The Best Big Things in Brisbane

Brisbane is home to a range of fun and quirky sculptures and landmarks which can be celebrated as some of Australia’s best ‘big things.’ These unique attractions contribute to the playful nature of Brisbane and can be found all over town. From oversized fruit and veg, to large items of clothing and even huge garden implements, exploring these icons is bound to bring a smile to the faces of those discovering them.

Big Things in Brisbane

The Big Hose

Location: Outside GOMA, Stanley Place, South Brisbane

Gracing the banks of the Brisbane River, outside the GOMA Bistro, is the 119m, super long garden hose. This latest official big thing to call Brisbane home, was a joint effort between Australian contemporary artists Tony Albert and Nell, and from September 2025, will be a permanent fixture in Brisbane.

Complete with the iconic nozzle, and hidden animals featured throughout, this interactive art installation, will see families crawling, leaping and exploring every aspect of it.

Insiders Tip: Don’t forget to check out the other artworks which can be found around GOMA.

The Brisbane Sign

Location: Clem Jones Promenade, South Brisbane

Not far from the Big Hose, you will find the big Brisbane sign. The once temporary sign, installed for the 2014 G20 Leaders’ Summit, has now been replaced with a permanent installation, featuring large letters spelling out ‘Brisbane.’

Decorated with fun activities to enjoy in Brisbane, and illuminated at night, this eye-catching sign is popular among locals and visitors, and with the city skyline and Brisbane River in the background, acts as the perfect reminder of what Brisbane has to offer.

You can find the sign on the grassed area between QPAC and the Brisbane River, which is easily accessible via the many pathways that weave throughout South Bank Parklands. The South Brisbane Train station is a mere 500m away, or if you are coming from the city side, wander across the Victoria or Neville Bonner Bridges to reach the sign.

Insiders Tip: If your name starts with one of the letters in ’Brisbane’ get a close up of you and the letter, it makes for a cute pic.

The Big Tennis Racquet

Location: 315 Milton Road, Milton

When the Milton Tennis Centre was demolished back in 2002, Brisbane’s hairdressing entrepreneur Stefan didn’t want to see the giant tennis racquet disappear from Brisbane forever, so he rescued it. After many years just laying around, the huge 7-metre tennis racquet was finally restored (albeit with the strings removed) and returned to the site of its original home, which is now known as Frew Park.

You can find the racquet lying on its side just outside Frew Park/Roy Emerson Tennis Centre, on Milton Road.

Insiders Tip: An even bigger tennis racquet (13.8m) can be found in Barellan, NSW, which is modelled on Evonne Goolagong Cawley’s tennis racquet.

The Big Boot

Location: 166 Braun Street, Deagon

If you have been in Brisbane awhile you probably know the history of the big boot. This oversized piece of footwear first graced Gympie Road in Chermside on the site of Boots Camping Store in the 70’s. And while the businesses at this address changed over the years, the boot remained. Often signalling to drivers, where to turn (my mum always turned left just past the big boot to get to work).

When the parcel of land was set for redevelopment, a local businessman saved the boot from destruction and restored it, before placing it in its new home on Braun Street in Deagon, just north of Brisbane.

The Big Australia signs

Location: 280 Beerburrum Road, Caboolture

You might recall the Ken Done ‘Australia’ signs from Expo ’88. What you may not realise is these iconic signs were lovingly restored, and after a few different homes, now rest on the grounds of the Caboolture Historical Village.

The stacked Australia sign is housed within the village (which requires admission to view it), while the large horizontal sign, stands outside the Village, near the entrance. Both signs were unveiled in their new home in October 2018.

The Big Pie

Location: 48 Old Pacific Highway, Yatala

As you are cruising down the M1, between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, have you ever noticed the Big Pie in Yatala? Standing high on a pole between the very popular Yatala Pies and the Motorway you will find a humble meat pie. To get the best view you need to park in the Yatala Pies carpark and head to the grassed area beside the carpark.

Insiders Tip: Don’t leave without sampling at least one pie. They are delicious!

Big Dinosaurs

Location: Corner of Grey & Melbourne Streets, South Brisbane and 622 South Pine Road, Eatons Hill

Kids have long been fascinated with dinosaurs which is why we think these large creatures in Brisbane should get a special mention on our big things list.

You can find a large Muttaburrasaurus skeleton at the permanent Dinosaurs Unearthed exhibition at Queensland Museum Kurilpa, as well as a big T-Rex and triceratops in the Dinosaur Garden on Level 0.

