Height
3 meters
Year Built
2010
Address
Various locations
The Lowdown
The Big Chilli brings the heat to Australia's Big Things collection. This fiery red sculpture celebrates the growing chilli industry that has developed as Australians embrace spicier foods. From the Carolina Reapers grown by extreme chilli enthusiasts to the mild birds eye chillis used in Asian cooking, Australia now produces a diverse range of peppers. The Big Chilli honors the farmers who cultivate these capsicum crops and the food lovers who've helped make chilli a mainstream ingredient in Australian cuisine. It's a reminder that Australian tastes have evolved far beyond meat and three veg.
Did you know?
"Chilli heat is measured in Scoville units"
History
Australia's chilli industry has grown as multicultural immigration introduced spicier cuisines. The Big Chilli celebrates this shift in Australian tastes and the farmers who now grow diverse chilli varieties.
More Fun Facts
- •Chilli heat is measured in Scoville units
- •Australia now grows some of the world's hottest chillis
- •Capsaicin, the chemical that causes heat, is used in pain relief
- •Birds can eat chillis without feeling the heat
- •Chillis originated in Central and South America
Visiting Tips
- 💡Try locally made chilli sauces
- 💡Visit during chilli festivals for tastings
- 💡Start mild if you're not used to spicy food
- 💡Australian grown chillis are increasingly popular
- 💡Wear gloves when handling hot chillis!
Opening Hours
Outdoor sculpture accessible at all times.
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.