australian big things road trip

A guide to 30 of Australia's iconic Big Things

Carla Grossetti

Sub-Editor & Journalist

13 August 2024

It wouldn’t be an Australian road trip without a sighting of a Big Thing and we’ve put together a guide of Australia’s most iconic Big Things.

“Go big or go home”, so the expression goes, and Australia certainly received the memo. Australia’s penchant for ‘Big Things’ dates back to the 1960s when Adelaide’s Big Scotsman and the Big Banana in Coffs Harbour were unveiled to oversized delight. Today there is said to be more than 150 Big Things across the country, with some sources reporting in excess of 300, although the figure depends strongly on one’s definition of ‘big’.

Although there are some bona fide medium-sized items on our list, checking them all off is one of many reasons to head out on the highway. The quirkier the better. Here, we highlight some of the most iconic larger-than-life attractions (ranked by state, not by order of appeal) as well as those that are lesser-known such as Larry the Lobster, located in Kingston, South Australia, which was recently crowned champion in a ‘Which Big Thing is the Best?’ poll conducted by ABC Rural’s Warwick Long.

Qld | SA | NSW | NT | Tas | Vic | WA

The Sunshine State loves a Big Thing, judging by the sheer number of them you will find scattered around the state. From fruit and a giant gumboot to a cane toad, kangaroo and a giant easel, there is seemingly no “thing” too small to be transformed into a larger than life attraction. Here are nine of the best in Queensland.

1. The Big Pineapple

The  Sunshine Coast’s  Big Pineapple, located in Woombye, was once so iconic it made the cut as part of Prince Charles and Lady Diana’s 1983 Royal tour. Opened in 1971 on the existing Sunshine Plantation, located between Noosa and Caloundra, the 16-metre fibreglass pineapple attracted more than 1 million visitors a year at the peak of its popularity, and plans to return the heritage-listed landmark to its former glory are in progress.

The 170-hectare site includes attractions such as a ginger beer brewery, Diablo Co ., a water park , education programs and accommodation. There is already a Wildlife HQ zoo, a Tree Top Challenge with high ropes and zipline course, and regular events including the annual Big Pineapple Music Festival.

Part of the property’s footprint also includes Sunshine & Sons , a small-batch distillery that launched its Pineapple Parfait Gin in August 2021 to showcase the tropical fruit grown on the pineapple plantation and celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Big Pineapple.  There is also a push for the Big Pineapple to become the official mascot for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics.

There is a whole lot more to see at Woombye’s Big Pineapple location.

2. The Big Kangaroo

Matilda was the 13-metre tall kangaroo mascot from the 1982 Brisbane Commonwealth Games. The six-tonne Big Thing has since been upcycled and, ahem, roo-located several times from a water park on the Gold Coast to a truck stop in Kyborg, and today stands sentinel outside a petrol station in nearby Traveston, in the Gympie region of Queensland.

While the much-loved mascot used to be able to wiggle her ears, wink and blink, these days the icon simply manages to turn heads from her new position outside the new Chevron mega servo station on the Bruce Highway, which is even more accessible to road-trippers than her former Kyborg home.

The Big Kangaroo has had many homes over the years. (Image: Big Things Australia Facebook )

3. The Big Cane Toad

The locals have nicknamed the Big Cane Toad in Sarina ‘Buffy’ after the native tropical American tailless amphibian’s Latin name, Bufo marinus, and, love it or loathe it, it’s become a fibreglass fixture that celebrates the town’s cane farming history, warts and all. Big bold Buffy is located on the Bruce Highway, in the middle of the main road that slices through Sarina.

The cane toad was introduced to Australia as a pest control agent, but has become a pest itself. Originally crafted as the papier mache centrepiece to grace a float for a tropical sugar festival, the toad was cast in fibreglass in honour of the large, poisonous toad so prevalent in the region.

The Big Cane Toad can be spotted in Sarina. (Image: Mackay Region)

4. The Golden Gumboot

The township of Tully, located south of Cairns in Tropical North Queensland, has an average rainfall that exceeds four metres and, in 2003, a monument to the town’s unofficial status as Australia’s wettest town was erected in the form of a Golden Gumboot. Climbing up the gumboot is a white-lipped green tree frog.

After Cyclone Yasi roared through the town in 2017, the 7.9-metre-tall gumboot was given a facelift and it is now looking resplendent with its boot painted a golden hue and the fibreglass frog a vibrant shade of green.

The township of Tully is home to the Golden Gumboot. (Image: Tourism Events Queensland)

5. The Big Bullock

Rockhampton is home to the Big Bullock, a set of seven large statues that nod to the town’s triennial Beef Australia Expo. Vandals have been known to castrate the bulls’ balls, which are considered a trophy by local pranksters. The quirky statutes in the Beef Capital of Australia include a Brahman Bull at a roundabout on the southern entrance to the city and the Droughtmaster, at the entrance to the airport.

Romagnola is one of the seven statues that make up the Big Bullock in Rockhampton. (Image: Tourism Events Queensland)

6. The Big Easel

A drop of Tuscany meets the Central Highlands in Queensland with this mega artwork of Van Gogh’s sunflower painting. Artist Cameron Cross built the 25-metre high easel using about 13.6 tonnes of steel as part of his vision to construct seven Sunflower sculptures in seven different countries.

The painting, which punches the sky above Morton Park, was finished in 1999 and remains the world’s biggest rendition of a Van Gogh sunflower painting. The artwork is also a nod to Emerald’s proud history as a major producer of sunflowers. Visit the Emerald Visitor Information Centre to learn more about the awesome easel and return over Easter for the town’s annual Sunflower Festival.

The Big Easel in Emerald is a mega version of Van Gogh’s sunflower painting. (Image: Tourism Events Queensland)

7. The Big Barramundi

The Big Barramundi in Normanton is one of Queensland’s most famous big things. Constructed in honour of the elusive, large freshwater fish of the same name that is the most common species found in the Norman River, this Big Thing also celebrates the town’s status as the Barramundi Capital of the North.   

Constructed in 1995, the six-metre-long sculpture is one of three dedicated to barramundi located around Australia. The small Shire of Carpentaria town is also home to an 8-metre-long fibreglass saltwater crocodile named Krys, the Savannah King, which is a replica of the largest recorded saltwater crocodile captured in the world.

8. The Big Cassowary

As anyone who has come face to casque with a cassowary will attest, these flightless birds are not to be trifled with. So instead of trying to snap a selfie with the real thing, you can head to Wongaling Beach Shopping Centre in Mission Beach to clock the big bird that gave the Cassowary Coast its name.

While the statue is five metres tall, the actual bird itself – known for their wondrous red and blue wattles – can reach up to 1.7 metres and weigh up to 76 kilograms. The rainforest-cloaked hills around Mission Beach provide the perfect habitat for the big birds, and there are several street signs that warn motorists to slow down in case of cassowaries crossing.

The Big Cassowary can be found outside Wongaling Beach Shopping Centre in Mission Beach. (Image: Big Things Facebook)

9. The Big Apple

You will have to clock up a couple of hundred klicks on the Cunningham Highway to get to The Big Apple, located in the town of Stanthorpe. Located just 2.5 hours southwest of Brisbane, The Big Apple is about as far from New York as it gets, situated as it is in a region that is defined by its apple orchards, which sum up the seedy sculpture’s raison d’être.  

The Big Apple is located in the Granite Belt, in apple country, in a region where the orchards are considered a core aspect of Queensland’s bounty. You will find apple pies and apple cider tastings across the road from the Big Apple in Sutton’s Juice Factory, Cidery and Café.

The Big Apple is located in the town of Stanthorpe. (Image: @australiasbigthings )

South Australia

Famed for its vineyards, beaches and festivals, South Australia hardly needs a Big Thing to convince us to visit. Yet it’s the Big Things that show up in the most unlikely of places (like the Big Galah perched at the halfway point across Australia) that make South Australia stand out in the Big Things stakes. Here are three of the best.

10. The Big Lobster

Foodies looking for a fix of fresh lobster know that   South Australia’s Limestone Coast is well worth the journey, which is why a 17-metre-tall version of the crustacean was built in Kingston in 1979. Known as Larry the Lobster, the steel-and-fibreglass structure was designed to attract people to the adjacent restaurant and visitor centre.

The Big Lobster known locally as Larry the Lobster is one of the biggest of Australia’s Big Things, and was recently ranked No. 1 ‘Best Big Thing’ in an ABC Rural poll. There is now an old-school takeaway located in the lobster’s tail luring road-trippers off the Princes Highway near the entrance to Kingston for fish and chips and a selfie near the pincers.

Visit the 17-metre-tall lobster on South Australia’s Limestone Coast.

11. The Big Rocking Horse

There’s something thrilling about seeing a soaring big thing when you’re a child. And the fact the Big Rocking Horse is actually the giant emblem for a wooden toy factory doubles this Big Thing’s appeal. Although the 18-metre-high horse doesn’t rock – it’s set into 80 tonnes of concrete – you can climb through the horse to look out from three vantage points, the rocker, saddle and horse’s head.

The world’s biggest rocking horse is located in Gumeracha, in the Adelaide Hills, and is a top spot to enjoy some retail therapy. Bring your own picnic and spread out in the shade at the adjoining wildlife park, where peacocks, wallabies, sheep, goats, kangaroos and alpacas roam.

The Big Rocking Horse is actually the giant emblem of a wooden toy factory. (Image: @thetoyfactory.com.au )

12. The Big Galah

There are a few Australian colloquialisms that sum up our feelings toward the native galah. If you make a galah of yourself, you’re appearing foolish. If you’re ‘mad as a gum tree full of galahs’ you’ve gone completely cray-cray. Kimba’s Big Galah is a monument to the small Australian cockatoo that is coloured grey and pink, like bands of ‘80s eye shadow.

The giant eight-metre-high bush bird is perched out the front of a servo in Kimba that marks the halfway point across Australia. Today, the Big Galah is shadowed by the soaring 30-metre-high grain silos, which have been painted with murals and are now a major attraction in SA. The Big Kissing Galahs can also be found roosting in a concrete nest in Watson on the northern outskirts of Canberra in the ACT.

The Big Galah in Kimba received a new paint job in 2021. (Image: @thebiggalah)

New South Wales

Home to arguably the most famous Big Thing of them all, the Big Banana, New South Wales punches above its weight in the Big Things arena. Here are five of the state’s best.

13. The Big Banana

Opened in 1964, the Big Banana was one of the first, and remains one of the most popular, Big Things in Australia. A ‘you-can’t-miss-it’ position on the Pacific Highway in Coffs Harbour has aided the ‘na-na’s fame, but it is more than just an oversized piece of fruit for road-trippers to gawk at.

Although it originally had the simple role of marking the site of a banana plantation, the space has evolved over the years and the 13-metre-long landmark is now accompanied by an award-winning fun park with laser tag, a giant slide, mini golf, ice skating, a toboggan ride and a water park among other attractions.

The Big Banana also looms large for road-trippers, with the promise of a chocolate-coated banana or banana split keeping children happy for longer on their quest to get to Coffs Harbour. While there are many more stories to be told in Coffs Harbour these days, with the Mid North Coast town recently declared NSW’s first ECO destination , the Big Banana will always hold sway.

Coffs Harbour is home to the iconic Big Banana.

14. The Big Merino

Built in 1985, The Big Merino is a monument to the Goulburn region’s fine wool industry. And ‘Rambo’ is a particularly big, big thing, weighing in at 100 tonnes and measuring 15.2 metres high and 18 metres long. Once a go-to pit-stop for those travelling through Goulburn, The Big Merino’s popularity initially suffered when the Hume Highway was re-routed to bypass the town in 1992.

But in 2007, Rambo was relocated 800 metres closer to the highway so he could once again enjoy the spotlight. Unlike most of Australia’s Big Things, Rambo is open for inspection and a go-to on a weekend getaway in Goulburn . His three-storey interior is home to a permanent exhibition on the 200-year history of wool in Australia as well as a gift shop and an observation area where visitors can experience the Rambo’s-eye view.

The Big Merino was built in 1985 to celebrate Goulburn’s fine wool industry.

15. The Big Prawn

Ballina’s 33-tonne Big Prawn was constructed (tail-less for reasons unknown) in 1989 as a nod to the local prawning industry where it took up residence atop a local service station. The structure eventually fell into disrepair and faced demolition when the service station closed in 2010, but another Aussie icon, Bunnings Warehouse, came to the rescue.

When the hardware group moved in, it spent $400,000 restoring the 35-tonne prawn, which included the addition of a 16-metre tail. The Big Prawn now cuts a striking figure next to its saviour. After adding a few snapshots to your Snapchat, order seafood to-go from one of the stores across the road. There is also a Big Prawn located in Exmouth, on Australia’s Coral Coast.

Ballina’s 33-tonne Big Prawn has been around since 1989.

16. The Big Potato

The rural idyll of Robertson in NSW’s Southern Highlands is home to The Big Potato , built in 1977 by local farmer Jim Mauger in order to celebrate the production of potatoes in the region, which is known for its rich, fertile soil and reliable rainfall.

Located off the Illawarra Highway, near the Robertson Supermarket, the gigantic tuber measures 10 metres by four metres and is also affectionately known as ‘the big poo-tato’ for its resemblance to oversized excreta. The Big Potato, modelled on the Sebago potato variety, sold to new owners in 2020.

The Big Potato in Robertson, NSW. (Image: Neil Tait/Destination NSW)

17. The Big Kookaburra

Pokolbin artist Chris Fussel created this king-sized kookaburra out of recycled steel, aluminium and copper and the giant bird is now an iconic sculpture and centrepiece of Kurri Kurri’s Col Brown Park. It’s one of Australia’s more low-key, lesser-known Big Things, but it’s worth getting in a flap about: it’s absolutely beautiful.

The 4.6-metre-high Big Kookaburra takes pride of place in Kurri Kurri where the bird is used as an emblem for several Kurri sporting and community organisations. The artist utilised old car bonnets to fashion the feathers and airstrip lights to create the kookaburra’s eyes. It’s one of Australia’s most considered Big Things.

The Big Kookaburra in Kurri Kurri, NSW. (Image: Bidgee )

Northern Territory

The Northern Territory is undoubtedly home to the best “rock” in the country but it also has its share of Big Things to attract you to it. Here are the top three to add to your list.

18. Big Stubbie

You will clock up a lot of kilometres on the road between Darwin and Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. You are also most likely to be lured off the road for a pot of beer at the Larrimah Hotel in the Northern Territory thanks to the placement of the Big Stubbie, which does what it says on the tin.

The Big Stubbie is artfully placed next to a Pink Panther reclining in a chair outside the character-filled outback pub in Larrimah, which has one of the largest Second World War dirt airstrips in the country.  

19. The Big Boxing Crocodile

Never smile at a crocodile. Unless it’s outside Humpty Doo, in the Northern Territory. There’s more than a grain of truth to the tale that the town was founded on a post-war folly: to transform the surrounding flood plains into rice paddies.

When that plan went belly up, the town designed to build a representation of life in Humpty Doo in the form of an eight-metre-high crocodile.

The Big Croc is made comical with the addition of a pair of boxing gloves just in case it needs more in its tool kit than its crushing jaws to defend its territory on the Arnhem Highway, some 40 kilometres from Darwin. The Northern Territory is also home to The Giant Jumping Crocodile in Wak Wak, and George the Big Crocodile in Darwin.

20. The Big Turtle

Artist Techy Masero, who is also behind the Big Barramundi (in Wanguri, not Normanton), created this mosaic masterpiece with help from local Indigenous artists. The four-metre-wide turtle is located in Garamanak Park near a community centre in the northern suburb of Lyons, in Darwin.

It’s one of the more obscure Big Things created by the Australian artist who was born in Chile and came to live in Darwin in 1985. Masero works mostly in cane and other natural materials, albeit on a monumental scale. You can learn more about Masero on a leaf mosaic path near the open-air cinema designed to celebrate Northern Territory women.

The Apple Isle gets our vote for the cutest Big Thing of them all in the form of a giant fairy penguin – one of two Big Things that made it into our pick of the most iconic in the state.

21. The Big Penguin

The aptly named town of Penguin in Tasmania comes into its own between the months of September and March, when a colony of fairy penguins descend on this corner of the island state’s north west. The birds are called fairy penguins because of their small size, and it’s wonderful to watch them parade past with their bluish plumage on show during breeding season.

The Big Penguin is made from fibreglass and cement and locals love to dress it up in military fatigues, to commemorate Anzac Day, and in a Santa suit during the festive season making the town one of the top spots to stop on a Tassie road trip . Penguin’s penguin theme also runs hot in the souvenir stores and in the penguin-shaped rubbish bins on the town’s foreshore.

The Big Penguin can be found in the Tasmanian town of Penguin. (Image: @TheBigPenguin)

22. The Big Tassie Devil

There’s nothing comedic about the giant Tassie devil guarding the entrance to Trowunna Wildlife Park Sanctuary. In fact, it stands as a poignant reminder of the breeding programs in place at this privately owned park which has been at the forefront of conservation and education in the State since it first started caring for Tasmania’s native animals in the late 70s.

Wildlife conservation is indeed, a Big Thing at the park, at the foot of Cradle Mountain which also offers great scenery, walking trails and outdoor activities.

The list of Big Things in Victoria is long, but they’ve one-upped the other states and built a “Giant” thing in the form of Australia’s most beloved marsupial, a koala. Here, find five to put on your bucket list.

23. Giant Murray Cod

Keen anglers already in the know don’t need a Giant Murray Cod to alert them to the presence of the 11-metre-long blue-and-green Australian freshwater fish in the waterways that snake around Swan Hill, located on a bend of the Murray River between Robinvale and Kerang.

The 11-metre-long replica, dubbed the Giant Murray Cod, is actually a former movie prop from the 1992 feature film, Eight Ball , and it’s located near the Burke & Wills Moreton Bay fig tree, one of nature’s Big Things that is believed to be the largest tree of its kind in Australia.

24. Giant Koala

The soaring marsupial known as Sam was constructed in honour of the koala that made headlines the world over when it was photographed drinking from a water bottle offered by a firefighter in burned bushland in 2009. Located in Wimmera, in western Victoria, the giant marsupial is made from 12 tonnes of fibreglass, steel and bronze.

The Big Koala is located in Dadswell Bridge, between Horsham and Stawell, and is a top spot to break up a road trip as there is a restaurant, ice creamery and wildlife park located on the property.

25. The Big Strawberry

This enormous ode to the sweet soft red fruit so revered around the world brightens the darkest of days in Koonoomoo thanks to its eternally rosy disposition. The Big Strawberry , which survived a tornado in 2013, stands six metres tall and five metres wide and was a sweet collaboration between Competition Kayaks, which supplied the fibreglass, and Barry Dickson Paint & Panel, which rendered the sculpture Monza red.

This Victorian Big Thing is a draw for families who want to take their children strawberry picking. Order scones with strawberry jam and cream at the café and stock up on strawberry-themed souvenirs at the gift shop.

26. Big Ned Kelly

History buffs will stop dead in their tracks outside the Glenrowan Tourist Centre when they catch sight of the giant monument of Ned Kelly that nods to the outlaw’s suit of heavy armour forged from old farm ploughs. The rugged high country around Glenrowan is rich in gold rush and bushranger heritage and the Big Ned Kelly marks the site of the Kelly Gang’s last stand.

Visit the monument to learn more about the shootout that resulted in the deaths of three police officers who were murdered in Mansfield by the Kelly Gang.

27. Big Wine Bottle

Let’s get real: the town of Rutherglen is a magnet for oenophiles who are drawn to the region for its history and vineyards, not its oversized wine bottle. Regardless, the Big Wine Bottle stands like a beacon on the landscape, signalling the fact there are a growing number of award-winning cellar doors scattered around Tower Hill on the fringes of town.

This giant roadside attraction has a disused water tank on its top, which was originally the community’s second water supply.  The Wine Bottle became a big thing in 1969 when a mesh top section was added to the wine bottle, which put it on the map as part of the town’s Winery Walkabout.

Western Australia

Australia’s largest state has its fair share of Big Things to brag about, but if you really want to get the kids excited to see a Big Thing on a road trip, then take them to the largest free-standing Big Lollipop in the world – and they can stock up on lollies while they’re there.

28. The Big Lollipop

“If you build it, they will come.” This quote is based on a line from Kevin Costner’s Field of Dreams but instead of building a baseball field, the owners of The Yummylicious Candy Shack, Belinda and Darrin Mcharge thought they’d suck it and see, self-funding The Big Lollipop in order to attract more tourists to this part of WA. Families are now suckers for Ravensthorpe, which has been home to the largest free-standing lollipop in the world since 2019.

29. The Big Orange

Fans of James and the Giant Peach by British author Roald Dahl will appreciate the fact the owners of Harvey Fresh went out on a limb in order to celebrate the citrus fruit grown in the surrounding orchards. Harvey now rests on a 10-metre-high tower at the Harvey River Estate and, for a small fee, you can climb up into the giant piece of fruit to discover information about the history of Harvey.

30. The Big Western Rock Lobster

Western rock lobsters are only found on the continental shelf off the Western Australia coastline. This is not a hands-off kind of sculpture. In fact, visitors often climb onboard the giant marine crustacean to get their photo taken. While the icon has become an attraction in its own right, don’t forget the real reason you’re in Dongara Port Denison: to scoff seafood.

Honourable Mentions

Of course, not all of Australia’s Big Things are well known. But we think there are some that simply cannot be ignored. Nyngan’s Big Bogan in NSW is the first to spring to mind. Complete with a mullet, stubbies and a Southern Cross tattoo, the five-metre-tall ‘Maaaaaate’ was unveiled in 2015. Nyngan, it is important to mention, is in the Bogan Shire.

In Tropical North Queensland, we’d like to give a shout-out to the Big Peanut, in Tolga, which looks like a Mr Potato Head on a kipfler. But it’s pretty big, so it counts.

The Big Dugong in Rockhampton also makes the cut because dugongs are quite possibly the most fantastically strange-looking animals in the Kingdom. And what could be better than a 22-by-12-metre version? The mammoth mammal is located at the Rockhampton Dreamtime Cultural Centre.

We’re also waiting, with much anticipation, to see The Big Chris, statue of Chris Helmsworth come to life in the township of Cowra, as part of a clever Cowra Tourism campaign to put the NSW town on the map. “Four stories tall with a beard like spun canola” is how tourism manager Glenn Daley described the proposed Big Thing. Sounds Chris-tastic.

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Comments (7)

Not many people are aware of the BIG WHEELBARROW in Port Hedland entrance into their Light Industrial Area of Wedgefield.

The big trout, Talbingo an oldie but a goodie.

Kate, Carla, you’ve outdone yourselves. This has to be my favourite “list of (insert whatever)” article on a travel website ever. I knew we had lots, but I didn’t know there were that many. That potato though…….if there wasn’t a sign in front saying it was “the big potato” …..it’s grey…….and shaped like a log…..

Wow loved the ones that are pictured

In Warrnambool, Victoria there is a Big Seal built for local legend Sammy the Seal.

Australia has great big idea and iconic statues. There are so many more to build. Tourism is a great way to bring people and money to country areas.

Fantastic details for many iconic sites to see and visit – even our Big Kiama Blowhole is an icon in itself – we hope to see you soon Carla!!

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600+ BIG Things Australia Map & Checklist (Printable)

What is it about Big Things that we folk in Australia are so fascinated with? 

It may have all begun with a handful of obscure sculptures in the mid-1900s, but now, moving into the next century, there are well over 600 Big Things dotted around Australia!

Even some of the smallest towns have been known to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars putting their village on the map by installing a quirky, gigantic sculpture. 

Big Things Australia give travellers a reason to stop, stretch their legs and have a look at something unique and unusual, which often leads to tourist dollars being spent in their town.

If you’re keen to embark on your own Big Things tour, check out the Big Things Australia map and checklists below. Each state has its own printable list with full street addresses and tick boxes so that you’re armed and ready to go on your adventure.

For packing tips, check out our road trip checklist  with over 120 items.

Big Things Australia Map

Below is the complete Big Things Australia map with over 600 items listed.

As Big Things are often associated with businesses, their existence and whereabouts can sometimes be a bit fluid. If you’re aware of any Big Thing changes, removals or additions, feel free to drop a comment down below so that I can update the Big Things Australia map for everyone.

Big Things Australia

What are Big Things?

A Big Thing is basically an oversized sculpture, generally attached to or associated with a business. They’re quite often a humorous exaggeration of something that is endemic to the local town or region.

Big Things Australia can be anything from an everyday trinket to a native animal, something of historical significance or even a commodity that is produced locally.

What was the first Big Thing in Australia

It all started back in 1964 with the BIG Banana in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales. The gigantic piece of fruit was erected to promote a banana stall and is famously known as the first Big Thing in Australia.

Or… was it?

That’s what popular belief would have you think, but in fact the Big Banana wasn’t actually the first Big Thing in Australia. The BIG Scotsman in South Australia is the true owner of that title.

Paul Kelly is the guy who designed ‘Scotty’ back in 1963 to promote Scotty’s Motel (known as the Comfort Inn these days). He stands 5 metres tall on the corner of Nottage Terrace and Main North Road in Medindie, Adelaide.

That makes the BIG Scotsman older than the BIG Banana by just one year!

Interestingly, Paul Kelly also went on to create the BIG Lobster in Kingston, South Australia.

Big Things Facts & Stats

Looking at the results of surveys carried out by Wotif , it’s easy to see that Big Things in Australia are still as popular as ever!

