Big Things of Australia - How many have your Seen - Campervan Roadtrip Guide

Big Things of Australia - How Many Have You Seen?

The Big Things of Australia are giant roadside attractions found all across the country.

They are weird and wonderful, and have become a classic part of any Aussie campervan road trip!

With over 150 Big Things of Australia to discover, travellers love ticking them off their list and taking silly photos along the way.

So the question is... how many Big Things of Australia can you find?

Crap Big Things of Australia - Over 150 Silly Things to Post on Instagram!

Let's be honest, some of Australia's Big Things are amazing, some are weird, and some are completely crap, but that is exactly why everyone loves them!

These giant roadside attractions have become a classic part of Australian road trip culture.

Half the fun is pulling over your campervan, taking a silly photo and laughing about the random things you discover along the way.

Whether it is a giant banana, a huge lobster or something you cannot believe somebody actually built, these funny Aussie icons are all part of the adventure.

How many can you tick off your list? 📸 Tag @travelwheels on Instagram or share your photos on our Travelwheels Facebook page. We would love to see your funniest Big Things adventures!

Many of Australia's Crap Big Things Have Become Massive Tourist Photo Opportunities!

Travellers from all over the world stop their campervans to visit Australia's Big Things.

They jump out, take silly photos and create memories they will never forget.

At Travelwheels, our customers have been sending us funny Big Things photos for years.

From giant animals to huge fruit and completely random roadside sculptures, these Aussie icons are all part of the adventure.

Not Everyone Loves Australia's Big Things - Some Locals Think They're Crap!

Not everyone agrees about Australia's Big Things!

Some locals love their town's giant attraction. Others think they are completely ridiculous.

One famous example was the proposed Big Dunny in Dunedoo, New South Wales.

A "dunny" is classic Australian slang for toilet.

The idea of building a giant toilet definitely got people talking!

After plenty of debate, the idea was eventually flushed away!

It proves one thing: Australians love a good laugh, and even the craziest ideas become part of the road trip story.

Big Things of Australia Map - Plan Your Campervan Road Trip

Want to start ticking off your Big Things of Australia checklist?

Use our interactive map to find famous Big Things across Australia.

Start planning your campervan adventure and see how many you can find!

Many famous Big Things are found along popular campervan routes.

Especially the East Coast between Sydney, Brisbane and Cairns.

Planning your trip? Check out our free camping on the East Coast of Australia guide and save money while exploring these classic Aussie roadside icons.

Our map includes many of the most popular Big Things of Australia.

New ones keep appearing all the time, and that is part of the fun!

Found a new one? Tag @travelwheels on Instagram and show us your funniest Big Things photos.

Big Things in Queensland

Queensland is one of the best places in Australia to start ticking off your Big Things of Australia road trip checklist!

From giant pineapples and mangos to huge crocodiles and kangaroos, there are plenty of weird and wonderful roadside attractions to discover.

They are the perfect excuse to pull over your campervan, explore somewhere new, and take some classic Aussie road-trip photos.

With more than 40 Big Things scattered across Queensland, how many can you find during your campervan adventure?

Grab your camera and take your funniest photo!

Tag @travelwheels on Instagram. We love seeing where our travellers and campervans end up around Australia!

Ready to find even more? Check out this Queensland Big Things bucket list and see how many you can add to your campervan adventure.

Best Time to Visit Queensland With Your Campervan

Queensland is called the Sunshine State for a reason!

With tropical beaches, amazing wildlife, and plenty of Big Things to discover, it is one of Australia's best campervan road-trip destinations.

Before you start exploring, check out our guide to the weather in Queensland.

It will help you plan the best time to travel and understand important details, such as the wet season in Cairns.

Now let's start exploring some of the most famous Big Things of Australia you can find in Queensland!

The Big Bundy Bottle of Bundaberg!

The Big Bundy Bottle started life as a promotional icon for the Bundaberg Rum Company at World Expo 88 in Brisbane.

Visitors loved taking photos with the giant bottle, and it quickly became clear this Aussie Big Thing needed a permanent home!

