Height
3 meters
Year Built
1990
Address
Great Eastern Highway, Meckering, WA 6405
The Lowdown
The Big Camera at Meckering stands as an unusual memorial to one of Australia's most significant earthquakes. On October 14, 1968, a magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck Meckering, destroying most of the town and creating a 37-kilometer fault line visible from space. The Big Camera was installed to mark this historic event and encourage visitors to photograph the earthquake damage that can still be seen today. It's a quirky Australian way of turning a disaster into a tourist attraction, inviting travellers to stop and learn about this remarkable geological event.
Did you know?
"Australia's most destructive earthquake in recorded history"
History
The 1968 Meckering earthquake was magnitude 6.5, destroying most of the town and creating a 37km fault line. The Big Camera was installed to mark this significant geological event.
More Fun Facts
- •The 1968 earthquake was magnitude 6.5
- •It created a 37km fault line visible from space
- •Most of Meckering was destroyed
- •Australia's most destructive earthquake in recorded history
- •The fault line can still be seen today
Visiting Tips
- 💡Visit the earthquake memorial and fault line
- 💡Learn about the geological history
- 💡Meckering is on the Great Eastern Highway
- 💡Wave Rock is further east
- 💡Perth is about 130km west
Opening Hours
Outdoor display accessible at all times.
More Big Things Nearby
Big Crocodile
A massive 20-metre long concrete saltwater crocodile sculpture serving as both tourist attraction and swimming safety reminder in Australia's far north.
Big King Neptune
A giant King Neptune statue at Two Rocks, WA, originally from the defunct Atlantis Marine Park.
Big Lizzie
Australia's largest traction engine at Red Cliffs, VIC, a working piece of pioneering history.