Height
3 meters
Year Built
1998
Address
Bruce Highway, Cardwell, QLD 4849
The Lowdown
The Big Mud Crab in Cardwell celebrates one of North Queensland's most prized culinary treasures - the giant mud crab that inhabits the mangrove estuaries along the tropical coast. This impressive blue-green sculpture captures the mud crab's distinctive claws and shell, representing the creatures that local fishermen have been catching for generations. Cardwell sits between Townsville and Cairns on the Coral Sea coast, where the tidal mudflats and mangroves provide perfect habitat for these delicious crustaceans. The Big Mud Crab invites visitors to experience the tropical seafood bounty of North Queensland, where fresh crabs can be enjoyed at local restaurants or purchased straight from the boats.
Did you know?
"Mud crabs are nocturnal and spend days buried in mud"
History
The Big Mud Crab was erected in 1998 to celebrate Cardwell's fishing heritage and attract tourists traveling the Bruce Highway. Mud crabbing has been part of North Queensland life for generations, with both recreational and commercial fishers harvesting these prized creatures. Cardwell's position on the coast with access to pristine mangrove estuaries makes it an ideal spot for crabbing.
More Fun Facts
- •Mud crabs can grow up to 3kg and live for 3-4 years
- •Their claws can exert enough pressure to break a human finger
- •Male crabs (called bucks) are typically larger than females (jennies)
- •Mud crabs are nocturnal and spend days buried in mud
- •Cardwell has the largest jetty on the East Coast of Australia
Visiting Tips
- 💡Try fresh mud crab at local restaurants
- 💡Cardwell is the gateway to Hinchinbrook Island National Park
- 💡The Cardwell jetty is excellent for fishing
- 💡Look for crocodiles in the estuaries - they're common here
- 💡Great break point between Cairns and Townsville
Opening Hours
The Big Mud Crab 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.