The Oldest Big Thing
Discover which giant icon started it all back in the 1960s
Every legend has an origin story, and Australia's Big Things are no exception. But which oversized icon can claim to be the original? The answer might surprise you.
The 1960s - The Dawn of Big Things
The early 1960s saw a boom in car ownership and road trips across Australia. Clever entrepreneurs realised that something big and unusual could draw tourists off the highway and into their businesses. Thus, the Big Thing phenomenon was born.
The Big Scotsman - The True Original?
While the Big Banana often gets credit as the first, there's evidence that the Big Scotsman in Adelaide (built in 1963) predates it. However, the Big Banana (1964) is generally considered the first purposely-built Big Thing designed as a tourist attraction.
The Legacy
Since those early days, over 150 Big Things have been built across Australia. From the Big Prawn to the Big Merino, each one owes its existence to those pioneering giants of the 1960s.
The Bottom Line
Whether it's the Big Scotsman or the Big Banana that claims the title, one thing is certain: Australia's love affair with oversized attractions shows no signs of slowing down. Here's to 60+ years of Big Things!