Australia’s Big Things: a road trip guide

1. New South Wales

2. 🦖

   Big Prawn

   Ballina, New South Wales, Australia

   A concrete-and-fibreglass prawn billed as the world's largest prawn model. After surviving a 2009 council vote that would have allowed its demolition, it was refurbished and now sits on a stand at the entrance to the Bunnings car park.

   Map, directions and guest book

3. 🍩

   Big Banana

   Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, Australia · built 1964

   A walk-through giant banana that opened in 1964, making it one of the very first of Australia's Big Things. It now anchors an amusement park set in a banana plantation, so there's more to do than snap a photo.

   Map, directions and guest book

4. 

   Big Golden Guitar

   Tamworth, New South Wales, Australia · 12 m (39 ft) · built 1988

   A 12 m fibreglass-and-steel copy of the Golden Guitar trophy awarded at the Country Music Awards of Australia. Erected in 1988, it stands in front of the Longyard Hotel and celebrates Tamworth's status as Australia's country music hub.

   Map, directions and guest book

5. 🦖

   Big Merino

   Goulburn, New South Wales, Australia · 15.2 m (50 ft) · built 1985

   A 15 m concrete-and-glassfibre merino ram, nicknamed Rambo after the local stud ram it was modelled on. Unveiled in 1985, it houses a gift shop and wool history exhibit, and you can look out through the ram's eyes.

   Map, directions and guest book

6. Queensland

7. 

   Big Pineapple

   Woombye, Queensland, Australia · 16 m (52 ft) · built 1971

   A heritage-listed 16 m fibreglass pineapple on a steel frame, with two levels and a viewing platform at the top. It opened in 1971 as part of the Sunshine Plantation and remains a Sunshine Coast landmark.

   Map, directions and guest book

8. 🍩

   Big Mango

   Bowen, Queensland, Australia · built 2002

   A fibreglass mango beside the Bruce Highway in Bowen, put up in 2002. It's an easy stop on the drive up the Queensland coast.

   Map, directions and guest book

9. Victoria

10. 🗿

    Big Ned Kelly

    Glenrowan, Victoria, Australia · 6 m

    A 6 m statue of the bushranger Ned Kelly at the corner of Gladstone and Kate Streets in Glenrowan, Victoria. It's the town's headline photo stop and an easy break off the highway.

    Map, directions and guest book

11. South Australia

12. 

    Big Lobster (Larry the Lobster)

    Kingston SE, South Australia, Australia · 17 m (56 ft) · built 1979

    A 17 m steel-and-fibreglass spiny lobster known as Larry, built to lure travellers to a restaurant and visitor centre. Completed in 1979, it remains one of the most recognisable of Australia's Big Things.

    Map, directions and guest book

13. 

    Big Rocking Horse

    Gumeracha, South Australia, Australia · 18.3 m (60 ft) · built 1981

    An 18.3 m rocking horse, about the height of a six-storey building, just east of town in the Adelaide Hills. Opened in 1981, it advertises a wooden toy factory and wildlife park next door.

    Map, directions and guest book

14. 🦖

    Big Galah

    Kimba, South Australia, Australia · 8 m (26 ft)

    An 8 m galah beside the Eyre Highway that welcomes visitors as they drive into Kimba. The town marks itself as halfway between Australia's east and west coasts, which makes this a fitting break on the long cross-country drive.

    Map, directions and guest book

Details come from public sources and visitors. Hours and access change, so check before you drive.

Our Australian list is still growing. Suggest a Big Thing we are missing.

More guides: Giant roadside attractions on Route 66 · World’s largest things you can drive to