At Club 4X4, we’re all about the Big Lap. Most people measure it in kilometres. But what if we measured it in oversized fruit, livestock and the occasional mulleted Aussie battler?
While they may not have the global pull of the Sydney Opera House or the Great Barrier Reef, Australia’s list of more than 1,000 Big Things stands as a proud collection of cultural icons. They’re weird. They’re wonderful. They’re often slightly questionable. And they’re absolutely worth pulling over for.
From pineapples to prawns, here are 10 of our favourite Big Things in Australia to add to your next lap around the country.
The Big Pineapple, Woombye
Arguably Queensland’s most iconic ‘big thing’, the Big Pineapple in Woombye has had a tumultuous time of it.
Since 1971, this sixteen-metre-tall fiberglass pineapple has been acting as a larger-than-life display for the real pineapples being grown on the plantation. Once welcoming almost a million visitors a year during its 80s heyday, The Big Pineapple and its attractions were at risk of closure by 2003 but was saved in 2009 by being heritage-listed.
The Big Pineapple in Woombye
Nowadays, the colossal crop is home to the Wildlife HQ Zoo and a high rope challenge as well as its iconic Pineapple Train ride and Pine Mobile. Its resilience, recognisability and Aussie green and gold colouring make it the perfect first entrant into our top 10.
4X4 Access: Easy access off the Bruce Highway. Suitable for 4X4s towing caravans, camper trailers and motorhomes.
Parking Situation: Large, sealed car park with plenty of turning room.
Best Pairing: Glass House Mountains scenic drive or a hinterland overnight near Kenilworth.
Overnight Options Nearby:
Detour Rating: Well worth the stop, especially with kids onboard.
The Big Bogan, Nyngan
Forget animals and fruits, The Big Bogan is a statue that embodies Australian culture more than any other ‘big thing’ (though some would disagree). This six-metre-tall steel statue captures the essence of the Aussie battler, donning a pair of thongs, rocking a mullet and sporting a Southern Cross tattoo. With an esky by his side and a loyal pet dog added in 2022, you have a bloke many people see themselves in.
The Big Bogan statue in the town of Nyngan.
Named after the nearby Bogan River, the statue has drawn both praise and criticism. Some locals embrace it. Others question the label. Either way, it gets people talking.
4X4 Access: Easy regional road access. Comfortable for 4X4s towing vans.
Parking Situation: Street-side parking. Take it slow if towing.
Best Pairing: Camp along the Bogan River or explore western NSW backroads.
Overnight Options Nearby:
Detour Rating: A fun inland leg-stretcher on long drives.
Image: The Big Bogan, Nyngan
Photo Credit: Destination NSW
The Big Ned Kelly, Glenrowan
Did you know there are at least 10 Big Ned Kellys scattered across Australia? Seems excessive, but this legendary bushranger seems to be a magnet for scrap metal sculptors.
We’ll be talking about the Glenrowan Ned here, because while it may not be the largest (Maryborough’s stands a metre taller), it’s the town where the last siege of the Kelly Gang took place, so it gets bonus historical points.
The Big Ned Kelly in Glenrowan, Australia
Standing six metres tall, this gun-slinging, armour-clad bushranger keeps watch over the small Victorian town, drawing travellers to a place etched in Australian folklore. If you are running the Hume between Melbourne and Sydney, it is an easy and worthwhile stop.
4X4 Access: Directly off the Hume Freeway. Designed for tourist traffic.
Parking Situation: Ample parking for 4X4s towing caravans.
Best Pairing: Historic Glenrowan township or a stop between Melbourne and Sydney.
Overnight Options Nearby:
Detour Rating: An easy tick if you’re already on the Hume.
The Big Prawn, Ballina
The Big Prawn has been a Ballina roadside icon for more than 25 years and remains a must-see for visitors passing through.
Originally perched atop a service station with a restaurant and fish shop below, the prawn was once missing its tail, and you could even climb inside its head.
The Big Prawn in Ballina, Australia
In 2009, the coastal crustacean was sadly approved for demolition. At the eleventh hour, however, an unlikely saviour emerged. Neighbouring Bunnings stepped in to rescue the landmark from certain doom, funding a $400,000 facelift, complete with a brand-new tail, ensuring the survival of one of Australia’s most beloved roadside attractions.
4X4 Access: Simple highway access on the Pacific Highway.
Parking Situation: Large commercial car park with good manoeuvrability.
Best Pairing: Lennox Head coastal drive or Richmond River exploration.
Overnight Options Nearby:
Detour Rating: Solid coastal photo stop.
The Big Merino, Goulburn
Erected in 1985 near the Hume Highway, The Big Merino has stood the test of time as one of Australia’s most recognisable ‘big things’.
Modelled after Rambo (even the genitalia), a stud ram that lived on a local property, it celebrates the Goulburn and the surrounding district’s fine wool industry.
The Big Merino in Goulburn, Australia
Inside the three-storey ram you’ll find a gift shop selling local merino wool products and a permanent exhibition on the 200-year history of wool in Australia. This 100-ton sentinel makes for a fine entrant into our top 10 as a stalwart of the ‘big thing’ game.
4X4 Access: Excellent highway access off the Hume. Parking Situation:
Built with caravans and coaches in mind.
