Australians vote for the Big Rainbow to be built in Daylesford

Australia is set to get its next big hit — a Big Rainbow. And there are four places it could be. Now a place has been chosen. 

Exclusive: Australia is set to get its next gigantic tourist attraction — a Big Rainbow.

Dubbed the nation’s largest symbol for diversity, inclusion and self-expression, the 6m-tall structure is set to land in one of four regional towns, and Australians will get to decide where with a national vote.

The Big Rainbow, which was first unveiled at Sydney‘s Mardi Gras earlier this year, was to find its permanent home in either Broome, in Western Australia’s far north; Daylesford, near Ballarat in Victoria; Hay, in New South Wales’ south west, and Katherine, in the Northern Territory.

Australians will get the vote for where this 6m-tall landmark will live. Picture: Tinder.

Each destination has its own strong history of celebrating pride. Daylesford - home to model Megan Gale’s holiday rental Dollywood - runs the Chillout Festival, which is one of the longest-running events celebrating regional LBGTQIA+ pride.

Broome holds its own Mardi Gras, Hay is home to the Rainbow on the Plains Festival and Top End Pride is Katherine’s version.

Tinder spokesperson Kirsty Dunn said the Big Rainbow Project was about raising awareness of the challenges LGBTQIA+ community faced in regional areas.

“It is paying homage to the regional LBGTQIA+ community. The Big Rainbow is a beacon for diversity, and inclusion and self-expression,” she said.

She said they had contacted the four short-listed local councils. Now, Daylesford has been chosen as the final host of the Big Rainbow. 

The 6m-tall rainbow was unveiled at Sydney’s Mardi Gras earlier this year. Picture: Tinder

Like the Big Merino and Big Pineapple before it, the colourful landmark is set to become a tourist attraction for Australian and international visitors, said tourism expert Evan Hall.

Mr Hall, chairman of the Australian Tourism Industry Council, said the country’s “quirky” big landmarks were still as engaging today as they were when they first sprouted, with Coffs Harbour’s Big Banana dating back to the 1960s.

“They’ve moved on from being a classic part of an Australian family road trip to being a bit of an ironic, iconic experience,” Mr Hall said.

“We are known around the world for our quirky big things.”

The Big Banana in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, is one of 150 ‘Big Things’ in Australia

Mr Hall said Australia’s 150 oversized landmarks helped to convey the story behind the regional towns, and often translated into money spent in the town at cafes, restaurants and retail stores.

“They started off to highlight the agricultural produce a regional town was famous for, or wanted to be famous for. It catches the eye and is a sign to say visitors are welcome here,” he said.

Visit bigrainbowproject.com.au for more information. 

Originally published as Australians vote for the Big Rainbow to be built in Daylesford