Today you can find it outside the Bundaberg Rum Distillery.

It has become a popular photo stop for travellers exploring Queensland by campervan.

Park up, grab a silly photo and tick another Big Thing of Australia off your checklist!

The Big Captain Cook

The Big Captain Cook was once one of the most famous Big Things of Australia and a classic photo stop for travellers visiting Cairns.

This huge 14 metre statue stood on Sheridan Street in Cairns and was originally built in 1972 as a roadside attraction to promote a local motel.

For almost 50 years, travellers stopped to take photos with this giant Captain Cook.

However, you can no longer visit the Big Captain Cook in Cairns.

The famous statue was removed in May 2022 after the site was purchased for redevelopment.

If you are interested in other Captain Cook landmarks around Australia, you can still visit the Captain Cook Memorial Water Jet in Canberra, the Captain Cook Statue in Sydney's Hyde Park or the Captain Cook Monument in Cooktown Queensland.

Even though Cairns lost one of its most unusual roadside icons, the Big Captain Cook remains an important part of Australia's Big Things history.

The Big Cassowary

If the cassowary managed to avoid you in the Daintree Rainforest, don’t worry, you’re not the first!

Just drive down to Mission Beach where this giant version is waiting for you. It won’t run away, and it is always ready for a selfie.

The Big Cassowary is one of Queensland’s best-known Big Things of Australia. While you’re here, why not stay a couple of nights?

Mission Beach is famous for skydiving, beautiful beaches, island cruises and plenty of great cafés before you jump back into your campervan and continue your road trip.

The Big Cow - Yandina to Highfields

Keep your eyes peeled because this is one giant cow you won't miss!

Pull into Yandina and grab a photo with the Big Cow, one of Queensland's best-known Big Things of Australia.

Don't rush off just yet. You're on the Sunshine Coast, so why not stay a few days?

Relax on the beaches, discover some great cafés, explore the local markets and enjoy one of Australia's favourite holiday destinations before getting back on the road.

The Big Crab

Road trips and giant crabs just seem to go together!

Pull into Cardwell and grab a photo with the Big Crab, another classic Big Things of Australia stop on the drive between Cairns and Townsville.

Cardwell is a great place to slow down for a while.

Grab some fresh seafood for lunch, walk along the waterfront and enjoy the views across to Hinchinbrook Island before continuing your adventure.

One of many crustaceans can be found at Muddies Restaurant in Cardwell.

 

The Big Crocodile

Also known as 'Big Ted', this Big Crocodile is at Hartley's Creek Adventures, a crocodile farm with over 3000 crocs! FUN FACT: Big Ted is a life-sized replica of one shot by Krys Pawlowski near Karumba in 1957.

 

The Big Mango

Snap this colourful ten meter high fruit in Bowen right next to the visitor center.  Why have a giant Mango you might ask?  The reason is due to the fact that Big Mango represents the delicious fruit which carries the name sake of the town "Bowen Mango".

The Big Pineapple

When looking for more Big things of Australia, then check out Woombye on the Sunshine Coast.  It is home to the biggest pineapple in the world and listed as one of the biggest roadside attractions in Australia!

Big Things in New South Wales

New South Wales is home to some of Australia's most famous Big Things of Australia and is the perfect place to start your campervan road trip checklist!

From the legendary Big Banana in Coffs Harbour to the giant Big Merino in Goulburn, these quirky Aussie landmarks are a great excuse to take a break, explore new towns, and capture some unforgettable road-trip photos.

Whether you are travelling the coast, heading inland or starting your adventure from Sydney, there are plenty of Big Things waiting to be discovered.

How many can you tick off?

Found one on your travels? 📸 Tag @travelwheels on Instagram and share your funniest Big Things photos with us — we love seeing where our travellers and campervans end up!

TRAVELLERS TIPS: When is the best time to visit NSW?

When is the best time to visit NSW to see all these crazy big things? 

Have a read of our things to do and weather guide for NSW.  This will give you a good indication of when the best time is for a campervan roadtrip in NSW. 

