The Big Wheelbarrow
Height
Large
Year Built
Address
Wedgefield Industrial Area, between Port Hedland and South Hedland, WA 6721
The Lowdown
The Big Wheelbarrow stands in the Wedgefield Industrial Area between Port Hedland and South Hedland, paying tribute to one of Australia's most unusual charity fundraisers. In the 1960s, a bet between two miners sparked the annual Wheelbarrow Race - an event where participants pushed wheelbarrows loaded with 11 kilograms of iron ore over 120 kilometres, jumped from moving vehicles, and completed relay challenges. This remarkable event ran for nearly 40 years and raised over $1 million for the Royal Flying Doctor Service and St John Ambulance before stricter safety rules brought it to an end. The photogenic bright yellow wheelbarrow stands out dramatically against the stark Pilbara landscape, serving both as a quirky roadside attraction and a tribute to the mining community's spirit of mateship and generosity.
Did you know?
"The race covered 120 kilometres"
History
The Big Wheelbarrow commemorates Port Hedland's famous Wheelbarrow Race, born from a bet between two miners in the 1960s. The annual event grew into one of the Pilbara's most beloved traditions, with participants pushing loaded wheelbarrows across grueling distances. The race raised over $1 million for the Royal Flying Doctor Service and St John Ambulance over nearly 40 years before stricter safety regulations ended the event. Volunteers erected the giant yellow wheelbarrow in the Wedgefield Industrial Area to ensure the community never forgets this unique piece of local history.
More Fun Facts
- •The race raised over $1 million for charity
- •Participants pushed wheelbarrows loaded with 11kg of iron ore
- •The race covered 120 kilometres
- •The event ran for nearly 40 years
- •It was stopped due to stricter safety rules
- •The bright yellow color makes it visible across the flat landscape
Visiting Tips
- 💡Stop at the Port Hedland Visitor Centre nearby
- 💡Take a photo from inside the wheelbarrow
- 💡Port Hedland is one of the world's largest iron ore ports
- 💡Book a port tour to see massive ships being loaded
- 💡The Pretty Pool and Cemetery Beach are worth visiting
Opening Hours
Outdoor sculpture accessible at all times.
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