Height
4 meters
Year Built
1985
Address
Cairns Esplanade, Cairns, QLD 4870
The Lowdown
The Big Marlin in Cairns celebrates the city's status as the black marlin capital of the world. This impressive sculpture captures the power and beauty of the black marlin - one of the ocean's most prized game fish that can exceed 500kg. Each year from September to December, giant black marlin gather on the Great Barrier Reef, drawing anglers from around the globe for world-class sportfishing. The Big Marlin honors this fishing heritage and the economic importance of game fishing to the Cairns region.
Did you know?
"The marlin season runs September to December"
History
Cairns has been a world-famous game fishing destination since the 1960s. The Great Barrier Reef's black marlin aggregation is considered the best big game fishing in the world, and the Big Marlin celebrates this sporting heritage.
More Fun Facts
- •Cairns is the black marlin capital of the world
- •Black marlin can weigh over 500kg
- •The marlin season runs September to December
- •Most game fishing is now catch and release
- •World records have been set in Cairns waters
Visiting Tips
- 💡Book game fishing charters in advance during marlin season
- 💡The Cairns Esplanade has great waterfront walks
- 💡Reef trips depart daily from Cairns Marina
- 💡The Cairns Aquarium showcases local marine life
- 💡Most operators practice catch and release
Opening Hours
Outdoor sculpture accessible at all times.
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.