Big Apple (Tallong)
Height
Unknown
Year Built
1988
Address
Tallong Memorial Park, Tallong, NSW 2579
The Lowdown
The Big Apple stands proudly in Tallong Memorial Park, a testament to the village's rich agricultural history as one of NSW's premier apple-growing regions. Commissioned in 1988 by local legend Jim 'The Apple Man' Watling, the astonishingly detailed fibreglass sculpture was crafted by artist Carl Zeschke and originally sat atop Jim's fruit shed for three decades, luring customers to buy fresh fruit direct from the orchard. After Jim's passing, the Watling family generously donated the sculpture to the people of Tallong as a memorial to both men. In 2017, the Big Apple was carefully removed from its original location and restored by Alan Weston before being placed on a pedestal in the newly created Tallong Memorial Park. A protective canopy now keeps the apple nice and dry, and the scenic Jim Watling Walkway connects the sculpture to native bush plantings and the broader memorial park precinct. The Big Apple celebrates Tallong's official designation as 'The Land of the Big Apple' by the NSW Chamber of Agriculture, recognizing the town's exceptional apple orchards that regularly won first prize at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.
Did you know?
"Tallong was officially declared 'The Land of the Big Apple' by the NSW Chamber of Agriculture"
History
Tallong's apple-growing history dates back to the early 1900s when pioneer Albert Davenport discovered the region's soil was perfect for growing exceptional apples. His outstanding produce earned him widespread acclaim, and by 1917 the apple crop was estimated at 10,000 cases annually. The Tallong Fruit Growers' Association regularly won first prize in the Apple Pyramid competition at the Sydney Royal Easter Show, leading the NSW Chamber of Agriculture to officially declare Tallong 'The Land of the Big Apple.' Tragically, a devastating bushfire in 1965 burnt out most of the orchards, family homes, and community amenities, ending Tallong's reign as a major fruit-growing area and causing many families to leave the district. The Big Apple sculpture, created in 1988, serves as a memorial to this proud agricultural legacy. After sitting atop Jim Watling's fruit shed for three decades, the sculpture was donated to the community and relocated to Tallong Memorial Park in 2017 following a restoration funded by Goulburn Mulwaree Council and Holcim. The official opening on December 3, 2017, featured an Acknowledgement to Country and the Australian National Anthem performed by Tallong Public School students.
More Fun Facts
- •Tallong was officially declared 'The Land of the Big Apple' by the NSW Chamber of Agriculture
- •The Big Apple originally sat atop Jim Watling's fruit shed for 30 years
- •In 1917, Tallong's apple crop was estimated at 10,000 cases
- •Tallong orchardists regularly won first prize at the Sydney Royal Easter Show
- •A 1965 bushfire devastated the orchards and ended Tallong's apple-growing era
- •The sculpture was restored by Alan Weston in 2017
- •Pioneer Albert Davenport in 1900 put Tallong on the map for growing NSW's biggest apples
Visiting Tips
- 💡Walk the scenic Jim Watling Walkway connecting the sculpture to the memorial park
- 💡The sculpture has a protective canopy, making it photogenic even in light rain
- 💡Nearby Goulburn offers additional attractions including the Big Merino
- 💡The Southern Highlands is beautiful for a day trip from Sydney
- 💡Combine with visits to other nearby Southern Highlands villages
Opening Hours
Tallong Memorial Park is open at all times.
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