Generally the best times are from November through to the end of March for the warmest weather.

The Big Banana is just one of the many Big Things in New South Wales to view

There are many funny sculptures, especially Big Things of Australia, to find in New South Wales! In fact, there are so many that we will only name a few!  However, before you plan your campervan hire holiday in New South Wales, it is worth doing some planning.  In this case we suggest reading our things to do and weather guide for NSW.  This will give you a good indication to when is the best time for a campervan hire holiday in NSW.  Generally the best times are from November through to end of March for the warmest weather.

The Big Banana in Coffs Harbour

The Big Banana is one of the most popular Big Things of Australia giant sculptures along the East Coast. The 13 metres long by 5 metre high banana is in front of a gift shop and surrounded by banana plantations. Furthermore we suggest trying their famous 'Banana Split' which is wonderfully delicious treat!

The Big Prawn

The Big Prawn in Ballina is a giant 6 m × 9 m Big thing of Australia!  It previously was situated by a restaurant by the side of the road, but fell into disrepair.  Unfortunately The prawn had been approved for demolition by the Ballina Shire Council in 2009.  However the local community rally around to save it!  Whilst this was happening, Bunnings Warehouse decided to buy the property and save the sculpture. It now has a new home in the car park next to Bunnings Warehouse in Balina.

 

The Big Ugg Boots

In 2005 the town Thorton built a giant pair of Ugg Boots right next to the Mortels Sheepskin Factory. This is the home to the original Australian Ugg Boot and you can take a picture with a pair that is 13 times the original size of a women's US size 8 shoe!

The Big Golden Guitar

Tamworth is regarded as the Country Music Capital of Australia! Right here is another monster Big Thing of Australia which is a giant guitar measuring 12 meters in height, weighing about half a ton! Tamworth hosts the Country Music Awards in January each year, and accommodation gets booked up years in advance!  Therefore one way to get cheap accomodation for Tamworth is to hire campervan with travelwheels.

The Big Beer Can

Australia loves driving beer and therefore they should especially love this Big Thing of Australia, The Big Beer Can!  It has a Tooheys New design, and is located above the entrance to the Grand Hotel in Cobar.

Victoria's Big Things of Australia

Victoria might be Australia's smallest mainland state, but it is packed with amazing road trip adventures and plenty of Big Things of Australia to add to your campervan checklist!

From the Giant Koala in Dadswells Bridge to the Big Strawberry in Koonoomoo, Victoria is full of quirky roadside attractions that are perfect places to stop, explore and capture some classic Aussie road trip photos.

Planning your adventure? Check out our Victoria travel and weather guide to help decide the best time to visit and start planning your campervan road trip.

One of the highlights of travelling through Victoria is the world-famous Great Ocean Road.

Why not combine your Big Things challenge with an unforgettable Great Ocean Road Campervan Roadtrip and tick off even more amazing places along the way?

How many Victorian Big Things of Australia can you tick off?

Found one on your travels? 📸 Tag @travelwheels on Instagram and share your funniest Big Things photos with us!  We love seeing where our travellers and campervans end up!

 

The Big Cigar one of the crap big things in Australia!

Here is a wonderful example of one of the Big Things of Australia!  Did you ever imagine you would be taking photos of Winston Churchill's cigar?  Visit the town named after this historical figure and find a replica of his cigar!

The Giant Koala

Come on who does not like koalas!  For example, this giant Koala is 14 meters high and weighs 14 tonnes! It is made of bronze and a steel frame and is located 27 km north of Stawell, in a town called Dadswells Bridge.

The Big Hens

If you especially like chickens, then why not check out the giant funky hens at Meredith’s Egg Farm.

The Big Strawberry

Who doesn't like strawberries? For example, why not stop at the big strawberry at the corner of Goulburn Valley Hwy and Cobram-Koonoomoo Rd.  You can eat some of these delicious red fruits whilst taking pics with one of the biggest strawberry's in the world!