BIG Things Stats:

• 90% of Australians have visited a Big Thing at some stage
• The average traveller has seen at least 5 Big Things in Australia
• 39% of people will travel out of their way to see a Big Thing
• 47% are more likely to spend time in an area with a Big Thing
• 2 in 3 tourists are happy to see other local attractions in a town that has a Big Thing
• 60% of travellers will stop if they see a Big Thing on the highway
• 80% of people reckon that Big Things are “uniquely Australian”
• 40% of Aussies wish there were more Big Things to visit

Big Things Australia Road Trip

Years ago, back in 2009, I found myself at the famous Big Prawn. Back then it was still on top of the transit centre roof in Ballina, NSW. So, of course, I got the obligatory snap with my mobile phone. These days the Big Prawn has relocated and now sits alongside the Bunnings car park (still in Ballina).

But that did get me thinking… wouldn’t it be cool to do a road trip of Big Things and create an album dedicated to them all. Those were still the days of printing out photos and actually putting them into physical albums… I know, old school, right!

Fast forward to 2017 when I’d hit the road full-time and was travelling through Gayndah in rural Queensland. Remembering that that’s where the Big Orange lived, we pulled in to have a look and get a photo.

A few months later I met a family in Barcaldine who were midway through one of their annual Big Things Australia road trips. Yep, there are actually people out there who do this!

You see, they plan their holidays each year purely around finding new Big Things that they haven’t yet discovered. On this particular road trip they were doing 6 weeks around Queensland (from the Coast to the Outback) with over 100 Big Things on their hit list.

They were fascinating to talk to and really inspired me. Challenge accepted!

I decided to make a solid effort to uncover as many Big Things as I could around the country throughout my own travels.

And so it began… The Great Australian Big Things Hunt!

COMPLETE Big Things Australia Checklist

Here you will find the complete set of Big Things Australia checklists totalling over 600 items.

You can either purchase each state’s checklist individually or you can buy the bundle, depending on your personal travel plans.

Each printable checklist includes the full street address and associated businesses to help you locate each Big Thing.

BIG Thing Checklist Inclusions:

• MAP of each State or Territory, illustrating the different regions
• STREET ADDRESSES with adjoining business for each Big Thing
• CHECKBOXES to tick off each Big Thing
• DATE & PHOTO boxes to tick off & record when you capture each Big Thing
• SPACE to record any extra finds along the way

Here’s what’s you get…

STATE Regional Maps

The regional map for each state or territory will help you to locate the Big Things within each area that you’re travelling through.

• TICK off each region as you complete it

FULL Street Addresses

Each Big Thing has a full street address provided as well as any adjacent businesses or landmarks to help locate the item.

• All addresses are categorised into regions

• TICK off your finds

As you collect each Big Thing, get the obligatory photo, then tick it off the list!

• TICK once you’ve captured each photo
• RECORD the date that you find each Big Thing

RECORD extra finds

If you happen upon extra Big Things throughout your travels that aren’t on the list, use the spare spaces to record them.

7 Checklists

(One for each State and Territory)

• Pre-filled with 600+ Aussie Big Things
• State-by-state Regional Maps
• Full street addresses
• Adjacent businesses/ landmarks
• DIGITAL (interactive on your device)
• PRINTABLE (print hard copies if you prefer)
• BONUS Checklists for common finds

Complete Australian BIG Things Checklist Bundle!

QLD Big Things

Top 10 big things in queensland:.

• The BIG Bulls – Rockhampton (there are over 7 of them)
• The BIG Captain Cook – Cairns
• The BIG Crocodile – Normanton (‘Krys’ the Savannah King)
• The BIG Easel – Emerald (biggest easel in the world!)
• The BIG Golden Gumboot – Tully
• The BIG Ned Kelly – Maryborough
• The BIG Pineapple – Nambour
• The BIG Rum Bottle – Bundaberg
• The BIG Whale – Hervey Bay
• The BIG Watermelon – Chinchilla

See the full article with over 150 Big Things in Queensland !

QLD Big Things Checklist

• 150+ QLD Big Things
• 6 Regions with Map
• Full Street Addresses
• DIGITAL & PRINTABLE

NSW & ACT Big Things

Top 10 big things in nsw & act.

• The BIG Axe – Kew
• The BIG Banana – Coffs Harbour
• The BIG Bench – Broken Hill
• The BIG Coins – Canberra
• The BIG Emu ‘Stanley’ – Lightning Ridge
• The BIG Frilled-neck Lizard – Somersby
• The BIG Gold Panner – Bathurst
• The BIG Golden Guitar – Tamworth
• The BIG Merino – Goulburn
• The BIG Prawn – Ballina

See the full article with over 130 Big Things in NSW and ACT !

NSW & ACT Big Things Checklist

• 130+ NSW & ACT Big Things
• 13 Regions with Map

VIC Big Things

Top 10 big things in victoria.

• The BIG Bees – Melbourne
• The BIG Cigar – Churchill
• The BIG Dead Fish – Fish Creek
• The BIG Koala – Horsham
• The BIG Murray Cod – Swan Hill
• The BIG Ned Kelly – Glenrowan
• The BIG Pheasant – Tynong
• The BIG Rolling Pin – Wodonga
• The BIG Strawberry – Koonoomoo
• The BIG Wine Bottle – Rutherglen

See the full article with over 120 Big Things in Victoria !

VIC Big Things Checklist

• 120+ VIC Big Things
• 12 Regions with Map

TAS Big Things

Top 10 big things in tasmania.

• The BIG Axe – Longley
• The BIG Coffee Pot – Deloraine
• The BIG James Boag’s Can – Launceston
• The BIG Penguin – Penguin
• The BIG Picture Frame – Stanley
• The BIG Pitchfork – Huntingfield
• The BIG Platypus – Latrobe
• The BIG Rock Lobster – Stanley
• The BIG Tasmanian Devil – Trowunna
• The BIG Wickets – Westbury

See the full article with over 35 Big Things in Tasmania !

TAS Big Things Checklist

• 35+ TAS Big Things
• 5 Regions with Map

SA Big Things

Top 10 big things in south australia.

• The BIG Boomerang – Coober Pedy
• The BIG Cube – McLaren Vale
• The BIG Dunlop Tyre – Yamba
• The BIG Galah – Kimba
• The BIG Kangaroo – Nullarbor
• The BIG Lobster – Kingston
• The BIG Orange – Monash
• The BIG Rocking Horse – Gumeracha
• The BIG Scotsman – Medindie
• The BIG Wombat – Scotdesco

See the full article with over 50 Big Things in South Australia !

SA Big Things Checklist

• 50+ SA Big Things
• 8 Regions with Map

WA Big Things

Top 10 big things in western australia.

• The BIG Apple – Donnybrook
• The BIG Bin – Kalgoorlie (world’s tallest bin!)
• The BIG Camera – Meckering
• The BIG Cricket Bat – Narrikup
• The BIG Crocodile – Wyndham
• The BIG King Neptune – Two Rocks
• The BIG Mermaid – Bremer Bay
• The BIG Ram – Wagin
• The BIG Wheelbarrow – Port Headland
• The BIG Wool Wagon – Kojonup

See the full article with over 80 Big Things in Western Australia !

WA Big Things Checklist

• 80+ WA Big Things
• 10 Regions with Map

NT Big Things

Top 10 big things in the northern territory.

• The BIG Aboriginal Hunter – Anmatjere
• The BIG Aboriginal Woman & Child – Anmatjere
• The BIG Books – Alice Springs
• The BIG Boxing Crocodile – Humpty Doo
• The BIG Dinosaur ‘Kev’ – Palmerston
• The BIG Gold Nugget – Grove Hill
• The BIG Hand – Alice Springs
• The BIG NT Stubby – Larrimah
• The BIG Stockwhip – Acacia
• The BIG XXXX Can – Ghan

See the full article with over 20 Big Things in Northern Territory !

NT Big Things Checklist

• 20+ NT Big Things
• DIGITIAL & PRINTABLE

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Unveiling Australia’s Big Things: A Road Trip Guide

Ever thought about taking a fantasy journey, where each stop uncovers a new tale of whimsy and fascination? Imagine setting off on a path less travelled, leading you to a series of oversized monuments dotting the Australian landscape. Yes, you’ve guessed it! We are talking about none other than Australia’s iconic ‘Big Things’. This mesmerizing network of giant replicas, ranging from animals and fruits to household objects, delivers not just an extraordinary sightseeing experience but also unveils a slice of local history and culture at each turn. 

Note: You’re embarking on a journey that is much more than your average road trip. Australia’s Big Things are a testament to the nation’s quirky sense of humor, innovative artistry, and vibrant culture. Buckle up for a trip that promises to be generous in stunning visuals, intriguing stories, and countless memories!

So, where do we start? From the Big Banana in Coffs Harbour that began this delightful trend, to the Big Lobster in Kingston SE, with over 150 ‘Big Things’ all across Australia, it might be overwhelming to decide. But don’t worry! We’ve got you covered with a comprehensive guide to the most unforgettable stops on this epic Big Things road trip . Let’s get started!

Embarking on an Adventure: Australia’s Big Things Road Trip

As you embark your journey, imagine the excitement of cruising down the highways and byways of Australia, your eyes wide with anticipation as you await the next iconic Big Thing. These eccentric monuments, scattered throughout the country, are not just eye-catching sights—they embody the local charm and quirky spirit of the regions they reside in.

Start with an adrenaline rush by visiting the formidable Big Captain Cook in Sydney, New South Wales. Standing tall at 10.5 meters, this monument commemorates the first visit of the great British explorer James Cook. Your heart swirls with a mix of history, pride, and wonder as you observe the grandeur of this colossal figure. From there, move further along the road to the stunning view of the Big Golden Guitar in Tamworth. As the sun hits its golden surface, imbuing a warm glow, you’ll marvel at its magnificent 12-metre height. A testament to the region’s rich musical heritage, this architectural marvel will surely strike a chord with all music lovers. After all the introspective time at the monuments, lighten up the mood as you move towards The Big Lobster in Kingston, South Australia. This 17 meter long, affectionately named ‘Larry the Lobster’, gives you a perfect photo-op with its vibrant red color and an opportunity to explore the nearby seafood outlets. As you wind your way down the road further, feel the pure Australiana as you stumble upon the Big Koala – a symbol of Australia’s wildlife. Your heart will swell with uncontainable joy when you sight this adorable cooing 14-meter-tall creature in Dadswells Bridge, Victoria. In North Queensland, don’t miss the chance to chat with the original locals when you visit the Big Cassowary , a monument to Australia’s most dangerous bird. Remember, there’s more than meets the eye in this Big Thing, so take your time to explore it in its full charm. Don’t forget to make a pitstop at the Big Cow in Nambour, Queensland, a tribute to the region’s bustling dairy industry. The 8-meter-tall statue will undoubtedly inspire awe, and maybe even a newfound appreciation for Australia’s agricultural heritage. Now, let’s head west, all the way to Western Australia, where The Big Turtle awaits – a true testament to Darwin’s natural fauna, and a clear display of Australia’s exceptional wildlife scene. The grand finale of your epic road trip – the cute and charismatic Big Penguin in Penguin, Tasmania. A visit to this 3 meters high icon is a truly fitting way to wrap up your exploration of Australia’s Big Things. Remember, the journey is just as important as the destination. So whether it’s the huge grin on The Big Banana’s face in Coffs Harbour, NSW, the four-meter tall elegance of The Big Trout in Adaminaby, or the boundless gaiety of the Big Kookaburra in Kurri Kurri, NSW, cherish each unique encounter that your road trip offers; each one is a fascinating story in itself and is sure to leave a lasting impression.

So gear up, hit the road , and let Australia’s Big Things add a generous dose of fun and surprise to your epic road trip. You’re sure to return with a carload of memories and heart full of unmatched adventures. 

The Significance of Australia’s Big Things: A Legacy of Roadside Attractions

The larger-than-life structures known as Australia’s Big Things are not merely interesting roadside attractions; they’re a quintessential part of the nation’s cultural fabric. These giant objects, ranging from animals and people to household items, dot the country’s landscape in an eccentric yet delightful manner. Every Big Thing holds a unique story, bringing to life fascinating aspects of Australian local history, culture, and ingenuity.

Kickstarting Your Journey: Where to Begin Your Road Trip

So, where should you begin this epic journey? Let’s start from the heart of Australia – the world-class city of Sydney. From there, your first destination on this “Big Things” road trip could be the Big Banana in Coffs Harbour. Just a day’s drive up Bruce Highway, it’s an ode to Australia’s love of oversized fruit and humour. 

The Big Banana: More Than Just a Roadside Attraction 

The Big Banana is not just an enormous fruit sculpture, but it offers exhilarating experiences like going downhill fast in their toboggan ride or getting lost in a wonderfully entertaining maze. And after you’ve had your fill of adventures, make time for a photo opportunity before heading up the road to your next destination. 

The Pineapple Train: An Unforgettable Journey 

Next up, don’t miss out on a ride through a pineapple plantation aboard The Pineapple Train. Departing from the iconic Big Pineapple on Sunshine Coast, it’s an excellent way to take a break from driving. You can learn about the fascinating journey of the pineapple from the field to your plate, and enjoy the picturesque view of the plantation. 

Winery Walkabout: Quenching Your Thirst 

To entice you away from the main roads, make a detour inland to Rutherglen, Victoria. The Winery Walkabout is a road trip within your road trip, taking you off the beaten path and into the vineyards. It’s an inspiring journey that’ll satiate your taste buds and provide you with an in-depth look into Australia’s wine-making heritage. 

Endless Attractions: A Multitude of Big Things 

Continue your journey south through the enchanting Caoura Rd, stopping at the noteworthy Big Merino in Goulburn. As you make your way across Australia, you’ll find an array of beloved “Big Things,” such as the Big Lobster in Kingston SE or the Big Golden Guitar in Tamworth. With over 150 scattered around the country, there’s no shortage of marvellous distractions to make your road trip a one-of-a-kind experience. 

Always remember, there’s plenty to see and do between these giant landmarks. So take your time, stop at the local Tourist Information Centre for insights. Make spontaneous decisions to explore that intriguing lane you just passed. And of course, enjoy the ride!

Making the Most of Your Visit: Tips and Tricks for Your Big Things Road Trip

Embarking on your road trip, you’ll find scattered across the wide expanse of Australia’s outback and cities, over 150 Big Things waiting to be discovered. These dazzling structures, varying from gigantic fruits to huge animals, abound with history and cultural significance. However, to make the most out of your adventure, there are a few tips and tricks you should consider. 

Begin by designing a comprehensive route. Australia is a vast country, and the Big Things are scattered throughout its territories. Plotting a suitable itinerary not only helps manage time but also minimize fatigue. Include breaks, account for potential traffic, and look for nearby tourist destinations. Your trip isn’t just about the Big Things after all, but also experiencing Australia in its full, raw beauty. 

Next, make sure you check the operating hours of each Big Thing. Some of them are located within theme parks or businesses that may have specific timings. Furthermore, it might be worthwhile to check whether there are guided tours offered. A local guide can provide you with a wealth of information that you won’t find elsewhere – from the history of these structures to some engaging fun facts. 

Accommodation is another crucial aspect. Considering the lengthy distances between some of the Big Things, it might not be feasible to return to a single base location every night. Therefore, look for lodging options around your stops for the day. From quaint bed and breakfasts to luxurious resorts, Australia has a multitude of stay options to suit every traveler’s preference and budget. 

Lastly, immerse yourself in the experience. Try the local cuisine , engage with the locals, and don’t forget to take plenty of pictures! Remember, this journey is as much about the road as it is the destination. So go ahead, bask in the uniqueness of Australia’s Big Things, and make memories that will last a lifetime!

The Big Things Checklist: Don’t Miss These Stops!

Facts abound, there are over 150 big things dotting Australia’s landscape, each with its unique touch to the intriguing splendor of Australia, attracting visitors from around the world. For a memorable exploration filled with a mix of fun, discovery, and history, there are a couple of “Big Things” you shouldn’t miss on your road trip. Each with its unique story and charm, here are some of the highlights to tick off from your list. 

The Big Captain Cook 

First things first, pay homage to the The Big Captain Cook in Cairns, Queensland. Towering at a breathtaking 14 metres, this monument commemorates the bicentenary of the landing of Captain Cook, a significant historical event in Australia. Ensure your camera is fully charged. You wouldn’t want to miss capturing this literally larger-than-life sculpture, would you? 

The Big Ned Kelly 

Next up is The Big Ned Kelly in Glenrowan, Victoria. Kelly, a notorious bushranger and a key figure to folk law, is immortalized in a 6-meter statue. Fun fact, Glenrowan is the site of the infamous last stand and encounter with the law. 

The Big Koala 

As you continue on your journey, prepare to be awed by The Big Koala in Dadswells Bridge, Victoria. It’s a 14-meter skyscraping statue of the adorable, eucalyptus-loving animal that’s become an icon of Australia. The kids will surely love this! 

The Big Cow and The Big Pelican 

If you find yourself in Nambour, Queensland, you simply can’t afford to bypass the dual wonders of The Big Cow and The Big Pelican. These structures pay tribute to the area’s farming heritage and bird life, respectively. They provide you with fun and interactive learning opportunities, so be sure to take the family along. 

The Big Lobster, The Big Trout and The Big Golden Guitar 

Down south, a visit to Kingston in South Australia is incomplete without saying hello to The Big Lobster, while The Big Trout awaits to welcome you in Adamiaby, New South Wales. Music lover or not, The Big Golden Guitar in Tamworth, renowned for its country music festival, is a must-visit for its splendid allure. 

The Big Wine Bottle and The Big Chris 

Of course, there’s something for the wine enthusiasts too. The Big Wine Bottle in Pokolbin, New South Wales, stands as a testament to Australia’s rich wine landscape, and is guaranteed to leave you in awe. And before marking the end of your unforgettable road trip, make a final stopover at The Big Chris in Victorian Big Thing, Victoria, the embodiment of local creative spirit. 

There’s a whole lot of ‘big’ waiting for you to explore. Grab your bags, checklist, and embark on a Big Things road trip full of grand proportions with time-defying echoes of history, culture, and the unique Australian spirit. There’s no time like the present. Australia awaits!

FAQ’S

Your Australia’s Big Things road trip will likely spur a lot of questions. You’re not alone! Many travelers, both seasoned and novice, have mulled over the same uncertainties before setting off on their journey. This frequently asked questions (FAQ’s) section aims to shed light on some of the most common queries related to your Big Things road trip. So, buckle up and let’s tackle those questions head-on!

What is the best route for a road trip to Australia’s Big Things?

Embarking on an Australia’s Big Things road trip is both an adventure and a delightful challenge, given the sheer number of big things scattered across the country. There are numerous routes one could take depending on the time and resources available. For an extensive trip covering most of these gigantic attractions, you could start from Sydney and make your way towards Brisbane, stopping at the Big Banana and the eccentric Big Poo on the way.

From Brisbane, a northern route will take you through the tropics of Queensland, where you’ll find the Big Captain Cook and the Big Pelican. Making your way towards the Northern Territory and its capital, Darwin, don’t miss out on the colossal Big Turtle. 

Heading south, you’ll come across the Big Ned Kelly in Glenrowan, Victoria, and The Big Koala in Dadswells Bridge. A journey westward then takes you to South Australia’s famous The Big Lobster in Kingston. The Big Trout in Adaminaby, New South Wales, is definitely worth a visit before heading further west into Western Australia. Here, Big Ayers Rock, an iconic Australian landmark, awaits. 

Remember, the joy is as much in the journey as it is in the destination – take the time to enjoy the unique Aussie landscapes and hidden gems you’ll discover along the way. And who knows? You may get a kick out of the oddball Big Things, like the Big Ball of Wool. Be sure to map out your preferred route in advance and stay flexible – after all, part of the adventure is in the unexpected!

Are there guided tours available for Australia’s Big Things?

Yes, there are indeed guided tours available for Australia’s Big Things. These tours are a reliable way to cover a multitude of these superstructures without having to worry about the nitty-gritty of transportation and scheduling. Guided tours typically come in two formats: customized and pre-packaged. 

A customized guided tour allows you to create your unique itinerary, letting you select the Big Things you want to visit. The tour company then takes care of everything else, including transportation, accommodation, dining, and even trivia about the Big Things! If you have specific Big Things in mind you’d love to see, a customized tour can make that happen.

On the other hand, pre-packaged guided tours have predetermined itineraries that often cover the most popular Big Things, like The Big Banana, The Big Pineapple and the Big Lobster, to name a few. These tours typically minimize the hassle for tourists with a concise pick-and-go format, making them perfect for travelers looking for a stress-free exploration of Australia’s Big Things. 

Remember, while guided tours can undoubtedly add immense value to your journey, they might not cover all the offbeat and lesser-known Big Things. So, if your heart sings for the adventure of discovering hidden gems like The Big Wool Ball or The Big Kookaburra, perhaps a self-planned itinerary could cater better to your voyage’s unique rhythm. Regardless of your choice, rest assured that both paths lead to an unforgettable experience among the wonders of Australia’s Big Things.

Are there accommodations near Australia’s Big Things?

Indeed, finding a place to rest your head is no challenge on this epic road trip. Each of Australia’s Big Things is located close to towns and cities that offer a range of accommodation options to fit any budget. 

For instance, if you’re visiting The Big Banana in Coffs Harbour, you may choose to stay at one of the many beachside holiday parks, boutique hotels, or even a luxury resort in the area. While exploring The Big Lobster in Kingston SE, South Australia, quaint bed and breakfasts or comfortable motels can be your home away from home. 

In Northern Territory, where you can see The Big Stubbie in Larrimah and The Big Turtle in Darwin, there are numerous holiday parks, modern hotels, and luxury lodges to choose from. And let’s not forget Tasmania, where you’ll find The Big Penguin ; here, you’ll find charming cottages, well-equipped caravanning parks, and inviting guesthouses. 

Most of these accommodations provide online booking options to ensure your room is secured ahead of your journey. Many also offer tour packages, which may include visits to these gigantic attractions. So yes, you can readily find comfortable accommodations, banking on Australian hospitality to provide an excellent stay during your road trip adventure!

What are some local cuisines to try near Australia’s Big Things?

As you journey through Australia’s Big Things, you’ll find a culinary map as diverse as its attractions. Sampling local cuisine is an integral part of any successful road trip, offering not just a chance to refuel but also brush shoulders with local culture . 

Starting off at the Big Banana in Coffs Harbour, you’ll want to tuck into a tropical fruit salad or banana bread, fresh and locally sourced. Australia’s largest banana-producing region has many roadside stalls selling just-picked fruits. 

At the Big Lobster in Kingston , seafood lovers will rejoice. Try the local lobster dishes at restaurants nearby and enjoy the fresh and flavorful catch of the day. Travelling further south to the Big Trout in Adaminaby , it’s an angler’s paradise, and the local specialty is rainbow trout—grilled, smoked, or served in a pie. 

Heading towards the Big Golden Guitar in Tamworth , it would be almost criminal not to partake in the beef dishes prevalent in New South Wales. The region is known for its high-quality beef, often served as a hearty steak. Don’t forget to pair it with wine from the local wineries. 

Finally, make a stop at the Big Prawn in Exmouth . Here you’re on Australia’s Coral Coast, and fresh seafood is abundant. Grab some fish ‘n’ chips, or if you’re feeling adventurous, try the local chowder. 

Every region offers its own set of unique food and beverage experiences that are worth exploring as you discover Australia’s Big Things. Happy road tripping and happy eating!

What are some safety tips for a road trip to Australia’s Big Things?

Embarking on a spectacular journey through Australia’s Big Things is an adventure of a lifetime. However, it’s essential to remember these safety tips to ensure your trip is both enjoyable and secure. 

First off, familiarize yourself with the rules of the road. Australians drive on the left side, which could be unfamiliar to some. Take your time to adapt and always abide by the speed limits. 

Next, remember that Australia is a vast and diverse country. Be prepared for drastic changes in weather and road conditions on your road trip. Always carry plenty of water, appropriate clothing, and sun protection. 

In Australia’s more remote areas, wildlife like kangaroos or wombats could emerge on the road, particularly at night or at dusk. Ensure you’re alert and aware, slow your speed and maintain a safe braking distance. 

Be mindful of the distances between attractions too. Australia’s Big Things are spread out across the country, so plan your daily travel distances carefully. Make sure the driver has had a sufficient break and is not too tired to drive. 

Lastly, equip yourself with some form of communication that’s not reliant on cell phone coverage, such as a satellite phone, especially when venturing into more remote areas. 

With these safety tips in mind, you’re all set to experience the uniqueness of Australia’s Big Things while ensuring a safe and memorable journey. Happy road-tripping!

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Essential Tips for Planning The Big Lap Australia (With Map)

Australia is a magical island, country, and continent defined by vibrant cities, quaint towns, and some of the most incredible landscapes you could ever hope to see.

If you have an adventurous spirit that wants to embark on the ultimate Australian road trip , look no further than ‘The Big Lap.’

This iconic circumnavigation route takes you on an unforgettable journey around one of the most fascinating destinations in the world. It’s not a quick endeavour – you’ll need a good month at least to do it justice. But if you have the time available, you are guaranteed the adventure of a lifetime!

Whether tackling it as an intrepid backpacker, a curious family, or a group of friends seeking to explore the vastness of this mystical land, we’ve got you covered with essential tips and insider secrets to make your Australian road trip an extraordinary and memorable experience.

