The Big Termite

Hobart•TAS

Height

2 meters

Year Built

1995

Address

Sandy Bay Road, Hobart, TAS 7005

Free Entry

The Lowdown

The Big Termite celebrates one of Australia's most successful and industrious creatures - the termite, whose mounds dot the landscape from the tropical north to temperate Tasmania. This impressive sculpture captures the armored form of a termite soldier, complete with its oversized mandibles designed for defending the colony. While termites strike fear into homeowners, they play a vital ecological role in breaking down dead wood and recycling nutrients. The Big Termite reminds us of the complex societies these insects build, with some mounds lasting over 100 years and housing millions of individuals in sophisticated air-conditioned structures that predate human architecture by millions of years.

Did you know?

"A termite queen can lay 30,000 eggs per day and live for 50 years"

History

The Big Termite was erected in 1995 as part of a pest control company's promotional efforts. Despite their small size, termites cause billions of dollars in damage to Australian homes annually, making them both fascinating and feared. The sculpture celebrates the termite's remarkable abilities while reminding Australians of the importance of pest inspection.

More Fun Facts

•A termite queen can lay 30,000 eggs per day and live for 50 years
•Termite mounds in the Northern Territory can be over 8 meters tall
•Termites eat wood but can't actually digest it - gut bacteria do the work
•Magnetic termite mounds always point north-south to regulate temperature
•Termites are actually more closely related to cockroaches than ants

Visiting Tips

💡Drive the Savannah Way in the Northern Territory to see spectacular wild termite mounds
💡The sculpture is a quirky addition to a Hobart sightseeing day
💡Combine with a visit to Salamanca Market (Saturday mornings)
💡MONA, Australia's most talked-about museum, is nearby
💡Mount Wellington offers stunning views of Hobart and surrounds