Height
5 meters
Year Built
2001
Address
Porter Promenade, Mission Beach, QLD 4852
The Lowdown
The Big Cassowary stands as a magnificent 5-meter tall tribute to the endangered Southern Cassowary in Mission Beach, one of the few places in Australia where these prehistoric-looking birds still roam wild. This impressive sculpture captures the distinctive blue and red neck wattles, the prominent casque on the head, and the powerful stance of the cassowary with remarkable artistic detail. Located in the heart of Mission Beach's rainforest region, the Big Cassowary serves both as a tourist attraction and an important conservation awareness symbol. The area around Mission Beach is one of the last strongholds for wild cassowaries in Australia, with the local population estimated at fewer than 1,000 individuals, making this sculpture a poignant reminder of the need to protect these magnificent birds and their rainforest habitat.
Did you know?
"The casque on a cassowary's head is made of keratin, the same material as human fingernails"
History
The Big Cassowary was erected in 2001 to raise awareness about the endangered Southern Cassowary and promote the unique wildlife of the Cassowary Coast region. The sculpture was created as part of local conservation efforts following devastating Cyclone Larry in 2006, which significantly impacted cassowary habitat in the area. Mission Beach has long been known as one of the best places in Australia to spot wild cassowaries, and the Big Cassowary serves as a symbol of the community's commitment to protecting these ancient birds. The Southern Cassowary is considered a 'keystone species' in the rainforest ecosystem, dispersing seeds from over 240 plant species.
More Fun Facts
- •The Southern Cassowary is the third tallest bird in the world, after ostriches and emus
- •Cassowaries can run up to 50 km/h and jump nearly 2 meters high
- •The casque on a cassowary's head is made of keratin, the same material as human fingernails
- •Mission Beach is one of the only places in the world where you can see wild cassowaries near beaches
- •Female cassowaries are larger than males and can reach 2 meters tall and weigh up to 76 kg
Visiting Tips
- 💡After visiting the Big Cassowary, take a rainforest walk where you might spot real cassowaries
- 💡Drive slowly in the Mission Beach area as wild cassowaries often cross roads
- 💡Visit the nearby Wet Tropics World Heritage Centre for more information about cassowary conservation
- 💡Never feed wild cassowaries - it's dangerous and illegal in Queensland
- 💡Combine your visit with a beach day at Mission Beach's beautiful 14km stretch of coastline
Opening Hours
The Big Cassowary is located in a public area and can be viewed at any time.
More Big Things Nearby
Big Barramundi
A 6-metre long fibreglass barramundi celebrating Normanton's status as the 'Barramundi Capital of Australia'.
Big Golden Gumboot
A 7.9-metre tall golden fibreglass gumboot celebrating Tully as one of Australia's wettest towns.
Big Mango
A 10-meter tall, 7-tonne fibreglass tribute to Bowen's mango industry, famously 'stolen' by Nando's in 2014 for a viral marketing campaign.