Height
3 meters
Year Built
2002
Address
Shellharbour Marina, Shellharbour, NSW 2529
The Lowdown
The Big Shell at Shell Harbour celebrates the natural treasures that gave this coastal town its name - the abundant shells that have been collected along these shores for thousands of years. This elegant sculpture captures the spiral beauty of a sea shell, representing the marine heritage of a region where Indigenous Australians gathered shellfish for millennia before European settlement. Shell Harbour has evolved from a sleepy fishing village into a thriving coastal community, but the shells that line its beaches remain a connection to the past. The Big Shell invites visitors to explore the beautiful coastline, discover quiet coves, and perhaps collect their own shells as souvenirs of the Illawarra region.
Did you know?
"Shellharbour now has a strict 'leave only footprints' beach policy"
History
The Big Shell was erected in 2002 to celebrate Shellharbour's maritime heritage. The town was named for the vast quantities of shells found along its beaches, which Aboriginal people had gathered for food and trade for thousands of years. Europeans established Shell Harbour as a port in the 1820s, and it grew as a fishing and boat-building community. Today, the modern marina sits where those early boats once moored.
More Fun Facts
- •Shellharbour was one of NSW's first coastal settlements outside Sydney
- •Aboriginal shell middens in the area date back over 20,000 years
- •The Illawarra coast has over 30 beaches to explore
- •Shell collecting was once so popular it threatened local ecosystems
- •Shellharbour now has a strict 'leave only footprints' beach policy
Visiting Tips
- 💡The beaches around Shellharbour are excellent and less crowded than Sydney
- 💡Take the coastal walk for stunning views and hidden beaches
- 💡The marina has great restaurants with waterfront dining
- 💡Nearby Kiama is famous for its blowhole - worth a visit
- 💡Shell Cove Beach is excellent for families with calm, protected waters
Opening Hours
The Big Shell can be viewed at any time.
More Big Things Nearby
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Big Potato
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Big Trout
A 10-metre tall, 2.5-tonne fibreglass rainbow trout sculpture celebrating Adaminaby's fishing heritage.