The Big Map of Australia
Height
Ground-level installation
Year Built
Address
Goondiwindi, QLD 4390
The Lowdown
The Big Map of Australia stretches across Goondiwindi, a border town on the Queensland-New South Wales frontier, giving visitors the chance to literally stand inside a map of the continent. This unique oversized attraction lets travellers position themselves at any point on Australia's outline, taking photos that show exactly where they are on the national map. Goondiwindi, pronounced 'Gundy-windy' by locals, sits on the MacIntyre River and has long been a crossing point between the two states. The Big Map celebrates Australia's distinctive shape and the joy of exploring this vast country.
Did you know?
"The name Goondiwindi comes from an Aboriginal word meaning 'resting place of birds'"
History
Goondiwindi has been a border crossing and meeting place since before European settlement, with the MacIntyre River forming the state boundary. The town developed as an agricultural centre, known for cotton and grain farming. The Big Map of Australia celebrates the town's position on major routes crossing the country and invites travellers to appreciate Australia's unique continental shape. At 7.7 million square kilometres, Australia is the world's sixth-largest country, and the Big Map helps visitors grasp this vast scale.
More Fun Facts
- •Australia is the world's sixth-largest country by area
- •The continent spans 4,000 km east to west and 3,200 km north to south
- •Goondiwindi sits right on the QLD-NSW border
- •Australia is the only country that is also a continent
- •The name Goondiwindi comes from an Aboriginal word meaning 'resting place of birds'
Visiting Tips
- 💡Take a photo standing where your home would be on the map
- 💡The Customs House Museum tells Goondiwindi's border history
- 💡Cross into New South Wales for a two-state road trip
- 💡Goondiwindi is known for cotton - look for cotton fields in summer
Opening Hours
Outdoor attraction accessible at all times.
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