The Big Bush Turkey
Height
8.5 metres tall, 4 metres wide
Year Built
2018
Address
Summerland Way, Kyogle, NSW 2474
The Lowdown
The Big Bush Turkey is one of Australia's newest Big Things, constructed in 2018 by passionate local couple John and Chrystine Graham. Standing an impressive 8.5 metres tall and 4 metres wide, this striking sculpture of an Australian Brush Turkey (Alectura lathami) has quickly become a beloved landmark on the Summerland Way, located just 2.6 kilometres from the town of Kyogle in the Northern Rivers region of NSW. The brush turkey, with its distinctive red head and yellow wattle, is a familiar sight in Australian bushland and suburban gardens, known for building enormous compost mound nests. The Graham's creation celebrates this quirky native bird and draws travellers to experience the natural beauty of the Kyogle region, gateway to the Border Ranges and the Richmond Valley.
Did you know?
"Real brush turkeys build nest mounds up to 4 metres wide and 2 metres high"
History
The Big Bush Turkey was constructed in 2018 by Kyogle locals John and Chrystine Graham, who undertook the ambitious project to create a new landmark for their region. The Australian Brush Turkey (Alectura lathami) is a common sight throughout eastern Australia, from the tropics to southern NSW. These remarkable birds are megapodes, meaning they incubate their eggs using heat generated by decomposing organic matter in large mound nests rather than body heat. Male brush turkeys build these mounds up to 4 metres wide and 2 metres high, constantly adjusting the compost to maintain the perfect temperature. The Big Bush Turkey celebrates this uniquely Australian bird and has become a popular stop for travellers on the scenic Summerland Way.
More Fun Facts
- •The Big Bush Turkey was built by local couple John and Chrystine Graham
- •Real brush turkeys build nest mounds up to 4 metres wide and 2 metres high
- •Australian Brush Turkeys are megapodes - they use external heat sources to incubate eggs
- •The sculpture stands 8.5 metres tall, roughly 10 times the height of a real brush turkey
- •Located just 2.6 km from Kyogle town centre on Summerland Way
Visiting Tips
- 💡Look for real brush turkeys in the surrounding bushland
- 💡Kyogle is the gateway to the World Heritage-listed Border Ranges National Park
- 💡The Summerland Way is a scenic alternative route between the coast and inland NSW
- 💡Nearby attractions include Toonumbar Dam and the Tooloom Falls
Opening Hours
Outdoor sculpture visible from Summerland Way at all times.
More Big Things Nearby
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The Big Apple in Tallong, NSW, is a hyper-realistic fibreglass apple sculpture built in 1988 by Carl Zeschke, celebrating the region's rich apple-growing heritage dating back to the 1900s.
Big Barramundi
A 6-metre long fibreglass barramundi celebrating Normanton's status as the 'Barramundi Capital of Australia'.
Big Cow
A large cow sculpture located in Highfields, Queensland, celebrating the region's dairy farming heritage.