Height
3 metres (10 feet)
Year Built
1975
Address
Penguin Uniting Church, 78 Main Road, Penguin TAS 7316
The Lowdown
The Big Penguin stands proudly as one of Tasmania's most beloved roadside attractions and only the second 'Big Thing' in Australia to receive heritage status. Built in just one week in 1975 by Andrew Bennie of Goliath Cement Co, this charming sculpture was created to commemorate the town's centenary. Weighing approximately 600 kilograms and standing 3 metres tall, the Big Penguin was constructed using ferro-cement and later coated with fibreglass, with its design based on photographs of real penguins. The construction was a true community effort, with the company donating all time and materials as a gesture of goodwill. Today, it remains a cherished landmark that celebrates the town's unique name and coastal character.
Did you know?
"The statue weighs approximately 600 kilograms despite being hollow"
History
The Big Penguin was born from the vision of George Daniels, President of the Penguin Traders Association, who sought to create a memorable landmark for the town's 100th birthday in 1975. Andrew Bennie of Goliath Cement Co brought this vision to life, using photographs of real penguins to create an accurate three-dimensional sculpture. Remarkably constructed in just one week, the entire project was a community gift, with the company donating all time and materials. The statue was officially unveiled on 25 October 1975 to great fanfare. Over the decades, the Big Penguin has become so beloved that in 2023, it was granted heritage status by the Tasmanian Heritage Council, making it only the second of Australia's approximately 150 'Big Things' to receive this honour (after Queensland's Big Pineapple in 2009). This recognition cements its place in Tasmania's cultural landscape.
More Fun Facts
- •The Big Penguin is only the second 'Big Thing' in Australia to receive heritage status, following the Big Pineapple in Queensland (2009)
- •It was constructed in just one week in 1975, making it one of the fastest-built Big Things in Australia
- •The statue weighs approximately 600 kilograms despite being hollow
- •The sculpture is 3 metres tall, 1.5 metres wide, and 1.3 metres from tail to beak
- •All construction time and materials were donated by Goliath Cement Co as a community gift
- •The town of Penguin has over 100 penguin sculptures and artworks throughout the township
- •Andrew Bennie used photographs of real penguins to ensure the sculpture was anatomically accurate
- •The Big Penguin was officially unveiled on 25 October 1975 to commemorate the town's centenary
Visiting Tips
- 💡The Big Penguin is located near the Penguin Uniting Church on Main Road, easy to spot from the highway
- 💡Take time to explore the town's penguin trail featuring over 100 penguin sculptures along the foreshore
- 💡Visit the nearby Penguin Cradle Coast Visitor Information Centre for maps and local recommendations
- 💡The best photos are taken in morning light when the sun illuminates the statue's painted features
- 💡Combine your visit with a walk along the beautiful Penguin foreshore and beach
- 💡The town has several cafes and shops within walking distance of the Big Penguin
- 💡Free parking is available nearby, making it an easy stop for road trippers
- 💡Check out the observation platform and lookout points along the coastal walk for stunning ocean views
Opening Hours
Accessible at all times as an outdoor public sculpture
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Big Galah
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