Height
2 meters
Year Built
1932
Address
5 Miles from Gundagai, Hume Highway, NSW 2722
The Lowdown
The Dog on the Tuckerbox at Gundagai is one of Australia's most beloved roadside monuments, commemorating the legendary loyalty of a drover's dog. The statue depicts a dog sitting faithfully atop a tucker box (food container), waiting for its master who never returned. Based on a bush ballad, this touching tale has made the Dog on the Tuckerbox a symbol of mateship and loyalty that resonates deeply with Australians. Located five miles from Gundagai (as the famous song goes), the monument has been a stopping point for travelers since 1932, offering a moment of reflection on the values that define the Australian character.
Did you know?
"Prime Minister Joseph Lyons unveiled the statue in 1932"
History
The statue was unveiled in 1932, inspired by a bush ballad written in the 1850s. The story varies in different versions, but all celebrate the faithfulness of a drover's dog. The monument quickly became a national icon and popular rest stop on the journey between Melbourne and Sydney.
More Fun Facts
- •The famous song says 'five miles from Gundagai'
- •The original story may have been rather bawdy
- •Prime Minister Joseph Lyons unveiled the statue in 1932
- •Gundagai was once Australia's most flood-prone town
- •The monument has been vandalized and restored several times
Visiting Tips
- 💡Stop for a photo on your Sydney-Melbourne drive
- 💡Visit the gift shop for souvenirs
- 💡Gundagai has interesting historic buildings
- 💡The Rusconi marble masterpiece is in town
- 💡Prince Alfred Bridge is the longest timber road bridge in Australia
Opening Hours
Outdoor monument accessible at all times.
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