So fasten your seatbelts, get that motor running, and ready yourself to discover the magic of the Land Down Under. Here are our top tips for doing ‘The Big Lap Australia’.

What is the Big Lap?

What should you include in a big lap itinerary, how long will you need to do the big lap, what vehicle do you need for doing the big lap, are there ideal times for doing the big lap, budget tips for doing the big lap of australia, more aussie road trip inspiration.

‘ The Big Lap Australia ‘ refers to the iconic road trip that involves circumnavigating the entire continent of Australia. It is an extensive journey covering thousands of kilometres, taking travellers on a loop around the country’s perimeter.

The route typically starts and ends in major cities like Sydney , Melbourne , Brisbane , or Perth . However, as it involves doing a loop, you can start it from anywhere. Generally, it follows the coastline, allowing visitors to explore the diverse landscapes, stunning coastlines, unique wildlife, and charming towns and cities that make Australia such a special place to visit.

While there is no strict Big Lap itinerary to follow, popular routes often include driving along the eastern coastline through Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria, venturing through the Northern Territory to experience the vastness of The Outback, crossing the top of the country in the Northern Territory and Western Australia, and finally, making the journey south through South Australia and back to the starting point.

This epic road trip offers travellers the chance to experience Australia’s natural beauty, from the golden beaches and lush rainforests to the arid deserts and rugged mountains. Driving around Australia, you’ll encounter a rich tapestry of cultures, cuisines, and traditions as you explore the diverse cities and remote towns.

The Big Lap is an adventure of a lifetime, and it is a favourite among domestic and international travellers seeking to immerse themselves in Australia’s unique and awe-inspiring landscapes.

Whether you travel in a well-equipped campervan, a sturdy 4WD vehicle, or a combination of accommodation options, this road trip allows you to create unforgettable memories. There is no better way to discover all the wonders this vast and fascinating country has to offer.

Designing a Big Lap of Australia itinerary requires careful planning to ensure you make the most of your journey and cover the country’s diverse landscapes and attractions.

While the itinerary will be personal to your wants and interests, here are some key elements to include in your itinerary:

Route Planning: Decide the direction you want to take and the major cities or landmarks you want to visit. Consider both the coastal route and inland options, as each offers unique experiences.

Must-Visit Destinations: Research and include iconic destinations such as Sydney , Melbourne , Brisbane , Cairns , Darwin , Perth , Adelaide , and Hobart. Remember to explore famous landmarks like the Great Barrier Reef , Uluru (Ayers Rock), the Great Ocean Road , the Blue Mountains, and the Twelve Apostles.

National Parks and Nature Reserves: Australia is renowned for its diverse and stunning natural landscapes. Include visits to national parks such as Kakadu , Litchfield , Daintree , Freycinet , and the Grampians to witness breathtaking scenery, wildlife encounters, and outdoor activities.

Coastal Gems: Plan stops at beautiful coastal towns and beaches along the way, such as Byron Bay , Noosa , Airlie Beach , Eyre Peninsula , Broome , and Margaret River . Enjoy water sports, coastal walks, and relaxing by the sea.

Outback Adventure: Experience the Australian Outback with visits to Alice Springs , Kings Canyon, and the Kimberley region. Embrace the vastness and unique beauty of the remote areas.

Indigenous Experiences: Seek opportunities to learn about and engage with Australia’s rich Indigenous cultures and history. Look for cultural tours, art galleries, and festivals, and visit Uluru .

Roadside Attractions: Australia is famous for its quirky ‘big’ roadside attractions. Include stops at places like the Big Banana (Coffs Harbour, NSW), the Big Pineapple (Woombye, Sunshine Coast), the Big Lobster (Kingston, South Australia), and many more that offer fun photo opportunities.

Food and Wine: Australia has a vibrant food and wine scene. Take advantage of the opportunity to taste local delicacies, visit wineries in the Hunter Valley (NSW), Adelaide Hills (SA) and Margaret River (WA), and try fresh seafood in coastal towns like Mooloolaba (Qld) and Coffin Bay (SA).

Camping and Accommodation: Plan your accommodation options carefully, mixing camping in national parks, caravan parks, motels, and Airbnb stays for a varied experience.

Travel Safety: Consider the distances and road conditions. Always carry enough water, food, and fuel, especially in remote areas. Be mindful of weather conditions and any road closures.

Flexibility: Keep your itinerary flexible to allow for spontaneous detours or extended stays in places that capture your heart.

Budgeting: Estimate your expenses for fuel, accommodation, food, attractions, and any additional activities you plan to do during the trip.

Remember, the Big Lap Australia is an extensive journey that takes several weeks or months to complete. So, take your time and enjoy quality moments on your adventure as you uncover the wonders of the Great Southern Land.

Don’t miss our complete collection of Aussie city guides for families:

ADELAIDE | BRISBANE | CAIRNS | CANBERRA | DARWIN | GOLD COAST | MELBOURNE | PERTH | SYDNEY

The duration required to complete a road trip around Australia can vary significantly depending on the route taken, the pace of travel, and the number of stops and detours you intend to make along the way.

At a minimum, you should devote a month to the adventure. However, most travellers take anywhere from three months to a year to complete the full circumnavigation of the continent.

Here are some factors that can influence the time you need to pencil in for your Big Lap itinerary:

Route and Distance: The total distance of the Big Lap can be around 15,000 to 20,000 kilometres or more, depending on the specific route taken and any additional side trips. The longer the distance, the more time you’ll need to allow for the journey.

Pace of Travel: Some travellers prefer a more leisurely pace, spending more time in each location to explore and experience the local culture and attractions. Others may choose a faster pace, focusing on covering more ground every day.

Sightseeing and Activities: The time spent in each destination can be influenced by the number of sightseeing activities and experiences you want to enjoy. National parks, hiking trails, wildlife encounters, and cultural experiences can all add to the duration of your journey.

Season and Weather: Consider the time of year you’ll be travelling. Weather conditions can impact travel times, especially during the wet season in tropical regions or extreme heat in The Outback.

Travel Style: The type of accommodation you choose – whether camping or travelling Australia by campervan, staying in motels, or renting Airbnb properties – can also influence how long you spend in each location.

Detours and Side Trips: Australia has plenty of hidden gems and attractions that don’t make it into the guidebooks. Many of these you’ll stumble upon by accident. To ensure you get to see them, factor in time for spontaneous detours and side trips to explore lesser-known places.

If you have a limited time frame, consider focusing on specific sections of the Big Lap of Australia rather than attempting the entire circumnavigation. Doing this will allow you to immerse yourself more fully in the places you visit without feeling rushed.

On the other hand, if you have the luxury of time, you can take a more relaxed approach to driving around Australia, allowing for a deeper exploration of the country’s diverse landscapes and cultures.

Choosing the right vehicle is critical to enjoying a comfortable and safe journey on your Big Lap Australia.

A reliable and sturdy vehicle is essential given the diverse terrains and vast distances. Many travellers opt for 4WDs or SUVs equipped with off-road capabilities, as these vehicles can handle rough and unsealed roads commonly found in The Outback and remote areas.

Additionally, many people see the value in travelling around Australia by campervan. The convenience of combining transportation and accommodation makes them a popular choice for those seeking a more self-contained and flexible travel experience.

However, even if you don’t have access to a 4WD or camper, a regular car can still be suitable for parts of the Big Lap, especially along the well-maintained highways and coastal routes.

Whichever vehicle you choose, ensure it is roadworthy and well-maintained, has ample storage space, and suits your travel needs and preferences for a successful and unforgettable Big Lap adventure.

The ideal times for doing the Big Lap vary depending on your preferences and the regions you plan to visit.

Here are some considerations for timing your road trip around Australia:

Dry Season (April to October): For most regions, particularly the northern parts of Australia, the dry season is the most favourable time to travel. It typically extends from April to October. During this period, the weather is cooler, and the chances of encountering heavy rain or storms are lower. The roads are generally in better condition, making navigating through The Outback and remote areas more accessible.

Winter Months (June to August): Winter in Australia can be an excellent time for travelling in the southern and central parts of the country. The temperatures are milder, making it more comfortable for outdoor activities and sightseeing. However, it can get chilly during the evenings and early mornings, especially in the southern states.

Wet Season (November to March): The wet season, also known as the monsoon season, occurs in the northern regions of Australia from November to March. While this time can be less crowded with tourists, it brings heavy rainfall, flooding, and tropical cyclones in some areas, particularly in northern Queensland and the Northern Territory. Travelling during this period can be challenging and sometimes unsafe due to road closures and difficult driving conditions.

Shoulder Seasons: The shoulder seasons, which fall between the wet and dry seasons, can also be an excellent time to consider for the Big Lap. These periods, typically in April and October, offer a balance of fewer crowds, relatively favourable weather, and the opportunity to experience a mix of landscapes as you transition between seasons.

Seasonal Events: Consider any special events or festivals you’d like to experience during your journey. Major events, such as the Melbourne Cup or festivals like Vivid Sydney , can add to the excitement of your Big Lap.

It’s essential to thoroughly research the specific regions you plan to visit and consider the weather and conditions during the time you intend to travel.

Remember that Australia is a vast continent with varying climates, so your ideal time to do the Big Lap will depend on your personal preferences, the experiences you want to have, and the activities you wish to enjoy along the way.

Doing the Big Lap Australia can be expensive. So here are some budget tips to help you make the most of your journey without breaking the bank:

Plan and Budget in Advance: Create a detailed budget for your trip, considering expenses for fuel, accommodation, food, activities, and any unexpected costs. A clear financial plan will help you stay on track and avoid overspending.

Choose Affordable Accommodation: Camping in national parks or using free or low-cost campsites can significantly reduce accommodation expenses. Also, consider budget-friendly options like hostels, motels, and Airbnb stays outside of big cities or main tourist areas. Be sure to book in advance during peak seasons to secure better deals.

Cook Your Meals: Eating out can quickly add up, so consider cooking your meals whenever possible. Campfires, BBQ facilities, and communal kitchens in caravan parks are great options for preparing budget-friendly meals. Stock up on groceries in larger towns to find more affordable options.

Take Advantage of Free and Low-Cost Activities: Australia offers plenty of free and low-cost activities. Explore national parks, go on scenic hikes, enjoy the beaches, visit local markets, and participate in community events. These experiences can be just as rewarding as expensive tourist attractions.

Fuel Savings: Fuel costs can be a significant part of your budget. Look for fuel discounts and loyalty programs, and use smartphone apps to compare fuel prices along your route. Drive at a steady pace and maintain your vehicle to maximise fuel efficiency.

Avoid Peak Travel Seasons: Travelling during off-peak seasons can lead to more affordable accommodation rates and fewer crowds at popular tourist spots.

Be Mindful of Road Tolls and Fees: Some roads and bridges in Australia may have tolls or entrance fees. Plan your route to minimise these costs, or consider alternative routes.

Bring Your Gear: If you plan to camp frequently, invest in good-quality camping equipment. Bringing your gear can save you money on rentals or more expensive accommodation options.

Monitor Your Spending: Keep track of your expenses regularly to stay within your budget. Many smartphone apps can help you track your spending and manage your finances during the trip.

By following these budget tips and being mindful of your spending, you can have a memorable Big Lap experience without stretching your wallet too thin. 

We hope this guide has helped you in deciding whether the Big Lap is an adventure you and your family can readily undertake.

Budgeting for your adventure is a vital step – both in terms of time and money – so consider whether you can handle the whole trip around Australia in one go, or if you’d be better off tackling portions of Australia in a few shorter (though still epic!) road trips.

Some further classic Aussie road trip itineraries you could try which cover large and diverse sections of Australia include:

• Driving across the Nullarbor – see our detailed guide driving Melbourne to Perth , which you could further extend by adding on the drive from Sydney to Adelaide , via Canberra and Melbourne and some of these additional road trip routes through South Australia to encompass all the mainland southern states.
• If seeing the Red Centre and Uluru is top of your itinerary, our extended itinerary from Sydney to Uluru will take you through NSW, ACT, Victoria and SA before finishing in the Northern Territory – extend this using our Adelaide to Darwin itinerary and detailed guide to stops along the Red Centre Way .
• If you’d like to focus on the east coast , we have road trip guides taking you from Melbourne all the way to Cape York; follow our Melbourne to Sydney itinerary , focus on the NSW South Coast , then add on Sydney to Brisbane , then Brisbane to Cairns , and Cairns to Cape Trib & Far North Queensland.
• Alternatively, take the inland route on this Melbourne to Gold Coast itinerary if you want more of the Aussie Outback on your trip north.
• Do you want to focus just on the West Coast ? We’d start in the south with either our Perth to Esperance or Perth to Albany itineraries (you can easily mix and match our suggestions through the southwest corner!), then add on this epic drive north from Perth to Darwin .
• If you want to continue your journey across the northernmost part of Australia, we suggest this Darwin to Cairns itinerary , or complete the Savannah Way- Broome to Cairns .
• Don’t forget Tassie! Often forgotten off a larger “Big Lap” trip, it’s possible to cross the Bass Strait with your vehicle on the Spirit of Tasmania and add a loop of Tasmania onto your Australian road trip.

© Family Road Trip 2024

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10 Amazing big things Australia loves (+ where to find them)

By: Author Tracy Collins

Posted on Last updated: March 20, 2024

Aussies love their big things and in this article, you can find out all about 10 of them and exactly where you can find them!

What are Australia’s big things? And why do you need to add them to your Australian road trip itinerary? Australia’s big things are in a nutshell are a collection of large sculptures.

They can be animals, people, fruit, musical instruments and everyday objects. The main similarity is in their size – they are all BIG!

Australia has a love affair with BIG things. I am not sure if it because the country is so BIG that it needs large things to make a statement or whether they were designed to keep weary kids entertained on road trips but whatever the reason I LOVE them.

I now go out of my way to see a BIG THING! With a total of over 150 big things in Australia (and spread all over the country) seeing them all may take me some time.

Competitions are even held to decide where the next big thing will be and as sure-fire tourist attractions the competition can be fierce.

In 2018 Chinchilla won and is now the proud owner of a big melon! Personally, I voted for a big peanut for Kingaroy (maybe next time)

They will definitely be on our Australian itinerary when we finally get the chance to do our lap of Oz.

This article introduces you to 10 of Australia’s BIG things.  With another 140+ to go (and big things in every state and territory in Australia) there is a good chance that if you are road tripping around Australia you will see one of two of these iconic symbols. If you do let me know in the comments below!

10 Big things Australia is proud of!

Sarina (queensland), dadswells bridge (victoria), cairns (queensland), bundaberg (queensland), goulburn (nsw), woombye (queensland), coffs harbour (nsw), bowen (queensland), mission beach (queensland), gayndah (queensland), more to see and do in australia, the big cane toad.

Where else to find a big cane toad but in sugar cane country! As you drive through this part of Queensland you will see fields and fields of sugar cane and the occasional refinery where the cane is processed. Keep an eye out for the cane trains too!

If you want to learn about sugar cane farming you can read more in my article all about a day visiting a sugar cane farm . Stop at Sarina’s Sugar Shed a miniature sugar mill and distillery where you can experience (and taste) the story of sugar from farm to product.

The big cane toad is situated in the town of Sarina just south of Mackay in northern Queensland and is nicknamed “Buffy” by the locals.  (Bufo Marinus is the scientific name for a cane toad) Buffy can be found on Broad Street through the centre of town (also part of the Bruce Highway)

There is plenty of parking as well as public toilets, picnic tables and other amenities in the area.

by Untold Morsels

Nothing says Australia more than a big koala right? In fact there is a Giant Koala that you can’t miss when driving along the Western Highway between Melbourne and Adelaide. Standing 14 metres tall, the huge marsupial sculpture dominates the small Grampians township of Dadswells Bridge.

The sculpture was created by sculptor Ben Van Zetton using bronze over a steel frame and opened in 1989. It sits on the roadside with the Grampians bushland behind providing the perfect backdrop.

The Grampians National Park is home to thousands of koalas though that number is dwindling due to bushfires and deforestation. 

Named after Sam the koala who became the symbol of the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires, the Giant Koala helps to raise awareness of threats to the species.

Stop off for your picture with the big koala but give the shop, restaurant and farm a miss. They have seen better days!

Dadswells Bridge is 27 km northwest of Stawell in Victoria’s Grampians region.

BIG CAPTAIN COOK

by Budget Travel Talk

This 10 metres high painted concrete statue of the intrepid English explorer James Cook , can be found across from 225 Sheridan Street (aka The Captain Cook Highway) in Cairns, Far North Queensland. Keep an eye out for him as you drive north from Cairns to Port Douglas .

The real Captain Cook arrived in his boat, the Endeavour, in June 1770 on Trinity Sunday – a full century before Cairns came into being – naming the area Trinity Bay. Today the thriving tourist town of Cairns spreads out on the western banks of Trinity Inlet.

Erected in 1972 outside the (now gone) James Cook Motel, James the big statue, still stands proud, holding his hand skyward.  If you are looking for a handsome uniformed man you might like to make an offer on the “For Sale” Captain Cook.

In true Aussie fashion, the statue of James was used to protest on Australia Day 2017 when a “Sorry” placard was hung around his neck, to protest European settlement and Australia Day.

BIG BUNDY BOTTLE

by Our Globetrotters

You can hardly say the word Bundaberg and not associate it with Bundaberg Rum ! This sugar-based beverage is as big as Queensland itself.

The famous distillery, on the banks of the Burnett River, Bundaberg has been operating since 1888 and has continued to expand across the generations. 

Regularly distillery tours operate daily and your first compulsory stop is to have your photo taken with the iconic Big Bundy Bottle at the visitor centre entrance .

This 7m tall icon was first built for World Expo88 in Brisbane and relocated to it’s now permanent Bundaberg home. There are a couple of copies now in front of pubs around Queensland, but we still love the original.

THE BIG MERINO

by the Accidental Tourist

No road trip from Sydney to Canberra would be complete without a stop in Goulburn, NSW . This regional town is billed as Australia’s first inland city, and offers history, plenty of fast food and petrol for the road trip, and, most importantly, the Big Merino!

Built in 1985, The Big Merino (or ram) attracts attention from its prime location just off the Hume Highway , and was built to honour the region’s wool industry.

It makes for great photo opportunities, but you can also go inside The Big Merino to check out Australian Wool Innovation , a small museum on the history of wool in Australia, and also a gift shop, complete with merino wool products for sale.

This stoic sheep never fails to impress, and a stop in Goulburn is always something I look forward to when driving to Canberra!

THE BIG PINEAPPLE

by Travel Collecting

The Big Pineapple is one of Australia’s most iconic ‘big things’.  It opened in 1971 and is now a heritage listed site that is free to visit. It’s 16 meters high and has two levels.  Inside are displays on the pineapple industry, from the farm to the factory. 

At the top, there is an observation deck with views over the surrounding countryside.  Over the years, the Big Pineapple, also known as Sunshine Plantation, has seen some changes.  It used to be on a macadamia nut plantation, but that has closed. 

You can now take the ‘pineapple train’ between the Big Pineapple and the adjacent Wildlife HQ, where there is a zoo, café and gift shop. 

Wildlife HQ has native Australian animals as well as some more exotic species, and you can have up close encounters with koalas, kangaroos, quokkas, sugar gliders, dingoes, and wombats. 

The Big Pineapple is located at Woombye on the Sunshine Coast north of Brisbane.

THE BIG BANANA

by Victor’s Travels

When I was traveling in Australia by car , I would sometimes bump into structures of supersized everyday objects. The first big object I came across was a huge prawn on top of a seafood restaurant. “Great way to attract customers”, I remember thinking.

But after a few days of driving I would encounter another big object, and another one. There was definitely a pattern, so I looked into it online.

Apparently, Australia has an obsession with “big” things. There are more than 150 of them out there, ranging from a mushroom to a golden guitar.

On my way up from Sydney to Brisbane , I spotted a big banana next to the road (as you do). I quickly pulled over and took a picture. I later learnt that this was not only a statue; it had an amusement park attached to it as well! It included laser tag, mini-golf, ice skating and indoor ski slope, a 82 meter water slide, and even a “World of Bananas” educational center.

The Big Banana was built in 1964, and some claim it is the first “big thing” in Australia. With it’s 13 m × 5 m (43 ft × 16 ft), it’s not the biggest of big things I have come across, but it’s certainly a nice little stop on your way to Brisbane!

THE BIG MANGO

by Fill My Passport

Driving along Queensland Australia’s East Coast, heading through the big cities and country towns, you are bound to come across large sculptures along the road of various things – prawns, bananas, and more. One that I found quite neat was the Big Mango in Bowen .

The giant mango here symbolically represents the Bowen mango species that is one of the largest of all mangoes!

Becoming an official marker on May 25 th , 2002, the big mango has attracted thousands to stop for a photo on the way to the Whitsundays .

Stop in for some sherbet, a selfie, and of course to add the mango to your scavenger hunt in finding all the giant sculptures across the state.

Did you know? That in 2014 the giant mango disappeared for 24 hours? As crazy as this sounds, the mega fruit was taken from its post by a popular restaurant chain to align with their new lime and mango sauce promotion…

THE BIG CASSOWARY

We took a special detour on our road trip from Brisbane to Port Douglas to visit the big cassowary at Mission Beach. At 5 metres tall this is one Aussie bird not to be messed with – in fact the cassowary is the most dangerous bird on the planet and is the nearest living thing to a velociraptor.

Mission Beach has a population of cassowaries in the area so keep an eye out on your visit and especially when driving.

Find this big bird at the shopping complex near Wongaling Beach . We took the opportunity to grab a coffee and a sandwich at the bakery before continuing our drive.

THE BIG ORANGE

Gayndah is located in the North Burnett region of Queensland and right in the heart of citrus country . Fittingly Gayndah has a big orange (I also took the opportunity to visit the big mandarin in Munduberrah while I was in the area)

The Big Orange is open from April to September when not only can you stop off for a photo but you can also buy fresh orange juice, crafts, coffee and food in the shop.

Gayndah claims to be Queensland’s oldest town and was established in 1849.

• Australia Travel Guide
• Things NOT to do in Australia
• 23 best things to do in Queensland
• Guide to Australian street art
• Tasmania road trip itinerary
• A guide to native Australian wildlife and where to find it in Tasmania

Explore Australia’s Big Things

200+ big things, australia’s favourite big things website, fun for all ages, don’t let your australian adventure be incomplete get your checklist now.