The Big Tap

The Next 'thing' on our Big Things of Australia tour is the Big Tap suspended in the air!  Together with all the fun things at A Maze'N Things you can kill two birds with one stone!  A Maze 'N Things an award-winning tourist attraction on Phillip Island, Victoria. Things to do include a Maze, Minigolf Course, Magic Manor, Cafe, and plenty of Illusions to trick your mind.  You can find the Big Tap and fun factory on Phillip Island Road in Cowes.

Big Things in South Australia

South Australia is full of unique roadside attractions and is the perfect place to continue ticking off your Big Things of Australia road trip checklist!

From the famous Big Lobster in Kingston SE to the Big Rocking Horse in Gumeracha and the Big Orange in Berri, South Australia has plenty of quirky stops to discover during your campervan adventure.

Before you start exploring, check out our best time of year to visit South Australia guide to help plan your route, weather and the perfect time for your road trip.

Whether you are travelling along the coast, exploring the Barossa Valley or heading towards the Australian outback, keep your eyes open — you never know what giant Aussie landmark you will find next!

How many South Australian Big Things can you tick off?

Found one on your travels? 📸 Tag @travelwheels on Instagram and share your funniest Big Things photos with us — we love seeing where our travellers and campervans end up!

 

The Big Scotsman - A cult starts

Everyone thinks that the first Big thing of Australia is the Big Banana in Coffs Harbour.  However the cult phenomenon actually began in Adelaide with the Big Scotsman!  Paul Kelly designed "Scotty" in 1963 and consequently also designed the Big Lobster years later!  This is a good example of one of the first enormous art project in South Australia that has spread all over Australia!  He was constructed in 1963 to promote Scotty's Motel which is now known as the Comfort Inn locally.

 

The Big Lobster

Paul Kelly (also designed the Big Scottsman) made Larry the Big Lobster in 1979.  It now stands in front of the visitor center of Kingston in South Australia and measures 17×15×13 meters!  According to locals in the area they claim there was a "big mistake" with the Big Lobster!  The reason why is it so big is in this case of a giant mix up!  Local gossip tells the story that it the original dimensions were in feet and inches!  However due to a mix up it got mistakenly marked down in Metres and subsequently you can see why it is so big now!

 

The Big Orange - visit cafe inside the orange!

The Big Orange is located in South Australian riverland town of Berri.  As a result of it being a Giant Big Thing in Australia, it has four levels to check out! The first floor is a function room, the second a cafe and souvenir shop. The third a mural about the local scenery and the fourth floor is known as a great lookout to post on the travelwheels facebook page.

The Big Dice

Do you feel lucky, then maybe 'The Big Dice' could be up your street!  It is located on the Barrier Highway between Yunta and Mannahill.  It consists of a pyramid of six concrete dice.  In comparison to the other Big Things of Australia, this one is not that big!  However it is a fun big thing and you can easily climb on it and take all the pictures you need to post on the Travelwheels facebook and Instagram pages.

 

Western Australia's Big Things

Western Australia is huge, wild, and full of unforgettable road-trip adventures.

If you are trying to tick off all the Big Things of Australia, then WA definitely deserves a place on your campervan checklist!

Exploring the Big Things with a campervan is so much fun because you can stop when you want, take the scenic route and discover those random roadside places that make an Aussie road trip so memorable.

Before you hit the road, read our quick guide to Western Australia to get a better feel for the weather, climate and best time to travel.

One thing to remember is that the driving distances in Western Australia can be massive, so planning ahead really helps. Check out our cheapest petrol prices in Australia guide to help save money on your road trip.

How many Western Australian Big Things can you tick off?

Found one on your travels? 📸 Tag @travelwheels on Instagram and share your funniest Big Things photos with us — we love seeing where our travellers and campervans end up!

 

The Big Camera - Western Australia

 

We love customer reviews and photos on the travelwheels facebook page.  For example we don't have any customer photos with the "big camera" yet.  In the meantime if you are in WA we would love you to send us your funniest pictures with this giant camera in Meckering.  From Perth it is approximately 133kms to get to Meckering and thus is the only museum totally dedicated to photography open to the public.

