Height
4 meters
Year Built
1992
Address
Kennedy Highway, Tolga, QLD 4882
The Lowdown
The Big Corn Cob in Tolga celebrates the Atherton Tablelands' proud agricultural heritage as one of Australia's premier corn-growing regions. This impressive golden sculpture captures the plump kernels and distinctive shape of a perfect corn cob, representing the sweet corn that thrives in the Tablelands' volcanic soils and tropical climate. The region's high altitude provides cooler temperatures that help develop the sweetness that makes Tablelands corn famous. The Big Corn stands outside the Tolga Woodworks gallery and cafe, inviting visitors to explore the remarkable food bowl of Far North Queensland where tropical fruits, corn, and other vegetables flourish year-round.
Did you know?
"Corn is technically a grass, not a vegetable"
History
The Big Corn Cob was erected in 1992 to celebrate Tolga's position at the heart of the Atherton Tablelands agricultural district. The region has been farming since the early 1900s when timber clearing revealed rich volcanic soils perfect for agriculture. Today, the Tablelands produce a significant proportion of Australia's corn, along with tropical fruits, coffee, and vegetables.
More Fun Facts
- •The Atherton Tablelands produces millions of corn cobs annually
- •Sweet corn needs warm days and cool nights - perfect Tablelands conditions
- •Australia grows both sweet corn for eating and field corn for animal feed
- •Corn is technically a grass, not a vegetable
- •The Tablelands volcanic soils are some of Australia's most fertile
Visiting Tips
- 💡Tolga Woodworks gallery and cafe next door is worth exploring
- 💡Buy fresh corn and produce at roadside stalls
- 💡The Tablelands have many other Big Things to discover
- 💡Don't miss Tolga Bat Hospital for a unique wildlife experience
- 💡The Atherton Tablelands are a cool escape from Cairns heat
Opening Hours
The Big Corn Cob can be viewed at any time. Tolga Woodworks has daytime hours.
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.