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All The Big Things in Australia

William the Wombat in Thallon

The Big Whale In Kinka Beach

The Big Watermelon In Gumlu

The Big Hat in Cradock

The Big thongs in Calen

The Big Stubby In Tewantin

The Big Thermometer In Stanthorpe

The big Teepee in Millmerran

The Big Boot in Chermside

The Big Strawberry in Elimbah

The Big Spanner in Sapphire

The big Shell in Tewantin

The Big Scout Hat in Cairns

The big Sapphire ring in Sapphire

The big Sapphire ring in Anakie

The Big Rig in Roma

The Big Pie in Yatala

The Big Pick, Shovel and Sieve in Sapphire

The Big Mover in beerwah

The Big Miner in Rubyvale

The Big Marlin in Cairns

The Big macadamia Nut in Woombye

The Big Hard Rock guitars in Surfers Paradise

The Big Gun in Underwood

The Big Golden Gumboot in Tully

The Big G in Gracemere

The Big Meat Ant in Augathella

The Big Easal in Emerald

The Big Mp of Australia in Goondiwindi

The Big Kronosaurus in Richmond

The Big Dugoung in Rockhampton

The big Dinosaur in Ballandean

The Big Boomerangs in Nindigully

The Big Barrel in Bundaberg

The Big Deck Chair in Winton

The Big Brolgas and Snake Near Mackay

The Big Bowling Pin in Maryborough

The Big Bolt and Nut in Roma

Banana the Bullock in Banana

The Big Rum Bottle in Bandaberg

The Big Cockatoo in Mossman

The Big Captain Cook in Cairns

The Big Golfball in Broadbeach

The Big Pumpkin In gumlu

The Big Elephant in Hatton Vale

The Big Sausage in Toowoomba

A delightful Roadside Surprise

The Big Pelican in Noosaville, Queensland

The Big Cassowary

The 9 Big Apples in Australia

The 3 Big Barramundi of Australia

The Big Mandarin

The Big Crocodiles of Queensland

The Big Cane Toad in Sarina, Queensland

The Big Melon in Chinchilla, Queensland

The Big Bulls of Rockampton

Australia’s Most Iconic Big Things

Revisiting Matilda the Kangaroo

The Big Pineapple in Australia

Holy Cow – the Big cow of Australia

A Tour Of the Iconic Big Mango

Western Australia

The Big Periodic Table In Joondalup

Cow on the Corner at Brunswick Junction

The Big Marron In Denmark

Bert Bolle Barometer In Denmark

The World’s Tallest Bin in Kalgoorlie

The Big Wheelbarrow in Port Hedland

Leeuwin Way Whale in Eucla

The Big Camera in Meckering

The Giant Ram in Wagin, Western Australia

New South Wales

The World’s Biggest Sundial in Singleton

The Big Wine Cask in Mourquong

The Big Wine Barrel In Hanwood

The Big Windmill in Coffs Harbour

The Big Ugg Boots in Thornton

The Big Trout in Oberon

The Big Tennis Racquet In Barellan

The Big Spider in Urana

The Big Rubik’s Cube in Maroubra

The Big Rocket in Moree

The Big Rabbit Trap In Albert

The story of Kaima’s Big Poo

The Big Pig in Canowindra

The Big Oyester in Taree

The Big Mosquito in Hexham

The Big Miner’s Lamp in Bowenfels

The Big Kookaburra in Kurri Kurri

The Big Headphones in Newcastle

The Gold Pick and Pan in Grenfell

The Big Gold Panner in Kelso

The Big Funnel Web Spider in Jamberoo

The Big Fish in Manilla

The Big Cherries in Young

The Big Cheese in Young

The Big Bunch of Bananas in Coffs Harbour

The Big Bull in Wauchope

The Big Bowl in Lake Cathie

The Big Blue Heeler in Muswellbrook

The Big Bench in Broken Hill

The Big Ayers Rock in North Arm Cove

The Big Knight In Knockrow

The Big Bicycle In Chullora

The Big Ant in Broken Hill, Australia

The Big Beer Can in Cobar

The Big Lamb in Guyra

The Big Swan in Dunedoo

The Big Chook

The Big Trout

Australia’s Most Famous Diplodocus

The Legend Of The Big Murray Cod

The Big Avacado

The Big Golden Guitar in Tamworth, NSW

The Big Potato in Robertson

The Best Catch On The NSW Coast

The Story of the Big Merino

The Big Banana

The Big Bogan

South Australia

From Pickaxe To Sculpture

Encounter with the Mighty Roaming Giant

The Big Oyster in Ceduna

The Big Pigeon Takes Adelaide Mall by Storm

The Big Ram In Karoonda

The Big Rocking Horse in Gumeracha

The Big Winch in Coober Pedy

The Big Teddy Bear in Minlaton

The Big Pelican in Loxton

The Big Hills Hoist In O’Sullivan Beach

The Big Cockroach In Lower Light

The Big Church Block Bottle in McLaren Vale

The Big Cherries In Pages Flat

The Big Dice along the Barrier Highway

The Big Ant In Poochera

The Big Bobtail Lizard in Port Lincoln

The Big Santa in Adelaide

The Big Scotsman in Adelaide

The Big Bee in Kingscote, South Australia

The Big Orange in South Australia

Meet Larry the Big Lobster

The Big Galah of kimba

The Giant Pocket Watch In Melbourne

The Public Purse In Melbourne

The Big Sphinx in North Geelong, Victoria

The Big Cherry in Wyuna

The World’s Largest Rolling Pin in Wodonga

The World’s Largest Earthworm

The Big Wave in Newhaven

The Big Tap in Cowes

The Big Wool Bales in Hamilton

The Big Wine Bottle in Rutherglen

The Big Ned Kelly in Warrenheip

The Big Miner in Warrenheip

The Big Flower in Yarra Junction

Fairfield Industrial Dog Object in Fairfield

The Big Mallee Root in Ouyen

The Big Mallee Fowl in Patchewollock

The Big Mallee Bull in Birchip

The Big Lizard in Marysville

The Big Koala in Cowes

The Big Hens in Meredith

The Big Coffee Maker in Brunswick

The Big Cigar in Churchill

The Big Abalone in Laverton North

The Big Seat in Arthurs Seat

Big Lizzie in Red Cliffs

The Big Pheasant in Tynong

The Big Golf Ball in Heatherton, Victoria

Australia’s Largest, Most Loveable Koala

Australia’s Big Strawberry

Glenrowan’s Big Ned Kelly- Larger Than Life

The Big Spud in Sassafras

The Big Slide Rule

The Big Rock Lobster in Stanley

The Big Coffee Pot in Deloraine

The Big Cherry in Latrobe

The Colossal Wonder Down

The Big Penguin, Penguin’s “Big Thing”

Northern Territory

The Big Wine Bottle in Daly Waters

The Big Stubby in Larrimah

The Big Owl In Darwin

The Big Stockwhip in Acacia

The Big Hand in Alice Springs

The Big Frogs in Darwin

The Big Books in Alice Springs

The Anmatjere Woman and Child

The Big Fish in Wanguri

The Big Boxing Crocodile in Humpty Doo

The Big Aboriginal Hunter In Anmatjere

The Giant Jumping Crocodile

The Big Beer Can in Ghan

The Big Buffalo in Winnellie

The Big Dinosaur in Yarrawonga

Australian Capital Territory

The Big Pool Ball in Yarralumla

The Big Pears in Parkes

The Big Powerful Owl in Belconnen

The Big Galahs In Watson

The Big Coins In Deakin

The Big Bogong Moths in Acton

Big Acorns in Molonglo Valley

The Giant Mushroom in Belconnen

Australia’s Big Things

Australia is big… so big in fact that it’s not only a country but a continent as well (ok, so as a continent that also includes New Zealand and many Pacific Islands but you get the idea.) So what does a big country need? Some completely random Big Things, that’s what! The Australian Big Things are a strange phenomenon and it’s thought there are around 150 in total. It’s highly likely that you’ll stumble across one or two during your trip around the country.

Some people organise road trips to tour Australia’s Big Things, so here’s a list of them, in case you feel like doing that as well! I haven’t included all of them, because frankly, some are a bit rubbish.

List of Australian Big Things

Big fruit and veg, the big banana.

On the list first because it’s often claimed to be the first big thing that appeared. (It’s certainly been there since 1964 anyway). You’ll find the Big Banana in Coffs Harbour, alongside the banana themed gift shop. You can also take a tour around the banana plantation or completely randomly, go indoor skiing!

Location: Coffs Harbour, New South Wales

The Big Pineapple

At one point, The Big Pineapple was Australia’s most popular tourist attraction, getting a million visitors a year. I’m not really sure how to feel about that! Possibly because of it’s past popularity it’s now a heritage listed site. You can apparently go inside the pineapple, then follow that excitement up with a trip on the Pineapple Train. The train takes you through the plantation and rainforest and takes you back to the station where you can visit the Pineapple Cafe. The site has actually expanded quite a lot over the years and there’s even a zoo onsite now and markets every Saturday.

Location:  Woombye, Sunshine Coast, Queensland

The Big Mango

One of the newer Big Things, Bowens 10 metre high Mango was erected in 2002. It was stolen once as part of a publicity stunt, but thankfully was returned! Nando’s, the chicken company who stole it, even donated a Mini Mango which was 6 metres tall to say sorry. Bowen is famous for delicious Mangoes, so make sure you try some while visiting.

Location: Bowen, Queensland

Big Animals

The big marlin.

In Cairns you can find the Big Marlin. It’s here because the first 1000 pound black Marlin ever caught in the world was caught off the coast of Cairns.

Location: Cairns, Queensland

The Big Prawn

The Big Prawn was originally built in 1989 but has recently undergone a much needed makeover. The makeover included giving it it’s missing tail. It’s now found outside Bunnings Warehouse, who paid for the restoration. If you like seafood then after taking a selfie with this huge shrimp, visit one of the awesome seafood restaurants located close by.

Location: West Ballina, New South Wales

The Big Lobster

The Big Lobster is also known as Larry the Lobster by the locals. He was completed way back in 1979 and was originally created to attract attention to the restaurant and visitor centre on the site.

Location: Kingston SE, South Australia

The Giant Koala

Have a coffee, take a selfie, buy some overpriced souvenirs. That’s about it at the site of The Giant Koala. Yes it’s big, and at 14 metres tall is one of the biggest, but you might disappointed if you visit (most people seem to be according to the reviews)… Could it be that it’s quite a terrifying looking Koala? Worth stopping but not altering your route to see it by all accounts.

Location: Western Highway, between Melbourne and Adelaide.

The Big Koala

Not impressed by The Giant Koala? You’re better off visiting The Big Koala on Phillip Island Road instead. He’s much friendlier looking!

Location: Cowes, Victoria

The Big Boxing Croc

You can find The Big Boxing Croc in one of the best named towns in Australia – Humpty Doo! Saltwater Crocodiles are pretty common in the Northern Territory but this boxing croc was inspired by the America’s Cup Bid logo. – source

Location: Humpty Doo, Northern Territory

The Big Penguin

The Big Penguin is located in a town called, wait for it… Penguin! Named after the gorgeous little penguins which call the area home. (Read more about Aussie Animals ). Penguin is well worth a visit as you’ll find lots of real and monumental penguins all over the town.

Location: Penguin, Tasmania

Big Captain Cook

If you’ve been to Cairns you’ll have seen Captain Cook towering above the road. He appears to be telling you to stop, and he looks a bit stern, so maybe he’s asking you to adhere to the road rules? Who knows.

The Big Bogan

The Big Bogan was a bit controversial when it was proposed because the word Bogan is a bit of an insult (read more Aussie Slang terms ), however Nyngan is the location of the Bogan River, Bogan Street and Bogan Way, so if a massive Bogan were to be constructed anywhere this does seem to be the most appropriate location for it.

Location:  Nyngan, New South Wales

Big Ned Kelly

There are 2 Big Ned Kelly’s in Australia, but the one in Glenrowan is at least located where The Kelly Gang’s last stand was. Ned Kelly is the most infamous Australian, being a convicted police killer, a gang leader and an outlaw. Ned Kelly was also the son of John ‘Red’ Kelly, one of the most famous Australian convicts .

Location: Glenrowan, Victoria

Main image by Elliot Bledsoe – license

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10 of Australia’s most iconic road trips

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Feel the freedom of the open road with these unmissable road trips.

By Leah Dobihal and Carly Spek

There’s no shortage of adventure on the spectacular Legendary Pacific Coast between Sydney and Brisbane , boasting the wineries of the Hunter Valley , the sparkling beaches of Port Stephens , the hippie-chic scene of Byron Bay and the glitz of the Gold Coast . It’s a wind-the-windows-down kind of road trip that embraces Australia’s coastal beauty and laid-back vibes, even passing one of the most iconic road trip pit stops: the Big Banana .

Drive the Legendary Pacific Coast Touring Route

From world-class wine to sparkling beaches and ancient rainforest walks, the New South Wales Legendary Pacific Coast is a drive to be savoured.

Read time • 8min

The endless ocean on one side and sweeping landscapes on the other – what's not to love about a coastal road trip? One of Australia’s most spectacular coastal drives is the  Grand Pacific Drive . Beginning just south of Sydney , the road clutches the coastline, crossing the Sea Cliff Bridge, which seemingly levitates above crashing waves. Along the way, visit a dramatic blowhole in Kiama, stroll along the bone-white shores of Hyams Beach and witness ancient history . Continue your journey all the way to Melbourne on the Sydney to Melbourne Coastal Drive .

Sydney to the Sapphire Coast road trip

With pockets of paradise like Eden and Merimbula, the Sapphire Coast in New South Wales is so much more than just a whale-watching mecca.

Read time • 6min

The central Australian outback is a place of transformation. Ancient ochre landscapes, dynamic cultures and starry skies create an energy unique to Australia’s red heart. Driving the Red Centre Way, a loop beginning and ending in the outback town of Alice Springs , means meeting Australian icons at every turn. Ulu r u, Kata Tju t a and Watarrka National Park are the heavy hitters, but don’t overlook the dramatic gorges and cool swimming holes of Tjoritja (the West MacDonnell Ranges).

Alice Springs to Uluru: a 7-day road trip

Tour the ancient landscapes of Central Australia on this iconic Aussie road trip through Alice Springs, Kings Canyon and Uluru.

Not all great drives are long drives, even in a place as big as Australia. From the tropical city of Cairns to the wilds of Cape Tribulation, the Great Barrier Reef Drive offers more than its fair share of wonders. Where else can you stand on the border of two World Heritage Listed sites ? Or spot the vibrant colours of both cassowary birds and coral? Amid your travels between the reef and the Daintree Rainforest , you can chill beneath palms, search for tree kangaroos and snorkel over the kaleidoscope of colours and creatures on the reef .

14-day Tropical North Queensland Drive

Drive from Cairns to Townsville via Cooktown, through World Heritage-listed reef and rainforests to golden outback savannah, taking in tropical Queensland at its finest.

Read time • 11min

Meandering all the way from Adelaide to Darwin , the Explorers Way passes through a tapestry of ancient gorges, weathered peaks and red rock canyons. In South Australia’s outback, you’ll find the natural wonders of the 600-million-year-old Flinders Ranges as well as the underground city of Coober Pedy. After crossing the border into the Northern Territory , you’ll soon see the majestic Ulu r u and Kata Tju t a appear ahead as the earth turns red beneath your tyres.

14 days along the Explorers Way

This 14-day adventure takes you down the centre of Australia, from Darwin to South Australia. Along the way you'll explore striking landscapes from wetlands to deserts, as well as outback towns, world-class wineries and beautiful beaches.

Read time • 10min

From snow-capped mountains to sapphire-blue bays, Tasmania is overflowing with natural beauty. Take in Tassie’s coastal wonders as you follow one of the island’s grandest road trips – the Great Eastern Drive . Head north from Hobart to the Bay of Fires , where the beaches are white, the air is clean and the scenery is magnificent. Wander around the sandstone ruins of the World Heritage-listed Port Arthur convict settlement one day and find yourself admiring the perfect curve of Wineglass Bay the next. 

5 days on Tasmania’s Great Eastern Drive

Sample the splendours of Tasmania’s stunning east coast, from seafood and wine to lush rainforest and powder-white beaches.

Read time • 5min

If experiencing Australia’s wide-open spaces is on your wishlist, set your sights on the Nullarbor Plain , located along the Great Australian Bight. There are incredible experiences to be found as you drive along the open road, from wandering the wild coast of South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula to hitting the holes on the world’s longest golf course . Add in caves, old gold mining towns, the remains of a space station that crashed to Earth and character-rich roadhouses, and the Nullarbor becomes a bucket list Aussie road trip.

Driving across the Nullarbor Plain

Widen your horizons driving the Eyre Highway across the vast Nullarbor Plain, four times the size of Belgium.

Read time • 9min

The centre of the Kimberley is as vast and majestic as its famous coastline. The Gibb River Road , which stretches from Derby (near Broome ) to almost as far as Kununurra , is a legendary outback route for good reason. Offering secluded gorges, rocky ridges and that indescribable open-road feeling, it’s a drive that will transform you with each passing kilometre. Head off in a 4WD to explore bulbous boab trees, glimpse the rugged Cockburn Range and soak in glassy waterholes.

Gibb River Road: a 12-day adventure

Journey across one of the country’s greatest 4WD adventures through Western Australia’s captivating Kimberley wilderness.

The route between Perth and Esperance truly has it all: blindingly white beaches, strikingly clear water, some of the tallest trees in the world and premium wineries. Lose yourself in the natural beauty, seclusion and tranquillity of the South West Edge road trip. Pay a visit to Lucky Bay’s beach-loving kangaroos, bounce along a walkway suspended in the treetops at the Valley of the Giants and join an expedition to see killer whales (between late January and April). And that’s just the start.

Western Australia's South West: 14 day road trip

Experience the extraordinary landscape of the South West in one great road trip.

Read time • 16min

The Great Ocean Road is one of Australia’s most thrilling drives, studded with dramatic views of rugged coastline. Take it slow and enjoy the breathtaking views along this iconic stretch of road before heading inland to discover dense forests and misting waterfalls. Seize the chance to marvel at the famous 12 Apostles’ towering limestone rock formations – stunning at any time of day, but especially as the setting sun turns the cliff face a fiery red.

6 days on the Great Southern Touring Route

Take a road trip along Victoria’s eye-popping southern coastline, through Aboriginal history and into sparkling spa country. It’s nature, nurture and wonder all the way.

More articles like this

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Home » Oceania » Australia » 10 EPIC Australia Road Trips: Big, Bold, and Beautiful

10 EPIC Australia Road Trips: Big, Bold, and Beautiful

Australia: a continental landmass of crocodile-wrestling locals, man-eating dropbears, and gigantic expanses of endless red dirt. Maybe only one of those things is true.

That said, there is truly, truly massive amounts of red dirt. On any Australian road trip through its gargantuan “Red Centre”, you will see endless horizons of ochre hues. Words cannot describe the scope of this untameable land.

In Australia, one can easily drive for days on end without the scenery changing at all and with only the occasional roo – jumping out in front of the car on a suicide mission – to break up the routine. But if you can handle the distances and duck the kamikaze kangaroos, the country can be one hell of a setting for some epic Australian road trips.

Of course, embarking on Australia’s road trips isn’t so simple. First, you’ll need a vehicle. You’ll also need to manage the equally untameable cost of travelling in Australia. (Damn you fuel prices in Oz!)

And of course, you’ll need to decide on which of the best road trips in Australia you’ll be Mad Max-ing. Spoiler: they’re all bloody magnificent.

So that’s why I’ve written this guide to travelling Australia by car (or van). A roundup of the most epic Australian road trips you can possibly sink your teeth and adventurer chomps into!

Fire her up cause we’re headin’ out back, mate.

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Exploring Australia: Prepping for the Road Trip

Top 10 epic australia road trips: she’ll be right, 10. kangaroo island, some safety advice for australia, let the great australia road trip commence.

The word Australia is now pretty much synonymous with the word “backpacking”. This is primarily because countless backpackers from all around the world now flock here annually, either to take long working holidays (yay for obscenely high minimum wages) or to try and start a new life.

Meanwhile back in the rest of the world, (certainly in India, South-East Asia and South America) it often feels like most of the other backpackers you meet are Australian (closely followed by Germans then Israelis). In summary Australia = Backpacking . Right?

Despite this, the former prison colony has still not really been properly explored save by only a handful of very brave and foolish souls. Australia is massive, it’s red, it’s angry, and it’s often damn well deadly and therefore, most folks (residents and visitors alike) end up sticking to the coastlines .

However, if you want to discover the real Australia then you need to head away from the beach and into that deliciously daring ‘outback’ . For a proper adventure, you gotta get away from humanity and into the sheer undulating arid heat. If you’re going to do that, then you’re going to need to get yourself a car and set off for an epic road trip in Australia.

The road is calling (here are a few inspiring road trip quotes , just in case you need any more motivation).

How to Travel Australia by Car

Firstly, you will need a driving licence . A serious traveller may even want to get an International licence although most “Western” licence (US, EU, etc.) will be perfectly valid down under . Be sure to get this back in your home country because everything is expensive in Australia.

You’re also going to need a vehicle for a road trip in Australia – no brainer! There are three ways to go about this:

• Hire a car or van in Australia – Renting a car in Australia is easy albeit expensive and much better suited to a short trip. There are heaps of car rental services in Australia but I recommend JUCY Rentals . They’ve been in the game as long as I remember; parked by the beaches of Byron Bay is a time-honoured Australian tradition almost as much as a beer and fish and chips. Probably also in Byron.
• Buy a car or van –  This is option two and the true backpacker way to have a road trip in Australia. Backpackers buying and reselling vehicles in Australia is incredibly common (given the sheer scope of Australia) and acquiring a pre-loved gypsy warhorse and selling it again later is super viable. The best way to go about this is through online listings: social media groups, car sales websites, Gumtree , traveller/hostel message boards, or even dipping into your personal network.
• Steal a car or van – Jokes, don’t do that. Remember how I said Australia was an ex-prisoner colony. Dem fuckers be crazy.

Travel Australia by Van or Car

Right, so you may have noticed how I specified van  OR  car. That’s because both are viable, however, I do have a special love in my heart for living and travelling in a van. And truth be told, Australia’s barren empty wilderness and endless beaches are simply built for the vanlife.

Ultimately though, the choice is yours. A car is cheaper to acquire (generally) and requires less mechanical knowhow, but you won’t have the sheer magnificent awesomeness a home with wheels. That said, vans can be absolute primadonnas and konk out on you at the worst possible time so it’s a matter of choice and desire.

Lastly (and most importantly), it is worth noting that not ALL of Australia will be open to you in a standard van or car. A lot of Australia’s landscape is incredibly harsh and some of the absolute best road trips will only be doable with a four-wheel drive.

Either way, the vehicle type you choose is going to affect your packing for the great Australian road trip . To that end, here is some more recommended reading:

Car Camping in Australia Resources:

• The Ultimate Road Trip Packing List
• The Camping Master Checklist
• Best Budget Backpacking Tents
• Best Sleeping Bags
• And don’t forget a sleeping pad!

Van Travel in Australia Resources

• The Full Guide to Vanlife
• Campervanning in New Zealand Guide

(Yes I know it’s New Zealand but bar the much smaller scope and lack of murderous animals, the countries are quite comparable.)

Oh, and here’s a kickass post discussing the cost of a road trip in Australia . Ta-dah!

A Word on Australian Visas

Pretty much everybody will need a visa to enter Australia. The immigration policies and staff are zealous and you will be given the once over.

Travellers from most Western Countries can enter for tourism purposes on an Australian ETA (subclass 601) . Whilst these are amongst the easiest type to obtain, do remember to apply before you fly or you risk deportation

Ok, no more blabber-blabber: the best road trips in Australia! Let’s hop to it and get this show on the road!

So. Many. Puns.

So. Little. Time.

1. Gibb River Road – Western Australia

Accessible only by four-wheel drive, and completely impossible to do in the wet season, this road is one hell of an adventure. Bringing you 660 km down a dirt track from Broome to Kununurra , you’re likely not to see another soul on the road.

Countless waterfalls and natural springs greet you along the way – just make sure to check for freshwater crocs before you hop in! It’s one of the best routes you can take for an Australian road trip.

2. Cairns to Cape York – Queensland

At the northernmost tip of Australia, practically touching Papua New Guinea, lives a place called Cape York . Far from the backpacker trail, it’s an amazing place to explore. (Other than the saltwater crocodiles lurking in the water. Australia’s wildlife: the reoccurring theme of this guide).

The road travels down dirt roads with many river crossings, so you definitely need a four-wheel drive, much like most of the best spots in an Australia road trip. As you travel up from Cairns , you’ll pass through Cape Tribulation – a tiny town nestled in the rainforest, with the Great Barrier Reef a mere 30-minute boat ride away. It doesn’t get more idyllic than that.

3. Darwin to Uluru – Northern Territory

While this one can be done with an ordinary two-wheel drive vehicle, the route is definitely far from ordinary. A hundred kilometres south of Darwin , you’ll reach the gorgeous Litchfield National Park . With more waterfalls than you can handle, a ton of different bush walks, and a unique (and odd) type of termite mound, you could spend weeks in the park.

Continuing south you’ll get a true taste of the Outback, with roads stretching far into the horizon. But don’t worry, you won’t get bored; those suicidal kangaroos will keep you on your toes as you cruise to the red hot centre of Australia. Be sure to stop in at Alice Springs on your way to Uluru – yes, the famous giant red rock – to check out some traditional Aboriginal art  as well as the stunning views you won’t catch anywhere else on earth. You’ll find a few great hostels in Alice Springs as well. A great route to choose for an Australia road trip!

4. Great Ocean Road – Victoria

The Great Ocean Road is widely mooted as the “greatest” amongst the epic Australian road trips, and one of the best road trips in Victoria . For all those in love with the ocean, this road is an absolute must. Gliding along from every surfer’s paradises to massive plunging cliffs, the road is nothing short of spectacular.

Starting 275 km west of Melbourne , you’ll find the world-famous Twelve Apostles , where huge rock stacks rise from the waves. Love surfing (or the movie Point Break)? Get to Bells Beach , the setting of the last scene of the film, as well as Rip Curl’s surfing competition.

Be sure to stop in at some of the villages along the road as well; from Victorian-era buildings to small fishing communities, there are some great destinations along the Great Ocean Road.

5. The Greater Blue Mountains Drive – New South Wales

Mountains in Australia? Blue mountains ? Yep, they’ve got more than just kangaroos and koalas out there.

Taking you from the metropolis of Sydney right up the middle of the Blue Mountains , this drive is anything but ordinary. From Jenolan Caves , filled with crazy limestone formations, to the Three Sisters rock formation in Katoomba , you will find plenty to do in the area.

And if you get bored of the main route, no worries! The Bluies (a bit of local lingo for ya there) is an absolutely massive mountain range with awesome hostels to stay at tonnes of branching tracks:

• Running from Sydney to Lithgow is the Great Western Highway (the main route).
• Parallel to the Great Western on the other side of the Grose Valley is Bell’s Line of Road .
• There are heaps of dirt roads and fire trails running into the bush everywhere to explore.
• And tonnes of branching roads in other directions. Check out the  Megalong Valley or head towards  Oberon for some more eye candy.

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6. The Nullarbor Plain – West Australia

The long road to Perth takes in 2000km of red Australia at its harshest. It’s flat, it’s long, it’s arid, and it’s a big wide open space so don’t get acrophobic on me now. It’s also an utterly rewarding adventure and one of the best of the epic Austrian road trips you can do.

It’s fair to say that doing the proper crossing of Australia by car is both an Australian and backpacker rite of passage. Take a friend or get used to your own company because it’s a lonely journey and not for the faint of heart. But my god is it a journey.

If, however, this all sounds like too much then see number 7.

7. Tasmania’s Heritage Trail

Tasmania is Australia’s best-kept secret. The region boasts beauty in abundance but has somehow escaped consumption by the backpacker trail. It’s also a lot smaller and compact to travel; like a miniature New Zealand!

This was once the gateway to Australia and was where the original convict chain-gangs were set to work colonising the country. The highwaymen that once haunted these high-ways and by-ways are now gone but you still need to be mindful of those damn roos who may surprise you! This is quite a short and pleasant drive – it’s a lot greener too – so is the perfect contrast to the above Australian road trip.

8. The Alpine Way – New South Wales

Did you know you could fit the entirety of old Wales into New South Wales several times over? However, this route is only 121km long so should only take you a day (plus stops).

