Height
4 meters
Year Built
2002
Address
Eyre Highway, Kimba, SA 5641
The Lowdown
The Big Cockatoo in Kimba welcomes visitors with its distinctive yellow crest and pristine white plumage, celebrating one of Australia's most recognizable and charismatic birds. This impressive sulphur-crested cockatoo sculpture captures the intelligence and personality that makes these birds beloved yet often mischievous residents across the Australian continent. Kimba, located at the geographical center of Australia's east-west span, is the perfect home for this Big Thing that represents a bird found from coast to coast. Sulphur-crested cockatoos are known for their intelligence, longevity (often living 70+ years), and ability to strip garden furniture, car rubbers, and anything else that catches their fancy.
Did you know?
"They can mimic human speech and learn tricks"
History
The Big Cockatoo was erected in 2002 to give travelers crossing the Nullarbor a memorable photo opportunity at Kimba. The town promotes itself as being halfway across Australia, and the cockatoo - a bird found across the entire continent - makes a fitting mascot. Real sulphur-crested cockatoos are common in the area, often seen in noisy flocks raiding grain silos and farm gardens.
More Fun Facts
- •Sulphur-crested cockatoos can live over 70 years - some reach 100
- •They are one of the most intelligent birds, capable of using tools
- •Cockatoos can crack open nuts with 350 PSI of biting force
- •They can mimic human speech and learn tricks
- •Wild cockatoos have learned to open wheelie bins in Sydney
Visiting Tips
- 💡Kimba is the halfway point crossing the Nullarbor - a great rest stop
- 💡Real cockatoos are common around town, especially near grain storage
- 💡Stock up on supplies here before or after the long Nullarbor crossing
- 💡The town also has a Big Galah - photograph both birds!
- 💡Nearby Port Lincoln offers great white shark cage diving
Opening Hours
The Big Cockatoo can be viewed at any time.
More Big Things Nearby
Big Galah
An impressive 8-metre tall pink and grey galah sculpture marking the halfway point across Australia between Sydney and Perth.
Big Orange
Australia's largest big fruit at 15 metres tall and 12 metres wide, a former cafe and viewing platform celebrating the Riverland's citrus industry.
Big Rocking Horse
An 18.3-meter tall steel and concrete rocking horse overlooking the Adelaide Hills, complete with internal viewing platforms and a wildlife park.