Cultural Kitsch: How to See Australia Like a Griswold
Anyone who has ever uttered the words “size doesn’t matter,” has probably never stepped foot in Australia. After all Australia is home to the Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest living structure, the vast Outback which spans thousands of miles, and Ayers Rock, one of the world’s biggest monoliths. Although Australia’s natural wonders are well known, the Aussies have created a tourism industry around larger-than-life manmade structures of ordinary items known as the “Big Things.” Often built to attract tourists passing through town on their way to somewhere else, they have become tourist sites in their own right. If the Griswolds had ever made it to Australia, you can bet they would’ve put the petal to the metal and embarked on this quirky roadside scavenger hunt.
Ask any Australian and they will rattle off a few of the most famous ones, like the Big Banana, the Big Pineapple, and the Big Prawn. The top five: The Big Banana, The Big Golden Guitar, The Big Merino, The Big Pineapple, and The Big Lobster (he’s called Larry, by the way) were memorialized on postage stamps.
With an estimated 160+ Big Things peppered throughout the country, encountering some of the less famous ones present more of a challenge. Although the Big Things are on the Aussie’s road map, they’re unlikely to register on most foreigners’ radar, if for no other reason than they’re not well publicized in guidebooks.
Within Australia, the Big Things have somewhat of a cult following evoking childhood memories of family road trips. In fact, in an effort to entice its neighbors to visit earthquake devastated Christchurch, the mayor unsuccessfully tried to lobby Australia to lend the Garden City some of its Big Things. However, not all Aussies love these national icons. The naysayers argue that the Big Things have become passé and point out that several have fallen into disrepair with owners who lack the funds to bring them back to their former glory.
THE BIG PINEAPPLE, QLD(1971)
The Big Pineapple, located in Woombye, is the grand poobah of them all. It towers sixteen meters above the pineapple fields of the Sunshine Coast. It is said to be the one of the country’s most visited attraction, second only to the Sydney’s Opera House. Prince Charles and Princess Diana even made their way to the Big Pineapple. Although it was destroyed by a fire, it was rebuilt in 1978 and has been designated a national heritage. It is now the site of a farmers market and an artist market. There’s also a train ride and an animal farm for the kiddies.
THE BIG BANANA, NSW (1964)
Have a hankering for a banana milkshake or banana jam? If so, grab the GPS and plot your course for the Big Banana located in Coffs Harbour. Although others have tried to duplicate it, at eleven meters long and five meters high, this is the undisputed Top Banana in Oz. Where else can you don your bathing suit and slide down a waterslide made in the shape of a banana before taking a toboggan ride?
THE BIG TAP, VIC (1998)
The Big Tap seems to float in air while water flows into the house below at Amaze’ N Things, an unusual amusement park of sorts that has a maze, a mini-golf course, and a room full of optical illusions.
THE BIG KOALA, VIC (1985)
Just next door from Amaze’N Things is the Koala Park Resort where Bruce the Big Koala lives. Bruce was originally made from Oregon pinewood, but by 1997 he was in need of an Extreme Makeover as most of his timber had rotted. Bruce made the brave decision to go under the knife and was reinforced with plaster and fiberglass. Bruce can now be seen in all of his grey glory. There is also a Koala Conservation Centre across the street where visitors can have an upclose encounter with a koala.
THE GIANT KOALA, VIC (1988)
In addition to Bruce the Big Koala, there is Sam the Giant Koala. Sam lives in a small town in Victoria called Dadswell Bridge, near the Grampians Ranges. At fourteen meters tall and twelve tonnes, Sam is thought to be the Guardian of the Grampians as well as the onsite zoo which houses two live koalas and other indigenous animals.
THE BIG COWS, VIC
The Big Cows are located in front of the Phillip Island Chocolate Factory where visitors can learn about the history of the cocoa bean, snag a free sample of chocolate, or buy unique chocolate treats such as ornately decorated chocolate shoes.
THE BIG WAVE
The Big Wave is located just over the bridge from San Remo infront of Islantis Surfboards shop. A perfect photo opp for surfers and non-surfers alike.
THE BIG MANGO, QLD 2002
The Big Mango is an upside down replica of the Kensington Pride Mango that stands ten meters high. It cost $90,000 to construct the Big Mango, a mere $60,000 over budget! The Big Mango is to located next to the Visitor Information Center in Bowen. Here visitors can have a mango sorbet while making travel arrangements around the Whitsundays region.
The Big Things are worth a look-see if you’re in the neighborhood. As the saying goes, the world is your Big Oyster. Oh yeah, there’s one of those too!
About The Author
I wish that I had this guide to go on when I was travelling to Sydney/Australia. I did not have much time so was only able to hit the truly touristy places. I would have loved to have gone to some of these spots and not done some of the less authentic things. Next time I travel I am using this site as my guide.
Thank you for the insight.