The best time to come here is in early spring when the snow is melting (yes, Australia gets snow) but you still get the alpine scenery. There are also loads of great, and safe, places to wild camp along the way.

9. Sydney to Melbourne

Ok, so we did kind of dissed the folks who stick to the coast back there. However, the reality is that if you’re gonna fly all the way to Australia, you will most likely either fly to Sydney or to Melbourne first – two of the best places to stay in Australia . Therefore you may as well make a road trip out of it, right?

There are loads of little coastal towns along the coastal route (think Summer Bay from Home & Away) as well as idyllic little spots for fishing and bird watching. This trip is also perfect if you’re short on time, an inexperienced explorer or if your car is not up to the harder, inland roads.

If the mainland somehow feels too big, then take the ferry from Adelaide across to Kangaroo Island . As the name suggests, it’s an almost untouched animal sanctuary so you can expect more kamikaze kangaroos then we care to mention. To battle stations, comrades: they’re rebelling!

You can take your car onto the ferry (it’s the same deal for Tassie by the way) but if you are renting one, please check that the rental company allows you to do this.

Seriously, there’s a whole other post in this but ok. Pickpockets, terrorists, murderers: these aren’t a concern so much in Australia (Ivan Milat notwithstanding) . There are other concerns, however. Especially for travellers unwitting to Australia’s harshness.

The wildlife is, of course, the bad joke of the global community. Crocs, jellyfish, snakes, spiders, sharks… hell, an emu can kill you if it wants. Generally, you stay away from them, then they’ll stay away from you. The big exception is crocs.

Any area where crocs are common in the water (northern areas of Australia in particular), be hella safe swimming. In fact, probably just don’t swim. If a croc gets you, you’re dead: end of story. Australia isn’t some landscape of bloodthirsty man-eating monsters like people seem to think, but you need to pay attention.

Next, swimming safety. A lot of the beaches are rough and tourists have died going past their limits. Be careful swimming on Australia’s beaches: swim between the lifeguard’s flags, watch out for surfers, and if you get stuck in a rip, let it take you until it subsides. Common sense prevails when swimming in Australia.

Are you done, Dad?  No. Two more things

One More Thing: Australia Road Trip Safety

Road trips in Australia are very different from the States, Europe, or most other places for that matter. Maybe it’s comparable to a hot Siberia.

Populated coastlines are different but in rural areas and especially in the Outback, there are a number of things to be careful about:

• Supplies –  Always have enough food, petrol (including extra tanks),  WATER ; it’s quite possible to go days without seeing another human in Australia’s most vast areas and if you breakdown without these things, she’ll probably not be right.
• Stop, revive, survive – Famous safety motto in Australia: take frequent rest breaks and naps if necessary when driving. It’s actually amazing how many people die on Australia’s long, straight, empty roads – counter-intuitive, right? It’s easy to lose concentration when you’ve been driving in a straight line staring at the same dot on the horizon for 6 hours. It’s easy to fall asleep at the wheel and flip your car or smash into a pole at 120+km/h. Be smart.
• Watch out for wildlife –  All the jokes aside about suicidal kangaroos, imagine hitting one. That can be 6+ feet and 80+ kilograms of proper red-blooded Australian muscle and bone crunching your bonnet and coming through your windshield. It’s the same as hitting a person. Hitting wildlife on an Australian road trip can be just as bad for you as it is for them. Plus, they’re so damn cute! Just watch out for them.
• Roadside Drug Testing –  Can be common in some states and areas and the laws are an absolute mess. Just sayin’…

Last Thing! Get Insured Before Travelling to Australia

What if the kangaroos really do form an army and rise up. Do you know how many kangaroos there are in Australia? We’ll never stand a chance!

Na, you’ll be fine. You know why? Because you’re a smart cookie and you got travel insurance!

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ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

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There! Done dad-ing you now. Now you can go and get yourself killed in Australia!

Kidding! You’re not gonna die. You’re gonna have an amazing time. You’ll see some sights like no where else in the world, you’ll face some challenges that’ll help you grow, and at the end of it you’ll say:

“Strewth, mate! Too bloody right. That was pretty fuckin’ orright!”

Have fun, amigos. Australia is truly breathtakingly beautiful and she offers something no other country in this world can. Truly, she is special.

So go hit her up! Take her for a drive – some epic Australia road trips – and go see something you never have before! Take some weed too. It’s a long fucking drive.

Updated: February 2020 by Ziggy Samuels at Zigz Writes Things .

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Road Tripping to Australia’s Big Things

We Aussies are a bit of a strange bunch when it comes to Big Things. And strangely enough our first Big Thing was a nod to another culture.

The Big Scotsman was erected outside Scotty’s Motel in Medindie in Adelaide in 1963. That’s one year before The Big Banana took up residence in Coffs Harbour in ‘64.

Some have sadly been lost over the years, some have undergone some changes, including the way the Big Prawn now shares a space with a Bunnings, while others have been heritage listed and saved.

We now have literally dozens of Big Things around the country. We’ve got fruits like the Big Pineapple and Big Mango, animals from the Big Boxing Crocodile to the Big Galah, alcohol inspired ones including the Big Wine Bottle and Big Stubbie, and even sporting goods are covered with the Big Tennis Racquet and Big Golf Ball.

But as road trippers know, some are bigger than others.

I’m not sure if there should be some kind of minimum size requirement before a sculpture or structure can claim to be a Big Thing.

For example, the Big Merino outside Goulburn is 49 feet tall and weighs 97 tonne. The Big Chook at Moonbi is around 6 feet tall. Sure, it’s big for a chook, but I’ve also seen some novelty letterboxes that are that big (hey, I’m from the country).

Read: Byron Bay retreat goals – 11 of the best getaways

Then there are those that mysteriously get smaller as we grow up.

When I went to The Big Banana as a young child it seemed absolutely huge. I remember being blown away by it and thinking you could live in there. So I was genuinely shocked when I returned as an adult to find it was a relatively simple 11 metre long concrete banana with a walkway in the middle and some photos on the wall.

Mind you, these days there’s a lot more going on around it. They have toboggans and waterslides and laser tag. So much fancier than back in my day. But the Big Banana itself remains the same, as it should. And I look forward to visiting it the next time I’m on a road trip along the coast.

Of course one thing you do need if you’re going on a Big Things Road Trip is a car. Which is something I don’t have these days.

Read: 20 incredible Airbnb Queensland ways to stay

Fortunately there is a clever way around that. Even if you’re in your own city or state you can act like you would on a road trip in another country and hire a car.

Music lovers could even combine one with a festival, and hit the road for the Big Pineapple Music Festival, or to visit the Golden Guitar in Tamworth during the Country Music Festival.

So how about you? When it comes to Australia’s Big Things, what always makes you smile? And have you ever driven out of your way to see one only to find it a big let-down? I’m still adding to my own Big Things Road Trip list and am happily taking notes.

And just how big should a Big Thing be before it can claim the title?

Love a good road trip? Here are seven great Australian road trips to check out, as well as a fun music themed one through America’s deep south. 

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The Big Lobster at Kingston SE, SA. The Big Oyster, Taree, NSW. The Big Rocking Horse, Adelaide Hill, SA.

I knew you’d have visited a few!

I’ve taken cars, planes, trains and even walked a fair bit when it was necessary to see some ‘big’ things. Hasn’t always been worth it, but as they say, sometimes it’s just about the journey rather than the destination!

And that you did! I see a Big Thing Road Trip in our future when you’re in Australia next…

In CANADA, town mascots are big too.It seems the smaller the town, the larger the town mascot aka BIG thing. We did a post on a bunch of these a while back.Probably the most famous is the World’s Largest Dinosaur- a TREX which easily stands about 6 stories high.I have a question tho’. What is your first photo of? It kind of looks like an out-of-the-water Florida manatee or maybe a southern version of an Arctic muskox.

Ha! that first photo is the Big Merino.. a very very large sheep 🙂 Glad to know Canada is in on the big action too. I’ll be sure to add a few to my next Canadian road trip. Thanks for the tips!

I went to Australia on a school trip when I was 17 ( I won’t disclose how long ago that was!) I remember visiting the big pineapple and the big banana and deciding I wanted to come back and make a road trip of it. I haven’t made it back, but now I’m re-inspired!

Hurrah! There are SO many to choose from. I look forward to reading your blog about it when you do. And seeing if you make it to the Big Chook 🙂

the is a Big Penguin in Tassie too. it’s in a town called …..Penguin!!!!…lol

Ha! I love it… that’s going on my list!

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The best Australian ‘Big Things’ on the east coast drive

Jessica Taylor Yates

Posted August 28, 2023

Like meat pies and swatting flies, there’s nothing more Australian than hitting up the iconic 'Big Things' on a summer road trip.

Ever heard of The Big Prawn? How about The Giant Koala?

These Australian sculptures and statues have become just as iconic as the destinations themselves on the great Aussie road trip.  But how did it start? 

One of the first 'Big Things' was the Big Banana in 1964, but things really took off in the 1980s thanks to the Mokany brothers. The two Hungarian petrol station developers came up with the concept of putting ‘Big Things’ near their locations to attract visitors. They decided to make these monuments tributes to the town’s industries – that's how Goulburn got its Big Merino and Ballina got the Big Prawn. 

Now, there are over 150 of these all around Australia – what can we say, when we like a trend, we go big – so we’re going to focus on the popular east coast route from Victoria to Queensland.

And while there are plenty of ways to  survive the family road trip,  getting to find Australia’s Big Things provides fun for the whole family. 

RACV Members save on a range of attractions and experiences around Australia. 

Map of Australia's Big Things on the East Coast

15 Australian Big Things to visit along the east coast

The giant koala, dadswell bridge, vic.

5829 Western Hwy, Dadswells Bridge, VIC

‘Big Things’ really took off in the 80s, and Victoria wasn’t about to miss out on the action. The Giant Koala in the Horsham region, standing over 14 metres tall, is made of bronze and was sculpted by artist Ben Van Zetton. 

In late 2009, the Giant Koala become a memorial for Sam the koala, and the statue has since been used to raise awareness of Australia’s endangered koalas.

Visitors can walk through the koala to grab some touristy goods or nosh at the café, and spend some koala-ty time before enjoying the nearby Grampians.

Looks like this one has the right koala-fications for Australia's Big Things. Image: Getty. 

The Big Banana, Coffs Harbour, NSW

351 Pacific Hwy, Coffs Harbour, NSW

What’s fun about this monument is that you can walk right through it! One of Australia’s first ‘Big Things,’ The Big Banana was conceptualised by banana stall owner John Landi, who was looking for the 'wow' factor that would make visitors stop and take notice. 

Inspired by Hawaii's Big Pineapple, what has now become The Big Banana Fun Park has been welcoming road-trippers since 1964, and is located at the front of an amusement park on banana plantation grounds in Coffs Harbour. Sounds a-peeling. 

You can even take a walk through The Big Banana for yourself. Image: Getty.

The Big Prawn, Ballina, NSW

507 River St, West Ballina, NSW

Standing over nine metres high and designed to be 30 thousand times bigger than a real prawn, it's become one of Australia's favourite big things - you could say it's shrimply the best! (We know. We're sorry).

Built as a commemoration of the town’s prawn industry, The Big Prawn was renovated in 2013 - just after the local council approved its demolition!

Luckily, the townsfolk banded together, and with a new coat of paint and ripping new tail atop a Bunnings in Ballina, just 25 minutes south of Byron Bay, it seems this is one shrimp you won’t be putting on the barbie any time soon.

The Big Prawn had a big makeover. Image: Getty. 

The Big Merino, Goulburn, NSW

Corner of Hume and Sowerby St, Goulburn, NSW

An hour from Canberra if you’re going for an in-land stop, The Big Merino, or ‘Rambo’ as it is known by locals, stands at over 15 metres tall with a weight of 97 tonnes. 

A commemoration of Goulburn’s wool industry, while it has shuffled in location, it currently stands near the Hume Highway Freeway interchange to make it easier for visitors to come on by.   

The Big Merino gift shop also has a selection of products including wool garments, and visitors can even have a climb inside and have a peek through Rambo’s eyes. Wool ewe try it?  

The Big Merino must have been constructed with shear woolpower. Image: Getty. 

The Big Bench, Broken Hill, NSW

Federation Way, Broken Hill, NSW

A later addition to Australia's Big Things, Broken Hill’s Big Bench came along in 2022 as part of a 'Landscapes and Backgrounds' exhibit.

An easy stop en route to Sydney, the oversized park bench makes for a fun photo stop as it makes anyone who climbs aboard look rather miniature in stature. And yes – this is one place where you can touch the art. 

The Big Bench in Broken Hill sure can make you feel small. Image: Getty. 

The Big Golden Guitar, Tamworth, NSW

2 The Ringers Road, Corner New England Highway and The Ringers Road, South Tamworth

While this is not on the coast, Tamworth is a stop about four hours inland from Port Macquarie that many travellers may wish to stop at to take in the country music scene, Tamworth Music Festival, and of course, The Big Golden Guitar as opened by the NSW Tourism Manager and Slim Dusty himself.

Forming part of the Visitor Information Centre and series of shops, a café, and museums, The Big Golden Guitar came about in 1988, and is designed to look like an Australian Country Music Award, the Golden Guitar Awards. So music lovers, go take a photo – there's no strings attached. 

The Big Golden Guitar is ready for you to rock, no air guitar required. Image: Alamy. 

The Big Pie, Yatala, QLD

48 Old Pacific Hwy, Yatala, Queensland

A smart marketing move, The Big Pie sits on a pole in front of, you guessed it, a drive-through pie shop in Yatala, about 40 minutes inland from the Gold Coast. You can cruise down for lunch and park yourself at the RACV Royal Pines Resort  on the Gold Coast for a bit of R and R! 

Built in the late 1970s, The Big Pie in the sky, visible from the freeway, brings in thousands of visitors to Yatala Pies every day – it's even now listed as one of Queensland’s Cultural Icons and sells over 3500 pies every day. Seems everyone wants a piece!

Everyone wants a slice of the action. Image: Yatala Big Pie. 

The Big Pineapple, Nambour, QLD

76 Nambour Connection Rd, Woombye, Queensland

The Big Pineapple is more than just a fruit, it’s an institution. The 16-metre high walk-through pine 40 minutes south of Noosa  was built in ‘71, bringing tourist to the Sunshine Coast region. It even brought the owners of the Sunshine Plantation the first-ever annual award for Queensland tourism development.

These days, The Big Pineapple is a fully-fledged heritage-listed attraction, boasting a Pineapple Train, the Big Pineapple Music Festival, zoo, zipline course, fresh produce and visitor centre, to name a few. Seems it lives on, pineapply ever after! 

The Big Pineapple is over 50 years old with a viewing platform at the top. Image: Getty. 

The Big Pelican, Noosa, QLD

180 Gympie Terrace, Noosaville, Queensland

‘Percy the Pelican’ as he is known by locals, first came to prominence in ‘77 on a Noosa Council Float, as the pelican is the area’s beloved emblem.

Percy has been on quite a few travels since then – in other parades, hotels, and even a dip in the river near the RACV Noosa Resort – but The Big Pelican now rests comfortably at the aptly named Pelican Boat Hire on Noosa River’s foreshore after a hefty restoration. Seems he left them with a rather large bill...

This peli-can sure make for a great photo! Image: Alamy. 

The Big Melon, Chinchilla, QLD

Warrego Highway, Chinchilla, Western Country Area, Queensland

The Big Melon, a giant watermelon located in Queensland’s Chinchilla, was almost located in another town. Three and half hours out of Brisbane , in 2018, an online travel company launched a competition to build the ‘Next Big Thing’ - and with a National Melon Festival already the pride of the town, building the nine-metre wide and three-metre tall watermelon was Chinchilla’s turn to get a slice of the - well, melon!

It sure is one in a melon. Image: Alamy. 

The Big Bullock, Rockhampton, QLD

Gladstone Road, Rockhampton, Queensland

The beef capital of Australia, travellers in Queensland’s Rockhampton won’t take long to find the bull statues and paraphernalia around the town. Erected to attract tourists to the beef farms, the Big Bull statues in Rockhampton have been built between 1978 and 1997, and provide fun for visitors to spot the bulls around the city.

There are seven ‘official’ bull statues, that are on average seven times the size of a regular cow, and made of concrete – so may be a bit hard to get moo-ving. 

One of many Big Bulls romaing the streets of Rockhampton. Image: Alamy. 

The Big Cane Toad, Sarina, QLD

48/46 Bruce Hwy, Sarina, Queensland

About 35 km south of Mackay lies Sarina, home to Buffy, otherwise known as the Big Cane Toad. Initially made for a sugar festival float, Buffy made his way to the main street of Sarina, in a nod to the region’s cane farming history.

The name comes from a Name-The-Frog competition in ‘98, with Buffy slang for the cane toad’s official scientific name, the ‘bufo marinus.’ So hop along for a visit – it’s toad-ally worth it! 

We wonder if he wears open-toad sandals? Image: Alamy. 

The Big Golden Gumboot, QLD

Cnr Hort and Butler Streets, Tully, Queensland 

Just 25 minutes inland from Mission Beach near Cairns you'll find the Tully Golden Gumboot. Known as Australia's wettest town, the boot is an homage to the town of Tully's record rainfall, which hit 7900mm in 1950. 

Standing at 7.5 metres tall, the boot has an internal staircase inscribed with information and images about Tully, where visitors can climb to a viewing platform and great photo from the top. But as the bottom is stuck firmly to the ground, we can safely say this is one boot that was not made for walkin'.

Tully's Golden Gumboot comes with a bonus giant frog. Image: Alamy.

The Big Cassowary, Mission Beach, QLD

32 Wongaling Beach Rd, Wongaling Beach, Queensland

Towering the skies at five metres high, The Big Cassowary is an ode to the coastal town’s famous bird species that roam throughout the town and the UNESCO-listed Daintree Rainforest.

Located in front of the mall at Wongaling Beach, this is one cassowary that, unlike its live flightless friends, is safe to pet – so no need to cassoworry!

No need to be casso-wary - the statue won't bite. Image: Alamy.

The Big Mango, Bowen, QLD

Bruce Highway, Bowen, Queensland

Atop the Whitsundays' pristine beaches and magnificent reef, you’ll find The Big Mango of Bowen. Ten metres high and weighing in at seven tonnes, the ‘Bowen Mango’ in North Queensland was built in 2022 as an homage to the region’s booming mango district.

Visiting is a chance to for a photo op at the top of The Whitsundays, a stop at the local info centre, and a chance to enjoy some mango sorbet at the end of your Big Things adventure. 

The Big Mango looks good enough to eat! Image: Getty.

Heading up the coast? RACV Members get discounts at a range of RACV Resorts and attractions around Australia. Discover more →

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Australia’s Big Things Road Trip Bucket List for Families

Dreaming of an Australia big things road trip? We’ve got you covered, with great ideas for where to go and hit the open road with the kids in tow.

Australia is as famous for its unique animals as it is is for its unique landscapes and sights. Whether you’re taking the kids to visit Australia to check out kangaroos and koalas, or to go on a walkabout in the Australian Outback, know that there’s more to Australia than just flora and fauna.

While Uluru (Ayers Rock) and the Great Barrier Reef (check out these fun and interesting facts about the Great Barrier Reef !) are obvious places to take the kids, Australians have also taken it upon themselves to produce some of the biggest roadside attractions in the world.

Australia Big Things Road Trip made Epic

With over 150 documented big things in Australia, you could say that creating big things is a defining Australian cultural phenomenon.

Where else can you see everything from a 56 foot tall lobster to a 40 foot long banana? I can’t think of too many kids who wouldn’t love walking through a giant banana or checking out a 15 foot tall termite mound.

Looking for something to keep the family occupied? Check out The Barefoot Nomad travel blog’s lists of the best audiobooks for road trips , and best audiobooks for family road trips . There are some great selections here. We love the Harry Potter books, especially!

Driving a campervan across Australia

When we drove our used campervan across Australia  for six months, we had the good fortune to see many of Australia’s big things up close and personal. Considering the vast spaces that comprise Australia, these kitschy attractions made great way points while driving from place to place and made for some funny pictures, plus they’re a great way to save money .

A campervan is a fantastic travel option for families in Australia. Hotel rooms can be expensive, and driving your own campervan lets you stop at all of the fun big things alongside the road. Plus, it lets you take advantage of Australia’s great tourist and camping parks, and it’s a comfortable way to travel with kids.

A campervan lets you stop and use the washroom whenever you want, and it’s great for whipping up quick snacks and meals for the kids.

Visiting Australia’s big things

Years later, we still remember certain travel memories in relation to the closest big attraction while we traveled across Australia . Like checking out that pineapple farm just down the road from the Big Pineapple that had these amazingly tasty dried pineapples and who’s owners guided us to this farm down the street that had an elusive platypus swimming in the little creek that flowed through their yard.

Since Australia is such a big country, taking a RV, trailer or campervan across the island continent with kids is the best way to not only see the country but to check out Australia’s biggest attractions. Now that our kids are old enough to really enjoy it, we’ve been reading travel tips and  planning our next Australian road trip and getting the kids take on things to do.

You can bet that between searching for kangaroos, koalas, and wallabies we’ll include stops at the playground under the Giant Mushroom as well as photo ops with both the Big Boxing Kangaroo and Larry, the Big Lobster.

We’ll also search out known platypus feeding spots along the east coast, giant blue cassowary parks in the Blue Ranges, jumping crocodiles in Northern Australia, hidden wild camels in the Outback, elusive tree kangaroos and rock wallabies in Queensland and fairy penguins around Perth.

Australia’s a big country, so it can take a considerable amount of time to drive around and see all 150 plus big things. In fact, it takes 14 or more days to drive around all of Australia. To enjoy this trip to the upmost, and keep it from getting to be overwhelmingly long, consider hitting only the big things that you want to see most, or constrain yourself to a specific area of Australia.

List of Big Things in Australia

Here is a list of big things you can find in Australia, to give you some inspiration for your own family campervan trip.

Some of these big things in Australia are even considered folk art, but they all make a fantastic excuse for a road trip, and a fun backdrop for family photos.

Our kids picked out their very own favorites: Ploddy the dinosaur, and the giant bulls, but your kiddos will probably have their own favorites. Our family can’t wait to jump in the campervan and hit the road in Australia!

• the big lobster
• the big pineapple
• the big banana
• Ploddy the dinosaur
• the big merino
• the big Ned Kelly
• the giant mushroom
• the giant owl
• the big apple
• the big ant
• the big avocado
• the big bogan
• big bottles
• the big Blue Heeler
• the big Beer can
• the big Ayers Rock
• the big Axe
• big cherries
• big funnel web spider
• big gold panner
• the big playable guitar
• the big prawn
• the big tennis racquet
• the world’s biggest sundial
• the big cane toad
• the big bulls
• the big sausage king
• the big watermelon
• the big trout
• the big mosquito
• the big jumping crocodile
• the big dinosaur
• the big fish

Big Things Australia Map

Looking for some of these big things on a map? Here’s a great start – not all of Australia’s big attractions are mapped out here, but it’s enough to get going.

Do you have any more ideas for an Australia big things road trip? Let us know!

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30 Best BIG THINGS in Australia

Nothing defines the Aussie spirit like Big Things in Australia. Why are these large structures and sculptures dotted across the country?

If you ask any Australian, they will probably reply with: ” Why not? It’s really just for a bit of fun.”

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Every Aussie kid will remember a family road trip when they saw the first big thing.

Big Banana, Big Merino, or Big Mango were so impressive to a little child! As a result, more Big Things appeared around Australia.

Consequently, today, you can find 150 of them across the continent.

Many of them represent the industry of that specific region. And every backpacker visiting Australia has an iconic photo in front of one of these.

Table of Contents

The Best Big Things in Australia

1. the giant koala, dadswells bridge, vic.

The Big Things have to include this iconic and endemic animal of Australia. The Giant Koala is 14 meters high and weighs up to 14 tonnes as it’s made of steel and bronze! However, it does look rather scary!

But it is one of the biggest things you’ll find in OZ. In addition, you can also find a Big Koala in the town of Cowes on Philip Island Road

2. The Big Ned Kelly, Glenrowan, VIC

There are two Big Ned Kelly statues in Australia, but the one in Glenrowan is more meaningful.

This is where Kelly Ned’s gang’s last stand was.

Ned Kelly was an Australian bushranger, outlaw, gang leader, and convicted police murderer. He wore a suit of bulletproof armour during his last and final shoot-out with the local police.

3. The Big Murray Cod, Swan Hill, VIC

Swan Hill is a regional town located on the Murray River. It’s known for great fishing and in the spirit of that – a giant 11-metre long fish has become part of the big things of Australia.

Originally built for movies, it’s now located at the train station.

4. The Big Merino, Goulburn, NSW

The name of this big sheep is Rambo and in 2007 it was relocated closer to the Hume Highway to entice more visitors to the town. Rambo is big enough so you can even climb to the top of it for some views.

Or learn more about the local wool industry. Most importantly there is a local bakery nearby to stop for some baked goods – maybe try one of the Aussie classics – a meat pie!

5. The Big Kookaburra, Kurri Kurri, NSW

This iconic bird can be heard across Eastern Australia, it always sounds like it’s laughing.

The town of Kurri Kurri uses Kookaburra in a logo for a few sporting events. So naturally, a Big Kookaburra was erected in the heart of the town at Rotary Park.

