10 Big Things you’ve never heard of

1. The Big Barramundi

Found in Normanton, Queensland The Big Barramundi offers fresh saltwater fish available for lunch al fresco in the barbeque gardens.

2. The Big Beer Can

Cobar in country NSW now has a place in the Guiness Book of Records thanks to The Big Beer Can. If filled the 5 metre tall structure would fit 10,000 schooners of beer. That’s more glasses of beer than people in the town!

3. The Big Mosquito

Living ominously above the Hexham Bowling Club north of Newcastle, The Big Mosquito draws tourists off the Pacific Highway for a photo and cool drink.

4. The Big Tennis Racquet

Found in Barellan, in the Riverina region of NSW, the 13.8m wooden Dunlop tennis racquet was built in honour of Evonne Goolagong, 14 times Grand Slam winning Australian Aboriginal tennis player.

5. The Big Penguin

Found in the appropriately named town of Penguin on Tasmania’s north west coast this statue represents the friendly visitors to the town each night at dusk. The town has a gorgeous ocean side drive past manicured gardens, sandy beaches and rugged .   

6. The Golden Gumboot

Tully, south of Cairns is the Australia’s wettest town, holding the record for 7.9 metres of rain in 1950. To celebrate this in true Aussie humour The Golden Gumboot was built at exactly 7.9 metres high in 2003.

7. The Big Ned

The famous bushranger Ned Kelly’s legendary story has put Glenrowan in the history books. To ensure we don’t forget this infamous period of history a giant statute of Ned was erected in 1992.

8. The Big Ant

This structure was designed by artist Pro Hart then donated to Broken Hill in 1990, where it can be found sitting proudly beside the Tourist Information Centre. To enjoy the outback scenery why not journey to Broken Hill on the Indian Pacific train from either Adelaide or Sydney.

9. The Big Sundial

The World’s Biggest Sundial is found in Singleton, NSW almost 200km north west of Sydney. Lemington Mine presented it as a gift to the town for Australia’s Bicentennial in 1988. Singleton is close to several Hunter Valley vineyards.

10. The Big Poo

Found in Kiama, NSW The Big Poo was built by local residents as a protest against Sydney Water’s decision not to reuse waste water in the area. The structure, unveiled in 2003, is built out of foam.

Broken Hill

Tasmania’s Top 5 places to shop

1. Elizabeth Street Mall contains the major national chains including Target and Harris Scarf. The Cat and Fiddle Arcade links Elizabeth Street to centre point and houses specialty shops, a food hall and Myer.

2. Salamanca Place, a busy street of old warehouses from the early 1800’s is now occupied by restaurants and pubs, antique dealers and souvenir shops. Salamanca comes alive every Saturday with street musicians and 300 market stalls.

3. The Market, Penguin. This north western coastal town offers over 100 stalls in an undercover, all weather environment. See Tasmanian woodwork plus handmade craft and jewellery then dine on fresh local produce.

4. Launceston city centre. This small city has the benefit of affordable rent, allowing small boutique stores and independent giftware shops to thrive. Wonder through street wear, ladies boutiques, surf and skate shops along George Street and Charles Street then head to Brisbane Street Mall to see Australia’s oldest bookstore Birchalls and the best high street stores. The Quadrant mall off Brisbane Street offers giftware stores and an old fashioned sweet shop.

5. Latrobe, near Devonport is a small town full of antique and collectible stores that offer furniture, toys, collectibles, china, jewellery and art. The heritage listed buildings offer a wonderful ‘old world’ setting for this satellite town. On the outskirts of town, situated on the highway is The Cherry Shed, offering a fantastic range of cherry based items on their café menu and Anvers chocolate factory, with chocolate making viewing platforms and gift shop in site.

Salamanca Market