The Giant Koala
Height
14 metres
Year Built
1989
Address
Western Highway, Dadswells Bridge, VIC 3385
The Lowdown
The Giant Koala at Dadswells Bridge stands 14 metres tall and 8 metres wide, weighing an impressive 12 tonnes. Sculpted by Ben Van Zetten and opened in 1989, this bronze-on-steel-frame koala is one of Australia's largest and most beloved Big Things. In 2009, after the devastating Black Saturday bushfires, the statue was renamed 'Sam' in honour of a koala rescued from the fires near Kinglake whose photograph became an international symbol of hope. The image of Sam the koala being given water by firefighter David Tree touched hearts worldwide. The Giant Koala complex includes a gift shop and is a popular stop for travellers on the Western Highway between Melbourne and Adelaide.
Did you know?
"The photo of Sam being given water became world-famous"
History
Sculptor Ben Van Zetten created the Giant Koala in 1989, using bronze on a steel frame to build the 14-metre, 12-tonne structure. For 20 years it stood as an anonymous tribute to Australia's beloved marsupial. After the Black Saturday bushfires of February 2009, which killed 173 people and countless animals, a photograph of a koala being given water by firefighter David Tree near Kinglake captured world attention. The koala, later named Sam, became an international symbol of hope amid the devastation. In honour of Sam (who sadly later died from chlamydia-related complications), the Giant Koala at Dadswells Bridge was renamed 'Sam' in 2009.
More Fun Facts
- •Stands 14 metres tall and weighs 12 tonnes
- •Sculpted by Ben Van Zetten and opened in 1989
- •Made of bronze on a steel frame
- •Renamed 'Sam' in 2009 after a koala rescued from Black Saturday bushfires
- •The photo of Sam being given water became world-famous
- •One of the largest koala statues in the world
Visiting Tips
- 💡Popular rest stop on the Melbourne to Adelaide drive
- 💡The gift shop sells koala merchandise and local products
- 💡The nearby Grampians National Park has real koalas in the wild
- 💡Combine with a visit to historic Stawell or Horsham
Opening Hours
Koala visible 24/7. Gift shop has set hours.
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