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6. The Big Ugg Boots, NSW

Ugg Boots are quintessential Australian footwear. And the Mortels Sheepskin Factory in the town of Thornton is home to the world’s biggest UGG Boots. These big UGG boots are 13 times the size of a women’s size 8 UGG boot.

It’s easy to stop here if you are visiting the nearby Hunter Valley.

7. The Big Golden Guitar, Tamworth, NSW

Head inland from the coast and you will find another gem. The Big Golden Guitar is 12 metres tall and it stands in front of the famous Longyard Hotel in Tamworth. Tamworth is the Country Music Capital of Australia.

A must-see for all music lovers and the only musical instrument of the Big Things. The guitar is modelled on the Golden Guitar trophy that winners receive at the Country Music Awards of Australia.

8. The Big Banana, Coffs Harbour, NSW

When it comes to Big Things in Australia, at the start of this trend was the Big Banana. The first Big Banana was here as early as the ’60s. Today it’s part of a tourist complex that includes a banana-themed souvenir shop, tours of the surrounding plantation, and even an indoor ski slope.

In the heart of Coffee Harbour, the Big Banana makes for an easy stop.

9. The Big Bogan, Nyngan, NSW

The construction of the Big Bogan in Nyngan was very controversial. The slang word “Bogan” refers to a person whose speech, clothing, attitude, and behaviour are considered unrefined or unsophisticated. But the town of Nyngan is on the Bogan River, so it makes sense that the statue was placed here.

So there he is; a six-meter-tall bloke with a Southern Cross tattoo, esky, and fishing rod with thumbs up.

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10. The Big Prawn, Ballina, NSW

If you are driving up along the coastal road in Northern NSW, don’t miss the Big Prawn. It was originally located somewhere else and in 2009 it was due to be demolished.

But the community collected enough money to keep it and today it stands tall and proud across another Aussie icon: Bunnings Warehouse.

11. The Big Pineapple, Nambour, QLD

The Big Pineapple is one of the iconic big things in Australia, and many Australians remember seeing it as a kid first time. At some point, the Big Pineapple was getting a million tourists a year! Standing in front of a pineapple plantation and now a wildlife park, it had a recent makeover and it’s looking very refreshed.

Above all, who doesn’t like giant pineapples?

Located only a short drive from the very popular Sunshine Coast, it’s one of the big things not to miss. 

12. The Big Pelican, Noosa, QLD 

Noosa is a coastal town on the end of the Sunshine Coast and is known for its amazing beaches. The Big Pelican is located on the foreshore in Noosaville. As you can imagine, it is a popular place for families. And a great spot for sunsets for grown-ups.

13. The Big Easel, Emerald, QLD

Who would’ve thought you will find a big easel five hours into the Aussie outback? But you do! It is located in the town of Emerald and took two months to be completed.

The painting is a replica of Van Gogh’s famous Sunflowers. Erected to reflect the regional sunflower growers, it stands 25 m tall.

14. The Big Mango, Bowen, QLD

Big fruits are obviously very popular and the Big Mango gets a special mention.

Many visitors have snapped a selfie here in the town of Bowen near the famous Whitsundays. It was stolen once as part of a publicity stunt by Nando’s, but thankfully it was returned.

And yes. This part of Queensland grows a lot of mangoes.

15. The Big Bull, Rockhampton QLD

The Capricorn region is renowned for its beef production. There are a total of seven bulls in the town of Rockhampton, which is the beef capital of Australia.

So you can pick your favourite Big Bull. But this one near the Botanical Gardens was our favourite.

16. The Big Miner, Rubyvale QLD 

The outback town of Rubyvale has four of the Big Things! The Big Spanner, Big Sapphire, and the Big Pick and Shovel. To sum it up, this area is all about mining!

Most importantly, there is an actual Big Miner, a truly iconic symbol of the mining industry here.

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17. The Big Cassowary, Mission Beach QLD

The Big Cassowary in Mission Beach   is a recognition of the endangered bird. The nearby World Heritage Rainforest area is home to some pretty yet vicious birds.

So, if you don’t get to see any of them in the wild, you can see the statue of the Big Cassowary.

It stands 5m high in front of a shopping centre.

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18. The Big Strawberry, Elimbah, QLD

 A short drive off the Bruce Highway and you will find the Rollin Farms as well as this giant strawberry.

Come here during the season (Jun-Oct) and you can pick your own fresh strawberries in the field.

19. The Big Gumboot, Tully, QLD

If you like rain, then the town of Tully might be the right spot to visit.

The story behind the Big Gumboot, also called the Golden Gumboot, involves a long-standing battle between Tully and the nearby town of Babinda, fighting for the title of ‘wettest town in Australia’. 

In short, the town that received the most rainfall each year since the ’70s would receive a rubber golden gumboot. Subsequently, in 2003, the Big Gumboot was unveiled. It is 7.9 m high, which represents the record rainfall of Tully.

20. The Big Boxing Croc, Humpty Doo, NT 

A boxing crocodile? Sounds too funny to be true. Well, it is. And you can find the Big Boxing Croc in the town of Humpy Doo in the Northern Territory. Ray Park built it in 1988 to celebrate Australia winning America’s Cup five years earlier. Does the croc bring more tourists here now? Absolutely.

In addition, there are other big crocodiles in Australia: the Big Jumping Crocodile in Mary River, NT, the Big Crocodile in Wyndham, WA, and the Big Crocodiles in Daintree, Normanton, and Hartley’s Creek, Qld.

21. The Big Aboriginal Hunter, NT 

If you visit Alice Springs in Northern Territory and travel about 150km north, you will come across the Big Aboriginal Hunter.

Located in the Anmatjere Community of the Australian outback, the statue is 17 metres tall. 

22. The World’s Tallest Bin, Kalgoorlie, WA 

How tall is the tallest bin? 8 metres high!

To clarify bin means trash/garbage can. Erected in 1980 to encourage people to keep Kalgoorlie tidy. It certainly is one of the quirkiest big things in Australia. 

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23. Leeuwin Way Whale, Eucla, WA

Located just off the highway, this 10-metre long whale is big enough to make it on the list of The Big Things in Australia.

It symbolises a former and only shore-based whaling station in the Southern Hemisphere.

24. The Giant Ram, Wagin, WA

Look out! Rambo in Victoria has some competition. The Giant Ram in the town or Wagin is 7 metres tall and 15 metres long.

While it’s not as big as the one in Victoria, the Giant Ram is known for its giant balls. You’ve been warned.

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25. The Big Lollipop – Ravensthorpe WA 

The largest stand-alone lollipop was unveiled in 2019 and it has been popular with tourists ever since.

The project was self-funded by a nearby candy store to boost sales. It worked.

26. The Big Lobster – Kingston SA 

Locals call the Big Lobster, Larry. It is definitely the most iconic of the big things in South Australia.

It was completed in the ’70s to lure more tourists to the nearby restaurant. The locals claim there was a mix-up with the measurements when Larry was built.

The original dimensions were in feet and inches. Yet, the metric system was used when the measurements were passed on to build it. As a result, the Big Lobster ended up huge!

Therefore today it is one of the biggest big things in Australia. A must-see when you are road tripping across South Australia.

27. The Big Scotsman, Adelaide, SA 

While many believe the Big Banana has started the Big Things in Australia, it was, in fact, the Big Scotsman in Adelaide. To clarify, Paul Kelly designed Scotty back in 1963, before the Big Banana.

The nearby Scotty’s Motel built the Big Scotsman to attract more tourists.

28. The Big Orange, Berri, SA

Four separate floors form the Big Orange in the town of Berri. There is a souvenir shop and even a cafe inside the Big Orange. And of course on top of the orange – a viewing platform!

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29. The Big Penguin – Penguin TAS

Even the small state of Tasmania has Big Things. The Big Penguin is in the town of Penguin.

It’s worth coming all the way here. Most importantly, you will likely see real fairy penguins here.

30. The Giant Mushroom, ACT 

While all other states seem to have more big things to offer visitors, Australia’s capital city, Canberra, is catching up.

For instance, there is the latest addition: the Big Owl.

But the Giant Mushroom made our list and our final icon of the Big Things in Australia. 

Did we miss any of the must-see Big Things in Australia? Let us know in the comments.   

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We have many travel guides and tips for Australia—what a diverse country!

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If you’re visiting Australia on vacation, try these 12 classic Australian foods while you’re here and see if you can visit these iconic  30 Best BIG Things in Australia.

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4 comments . leave new.

Wonderful background and information on the best big things in Australia . My favorite is the pineapple! Keep living the dream and telling your story!

Thanks Sarah!

The Big Cherries in Young, NSW 🙂

We saw them! What a nice little town that is 😉

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Big Trips To See Australia’s Big Things

The best way to see the real Australia is to take your time, hire a car and go on a road trip. And while you’re at it, you might want to look out for some Big Things.

We’re talking oversized bananas, beer bottles, lobsters and more. You name an object and you’ll probably find a big version of it in Australia.

We’ve devised the following routes to help you plan the ultimate road trip. Stop at one or two or opt for an epic journey that combines all of them.

Perth to Melbourne

The journey from Perth to Melbourne involves about 3,500 km of driving through long stretches of nothing much. Luckily there are some Big Things along the way to act as diversions.

In Kimba, visit the Big Galah. A galah is a type of cockatoo usually about 35 cm tall, but the one in Kimba has a height of about 8 m.

At Kingston, you are in the home of Larry the Big Lobster. This crustacean is very impressive, with a height of 17 m, a length of 15.2 m and a width of 13.7 m.

Melbourne to Sydney

New South Wales is home to lots of Australia’s Big Things and most of these are located near the coast. This means that to see them on a drive to Sydney , you’ll have to take the long way round.

The Gippsland region, south-east of Melbourne, is known for real-life moving big things, such as the famous giant Gippsland earthworms. At Bass, there is the Giant Earthworm, which houses a museum dedicated to these crawly creatures.

Make sure to pass through Glenrowan. This small town was the site where the famous outlaw, Ned Kelly, was captured and today one of its most popular attractions is of course Big Ned Kelly. Standing tall at 6m, this Ned Kelly is considerably larger than the real one, who stood 1.73m tall in his socks.

The New South Wales interior from Sydney

From Sydney, you may want to travel westwards into the interior of New South Wales to see the region’s many attractions and, naturally, some more Big Things.

Head inland to Broken Hill, made famous as one of the locations – the town where the hotel with the garish murals are located – in The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Broken Hill is also home to the Big Ant.

Try to pass through Barellan, the town where tennis legend Evonne Goolagong grew up. Barellan has the Big Tennis Racquet, modelled on an actual racquet that Goolagong used.

Sydney northwards and along the Queensland coas t

The 924km stretch between Sydney and Brisbane leads all along the coast and features more Big Things than you could throw a stick at. First up, is the Big Bottle, a huge wine bottle in Mangrove Mountain, just over 80 km from Sydney, but  you’ll have to leave the highway to see this one.

At Port Macquarie, take the opportunity to head inland to Tamworth , 273 km to the west, for the Big Golden Guitar. During the Tamworth Country Music Festival, which is usually held towards the end of January, winners of the Country Music Awards of Australia receive much smaller versions of this 12 m-high instrument. Why not stop and try out your best air guitar!

Once you’ve got your fill of country, head towards the sea and head to Coffs Harbour , home to The Big Banana.  This Big Thing started it all.

Further along the road is Nambour, the administrative centre of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland. Nambour is also home to three Big Things. The Big Pineapple, The Big Macadamia Nut, and The Big Cow.

You should aim to  finish this trip in Cairns , the biggest city in Queensland’s tropical north. This is where you’ll find the Big Marlin. Cairns is marlin-fishing country and at 8m, the Big Marlin is probably the biggest one that didn’t get away.

From Cairns, drive 100 km north to Daintree, home of another big fish-the Big Barramundi.

Darwin to Uluru

If you find yourself in Darwin in the Northern Territory, you may want to drive the 40km or so westward to Humpty Doo. You don’t only need to do this so that you can say you’ve been to a place called Humpty Doo but also to see the town’s Big Boxing Crocodile, a croc complete with boxing gloves.

Darwin is also a good starting point for a drive through the Australian Outback to the original Big Thing- Uluru. Be prepared for a long, long drive through almost 2,000 km of nothingness to get there.

Let’s not forget Tasmania where you’ll find some interesting Big Things too. If you take the ferry from Melbourne, be sure to hire a car once you disembark in Devonport. From here it’s only about 33km along the coast to Penguin, home of the Big Penguin, standing 3m tall.

If you decide to head southwards from Devonport, make a stop in Latrobe, just over 10km away. This town is famed for its population of platypuses, one of the strangest home-grown animals. At the Platypus interpretation Centre you can also admire the Big Platypus.

There is a lot to see and do around Australia. Planning and taking a trip to explore the oversized landmarks that this country is famous for, is a trip not to be missed. Not to mention the bragging rights at the pub, and trivia kudos that could be yours.

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Ten extremely australian big things worth a detour on your next very long road trip.

Giant watermelons, potatoes and lobsters named Larry might sound ridiculous, and they are — but that doesn't stop them from being among our most loved landmarks.

There are more than 150 Big Things across Australia — from the five-metre high can of Tooheys New  that crowns a pub in the outback town of Cobar to the controversial Big Bogan of Nyngan , 190 kilometres northwest of Dubbo. These Big Things have become something of an obsession for Australians — in 2007 Australia Post even promoted them on a series of 50-cent stamps — perhaps for the way they're uniquely Australian, silly and provide a beacon of life on seemingly endless highways through hot, dry, barren country (or, at the very least, a toilet stop). Next time you go a-road tripping, consider paying one of these fantastic gigantics a visit.

Before heading on a road trip or interstate, check the relevant state's COVID-19 guidelines. 

Destination NSW

BIG BANANA, COFFS HARBOUR, NSW

Dream destination of many a Sydneysiding child is the Big Banana . Found in Coffs Harbour – around 5oo kilometres north of the city – it's the gateway to warmer climes and summer holidays. It's also one of Australia's oldest big things, having been built in 1964. When you're done getting a pic, go exploring the surrounding fun park, which abounds in giant slides, toboggans, ice skating opportunities and real-life bananas.

South Australia Tourism Commission

BIG LOBSTER, KINGSTON, SA

One of the most painstakingly detailed of the Big Things is the Big Lobster in Kingston SE, which you'll find on the South Australian coast around 300 kilometres south of Adelaide. It was the initiative of local lobster fisherman Ian Backler, who partnered with Rob Moyse, to commission builder Paul Kelly to construct a 17-metre high spiny lobster as realistically as possible. After going onto the market in June 2017, the Big Lobster (known to locals as "Larry") was snapped up by pastoralist Tim Brinkworth .

BIG MELON, CHINCHILLA, QLD

Our newest Big Thing is the Big Melon , which dominates a park in Chinchilla, the melon capital of Australia, located 300 kilometres northwest of Brisbane. The Melon was the winner of a competition run by accommodation website Wotif , which asked the Australian people to vote on their favourite submission. Among the other finalists were Glen Innes' Big Kilt (NSW), Mittagong's Big Tulip (NSW) and Kingaroy's the Big Peanut (QLD). Every February, the Chinchilla Melon Festival attracts 15,000 visitors from all over the world.

THE BIG BENCH, BROKEN HILL, NSW

The Big Bench isn't as well-known as many of Australia's other Big Things – mainly because it's all the way out in Broken Hill. But, it's one of the most fun and photogenic. If you've ever wondered how Lilliputiens feel, take a seat. The Big Bench is 2.5 times the size of a normal bench, putting the seat around shoulder height (when you're standing next to it) and making sure your legs are a long way from the ground (when you're sitting on it). It was built in September 2002, as part of Landscapes and Backgrounds , a contemporary public art exhibition.

Tourism Australia

BIG GUITAR, TAMWORTH, NSW

In 1988, country legend Slim Dusty unveiled the Big Golden Guitar, a tribute to Tamworth's obsession with country music. Every January, the town swarms with tens of thousands of folk for the Tamworth Country Music Festival, the second biggest country music festival in the world (after Nashville). The guitar's twelve golden metres of fibreglass and steel tower over the Tamworth Tourist Centre. Head inside to visit a wax museum dedicated to country music stars, a collectors museum packed with Donald Bradman memorabilia and a music shop. If you're looking for more spots to visit in Tamworth, check out our weekender's guide .

BIG MERINO, GOULBURN, NSW

The Big Merino 's hard to miss: not only because of its enormous horns, but also because of the constant stream of vehicles veering off the Hume Highway to bathe in its woolly wonders. 15.2 metres high, 18 metres long and weighing a whopping 97 tonnes, it's one of the biggest of all the Big Things. But that didn't stop the locals moving it 800 metres in 2007, when the arrival of the Goulburn bypass threatened its popularity. Next door you'll find a gift shop peddling an array of merino apparel, from scarves and ponchos to jumpers and socks.

Wikimedia Commons

BIG PRAWN, BALLINA, NSW

In 2010, the Big Prawn came close to death when the Ballina Shire Council voted in favour of its demolition. However, the public revolted and the motion was never carried out. Today, the nine-metre high crustacean towers in all its bright orange splendour outside Bunning's hardware store, who own the land over which the Big Prawn reigns and revamped it to the tune of $400,000. The original design, built in 1989, allowed you to walk inside the sculpture and climb its internals via a spiral staircase. Those days are well over, though; you'll have to settle for a photo.

Anne and David via Flickr

BIG PINEAPPLE, WOOMBYE, QLD

Drive directly west of Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, and, after about 20 minutes, the Big Pineapple will loom on the horizon. Built in 1979, it's now a heritage-listed entity. Previous visitors include Charles and Lady Diana. When you're finished Big Thinging, head to the onsite wildlife zoo to meet red pandas and tuck into a pineapple-inspired feast at the cafe.

BIG POTATO, ROBERTSON, NSW

One of the closest Big Things to Sydney is the Big Potato, in the Southern Highlands village of Robertson . We almost lost this beauty back in 2016, when a supermarket owner threatened to buy it – to destroy it and create a parking lot. However, locals  Heather and Neil Tait came to the rescue . Unlike so many of the other Big Things on this list, the Big Potato is totally uncommercial. You won't see gift shops, gimmicks or ticket booths. There is, though, a picturesque park, dotted with hedges and daffodils, some of which were planted by local artist Ben Quilty.

Michael Zimmer via Flickr

BIG MANGO, BOWEN, QLD

On a Monday night in February 2014, the Big Mango went missing. The theft was no mean feat, given that the colossal fruit is ten metres high and weighs in at seven tonnes. A Twitterer known as Urban Roo claimed to have found it floating off the Victorian coast , among the Twelve Apostles. However, the next morning, Bob, a local farmer, called ABC Radio to say he'd found it, hidden by tarps and branches, in a nearby paddock. A few hours later, Nando's claimed responsibility. These days, the Big Mango is back in its rightful place, beside the Bruce Highway, four kilometres south of Bowen, near Airlie Beach.

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10 of the best road trips in Australia

Nov 27, 2023 • 8 min read

From short scenic drives to epic countrywide journeys, here are the best road trips in Australia © John W Banagan / Getty Images

Australia is a country designed for road trips, with a diversity of landscapes and a scale that’s almost unrivaled anywhere in the world.

Whether you want to squeeze in a day trip or pack up and go wherever the wind takes you, these driving routes won’t disappoint. Here are 10 of our favorite road trips in Australia .

1. Nullarbor Plain, South Australia

Drive the world's longest golf course Ceduna–Norseman 1200km (745 miles), allow two days

Arid, remote and stretching to the horizon, the treeless Nullarbor Plain is the stuff of road-trip legend: it’s the longest, straightest and flattest road in the country. While most believe that the journey along the Eyre Highway is only broken by the occasional roadhouse, there are some unexpected surprises along the way. For example, it’s home to the Nullarbor Links , the world’s longest golf course. The 18-hole course spans 1365km (848 miles), with one hole in each participating town or roadhouse along the way. A scorecard is available for a nominal fee, which goes towards the upkeep of the course.

2. The Great Ocean Road, Victoria

The best road trip for epic coastal views Torquay–Allansford, 243km (150 miles); allow two to three days

Follow the wild southern coastline of Australia’s best scenic road trip: the Great Ocean Road . Start at the legendary surf town of Torquay, explore welcoming country towns like Lorne, and keep an eye out for koalas in Otway National Park, before taking in the iconic Twelve Apostles . These are the main drawcard for photographers on this stretch of road, with just eight of these limestone stacks left standing sentinel along what’s also known as the Shipwreck Coast.

While the Great Ocean Road can be tackled in a day, it’s best to stretch it over several. This will allow you ample time to stop for seafood in towns along the way (such as Apollo Bay, which hosts an annual seafood festival) and hike coastal trails found just off the highway.

Planning tip: The weather is highly changeable along Victorian coastlines, so make sure you’re prepared for all seasons. If you’re behind the wheel, be mindful the roads are slippery when wet.

3. Grand Pacific Drive, New South Wales

The ultimate scenic day trip from Sydney Royal National Park, Sydney–Shoalhaven, 140km (86 miles), allow one day

The Grand Pacific Drive is the perfect day trip from Sydney . First, wind south through the eucalyptus forests of the Royal National Park . After crossing the weir at Audley, stop for a break at the Stanwell Tops cliffs, a popular hang-gliding spot and an excellent vantage point to watch whales between May and October.

Then, turn onto Lawrence Hargrave Drive. With both lanes suspended above the ocean, it’s easy to see why this stunning spot has played a starring role in numerous car commercials and photoshoots. You’ll then continue past clifftop pubs, small coastal villages, swimming beaches and rock pools, before arriving at the Kiama blowhole . Finish your day with a walk around the harbor at Shoalhaven.

Detour: Budget enough time for a swim at secluded Wattamolla Beach in the Royal National Park, where you’ll find a cascading waterfall and a calm seaside lagoon.

This article was first published Sep 24, 2020 and updated Nov 27, 2023.

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Big Australia Bucket List

Absolutely EVERYTHING to see, do and experience in Australia

15+ Bucket-List Worthy Road Trips in Australia

Heading out on the open road makes for some of the best adventures + these iconic Australian Road Trips should be all the inspiration you need to hit the road and explore Australia in 2022.

Australia’s rich and diverse landscape is a reason that world travellers have visiting Australia on their bucket list. There is no better way to see some of the magnificent hidden gems than by road. Even Australians have some sort of road trip on their travel bucket list.

From desert to beaches, wild native scrub to historical towns, Australia does not disappoint when it comes to sightseeing.

Not in any particular order, here are 16 bucket-list-worthy road trips in Australia. 

Table of Contents

The Big Lap

You can’t start a list about bucket list worthy road trips in Australia without mentioning The Big Lap. Stretching around the country, from capital city to capital city on the mainland, it is often a road trip lover’s dream to travel all around Australia with a fully stocked caravan or mobile home. ( Click here to learn more about living in a van!)

Travel the 14,500 kilometres through some of the most spectacular sites of mainland Australia, a lot of which feature on this list! Don’t forget to add on Tasmania if you can, and try to complete the Big Lap without an end date. You want to be able to enjoy everything at your own pace especially with a road trip as epic as this. 

Red Centre Way

A 4WD is definitely recommended for this outback road trip in the Northern Territory which starts in Alice Springs and takes you through the magnificent West MacDonnell Ranges, Watarrka/Kings Canyon, and ends at Uluru. 

Waterhole swimming, magnificent gorges and breath-taking Indigenous sites are all part of this 1135 kilometre journey. Bring plenty of water, don’t wear white and be in awe of the stunning rock formations and colours throughout this journey.

If you are new to road tripping in remote areas, there are tour groups you can join for the Red Centre Way, some allowing you to use your own car.

EXTRA: Get back to city life and extend your road trip through the middle of Australia by continuing to drive South to Adelaide which will give you the opportunity to visit the underground town of Coober Pedy, the wine region of Clare Valley and (with a slight detour) explore the magnificent Ikara Flinders Ranges National Park.

75 Mile Beach Road

Safe to say that if you are working your way through some of Australia’s bucket worthy road trips then you are probably doing so in a four-wheel drive (4WD).

As one of the most memorable coastal drives in the world, 75 Mile Beach Road is incredible. But driving along here isn’t for the faint-hearted. The east coast of Fraser Island has tides that change the surface regularly, making hidden bumps and potholes and changing the texture of the sand. Then there is the population of dingoes to keep an eye out for.

While it is a challenge, this memorable and unique style of road trip and a spot of beach driving is worthy of anyone’s bucket list. It is a place for adventure, a challenging drive complemented by stunning beauty.

The Savannah Way

You’ll need a minimum of 2 weeks to travel through 3 Australian States, 20 National Parks and 5 World Heritage Sites when taking on this epic road trip along The Savannah Way.

This journey will take you to breathtaking waterfalls that fall to calm rock pools, and sacred indigenous sites. A 4WD is recommended as the terrain is quite diverse and not all parts of this road trip are sealed.

The 3,700-kilometre journey is best accompanied by easy to set up camping equipment, fishing gear, and no set itinerary, as this will be one of the most special road trips you ever do – especially when you include Cable Beach, Katherine Gorge and so many other incredible sights! 

Regardless of whether you start in Broome, Western Australia or Cairns in Queensland, and depending on your vehicle (i.e. if you have a 4 Wheel Drive), you may also have the option to include another bucket list worthy Australian road trip – the Gibb River Road (Number 15, below), ticking off two road trips from this list!

