The Big Merino
Height
15.2 metres
Year Built
1985
Address
Corner Hume and Sowerby Streets, Goulburn, NSW 2580
The Lowdown
The Big Merino stands 15.2 metres tall and 18 metres long in Goulburn, NSW, making it one of Australia's most impressive Big Things. Affectionately known locally as 'Rambo', the three-storey structure was modelled after a real prize-winning merino ram from the nearby Bullamalita property, owned by the Peden family. The original Rambo was an award-winning ram weighing 72 kilograms with 16.5-micron wool. Built in 1985 by Adelaide builder Glenn Senner from designs by architect Gary Dutallis, the 97-tonne concrete and steel monument took six months to construct. In 2007, when the Hume Highway bypass reduced tourist traffic, the entire structure was moved 800 metres to its current location near the freeway interchange. Visitors can climb inside to view exhibits on Australia's 200-year wool history and look out through Rambo's eyes.
Did you know?
"Affectionately known as 'Rambo' after the prize ram it's modelled on"
History
The Big Merino was conceived by brothers Attila and Louis Mokany as a celebration of Goulburn's fine wool industry. They found the perfect model in a prize-winning merino stud ram from Bullamalita property, owned by the Peden family. The original Rambo weighed 72 kilograms with exceptional 16.5-micron wool. Adelaide builder Glenn Senner constructed the monument over six months using a steel frame covered with wire mesh and reinforced concrete. It opened on 20 September 1985, unveiled by John Brown, the federal minister for sport, recreation and tourism. When the 1992 highway bypass reduced visitors by 40 busloads daily, the 97-tonne structure was moved 800 metres south on 26 May 2007 to its current prominent location near the freeway interchange.
More Fun Facts
- •Affectionately known as 'Rambo' after the prize ram it's modelled on
- •Weighs 97 tonnes and is 15.2 metres tall
- •Was moved 800 metres in 2007 to be more visible from the highway
- •The original model ram had exceptional 16.5-micron wool
- •You can look out through Rambo's eyes from inside
- •Houses an exhibition on Australia's 200-year wool history
- •The gift shop sells some of Australia's best wool products
Visiting Tips
- 💡Climb to the top to look out through Rambo's eyes
- 💡The gift shop has an excellent selection of wool garments
- 💡Free parking on-site
- 💡Great leg-stretch stop between Sydney and Canberra on the Hume Highway
Opening Hours
The exterior is visible 24/7. Gift shop and exhibition have set hours.
More Big Things Nearby
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The Big Apple in Tallong, NSW, is a hyper-realistic fibreglass apple sculpture built in 1988 by Carl Zeschke, celebrating the region's rich apple-growing heritage dating back to the 1900s.
Big Barramundi
A 6-metre long fibreglass barramundi celebrating Normanton's status as the 'Barramundi Capital of Australia'.
Big Cow
A large cow sculpture located in Highfields, Queensland, celebrating the region's dairy farming heritage.