Height
5 meters
Year Built
2000
Address
Olympic Park, Sydney, NSW 2127
The Lowdown
The Big Boomerang celebrates one of the most iconic symbols of Australia - the returning boomerang that Indigenous Australians invented thousands of years ago. This impressive curved sculpture captures the elegant aerodynamic design that allows a boomerang to return to its thrower, a feat of engineering that took European scientists centuries to understand. The boomerang has become a symbol of Australia worldwide, representing both Indigenous culture and the Australian spirit of ingenuity. While most people associate boomerangs with sport and souvenirs, they were originally serious hunting tools, with different designs for different purposes, including the heavier non-returning 'killer sticks' used for hunting.
Did you know?
"The oldest boomerang found in Australia is about 10,000 years old"
History
The Big Boomerang was created for the Sydney 2000 Olympics, celebrating Indigenous Australian culture on the world stage. Boomerangs have been used in Australia for over 10,000 years, making them one of the oldest human inventions. The returning boomerang was primarily used for play and hunting birds, while heavier non-returning boomerangs were used for hunting larger game. Today, boomerang throwing is both a competitive sport and a cultural practice.
More Fun Facts
- •The oldest boomerang found in Australia is about 10,000 years old
- •Not all boomerangs return - the famous returning type was mainly used for sport
- •The name 'boomerang' comes from the Dharuk language of the Sydney region
- •Boomerangs work by creating lift like an airplane wing
- •World champion boomerang throwers can achieve throws of over 100 meters that return
Visiting Tips
- 💡Learn to throw a boomerang yourself - lessons available in many places
- 💡Visit the Australian Museum for excellent Indigenous culture exhibits
- 💡Buy an authentic Indigenous-made boomerang as a souvenir
- 💡Sydney Olympic Park has multiple attractions worth exploring
- 💡The park has great cycling paths and green spaces
Opening Hours
The Big Boomerang can be viewed at any time.
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