The Big Pelican
Height
Unknown
Year Built
1992
Address
Loxton, SA 5333
The Lowdown
The Big Pelican at Loxton celebrates the magnificent Australian pelican, a common sight along the Murray River that flows through this South Australian Riverland town. Built in 1992, the sculpture pays tribute to these graceful waterbirds that have made the Murray River wetlands their home for thousands of years. Australian pelicans are the largest pelican species in the world, with wingspans reaching up to 2.5 metres. Loxton, situated on the banks of the Murray, is surrounded by wetlands, irrigation channels, and billabongs that provide ideal habitat for pelicans and many other waterbirds. The Big Pelican has become a beloved landmark in this thriving agricultural and tourism community.
Did you know?
"Australian pelicans are the largest pelican species in the world"
History
The Big Pelican was installed in Loxton in 1992 to celebrate the town's connection to the Murray River and its abundant birdlife. Australian pelicans have inhabited the Murray-Darling Basin for millennia, and their presence is a key indicator of ecosystem health. Loxton was established as an irrigation town in the early 1900s, and the network of channels and wetlands created to support agriculture also created ideal habitat for waterbirds. The pelican has become a symbol of the Riverland region's natural beauty.
More Fun Facts
- •Australian pelicans are the largest pelican species in the world
- •Their bills can grow up to 50 centimetres long
- •Pelicans have been in Australia for over 40 million years
- •Loxton is in the heart of South Australia's Riverland
- •The Murray River is Australia's longest river at 2,508 km
Visiting Tips
- 💡Visit the Loxton Historical Village for local history
- 💡Take a Murray River paddle steamer cruise
- 💡The Riverland is SA's food bowl - try local produce
- 💡Banrock Station Wetlands is a great birdwatching spot
Opening Hours
Outdoor sculpture accessible at all times.
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