The Big Mushroom - Western Australia

You can find this towering Mushroom in the gardens of the Old Cheese Factory in Balingup.  If you love your cheese and Big things, then we especially suggest you stopping here for some food!

The Giant Ram

Grab the horns of the Giant Ram and go 'baa' in Wagin!  Great opportunity to take a photo of on your campervan hire holiday next to the Giant Ram!

 

Leeuwin Way Whale

One of the best ways to guarantee to see a Giant whale in Australia is to visit the Big Leeuwin Way Whale!  You can spot this whale easily in the distance when you enter the carpark of the Eucla roadhouse where you can find this 10 meter long whale!

The Big Wheelbarrow - welcome to Wedgefield!

We are not sure if this is for example the biggest wheelbarrow in the world?  However it's probably for the most part the largest wheelbarrow most of Travelwheels campervan hire customers will ever come across!  This is a lot of fun and especially as you can hang from the barrow and post your pictures on facebook! It is located at Wedgefield, WA nearby Port Headland.

World's Tallest Bin

This takes recycling to a higher level!  This is the world's tallest bin and in this case it is 8 meters high!

Big Things of Australia - Northern Territory

The Northern Territory is where your Australian campervan adventure really starts to feel like the outback!

Huge open roads, incredible landscapes and some seriously unique Big Things of Australia are home in the NT.

Travelling by campervan is one of the best ways to discover the Northern Territory because the journey is just as exciting as the destination. Take your time, enjoy the freedom of the open road and tick off some classic Aussie roadside attractions along the way.

From giant crocodiles and outback animals to weird and wonderful roadside stops, the Northern Territory is full of photo opportunities and memories you will be talking about for years. For more inspiration, check out this guide to Big Things of the Northern Territory.

Whether you are exploring around Darwin, heading towards Kakadu or taking on the legendary road trip towards the Red Centre, keep your eyes open — you never know what Big Thing you will discover next!

How many Northern Territory Big Things can you tick off?

Found one on your travels? 📸 Tag @travelwheels on Instagram and share your funniest Big Things photos with us as we love to see your photos!

The Big Boxing Croc

This 10 meter Big Boxing Croc is right in front of the petrol station in Humpty Doo.  Here is some advice if you decide to go closer to him as he can bite! Don't be taken in by his welcome grin, and never smile back at him! Furthermore don't mention the fact that wearing boxing gloves but no pants is against the law in most parts of Australia!

The Big Aboriginal Hunter

150km north of Alice Springs you can find one of the more traditional sculptures of Australia. Visit the Big Aboriginal Hunter at the Anmatjere Community in the middle of down under.

Big Jumping Croc - Adelaide River

The comical Big Jumping Crocodile is one of the funniest Big Things of Australia and can be found at the Original Adelaide River Queen Jumping Crocodile Cruises in the Northern Territory.

After taking your classic photo with the giant crocodile, join the famous Adelaide River cruise and see real saltwater crocodiles in their natural habitat. This one-hour adventure gives travellers the chance to experience one of Australia’s most powerful predators up close.

Big NT Stubbie and Pink Panther (totally random!) - Darwin

The Big NT Stubbie at the famous Larrimah Pink Panther Hotel is one of the funniest Big Things of Australia. This giant NT Draught beer bottle holds around 8,500 litres and celebrates the legendary Darwin Stubbie. Don’t forget to grab a photo with the giant bottle and the Pink Panther relaxing beside it, and

exactly the kind of weird and wonderful roadside stop that makes an Australian campervan adventure unforgettable.

Big Things in Australia - Tasmania

Tasmania may be Australia's smallest state, but it is packed with incredible scenery, amazing wildlife and some brilliant Big Things to add to your campervan road trip checklist!

Exploring Tasmania by campervan is one of the best ways to experience the island. Take your time driving between mountains, beaches, forests and small towns while discovering quirky Aussie roadside attractions along the way.

From the famous Big Penguin in the town of Penguin to giant apples, giant animals and other fun photo stops, Tasmania proves that amazing road trip adventures do not always need huge distances.

