes over the town, and pick your own at Ballinaclash or Allambie Orchard; at the former you can also buy cherry pies, cherry ice-cream and cherry wine.
The Big Cherries, Young
The Big Bench, Broken Hill
Sitting pretty on the top of the Line of Lode, a memorial on top of a silver ore mine in Broken Hill, the Big Bench makes anyone look like a little kid at two-and-a-half-times the size of a normal park bench. For more mining history, the Albert Kersten Mining and Mineral Museum offers hands-on insight with almost 2,000 specimens, including an impressive 42kg silver nugget.
The Big Bench, Line of Lode Miner's Memorial
The Big Bush Turkey, Kyogle
Built by a local Kyogle couple, the Big Bush Turkey is an 8m-wide, 4m-high concrete ode to these controversial Australian native birds. The Northern Rivers town is surrounded by national parks where you can do your own bird watching including Richmond Range, Toonumbar, Border Ranges, Wollumbin and Nightcap.
Big Bush Turkey, Kyogle - Credit: @Australia's Big Things Facebook Group
The Big Hat, Yeoval
The 6m-tall Big Hat is an oversized, bronze version of famed Australian bush poet Banjo Paterson’s, located in Yeoval, between Dubbo and Parkes. See more of the poet’s life across the road at the Banjo Paterson Museum, head to the Banjo Paterson Poetry Festival in his hometown of Orange held each February, or don your own hat for a safari at nearby Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo.
Big Hat, Yeoval - Credit: @Australia's Big Things Facebook Group
The Big Oyster, Taree
In its heyday, this 20m-high, 27m-wide Taree mollusc was home to a restaurant and souvenir shop. Now a shell housing a car dealership, it’s still an apt symbol of the treasures that come from the town’s significant waterway, the Manning River. Try a freshly shucked dozen at Stones Oysters, book an oyster farm tour with Brighton Oysters (and even stay the night!) and get a bird’s-eye view over the valley with a scenic flight with Manning River Aero Club.
Big Oyster, Taree - Credit: @Australia's Big Things Facebook Group
The Big Lawn Bowl, Port Macquarie
This two-tonne bright blue bowl sits at the entrance to Club Lake Cathie, a lawn bowls and function centre in Port Macquarie. Join in for a free game of bowls (check the schedule and register ahead) or do as the locals do and relax on the crystal-clear banks of Lake Cathie with a picnic, forest walk or, if the tides are right, a swim.
The Big Lawn Bowl in front of Club Lake Cathie - Credit: Club Lake Cathie
The Big Kookaburra, Kurri Kurri
Perched on a tree trunk in this Hunter Valley town, the Big Kookaburra was built in 2009 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the town’s Hydro Aluminium with the emblem of Kurri Kurri, the kookaburra. While you’re in town, go on the Kurri Kurri Mural Walk, with more than 60 artworks painted across town (and a hidden kookaburra painted into each one!).
Big Kookaburra, Kurri Kurri - Credit: Visit Kurri Kurri
The Big Prawn, Ballina
A symbol of Australian cuisine and classic Aussie summers, the Big Prawn is a coastal icon in Ballina. Taste the real thing at the Ballina Fishermen’s Co-op just down the road or head to Shelter at nearby Lennox Head for seafood served with modern flair. The 9m-tall prawn is just a 30min drive from Byron Bay and its famous beaches, or let the kids splash around on the waterslides at the Ballina Memorial Pool.
The Big Prawn, Ballina
The Big Merino, Goulburn
The world’s biggest merino sheep was built just off the Goulburn exit on the Princes Highway in 1985 to celebrate the district’s 200-year-old fine wool industry. The three-story, 15m by 18m structure houses an exhibition and gift shop. Find another piece of history at the Goulburn Rail Heritage Centre and stay the night surrounded by actual sheep at Towrang Farmstay.
The Big Merino, standing at 15.2m tall in Goulburn
The Big Golden Guitar, Tamworth
A 12m-tall replica of the famous Golden Guitar Award from Tamworth’s annual country music festival, the Big Golden Guitar stands alongside both The Country Music Wax Museum and the National Guitar Museum, the latter displaying 45 guitars autographed by global country music icons. Music lovers will also want to stop by the Australian Country Music Hall of Fame. Pair a golden icon with a golden stay at five-star Powerhouse Hotel by Rydges.
The Big Golden Guitar, Tamworth
The Big Banana, Coffs Harbour
A must-stop on the Legendary Pacific Coast road trip, the Big Banana is a bright beacon of Coffs Harbour’s banana farming industry (though these days the region is more famous for its blueberries). After your selfie, head into the Big Banana Fun Park, with its giant slide, water park, mini golf course and famous frozen choc-coated bananas. After the fun, stretch your legs with a paddleboard session run by Aboriginal-owned Wajaana Yaam Gumbaynggirr Adventure Tours.
The Big Banana, Coffs Harbour