Great Alpine Road

Winding 339 kilometres through rural Victoria, you’ll encounter some of the most epic landscapes in the state.  From forests, vineyards, the alpine region and glistening waters of the Gippsland Coast. Rich in history from the gold rush era, you will be surrounded by natural wonders during this trip.

Depending on the season, you can enjoy this road trip in a regular car as all the roads are sealed. However, be aware for possible snowfall when travelling in winter to ensure you have the correct tyres and associated cold weather gear to enjoy this road trip. 

The Convict Trail

There is nothing quite like a road trip around Tasmania, so it is sad to think that some people don’t include it in their Big Lap. Regardless of when you get there, road trips in Tasmania are some of the most special in Australia, and the convict trail is one of them.

A suggested four-day itinerary of the Convict Trail is the way to go. It allows you to see all the important historical sites and takes no more than one hour and a half of driving daily, from stop to stop.

Visit the Richmond Gaol set in the beautiful countryside and nearby, have the chance to try some of the best pies in Tassie at the Richmond Bakery. The trail also takes you to the infamous Port Arthur – a site to see not only for its rich history but for its sad significance in modern Australia.

Cairns to Cape York

Hopping in a 4WD and driving to the tropical North of Australia is certainly up there on a road trip bucket list. The goal is to make it to the famous “You Are Standing at the Northernmost Point of the Australian Continent” sign, which obviously points out where you are (and we recommend you take a photo to mark the overwhelming sensation of where you really are!)

Not only are you met with gorgeous scenery for the whole of the 1,964-kilometres of this Queensland road trip, from Cairns to Cape Tribulation (and beyond!) you can drive through the incredible Daintree Rainforest and once you get to Cape York, exploring on foot is the best part. With two walks known as the Top Walk and the Bottom Walk, you can stroll along them to explore the rock pools and enjoy the unique coastal landscape. 

Extra: Take an optional detour from the tip of the top and tour the Torres Strait Islands – some of the most incredible islands of Australia.

The Great Ocean Road

Probably the best-known road trip outside of Australia is the road trip to see the iconic Twelve Apostles in Victoria. Start this journey from the surfing hot spot Torquay and keep venturing past tranquil beaches, explore cute towns, hike the ancient Otway Rainforest and chase more waterfalls than you can shake a stick at!

The Great Ocean Road Victoria is easily done by car and offers lots of great camping spots for those who have tents or have a van where you can sleep on the roof . There is also plenty of traditional accommodation (hotels, BnB’s, vacation rentals etc), making it a great getaway option for any time of year.

Kangaroo Island

Do your travel-loving self a favour and spend (al least!) three days driving around Kangaroo Island. Perfect for a long weekend road trip, you will see some of Australia’s most stunning beaches on the edge of bushland full of unique Australian wildlife.

There are many set routes that you can take, or see where the wind (or the road) takes you.

With every road you take you will find amazing local produce, such as lavender or honey and of course, seafood. There are even more than 10 wineries – one of which you can sit and sip a local blend while actually looking at mainland Australia!

Sydney to Brisbane Coastal Drive

The coastal drive from Brisbane to Sydney can be pieced together depending on the types of stops that you make. Surfing, cute coffee shops and farmer’s markets are in abundance along this stunning coast.

The complete journey from the QLD capital city to the NSW capital city is 920 km on the coast road, and 974km via the inland highway. To really see all the best stops allow anywhere for 7 to 14 days for your journey, meaning that each time you drive you won’t need to be in the car for long at all.

From the iconic Byron Bay to Gold Coast theme parks, Stradbroke Island and national parks waiting for you to explore, this is a road trip where you can plan every detail or leave everything to chance, especially if you are free camping along the legendary Pacific Coast.

The Nullarbor Plain

Route: Norseman in Western Australia to Ceduna in South Australia – or reverse. Highlights: Drive the longest, straightest, flattest road in Australia, explore the Eyre Peninsula, go Whale Watching along the world’s longest line of sea cliffs, keep an eye out for Space Junk that fell to earth.

It can seem overwhelming to think about the vast road ahead of you before you take on the Nullarbor plain. Drive from Adelaide to Perth via the Eyre Highway through the stunning Eyre Peninsula and the Western Australian goldfields.

This 1,256-kilometre journey will take 6 days with moderate stopping. Open plains one minute and native scrub the next, you can tailor the drive around wildlife spotting, with whale watching on the coast and camels, emus, kangaroos, and the possibility of spotting a wombat – or maybe even a thorny dragon – inland.

Tackle this journey in a 4WD and be careful at dusk when the unique Australian wildlife likes to come out to play.

Great Eastern Drive Tasmania

Heading to Tasmania again, this five-day drive takes you through seaside villages, all surrounded by nature along 176km of Tasmania’s East Coast,

You will be hiking in peaceful national parks in the morning and heading on sandy walking trails at sunset. Dine on fresh seafood, with scenery that is like nothing else you will see in Australia.

The breathtaking Wineglass Bay in Freycinet National Park and the beautiful Bay of Fires are the main reasons that this road trip needs to be on the bucket list, as the waters in these areas do appear like they are hundreds of different shades of blue.

Grand Pacific Highway

Drive out of bustling Sydney to the Grand Pacific Highway. At only 140 kilometres long, the Grand Pacific Drive is a perfect road trip for a long weekend, as it is one of the most incredible, chilled-out, ocean drives.

What makes this Pacific Coast road trip so unique is that some stretches of the road – such as the Sea Cliff Bridge (above) – appear to hover over the ocean and make you feel like you are flying over the rocky coastline.

And to pick your own snacks, time the planning of this well-loved road trip with picking your own fruit (in season) from Darkes Glenbernie Orchard, or strap yourself into the longest zipline in Australia at  Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures .

Great Barrier Reef Drive

Whether you are a foodie or a water lover, then this road trip is great for you. The coastal road that runs along the spectacular coastline hugging two World Heritage areas, the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics rainforest and is home to some of Queensland’s best beaches.

Base yourself in the beautiful town of Port Douglas and eat your body weight in fresh seafood from stunning restaurants or hop on a boat to discover more of the Great Barrier Reef up close; Or ride the Skyrail from Mossman Gorge and return via the Karunda Scenic Railway to experience the highs and the lows of the Daintree Rainforest.

Gibb River Road

This is one of the outback drives that needs to be on a road trip lovers bucket list. The 660 kilometre stretch of road is only open from April to October due to weather so make sure you plan ahead and take your time to not miss anything – we’d recommend at least 14 days.

In Kununurra and Derby, you can find great Visitors Centres to help you plan your journey and to make sure you do not miss a site. Get ready to be in awe of waterfalls, wild swimming holes and the possibility to fish for barramundi. 

A 4WD and being set up with enough supplies to camp is a must, as well as a fully charged camera to capture the breathtaking scenery. 

Perth to Broome (Or Broome to Perth!)

The coast of Western Australia is quite remote outside the major towns of Perth and Broome, and so while this does mean there are some big driving days, it doesn’t mean there isn’t an incredible amount of stunning places to see and experience. 

Hug the coastline as you look for dolphins in Monkey Mia, swim with Whale Sharks (in season) on the Ningaloo Reef, relax on Eighty Mile Beach in Coral Bay, stare through Nature’s Window in Kalbarri National Park and wander the Mars-like landscape of Nambung National Park (The Pinnacles) – just to name a few of the road trips attractions!

And whether you start or finish this Australian road trip in Perth, it would be criminal not to add on a sneaky little trip to the incredible Rottnest Island – clear blue waters, white sandy beaches, and of course, quokkas. 

Related: While you’re in WA, be sure to explore the South West including the Margaret River wine region, 

Final Thoughts on these Iconic Australian Road Trips

As you can see Australia has road trips for everyone. Families who need all amenities and experienced off-roaders can find a stretch of road that is perfect for them to explore. Regardless of your road trip difficulty level, always make sure you are prepared with a working phone, plenty of bottled water and roadside assistance and your trip will run smoothly and will be one you remember for years.

We hope you enjoyed our guide to some of the Best Road Trips in Australia! Let us know where you want to head to first in the comments below, or alternatively let us know if you have already driven some of these amazing Australian road trips and what your favourite one was!

And if you know someone planning to road trip in Australia, or just needs a little inspiration to organise their next Australia road trip, be sure to share this post (and others!) with them using the share boxes below. Sharing is caring and we thank you in advance!

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Road trip in australia: an itinerary for the whole country.

G’day mates, I’m here to take you on a 6 month long road trip in Australia.

Well, I’m not actually taking you (although maybe I’ll get the chance to do guided road trips around this beautiful country at some point, watch this space!), but, with this 6 month itinerary for the ultimate Australian road trip, you’ll know exactly where to go and when .

This Australia road trip planner is customizable depending on your wishes, but I’ve added suggested lengths of times in each location. I

’m recommending at least six months to orbit Australia (this Australia road trip itinerary takes you into the centre as well).

Australia is big and some days will consist of just driving.

Also, this itinerary doesn’t include for rest and admin days – so do take that into account when you plan your road trip in Australia.

I’ve also got dozens of more detailed itineraries for different segments of the road trip, as well as city and region itineraries for different parts of the country.

You can click through to them using the links below – all links open in a new window.

So wherever you’re visiting on this island, and whether you’re backpacking in Australia or on a road trip with toddlers , you can use this 6 month itinerary to plan your ultimate Australia road trip.

Shall we begin?

When to take the road trip in Australia?

I recommend that you begin the road trip in Melbourne in March or April.

Of course, you don’t have to begin at this time, or even in Melbourne. Most travellers fly into Melbourne or Sydney, and as Melbourne is the most temperamental weather – wise, I thought it would be nice to give you two chances to see it in its glory.

Plus, Tasmania, which I’ve put on the end of this road trip Australia itinerary, is accessible from Melbourne.

I’d recommend starting your road trip from Melbourne in March or April, as this should give you the best weather everywhere – it’ll be a bit cold in the south at first, but it will quickly warm up.

Then once you’ve returned to Melbourne, you’ll have a summer there!

Of course, if you want to start in Darwin (which is the cheapest place to fly into from Asia), then you could do this loop starting in September or October, skipping the rainy season in the north and arriving back there for the high season.

Bear in mind that some parts of the north, like Kakadu and the Gibb River Road, are inaccessible during the rainy season.

The south is still great during the winter, but may be a bit chilly and it is more rainy. Some rough outback roads all over the country can be closed when it rains.

What to pack for the Australia road trip

I’m going to be writing a full road trip Australia packing list very soon, but here’s some staples you’re not going to want to forget:

• A car or van (just in case you forget!). If you want a car like my Subaru, you can find deals on a Subaru model on KBB, BCP, Edmunds and other huge sites. For my budget, I couldn’t have asked for a better car in Australia. It’s a great vehicle for road tripping, with AWD capacities and a fantastic reputation for reliability – actually, its Outback model is on the Consumer Reports’s best road trip vehicle lists!
• High quality tent if you’re not sleeping in your car/ van
• High quality sleeping bag suitable for both tropical and temperate climates
• Mattress – a blow up, camping mat or full on double inflatable mattress (you might want to opt for the latter if you’re camping for six months).
• An esky – that’s Australian for coolbox, by the way – or a cooler bag .
• A camping stove
• Gas for said stove
• Pots and pans
• High quality torches
• Coolant, oil, jump leads, and a spare fuel tank for the car
• Ask for some of these gifts for campers for Christmas as some extras!
• If you’re planning on doing some serious off-roading and have a 4×4 (only do off-roading in a 4×4!) You might also want some quality 4×4 accessories. Check out Lifestyle 4x4s range here. 

If you haven’t left your home country yet, check out my what to pack for Australia list to check you’ve got all of the essentials covered.

Where to stay during your road trip around Australia

I’m presuming you’ll be camping around most of Australia – download the app WikiCamps to help you find free and paid campsites, and check out my free camping in Australia post to get the basics.

In places where campsites, free or paid, aren’t readily available, I’ve recommended some hostels and hotels.

You can also of course use Airbnb (click here for money off your first booking) and Couchsurfing, depending on your travelling style.

Road Trip Australia Itinerary for 6 Months on the Road

Melbourne: 3 days.

There are so many things to do in Melbourne; it’s been voted the world’s most liveable city time and time again for a reason.

From the wealth of museums to the amazing coffee, to cultural attractions like the AMCI and the Victoria Art Gallery, to the many vintage stores, to the beautiful library, you certainly won’t get bored during your time here!

You might not quite have seven days in the city, but this Melbourne itinerary will help you get to grips with the place.

Oh, and are you conscious of not spending too much at your first stop? I got ya! I had an erm… interesting time in Melbourne where I only had about $14 to my name.

Check out my tips for visiting Melbourne on a budget here.

There aren’t many places to free camp near Melbourne – I stayed at Urban Central Hostel, which is decent (although no free parking). You can book in by clicking here .

Victoria Hotel Backpackers is 5km from the city centre, but does have free parking. Click here to book .

Want to stay somewhere a bit more upscale? The Novotel Melbourne is a good option, close to the centre and with free parking. Click here for rates and to reserve .

Melbourne to Sydney: 1 week

The Melbourne to Sydney road trip is one that’s well-trodden with travelers, but it still isn’t hard to find somewhere that’s a little off the beaten path.

Highlights include Wilson’s Promontory National Park , Lakes Entrance , Eden , camping in a NSW state forest and Jervis Bay .

Once you reach Jervis Bay, if you want, you can take a detour inland to Canberra , the nation’s capital and to the beautiful Blue Mountains National Park – a must-see about 3 hours west of Sydney.

Sydney: 3 days

Sydney’s the most famous city of Australia, and one that all tourists want to visit, but there’s more here than just an opera house. Once you’ve seen the crowning glory from a few different angles – from Darling Harbour, Mrs Macquaries Seat and of course, up close are my favourites – check out some of the other things to do in Sydney.

It’s famous for its beaches of course; Bondi, Glebe and Manly are firm favourites. Click here for my three days in Sydney itinerary. There are some really great hostels in Sydney – although they’re bladdy expensive.

Bounce is really well facilitated, but it’ll set you back around $40 for a dorm room. I also really like YHA Railway Square, where you can stay in dorms in train cabins! Click here to book .

If you want free parking, you’ll need to stay a bit further out. I’ve also stayed in Cambridge Lodge Budget Hostel which is near Newtown – it has cheap dorm rates (for Sydney) and free parking. Click here to book .

If you’re looking for a hotel, Veriu Broadway is in a good location and has free parking. Click here to book .

Sydney to Brisbane: 1 week

The Sydney to Brisbane road trip takes in some amazing nature spots, as well as my favourite place in the world, Byron Bay.

Driving north, you’ll reach Newcastle fun things to do in this town here (check out some ) and Port Macquarie before turning inland towards the Waterfall Way .

This hinterland is beautiful, so give yourself a bit of time to properly absorb it all.

Then head out toward Coffs Harbour and up to Yamba , a chill beach town with some great natural spots.

Then it’s time for Byron Bay and its surrounds – check out these great things to do in Bryon Bay and don’t forget to see its hinterland.

Then you’ll cross into Queensland – the Gold Coast is your first point of call, with Surfer’s Paradise being a place to let your hair down before relaxing on some of the other beaches!

Finally, you’ll arrive into the capital of the sunshine state, Brisbane .

Brisbane: 3 days

Brisbane is often an overlooked Australian city, but it’s well worthy of a spot on your road trip around Australia. It’s a chilled out, breathable place, with lots of attractions to pass a few days in.

Check out the Brisbane Botanical Garden, the Brisbane Museum, the City Beach and the sunset from Kangaroo Point Cliffs.

If you’re already missing nature, head to Stradbroke Island which is very close to the centre and feasible as a day or overnight trip. You could even go camping at Adder Rock if you don’t want to return to the city for accommodation!

City Backpackers HQ is my preferred Brisbane hostel – and it has free parking! It’s reasonably priced and has a bar, a pool, a terrace with city views and $10 nightly dinner deals. Click here to book .

For a hotel option, Ibis Styles is a great option in the middle of the city. Click here for rates and book today .

Brisbane to Cairns: 3 weeks

The most popular one of all the Australian road trips, Brisbane to Cairns is the one where you’ll see the most travellers – and for good reason.

There are tons of amazing spots here, and it’s also the perfect spot to make some friends!

Highlights include Noosa National Park , Fraser Island , surfing at Agnes Water , the Aboriginal cultural centre at Rockhampton , the Whitsunday Islands , Magnetic Island , diving or snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef , and the beautiful Daintree Rainforest .

Cairns is another place you’ll probably be wanting to stay in a hostel – all of the free campsites are quite far out.

Gilligans has free parking, and the rest – it’s a really well facilitated place, with lots going on, but is only for those who are dedicated to partying!

If you want somewhere a bit more chilled, Cairns City Backpackers has free parking as well and has a calm courtyard and good atmosphere. It’s a 15 – 20 minute walk from the centre. Click here for rates and book today .

Want a hotel? Double Tree Hilton Cairns is a great place to relax and unwind! Click here for rates and book today .

You’ll need a four-wheel drive for this segment of the road trip; and it’s somewhere really off the beaten track. Think rainforest, crocodiles, rugged tracks and beautiful beaches, eventually making it to the tip of Australia.

Accommodation on the way will be free camping, and there’s only the odd roadhouse or pub – this is proper off the grid living.

Cape York was a spot I didn’t make it to (and I can’t wait to return to Australia and go!) – here’s a great 7 day itinerary for the trip to the tip .

Cape York to Uluru: 1 week

From the base of Cape York, rejoin the highway and head westwards, towards the Northern Territory border .

You’ll see a really distinct landscape here as the terrain changes, and experience towns like Karumba and Burketown (if you take highway one) or Charters Towers and Mount Isa (if you take the A6).

Either way, it’s a lot of country towns, desolate scenery and hot temperatures! Once you reach the Stuart Highway, turn down and head towards your ultimate destination: Uluru .

You’ll be able to see the attractions on the Stuart Highway on the way back up, but by all means stop at them on the way down as well!

Uluru is an unmissable place in Australia and at least 2 full days should be spent here.

Take some time to walk around the base and see the rock art, do some of the walks in the area to the gorges, and see Katja Tutja on the Valley of the Winds walk.

Uluru to Darwin: 2 weeks

After some time at beautiful Uluru, make your way north. If you have a 4WD or an AWD (or you can do it in a 2WD if you’re daring – do double check road conditions before you head out though!) take on the Red Centre Way .

This is a loop that takes you to King’s Canyon and then to Alice Springs the back way.

You’ll get to check out the West McDonnell Ranges , which are really spectacular, and drive along rough, outback roads. You might see wild ponies and camels!

Then head to Alice Springs for a couple of nights.

Next, head north to Tennant Creek , stopping in Wycliffe Well – the UFO capital of Australia – and at the Devil’s Marbles . You’re approaching the top end now; after Tennant Creek spend a night at Daly Waters , a fantastic pub and campground.

Mataranka has some beautiful springs and sweltering Katherine is your next stop, with the Nitmiluk National Park . Then it’s on to Kakadu National Park and finally, to Darwin .

Darwin: 3 days

I love and hate Darwin at the same time.

It’s a great place to let your hair down and party, if that’s your scene – but the backpacker crowd is typically pretty OTT.

There are some fun things to do in Darwin , however – the Military Museum is a must, as is the Art Gallery and Museum of the Northern Territory.

If you have the funds, a day trip to the Tiwi Islands is a must-do as well.

Plus there’s Charles Darwin National Park and the lagoon which is perfect for a dip on a sweltering Darwin day.

Darwin hostels are… interesting. If you’re there to party and don’t mind sacrificing on sleep and erm a certain standard of cleanliness, Youth Shack is an option – I found the dorms and bathrooms not the cleanest, but there is a really nice pool area. (Have I sold it? Click here if you want to book after my rave review 😉 )

Melaleuca has higher cleanliness, but is even more of a party place (if possible!). Click here for more information .

If you want somewhere chill on a budget in Darwin, I’d recommend staying at a campsite out of the city, finding somewhere on Airbnb – use this link for $44 off your first booking – or Couchsurfing .

I’ve done all of these in Darwin!

The Argus Hotel is modern, comfortable and clean and has a pool and on-site restaurant. Click here for rates and to book .

Darwin to Broome (via the Gibb River Road): 2 weeks

Heading south, your first stop should be Litchfield National Park .

I don’t find it as breathtaking as Kakadu, but it’s worth the stop.

Then head west, towards the border with Western Australia. It’s a long old drive, but once you’ve crossed it, head into Kununurra and check out some of the town’s attractions.

Then it’s time for Lake Argyle – this beautiful spot is perfect for kicking back in for a couple of days. Make sure you stay in the Lake Argyle campsite and enjoy its amazing infinity pool!

If you have a 4WD or AWD (I did it in an AWD, much to a lot of people’s disbelief!), take on the Gibb River Road .

This is my favourite part of Australia – 660 kilometres of gorges, waterfalls, secluded campsites and unmissable nature.

You’ll get off the road at Derby, from which it is a 2-hour drive to Broome.

Broome to Perth: 3 weeks

Spend a few days recharging in beautiful Broome , making sure you don’t miss a sunset!

If you’re there during Staircase to the Moon, it’s well worth checking out.

Gantheaume Point is amazing for dinosaur footprints and cliff jumping, and if you have a 4WD Cape Leveque is a great spot to head up to.

Broome town centre has some interesting attractions which nods to its Indigenous heritage and history as a pearling town. If you’re wanting to stay in the heart of Broome or Cable Beach, you’ll need to pay for accommodation.

I spent a month at Cable Beach Backpackers, which is a small hostel with a really nice atmosphere. Click here for more information and to book .

If you want to stay in Broome town Kimberley Klub YHA is a good option. Click here for rates and book today .

For somewhere a bit more private, try Broome Vacation Village. Click here for more information and to book .

Once you hit the road again, your first stop will be 80 Mile Beach and then Port Hedland .

From Port, you can head southwards to Karijini National Park – one of the best in Australia.

Then head out to the west coast to Exmouth and the Ningaloo Reef .

If it is the right time of year, you can go snorkeling with whale sharks here; a bucket list experience.

Diving at the Navy Pier is also incredible. From Exmouth, head south to the country town of Canarvon and then Shark Bay .

Going south more will take you to Kalbarri National Park , Geraldton and then the Coral Coast .

The Indian Ocean Drive here is incredible, as you drive right next to the sea. The Pinnacles, Lancelin and New Norcia round off your west coast itinerary before arriving in Perth.

Perth: 4 days

Perth is my favourite Australian city .

I love the spaciousness, the blue skies, the copious amounts of water. Spend a day in the CBD, seeing the attractions there like Elizabeth Quay and King’s Park.

Day two should be spent in funky Fremantle, a hip suburb with lots of attractions .

On day three, head to the Perth Hills to see another side of the city.

Finally, take a ferry over to Rottnest Island for a slice of island livin’. Billabong Backpackers in Perth offers free parking and also has a pool, a large common area and free breakfast. Click here for more information and to book .

If you’re wanting to stay in Fremantle, the Old Fire Station is the one – check out my review here and book using this link .

OFS does have parking but it’s kind of expensive – I used to park at South Beach and take the free CAT bus there.

For a hotel option, Tribe Perth is clean, contemporary and has free parking. Click here for more information and to book .

Perth to Esperance: 1 week

Once you’ve had your fill of Perth, head back down south (you could stop back into Freo on the way down, I wouldn’t blame you!) toward Margaret River .

This is a beautiful area where you could easily spend a few days. Next on your trip is the karri forests of Pemberton and swing by D’entrecasteaux national park .

There are some amazing beaches around Denmark and Albany , as well as some intriguing natural attractions. Then head to Fitzgerald River National Park and check out the unique biosphere here.

After, it’s time for Esperance , which has a picturesque ocean drive. Head to Cape le Grand National Park after, which has famous white sand beaches and lots of kangaroos.

If you have a 4WD, Cape Arid National Park is worth a visit too, before you head back to Esperance and start the drive north to the Nullarbor Plain.

The Nullarbor: 3 days

The Nullarbor Plain is a place of mystery; it’s a long, arid stretch of road with not much at all to see. But it’s really beautiful, and the feeling of being so in the middle of nowhere is unbeatable.

Take three days to drive it, as you’ll want to take it in properly and avoid driver fatigue. Highlights include Australia’s longest straight road, various quirky road houses and the beautiful Great Australian Bight .

You can free camp near here and watch the sunrise in the morning – it’s a magical experience. At the end of the Nullarbor, the seaside towns of Ceduna and Streaky Bay are worth popping into.

The Eyre Peninsula: 2 days

The Eyre Peninsula juts down at the bottom of South Australia, and is a great destination for 4WDing, beautiful beaches and wild camping.

The terrain varies from what you’ve just experienced on the Nullarbor, and there are a few small towns that are worth checking out around the peninsula.

Port Augusta to Coober Pedy: 4 days

At the top eastern side of the Eyre Peninsula, arriving in Port Augusta will feel like you’ve reached a city. It’s time to head north, up the Stuart Highway, to a town called Coober Pedy.

This is a 550-kilometre detour (plus the return trip) to see a population 3,500 town where everyone lives underground; and I do think it’s worth it.

If you love the weird and wonderful, you’ll find lots of entertaining things to do in Coober Pedy . The drive up there is pretty mesmerizing as well!

Coober Pedy to the Flinders Ranges: 5 days

And the good news is you don’t have to go back the way you came; from Coober Pedy, you can head south east on the Oodnadatta Track – an unsealed but generally in good condition (check before you head out) road connecting the Stuart Highway with the Outback Highway.