If you love searching for unusual Aussie landmarks, check out this guide to Big Things in Tasmania and start planning which ones you want to tick off during your adventure.

Whether you are exploring Hobart, driving the east coast, visiting Cradle Mountain or travelling around the whole island, keep your camera ready — Tasmania is full of surprises.

How many Tasmanian Big Things can you tick off?

Found one on your travels? 📸 Tag @travelwheels on Instagram and share your funniest Big Things photos with us — we love seeing where our travellers and campervans end up!

Big Things in Australia - Canberra - Australian Capital Territory

The Australian Capital Territory may be small, but you can still add another Big Thing to your campervan road trip checklist!

If you are visiting Canberra, keep an eye out for the famous Big Powerful Owl in Belconnen. This giant roadside sculpture has become one of Canberra's most photographed and talked-about landmarks.

Canberra is also a great stop on a campervan adventure between Sydney and Melbourne, with museums, nature, wildlife and plenty of places to explore along the way.

Have you ticked Canberra off your Big Things checklist?

Found one on your travels? 📸 Tag @travelwheels on Instagram and share your funniest road trip photos with us!

Big Things of Australia - Travelwheels sightseeing tips

There are many more Big Things of Australia and it is definitely worth visiting them when travelling Down Under as it has become such a phenomenon and tradition over the years. If you would like to know more about The Big Things of Australia feel free to call us on 0412766616 or email us at [email protected].

If you are going to go on a campervan roadtrip to see all these Big things of Australia, then especially recommend checking out these useful links.  In particular read our free camping on East Coast of Australia guide.  For example another useful page to read is our cheapest petrol prices in Australia guide. Together these two links will help you save money on you campervan hire holiday visiting all these Big Things of Australia!

Plan Your Big Things of Australia Campervan Road Trip

Below are some of our customers' favourite road trips around Australia to help you plan your Big Things of Australia holiday.

Big Things of Australia Road Trip Planner in English

• Sydney to Cairns Route Planner
• Cairns to Sydney Route Planner
• Melbourne to Sydney Route Planner
• Great Ocean Road Route Planner
• Sydney to Jervis Bay - see the dolphins
• Northern Queensland - from Cairns to Cape Tribulation
• Free camping on the East Coast of Australia guide

Guides d'itinéraires en français

• Itinéraire Sydney – Cairns
• Itinéraire Cairns – Sydney
• Itinéraire Camping Australie côte est Sydney – Melbourne

Routenplaner auf Deutsch

• Routenplaner Sydney – Cairns
• Routenplaner Cairns – Sydney
• Routenplaner Melbourne - Sydney
• Von Sydney in die Blue Mountains
• 10 Tage Great Ocean Road Reiseführer 
• Die Giganten Australiens: The Big Things in Australien
• Reiseführer Cairns und Umgebung – 7-10 Tage Rundreise Queensland

All of our team originally came from Europe and now call Australia home.

We've all experienced doing the Big Loop of Australia, and that's why we fell in love with this country.

We're always happy to share our travel tips and advice, so if you have any questions and you're in Sydney, pop into our office for a chat.

 

Ready to Explore the Big Things of Australia - Contact Us (English & Deutsch)

Planning a road trip to see the Big Things of Australia?

If you have any questions about buying a campervan or 4x4, planning your route or choosing the right vehicle for your adventure, we're here to help.

At Travelwheels, we've been helping international travellers explore Australia for more than 25 years and are always happy to share our local knowledge.

English & German Support:
Maxi is fluent in both languages. We can explain the best places to go, the best times to visit certain states, and more, all in Deutsch.

Vehicle Advice:
Not sure whether a small campervan, a roof tent, a 4x4, or a Toyota Hiace High Top is right for your Big Things in Australia roadtrip? Ask us, and we’ll help you compare your options.

Fragen auf Deutsch? Maxi hilft dir gerne weiter!
Wir freuen uns darauf, dich bei deinem Abenteuer zu unterstützen. Ruf uns an unter 0412 766 616.

Contact Travelwheels Botany: 0412 766 616