Height
4 meters
Year Built
1994
Address
Warrego Highway, Chinchilla, QLD 4413
The Lowdown
The Big Melon at Chinchilla celebrates this Western Downs town's status as the Melon Capital of Australia. This massive watermelon sculpture represents the fruit that has made Chinchilla famous, with the region producing around 25% of Australia's watermelons. Every two years, Chinchilla hosts the legendary Melon Festival - a celebration of all things melon featuring melon skiing, melon bungee, melon pip spitting, and the crowning event: melon chariot races. The Big Melon stands as a year-round reminder of the town's quirky obsession with this refreshing fruit.
Did you know?
"Chinchilla produces 25% of Australia's watermelons"
History
Chinchilla's melon industry began in the 1940s, and the town now produces a quarter of Australia's watermelons. The Melon Festival started in 1994, coinciding with the Big Melon's creation.
More Fun Facts
- •Chinchilla produces 25% of Australia's watermelons
- •The Melon Festival features melon skiing and bungee
- •Melon pip spitting is a competitive sport here
- •The festival includes melon chariot races
- •Over 20,000 people attend the biennial Melon Festival
Visiting Tips
- 💡Check festival dates - it's held every two years
- 💡The festival is usually in February
- 💡Try melon-themed activities at the festival
- 💡Farm gate sales offer fresh melons in summer
- 💡Miles Historical Village is nearby
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.