You’ll drive around the south side of Lake Eyre (if you have a 4WD and a sense of adventure you might have the chance to go off the track and see it more) and experience even more outback living.

It’s hard to ever get enough, really!

The Flinders Ranges are a beautiful national park that twin mountains and outback – looking otherworldly.

Adelaide: 3 days

From the southern end of the Flinders Ranges, it is about a fiv hour drive to Adelaide (and this is their local national park – told ya Australia was big!).

Adelaide, like Perth, seems to get a reputation for being ‘boring’ but it’s actually a bundle of joy.

The city is really gorgeous, with markets, museums, a great state library and there’s lots of nature around the city, including beaches and vineyards. Make sure you check out the Barossa Valley.

Backpack Oz in Adelaide has a great atmosphere with a bar and organized trips, and is set in a historic building. There isn’t free parking right by the hostel, but there are spots nearby – the hostel staff can advise you. Click here for rates and to book .

If you’re after a hotel, Pullman Adelaide is a good option with free parking. Click here for more information and to book .

Adelaide to Melbourne: 1 week

Between Adelaide to Melbourne, there are a few great attractions, both coastal and inland. Coolong National Park and Mount Gambier are great spots to visit with South Australia, and once you cross over the border, head north towards Gariwerd (The Grampians) National Park .

A couple of hours east from here is the historic city of Ballarat , with attractions geared around its gold-rush history.

From here, zig-zag back down to Warrnambool, where you can enjoy the gorgeous Great Ocean Road. Spend a few days here enjoying the beaches and attractions before completing your loop and reaching Melbourne city once again.

Tasmania: 3 weeks

But your trip doesn’t stop here!

From Melbourne, catch the Spirit of Tasmania over to Devonport .

From here, you can do a circuit of the island state, enjoying attractions like the Bay of Fires, Wineglass Bay, the Tasman Peninsula, the capital Hobart (which is worthy of a few days in itself) and the mighty Cradle Mountain . Make sure you check out the north coast and the beautiful town of Stanley as well.

Three weeks is a great time to see everything properly, although because Tasmania is small compared to the rest of Australia, you can do it in less.

You’ll be able to free camp most of the way around Tasmania, but in Hobart, I recommend staying at Montacute Bunkhouse. It’s a beautiful boutique hostel with lots of features to make a really pleasant night’s stay. Click here for rates and book today .

If you want a bit more space, Riverfront Motel and Villas makes you feel like you’re still in nature while being very close to Hobart city! Click here for rates and to reserve .

Then take the spirit back over to Melbourne and conclude your road trip around Australia!

End: Melbourne, VIC in SEPTEMBER OR OCTOBER

You’ve done it! You’ve circumnavigated Australia, seeing the very best of the country.

If you’re in the country on a year’s working holiday visa, you’ve arrived in Melbourne just as the summer kicks off and the city comes alive. You’ve even got time to do your regional work for another year down under!

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13 thoughts on “ Road Trip in Australia: An Itinerary for the Whole Country! ”

Oh my goodness, this itinerary is AMAZING!!! What an adventure you would have had!! This is a total dream for my husband and I. I’ve stayed at the Urban Hostel in Melbourne, it’s a great little hostel. I wonder did you do much freedom camping? We dream of kitting out a van or minibus but we’ve heard it can be hard to find places to camp free. Will be bookmarking this itinerary to come back to if we’re lucky enough to get to do this trip someday!

I’m glad you enjoyed this Rhiannon! Are you based in Australia currently? It’s a cool spot isn’t it! Yes I did mainly free camping 🙂 Wikicamps has lots of options and I never had any issues – many of them are serviced by pubs or roadhouses so I just spent a little in the establishments. I have an article about free camping in Australia as well! I hope you get to do this trip, it’s not too expensive and it’s the adventure of a lifetime!!

Hi Claire! Going to Australia early in may to do my 3 months of work asap after arrival. Hopefully i will be ready to kick off my roadtrip somewhere in september starting in Southwestern Aus and travelling the country in a –> (N) <– looking route if you can understand what i mean. Doing this because a want the eastcoast summer and will probably stay there for a while. Im guessing this will take me approximately 7 moths to complete, I dont really have a timeline, but would like to get a full year on my second year visa to settle down and work etc.

What do you think about the route, does it make sense to you considering the weather and all or does it sound completely crazy?

Thank you for your inspo, noted many tips from you! 😉

I think it’s a great idea to do your farm work as soon as you get there. You should be able to find something in Southwestern, I’m not sure what the harvest seasons are like in Margaret River but I know it’s a popular spot for farm work.

In September I actually think I’d go the other way. It’ll be warming up by then down south, you’ll get over to the east coast around November and will still be there for summer (although you don’t really need to be there then above Brisbane, I’d say spring/ autumn are better weather, it is rainy season during the summer as well!), and then after summer you’ll get to enjoy the NT and the Kimberleys after the wet season (when waterfalls are at their best).

The other way would work too, but you’d need to rush the west coast/ Kimberleys/ NT to get it done before the wet season starts and they’re not places you want to rush, trust me!

But do whatever you think is best depending on your preferences 🙂 Let me know if you have any more questions and I’m glad the blog helped!

This looks like an awesome trip! I will probably fly to Australia at the end of august/ beginning of september. Not sure where I will be landing yet, keeping my options open for now. If I would want to start this roadtrip , where would you suggest me to start if i would want to start in september?

Your blog is very helpfull btw!

Hi Claire, We are a family of four (kids 3y and 5y) living in Rocky for one year. We are thinking of a roadtrip Rockhampton-Cairns-back to Townsville-Alice springs- Kings canyon- Aderlaide-Melbourne in 1,5-2 months. What do you think about that? We have a 2w car at the moment, would that be enough? Also thinking about getting a camper trailer for this roadtrip, or du you think it would be enough B&B, motels or hostel on the way to be ok? And we are thinking about doing it between May-August sometime. Or is it preferable a 4W car doing that roadtrip? We are just in the beginning of this plan, so I am happy with every advice you can give me. Regards Frida

Amazing! Your itinerary sounds good, although I’m guessing with kids you’ll want to add some time on so I’d definitely go towards 2 months in your case. As far as I know the only way you’d get from Townsville to Alice Springs on a 2WD track is via Tennant Creek, certainly doable but it will take a while. There is the Outback Way that stretches from Queensland all the way to Western Australia via the red centre but that’s 4WD only.

I love camping and would always recommend it, it does save a lot of money as well. If you’re happy to use tents they’re a great option without having to get a camper trailer! If not, you could probably just about get by without (staying at roadhouses and hostels in bigger places) but I wouldn’t want to say 100%.

May – August is a good time! It might be a bit cold in the south, so you might want to opt for some indoor accommodation then, but it’s still beautiful.

Let me know if you have any other questions!

Claire, I have been planing a solo Australian cross country driving trip from Sydney to Darwin. What have learned is that car rental in Australia is different then USA. My original plan was to land in Sydney, rent a suv and start driving but it doesn’t seems that easy due to your car rental laws.

That said would you be able to advise the best approach to achieve my goal.

Kind regards Tom K. [email protected]

So I’m actually British but spent a long time in Australia, I bought a car in Melbourne no problem and sold it again 8 months later. I did however rent a car in Australia and didn’t have any issues. What is the problem that you are finding with the car rental? Let me know and hopefully I can help!

Hi Claire, I am planning to do road trip with roughly the same itinerary, and I was wondering wether you think a 4*4 car is necessary or not ? And weather 4 or 5 months would be enough to do it? Thanks, Taís.

Myself, my partner and our 2 yr old son are planning to go from Melbourne to Broome via Perth along the West Coast. Then possibly up to Darwin and back down through Alice Springs to Melbourne. We are taking a caravan with us. Firstly, do you think it’s going to be too long and uncomfortable for a 2 old to cope with being on the road so long. And also is 2 months long enough for this trip?

This is a great itinerary! I’m looking to come to Aus and do a roadtrip of as much of the country as possible without rushing too much. I’ll be there late May-August. How much do you think is doable for 3 months? What would you cut out to squeeze this itinerary down?

Thank you!!

hi lovely! wow your trip looked incredible! what an experience. i have 2 months with hubby and 2 kids to do round trip… any tips? i am using some of your stop off as the base 😀

starting in canberra.. wondering if we should head clockwise or anticlockwise? will be starting in june next year (ideally). driving in a 4wd with pop top tent.

thank you any feedback would be amazing. i have no idea where to start..

love from an amateur

Comments are closed.

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From Duncan to Enid, 12 road trip-ready Oklahoma towns to find fun outside OKC and Tulsa

With summer break winding down, schools going back to class and fall bringing the promise of a cooler kind of fun, it's a perfect time to make road-trip plans .

While Oklahoma City and Tulsa boast a vast array of well-documented attractions, Oklahoma is a big state with diverse landscapes, histories and communities worth exploring.

In that spirit, here are a dozen Sooner State communities where folks can find fun away from the big-city crowds:

Established after the Land Run of 1889, Oklahoma's first capital wrangles abundant Victorian charm and territorial history. Part of the downtown Capitol Townsite Historic District is designated as a National Historic landmark , and the Logan County seat features several antique shops.

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For history buffs, Guthrie boasts the Oklahoma Territorial Capital Sports Museum, Frontier Drugstore Museum and Oklahoma Territorial Museum and Carnegie Library . The latter is the go-to place to learn about famed robber-turned-mummy Elmer McCurdy, who inspired the recent hit Off-Broadway musical "Dead Outlaw." The Boot Hill section of Guthrie's Summit View Cemetery includes the graves of McCurdy, as well as Bill Doolin of the Doolin Gang.

Along with Guthrie and Liberty lakes, outdoorsy types can check out Avid Extreme Sports Park, Battle Park Paintball and Highland Park Disc Golf.

Plus, Guthrie is home to the Double Stop Fiddle Shop and Music Hall, Pollard Theatre , autumnal Guthrie Ghost Walks , festive Territorial Christmas Celebrations and several annual festivals .

The halfway mark beween Oklahoma City and Dallas, Ardmore is not only accessible by vehicle on Interstate 35 but also by rail as a stop on Amtrak's Heartland Flyer between OKC and Fort Worth, Texas. The train stops in Ardmore at the Santa Fe Depot, which was constructed in 1918 but has been painstakingly restored.

The depot forms the eastern edge of Depot Park, home to the historic Mercy Train , which in 1915 brought supplies and emergency personnel to Ardmore after a tanker car explosion that destroyed most of downtown and killed 50 people. Visible from the park is the large-scale painting of a Chickasaw warrior that acclaimed Oklahoma muralist Bob Palmer created in 2023 on the side of the nearby 127-foot Bluebonnet Feeds silo.

The Eliza Cruce Hall Doll Museum is a hidden treasure inside Ardmore Public Library, while the Greater Southwest Historical Museum houses the Military Memorial Museum .

Families can find fun at The Clubhouse at Regional Park , which boasts an arcade, go-karts, mini golf, a ropes course, hiking trails, pickleball courts and a skate park. And Ardmore's Lake Murray State Park is Oklahoma's first and largest state park, consisting of 12,500 acres of forested, rolling hills around Lake Murray; the park's diverse terrain, trails and historic sites make it a favorite destination among outdoor, water sport and ATV enthusiasts.

Broken Bow/Hochatown

Situated in the southeastern corner of Oklahoma, these neighboring McCurtain County communities have become popular vacation destinations because of the abundance of natural wonders in the area, including Beavers Bend State Park , the Mountain Fork and Glover rivers, Kiamichi Mountains and Ouachita National Forest .

Outdoor adventures abound in Broken Bow and Hochatown , including hiking, biking, boating, fishing, water skiing, canoeing, horseback riding, ziplining and more. The growth of the area as a tourist destination has brought in more wineries, breweries and restaurants, too.

The Maze of Hochatown, Choctaw Landing casino and resort, Hochatown Rescue Center & Petting Zoo and Beavers Bend Mining Co . are among the additional attractions in the area.

Bartlesville

Less than 20 miles south of the Oklahoma-Kansas line, Bartlesville has an oil-rich history: It's home to Nellie Johnstone No. 1, the state's first commercial oil well; Frank Phillips Home, the sumptuous town residence of oil baron Frank Phillips, founder of Phillips Petroleum Company; and Woolaroc Museum and Wildlife Preserve , once Phillips' country estate.

Bartlesville also boasts an impressive architectural history: The copper and concrete Price Tower , a hotel and arts center, is the only fully realized skyscraper designed by icon Frank Lloyd Wright, while his protege, William Wesley Peters, designed the Bartlesville Community Center. The space between is bridged by Unity Square , a green space with lovely landscaping, an amphitheater and an interactive water feature. Plus, the Sooner Park Play Tower and Redeemer Lutheran Church Education Building both were designed by well-known architect Bruce Goff, who grew up in Oklahoma.

Additional draws include the century-old steam engine at Union Depot , the free Bartlesville Area History Museum and Kiddie Park, an outdoor children's amusement park where each ticket is 75 cents, the rides take one ticket and admission is free.

Medicine Park

Known as "America's cobblestone community," as well as Oklahoma's first resort town, Medicine Park was built in 1908. Nestled in the foothills of the Wichita Mountains, the rocky red landscape gives the town a distinctively charming look.

In the middle of downtown, Bath Lake is a granite swimming pool with picturesque waterfalls, entry stairs and natural flowing waters from the nearby Medicine Creek in the summertime. In the winter, it is a fishing hole stocked with trout. Located between Lake Lawtonka and Mount Scott, the six Lawtonka Trails provide different levels of hiking challenges.

The nearly 60,000-acre Wichita Mountains Wildlife Rescue is home to American bison, Rocky Mountain elk, white-tailed deer, Texas longhorn cattle and prairie dogs, while the Medicine Park Aquarium & Natural Sciences Center has more than 90 native and non-native fish, reptile, amphibian, bird and mammal species on exhibit.

The headquarters of the Osage Nation , Pawhuska is home to attractions like the Osage Nation Visitors Center, Osage Nation Museum and Osage Veterans Memorial . The Osage County Historical Society Museum delves into the history of the Osage tribe as well as of the early oil industry, the ranching business and the first American Boy Scout Troop in North America, while the Ben Johnson Cowboy Museum pays homage to the Oscar-winning Oklahoma actor.

Pawhuska also is HQ for the Food Network star Ree Drummond , aka The Pioneer Woman , and it's where her fans flock to check out The Mercantile restaurant, bakery and general store, The Boarding House eight-room inn, P-Town Pizza and Charlie’s Sweet Shop ice cream parlor. They can even poke around the set of "The Pioneer Woman" during a tour of The Lodge on Drummond Ranch .

For outdoors enthusiasts, Osage Hills State Park boasts 1,100 acres of scenery, including lush forests, rocky bluffs and serene waters, while the Joseph H. Williams Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, the largest protected piece of tallgrass prairie left on Earth, offers visitors opportunities to watch diverse wildlife, including a vast herd of American bison, while viewing breathtaking vistas.

Pauls Valley

Another stop on the Heartland Flyer's daily run between OKC and Fort Worth, Pauls Valley's historic Santa Fe Depot Museum is located next to the Amtrak Station.

The Garvin County seat is home base for the world-renowned Toy and Action Figure Museum and its sister attraction, Stark Art & Gallery , as well as another artsy downtown spot, The Vault Arts Space and Gathering Place .

For a century, Field's Pies has been baking up tasty pecan, German chocolate and lemon chess thaw-and-serve treats to ship to freezer cases in 23 states; along with the factory, which is not open to the public, Pauls Valley is home to the Thrift Shop, where pie enthusiasts can stock up on the "World's Best" sweet treats.

Situated in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains just 40 miles from the Arkansas state line, Tahlequah is the capital of both the Cherokee Nation and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians. The Cherokee Cultural Pathway connects the Cherokee National Historical Museum, Cherokee National Supreme Court Museum and Cherokee National Prison Museum in downtown Tahlequah.

The former home of a Northeast State College professor, Franklin Castle is a popular local landmark, and classic television fans will want to search for the grave of America's favorite talking horse, Mister Ed .

Centered in the midst of the Illinois River Valley, with Lake Tenkiller and Lake Fort Gibson nearby, Tahlequah is spilling over with opportunities for floating, boating, fishing, hiking and camping. Travelers can take in the natural wonders from the comfort of their cars by driving the Cherokee Hills Scenic Byway .

Over the past three decades, the nationally renowned Festival of Light in Shannon Springs Park has helped establish Chickasha as a go-to Sooner State holiday destination.

But the 50-foot-tall Chickasha Leg Lamp , a towering fiberglass statue — yeah, a statue — based on the iconic prop from the beloved movie "A Christmas Story," has given the Grady County seat a big-time year-round boost. Since it bowed in fall 2022, the leg has kicked off a new phase of development in downtown Chickasha , from the Downtown Mercantile & Chickasha Visitors Center to El Cheto's Mexican Food at the Town's End Chickasha distillery.

Other local attractions include the Chief Drive-In Theatre , Grady County Museum and University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma's downtown Art Wrecker Studios .

In the Garfield County seat, the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center explores Enid's Land Run history, the Railroad Museum of Oklahoma houses one of the largest collections of railroad material in the country, and Simpson's Old Time Museum and Skeleton Creek Productions Movie Studio revisits the Old West.

For families, the interactive indoor exhibits at Leonardo's Children's Museum are matched with the Adventure Quest, the world’s largest community-built outdoor playground, which features a three-story castle, slides, mazes, bridges, gardens, sand play areas and a water table. Through Labor Day weekend, the local Kiwanis Club is offering Ferris wheel, carousel and train rides at Meadowlake Park , where miniature golf and paddleboats also are among the draws.

And Red Bird Farms is cultivating a year-round slate of agricultural experiences; through Sept. 15, it's U-Pick Flowers from 5 to 9 p.m. daily.

Weatherford

Travelers can go west to get their kicks on Route 66 in Weatherford , and Lucille's Roadhouse pays homage to the town's Mother Road roots with its 1950s diner style of polished chrome and glass brick and its down-home menu featuring hand-breaded chicken fried steak, pulled pork cheese fries and hamburger steak.

Named for the late astronaut and Weatherford native Lt. Gen. Thomas P. Stafford , the Smithsonian affiliate Stafford Air & Space Museum boasts the actual Gemini VI capsule, a rare Titan II rocket and the real-life flight pressure suit Stafford wore on Apollo 10. Actual flown aircraft, including an A-10 Thunderbolt II, F-4 Phantom and a F-104C Starfighter, are on view on the grounds, while full-size replicas of the Wright Flyer, Spirit of St. Louis and Apollo Command Module also are on display.

The Weatherford Wind Energy Center showcases an actual 122-foot-long blade from a wind turbine, while the Heartland of America Museum off Interstate 40 spotlights many artifacts from the late 1800s through the 1950s, including a Bell UH-1D Iroquois, a variant of the U.S. Army helicopter commonly known as the “Huey," a tiny Route 66 diner where Elvis Presley ate three times and a 1931 Ford Model "A" 3-speed sports coupe.

The Stephens County seat is considered the “Crapemyrtle Capital of Oklahoma,” so summer, when the colorful crapemyrtles are blooming, is arguably the best time to visit.

But Duncan's true claim to fame is its location in Western history: The legendary Chisholm Trail ran right through Duncan on its route from the stockyards in Fort Worth to the cattle-shipping depot at Abilene, Kansas. Between 1867 and 1877, more than 3 million head of cattle passed along the Chisholm Trail in Oklahoma.

The Chisholm Trail Heritage Center traces that history through fine art and interactive exhibits, plus staff can direct explorers to the remains of the trail and the legendary landmark Monument Hill.

Other Duncan attractions that delve into the community's rich history include the Rock Island 905 Museum & Travel Center, Foreman Prairie House and Stephens County Historical Museum .

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Britain’s Violent Riots: What We Know

Officials had braced for more unrest on Wednesday, but the night’s anti-immigration protests were smaller, with counterprotesters dominating the streets instead.

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By Lynsey Chutel

After days of violent rioting set off by disinformation around a deadly stabbing rampage, the authorities in Britain had been bracing for more unrest on Wednesday. But by nightfall, large-scale anti-immigration demonstrations had not materialized, and only a few arrests had been made nationwide.

Instead, streets in cities across the country were filled with thousands of antiracism protesters, including in Liverpool, where by late evening, the counterdemonstration had taken on an almost celebratory tone.

Over the weekend, the anti-immigration protests, organized by far-right groups, had devolved into violence in more than a dozen towns and cities. And with messages on social media calling for wider protests and counterprotests on Wednesday, the British authorities were on high alert.

With tensions running high, Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s cabinet held emergency meetings to discuss what has become the first crisis of his recently elected government. Some 6,000 specialist public-order police officers were mobilized nationwide to respond to any disorder, and the authorities in several cities and towns stepped up patrols.

Wednesday was not trouble-free, however.

In Bristol, the police said there was one arrest after a brick was thrown at a police vehicle and a bottle was thrown. In the southern city of Portsmouth, police officers dispersed a small group of anti-immigration protesters who had blocked a roadway. And in Belfast, Northern Ireland, where there have been at least four nights of unrest, disorder continued, and the police service said it would bring in additional officers.

But overall, many expressed relief that the fears of wide-scale violence had not been realized.

Here’s what we know about the turmoil in Britain.

Where has the unrest taken place?

Protesters over the weekend took to the streets of a dozen cities across Britain, most of them in England. Trouble broke out from Aldershot in the south to Sunderland in the north and Liverpool in the west. Belfast, in Northern Ireland, was also drawn into the fray.

In some cases, the protesters were merely unruly, but in others the violence was more pronounced.

Where arrests have been reported

On Sunday, rioters set upon a hotel that was housing asylum seekers in the town of Rotherham, in northern England, breaking windows before surging inside as the police struggled to control them. No guests were injured in the melee, the police said.

In Middlesbrough, a group of rioters, some masked, hurled bottles and rocks at officers. Cars were set on fire, and at least nine people were arrested. On Saturday, a library and a food bank were set ablaze in Liverpool as groups damaged and looted businesses, and in Hull, fires were set and storefronts smashed in the city center.

Dozens of police officers were injured, including some who required trips to the hospital.

What set off the protests?

The unrest began after a teenager wielding a knife attacked a children’s dance class early last week in the seaside town of Southport, which is near Liverpool. Three children were killed, and eight were wounded.

The suspect was born and raised in Britain, but online rumors soon circulated that he was an undocumented immigrant. To counter those false claims, the authorities took the unusual step of publicly identifying him. The BBC has reported that the suspect’s parents are from Rwanda. The police have not disclosed a motive for the stabbing attack.

But with migration a flashpoint issue in Britain, especially on the far right, the rumors were all it took to set off violence.

Extremist groups urged their followers to take to the streets, and on the day after the stabbings, they began to do so, starting in Southport.

How have the authorities responded?

The weekend riots prompted a heavy police response. Nearly 4,000 additional officers were deployed, a law enforcement association said. And a government order gave officers in some places special powers to disperse any gatherings or “antisocial behavior,” the police said in a statement .

More than 400 people have been arrested, and about 100 have been charged, Mr. Starmer said after an emergency cabinet meeting on Tuesday — the second in two days.

The prime minister, who has characterized the riots as “far-right thuggery,” encouraged prosecutors to name and shame those convicted to dissuade others from joining the violent rampages.

“I’m now expecting substantive sentencing before the end of the week,” Mr. Starmer said. “That should send a very powerful message to anybody involved, either directly or online, that you are likely to be dealt with within a week and that nobody, but nobody, should involve themselves in this disorder.”

BJ Harrington, the head of public order for Britain’s National Police Chiefs’ Council, said that online disinformation had been “a huge driver of this appalling violence.”

Intelligence teams, detectives and neighborhood officers, Mr. Harrington said, were working to identify the people fomenting the violence.

“They won’t win,” he said.

How are the authorities handling online incitement?

Social media has acted as an accelerant throughout the protests, with disinformation fueling far-right and anti-immigrant groups . Britain and other democracies have found that policing the internet is legally murky terrain, with individual rights and free speech protections balanced against a desire to block harmful material .

In his remarks on Tuesday, Mr. Starmer said that some arrests involved people accused of inciting violence online.

The first person to be convicted over online posts since the riots, according to the Crown Prosecution Service , was a 28-year-old man from Leeds who posted messages on Facebook about attacking a hotel that housed asylum seekers. It said that the man, Jordan Parlour, had pleaded guilty and been convicted of using threatening words or behavior to stir up racial hatred.

Mr. Starmer has called out social media companies over misinformation on their platforms, but holding them accountable could be tricky. Britain adopted a law last year that requires social media companies to introduce protections for child safety and to prevent and quickly remove illegal content like terrorism propaganda and revenge pornography. The law is less clear about how companies must treat misinformation and incendiary language.

What are the political implications?

The riots are the first political crisis for Mr. Starmer, who took office a month ago after his Labour Party defeated the Conservatives, who had been in government for 14 years.

While in power, the Conservatives tried to capitalize on public unhappiness over immigration, vowing to reduce it (though failing to do so). But in recent days they joined Labour in condemning the violent protests.

Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, now the opposition leader, said the unrest had “nothing to do with the tragedy in Southport.” The police, he said, have “our full support to deal with these criminals swiftly.”

Megan Specia contributed reporting.

Lynsey Chutel covers South Africa and the countries that make up southern Africa from Johannesburg. More about Lynsey Chutel