Best Pairing: Southern Highlands touring loop.
Overnight Options Nearby:
Detour Rating: Perfect highway break stop.
The Big Banana, Coffs Harbour
Everyone should’ve seen this coming.
What sort of list would this have been without the world-renowned Big Banana? This banana plantation drawcard turned amusement park has transcended its original purpose, nowadays acting as a giant yellow beacon for road trippers and locals alike.
The Big Banana in Coffs Harbour, Australia
Peel back the layers and you’ll find the Big Banana merely fronts a full-scale theme park and entertainment precinct, home to Australia’s largest indoor slide. Due to the cult-status and continued evolution of the Big Banana, this one looks like it’s here to stay.
4X4 Access: Highly accessible and well signposted.
Parking Situation: Large car park. Can be busy during school holidays.
Best Pairing: Waterfall Way inland drive or beach camping north of town.
Overnight Options Nearby:
Detour Rating: Worth half a day with family.
The Big Potato, Robertson
The Big Potato in Robertson has worn many identities.
The Big Potato, The Big Babe or The Pig Potato all work since this sculpture was painted pink in honour of Babe the pig’s 30th anniversary, and it makes sense since the movie was shot in the area, but I can’t be the only one who would love to see this landmark return to its poo-brown roots.
The Big Potato is hollowed out (would that make it a floater?), and the inside is painted to resemble mashed potato, but there is yet to be a potato information centre, so visitors will have to do their own research on Robertson’s famous potato past themselves.
Personally, there’s a huge potato slinky stall-sized gap in the market just waiting to be filled outside this starchy monument – feel free to jump on that idea.
4X4 Access: Accessible via main road but tighter township layout.
Parking Situation: Limited dedicated parking. Best suited to shorter caravan setups.
Best Pairing: Illawarra escarpment drive or Fitzroy Falls.
Overnight Options Nearby:
Detour Rating: Quick novelty stop rather than extended visit.
The Big Koala, Dadswells Bridge
Sam The Giant Koala in Dadswells Bridge, Australia
If you’re foreign friends (hell, even other Aussies) still don’t believe in drop bears, just show them this carbuncle of an art installation.
At 14 metres tall, you can’t help but make uncomfortable eye contact with the beast. What’s worse is its eyes allegedly glow red at night… who thought that was okay? The sheer absurdness of this ‘big thing’ means it has more than earned its spot in our top 10.
This concrete kaiju is officially named Sam the Giant Koala after the real Sam the koala who was photographed drinking from a fireman’s water bottle during intense bushfires in 2009. He went on to recover from his third-degree burns and lung damage and became a worldwide symbol, aiding in raising awareness for Australia’s declining koala population. I don’t think, however, I will recover from the sight of this monstrous marsupial.
4X4 Access: Located directly on the Western Highway. Very accessible.
Parking Situation: Roadhouse-style parking suitable for towing setups.
Best Pairing: Grampians National Park adventure.
Overnight Options Nearby:
Detour Rating: Ideal break between Melbourne and Adelaide.
The Big Lobster, Kingston SE
As a land girt by sea, is it any surprise there’s another big crustacean gracing this list?
Known locally as Larry the Lobster, this 17-metre tall giant dominates the Kingston SE skyline. Built in 1979, Larry weighs around four tons and celebrates South Australia’s seafood industry.
Larry the Lobster in Kingston SE, Australia
Did you know lobsters can live for over 100 years? Built in 1979, Larry is over 35 years into his tenure, but with a few fresh licks of paint, I can see this iconic arthropod living for much longer.
4X4 Access: Easy coastal town access.
Parking Situation: Town parking available. Plan ahead if towing larger vans.
Best Pairing: Limestone Coast drive or Coorong exploration.
Overnight Options Nearby:
Detour Rating: Worth it if exploring SA’s southeast.
The Big Scotsman, Medindie
The 60s were a dark time in Adelaide. Not a single oversized roadside attraction adorned its solemn streets, but ‘Scotty’, as he is known by locals, changed that forever.
The Big Scotsman has adorned Scotty’s Motel in Medindie, SA, since 1963, beating The Big Banana out by a year and has served as a stoic herald for weary travellers arriving in Adelaide. The inclusion of this lesser known ‘big thing’ in our top 10 seemed like a no-brainer given its history and the fact it was built by the same Paul Kelly (not the musician) who built Larry the Lobster.
Scotty has been blowing the same bagpipe note for over 60 years now and is showing no signs of slowing down. Just don’t look up his kilt!
The Big Scotsman in Medindie, Australia
4X4 Access: Urban setting. Best visited if staying locally in Adelaide.
Parking Situation: Street parking. Less suitable for larger towing setups.
Best Pairing: Barossa Valley or Fleurieu Peninsula touring.
Overnight Options Nearby:
Detour Rating: City novelty rather than road trip highlight.
Why Big Things Still Matter on a Big Lap
Big Things Australia are more than roadside kitsch. They break up long stretches of highway, especially when tackling remote travel across outback roads. They are easy wins for families. They become traditions.
They are also reminders that not every stop on a Big Lap needs to be remote, rugged or off grid. Sometimes you just need a ridiculous photo beside a 17 metre lobster.
Explore the lesser known
Cover anywhere you can legally go in Australia
