Big things (Australia)

Many of these sculptures originally emerged as an inspiration from the growing trend of roadside attractions in the United States during the mid 20th century. They were built as promotional advertisements, art installations or to draw attention to small towns and businesses, becoming tourist icons in the process. In 2009, the Big Pineapple in Queensland was heritage listed. ==List of big things (by state or territory)==

Australian Capital Territory New South Wales Northern Territory Queensland } south of Nambour Haigslea South Australia Tasmania Victoria Western Australia ==In popular culture==

• The London production of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert: the Musical references the Big Prawn, Big Merino, Big Pineapple and the Big Banana. • The ABC produced a documentary titled Big Things as part of its program The Big Picture. • The National Museum in Canberra has a comprehensive multimedia exhibit displaying numerous big things. • In 2007 Australia Post issued a set of 50c postage stamps by Reg Mombassa, commemorating five of the most iconic big things: • The Big Banana at Coffs Harbour (NSW) • The Big Golden Guitar at Tamworth (NSW) • The Big Lobster at Kingston SE (SA) • The Big Merino at Goulburn (NSW) • The Big Pineapple at Nambour (QLD) • Danny Wallace mentions Australia's big things in his book Yes Man • Travel writer Bill Bryson details his visit to the Big Lobster and the Big Bull in his book Down Under / In a Sunburned Country • In the Australian comedy film Young Einstein, when the titular character books into a hotel, the desk clerk asks if he's "Here to see the Big Bed?" • English stand-up comedian Ross Noble visited many of Australia's big things during his 2009 tour Ross Noble's Australian Trip. • Australian comedians the Listies categorise Australia's big things in their comedy dictionary, Ickypedia, as "Enbigenating". • The Big Pineapple appears in TY the Tasmanian Tiger 2: Bush Rescue • In 2004, the Foxtel channel TV1 aired the ASTRA Award-winning production ''Magda's Big Things'' hosted by Magda Szubanski between commercial programming, in which Szubanski would visit a Big Thing and provide comedic, but often fictional commentary • In 2022, Australian confectionary brand Allen's released a gummy lolly mix called Big Aussie Road Trip containing 5 gummy sweets inspired by the Big Things. • In 2023, Melbourne punk band Private Function released their third album 370HSSV 0773H. The album cover included a scratchcard competition to win $2999, a test pressing of the album and the winner's face on all future pressings of the album if all three scratchcard pictures matched. The scratchcard pictures included photos of the Big Banana and the Big Koala. • In 2023, the Royal Australian Mint released a set of commemorative $1 coins featuring ten of the "big things". • In 2023, five of the sculptures were used to illustrate Australian $1.20 stamps. ==See also==