Kinka whale, big dugong among the big things to see in Central Queensland
There are lots of ‘big’ things to see in Queensland with some of the most iconic found on a road trip off the beaten track, from hidden gems to giant animals. SEE THE LIST
Rockhampton
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You may have heard of the Big Mango at Bowen, the Big Pineapple at the Sunshine Coast or the Big Kangaroo near Gympie, but Central Queensland is also home to a long list of ‘big’ things.
From the iconic big whale at Kinka to a big Olympic torch, here are just some of the items to add to your map.
BIG THINGS IN CENTRAL QUEENSLAND
Big bulls (Rockhampton)
Rockhampton, the Beef Capital of Australia, isn’t just home to one big bull statue.
The city’s Beef Capital status is firmly cemented by the numerous bull statues standing tall around town.
Residents and visitors coming to town from the south are greeted by a giant grey Brahman statue at the Yeppen roundabout, with another three bull statues on the main road not far behind.
Visitors who fly to town are also greeted with a bull statue at the entrance of the airport.
On the northside there is another bull statue on Yaamba Rd.
Big whale (Kinka Beach)
Since the 1980s the iconic whale building may have looked like a fish out of water, but it’s become a beloved part of the Kinka community.
The whale building located at 1059 Scenic Highway, was formerly known as Coral Life Marineland and is fondly remembered by people who grew up in the area as a must-visit on the Capricorn Coast.
It was built in 1980 by local artist Kevin Logan and his wife Yvonne, with the building measuring 12 metres in length and six metres in height.
It is understood the museum closed to the public more than 20 years ago.
The building was purchased by Sierra Holdings QLD Pty Ltd, which is owned by Darren Brighton, in 2019.
Big Dugong (Rockhampton)
Keeping with the theme of large aquatic animals, the big Dugong has called Rockhampton home since it was built in 1992.
The statue calls the Dreamtime Cultural Centre home and symbolises the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.
Measuring 22 metres long, 12 metres wide and five metres high, it was built to expand the cultural centre’s Torres Strait Islander complex.
Big Bundy bottle (Rockhampton)
Bundaberg may be the Rum City and home to the famous Bundaberg Rum, but Rockhampton has a big Bundy bottle of its own.
The big bottle of Bundy Rum has been located at the bottle shop on Gladstone Rd for many years.
While it may not be as big as the Bundaberg Rum Distillery statue, the structure is still loved by the community just the same.
Big Ibis (Rockhampton)
The humble bin chicken may get ‘pecked’ on, but did you know Rockhampton is home to three big Ibis statues?
The Ibis statues are front and centre at Depot Hill State School.
The statues form part of the schools centenary garden to celebrate the school’s milestone 100 year anniversary in 2020.
Depot Hill State School opened on September 14, 1920 on the Fitzroy River flood plain.
Big Olympic torch (Croydon)
Just north of Rockhampton, near Croydon Station, is the Big Olympic torch, which commemorates the Olympic torch relay from the 1956 Summer Olympics held in Melbourne.
The statue is located near the spot the torch was handed over from Mackay to continue its journey south through to Rockhampton.
Five torchbearers from Mackay, Rockhampton and Townsville got together in 2000 to discuss the efforts of the runners and the community support being commemorated with a monument.
The then Rockhampton City, Mackay City and Broadsound Shire councils got on board and, in a joint effort, manufactured, inscribed and erected the monument.
Big Van Gogh (Emerald)
Emerald may be one of the gems of the Central Highlands’ region, but it’s also home to the world’s biggest Van Gogh painting.
Standing at 25 metres high with about 13.6 tonnes of steel used in its construction, the giant sunflower painting stands tall in Morton Park.
The giant piece of artwork was a concept by Cameron Cross to erect seven sunflower sculptures in seven different countries, reproducing Vincent Van Gogh’s seven different sunflower paintings.
The Emerald painting was finished in November 1999 and also celebrates the Central Highlands’ past as a major sunflower producer.
Big dragline bucket (Blackwater)
Driving through the town of Blackwater you cannot miss the big red dragline bucket out the front of the Blackwater International Coal Centre.
The centre arose from the vision of the Duaringa Shire Council in 2003, which was supported and developed by BMA Blackwater and Wesfarmers Curragh Coal.
The facility opened in August 2008, with the dragline bucket proving to be a popular photo opportunity for visitors.
Big giraffe (Bororen)
It may look like it should be in the jungle, but the big giraffe at Bororen is a favourite among travellers heading north or south on the Bruce Highway.
The statue stands out the front of the old Big Giraffe Cafe and used to be surrounded by a lot of smaller animal statues.
Big sapphire (Anakie)
The Big Sapphire at Anakie celebrates the mining of sapphires and gems in the Gemfields region of the Central Highlands.
Sapphires were first discovered in the Gemfields in the 1870s, and still to this day visitors can try their luck to find precious stones or learn more about the town’s history.
The area became known for sapphire mines by 1902.
The big sapphire is located outside the old Big Sapphire and Gemfield Information Centre.
Big miner (Rubyvale)
Anakie’s big sapphire isn’t the only ‘big’ thing paying homage to the region’s gem fossicking history.
At Rubyvale the Big Miner has been kneeling at the entrance of the Bobby Dazzler mine since 1983.
The sculpture shows a miner holding a pic while looking at a gemstone in the left hand.
In 2012 the statue lost its left hand but it was replaced that same year, with the statue also undergoing general repairs and repainting.
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