Height
3 meters
Year Built
2008
Address
Main Street, Kurri Kurri, NSW 2327
The Lowdown
The Big Mushroom in Kurri Kurri is part of the Hunter Valley town's remarkable collection of outdoor art. Kurri Kurri has transformed itself into an open-air gallery, with over 60 murals and numerous sculptures adorning its streets. The Big Mushroom adds a whimsical touch to this artistic landscape, its oversized form delighting visitors who come to explore the town's creative revival. Once a coal mining center, Kurri Kurri reinvented itself through public art, with the mushroom sculpture representing the quirky, imaginative spirit that has made this small town a destination for art lovers and road-trippers seeking something different.
Did you know?
"Annual mural festivals add new artworks each year"
History
Kurri Kurri's transformation into a mural town began in the 1990s as the community sought to revitalize the former mining town. Local artists and volunteers created dozens of murals depicting the town's history and Australian culture, with sculptures like the Big Mushroom adding three-dimensional art to the streetscape.
More Fun Facts
- •Kurri Kurri has over 60 murals throughout the town
- •The town was established in 1902 as a coal mining center
- •Annual mural festivals add new artworks each year
- •Australia has over 5,000 species of native mushrooms
- •The town name comes from an Aboriginal word meaning 'come here'
Visiting Tips
- 💡Take the self-guided mural walk around town
- 💡Download the mural map from the visitor center
- 💡Hunter Valley wine country is just 15 minutes away
- 💡The town has great pie shops and bakeries
- 💡Combine with a visit to Richmond Main Colliery Museum
Opening Hours
Outdoor sculpture accessible at all times.
More Big Things Nearby
Big Golden Guitar
A 12-meter tall fibreglass guitar monument celebrating Tamworth's status as Australia's Country Music Capital, opened by Slim Dusty in 1988.
Big Potato
A 10-metre fibreglass potato built in 1977, modelled on a Sebago potato, sitting in a field in Robertson.
Big Trout
A 10-metre tall, 2.5-tonne fibreglass rainbow trout sculpture celebrating Adaminaby's fishing heritage.