On the northside of Brisbane, gracing the entrance of Eatons Hill Veterinary Surgery, you will spy Rex, the green T-Rex, who often dons a festive hat around Christmas time!

Big Bin Chickens

Ok, so these may not be on the official ‘Big Things’ list either but we reckon they deserve a mention because they are seriously cute, fun and are popping up all over Brisbane.

The brainchild of Brisbane-based Sethius Art (Ryan Forster), these custom-made bin chickens have developed a cult following over the years with some of our faves being found at City Hall (holding the key to the city), Roma Street Parklands (pushing a wheelbarrow) and atop the XXXX Brewery in Milton. There are many more around Brisbane, on businesses and at houses, so keep your eyes peeled.

If you want to learn more about the bin chicken trail visit https://www.sethius.art/binny 

Big Things Near Brisbane

While these big attractions are not in Brisbane, they are a short (1-2 hour) drive away. You may have even driven past them at some stage.

The Big Pineapple

Location: 76 Nambour Connection Road, Woombye

Perhaps one of Queensland’s most iconic and original BIG things, The Big Pineapple has stood the test of time since arriving in 1971. After a recent refurbishment, visitors can now snap the perfect selfie at the 16m tall, yellow fruit, and for a small fee, can even climb inside it and learn about its history and get great views of the surrounding area.

A small café is located beside the oversized pineapple, as is the ticket office for the awesome Wildlife HQ.

Insiders Tip:  Think about your props for some cool pics before visiting – a bag of pineapple lollies (for size comparison), a pineapple hat or sunnies, a fruit t-shirt or just super big smiles.

The Big Pelican

Location: 80 Gympie Terrace, Noosaville

Built in the late 70’s as a float for a parade, Noosa’s Big Pelican had to undergo many restorations to become the bird it is today. Affectionately known as Pelican Pete, the icon now rests permanently on Gympie Terrace, Noosaville, outside Pelican Boat Hire. 

Fun Fact: Did you know The Big Pelican made a cameo in the Bluey episode Piggyback?

The Big Avocado

Location: 29 Duranbah Road, Duranbah

Back in the early 80’s a big, 4m avocado appeared outside the aptly named Avocadoland in Duranbah. Fast-forward to present day and the business has now changed names and is known as Tropical Fruit World, but the Big Avocado still stands!

Insiders Tip: Take the time to visit all Tropical Fruit World has to offer – farm tours, animals, orchards, gardens and tractor rides, not to mention delicious fruit to sample.

Matilda the Kangaroo

Location: 1516 Bruce Highway, Coles Creek

What began as a large, winking marsupial at the 1982 Brisbane Commonwealth Games, has become a beloved icon beside the Bruce Highway just south of Gympie. 

Matilda the Kangaroo was the popular mascot of the ’82 Games, where she cheekily winked at the audience before her pouch opened and children came bounding out. The 13m kangaroo now stands permanently (eye and pouch not moving unfortunately) in the carpark of a Traveston Service Station. Next time you are driving past, take a break, fuel up and snap a pic of this uniquely Australian big thing.

The Big Mower

Location: 89 Beerwah Parade, Beerwah

It’s only fitting a business called The Big Mower has a BIG mower outside it! Well, the oversized mower actually came first (appearing back in the late 70’s) but can now be found outside the Beerwah business. It stands 11m tall, and 3.6m wide and is a sight to behold. 

Insiders Tip: The Big Mower is just a few minutes south of Australia Zoo, so make sure the kids are keeping an eye out if you are visiting the area.

Big Things Further Afield

Still wanting to tick more big things off your list? You can find these beauties a little further afield (2-4 hour) drive from Brisbane CBD.

• The Big Apple – Thulimbah
• The Big Thermometer – Stanthorpe
• The Big Pyramid – Ballandean
• The Big Prawn – Ballina
• The Big Banana – Coffs Harbour
• Big Ned Kelly – Maryborough
• The Big Whale – Hervey Bay (Pialba)
• The Big Whiting – Hervey Bay (Scarness)

Aaaaand, if you still want more, you can find these BIG things throughout Queensland, though be warned, you may need to drive for hours, days or even fly to see them!

• The Big Barrel – Bundaberg
• The Big Rum Bottle – Bundaberg
• The Big Crab – Miriam Vale
• The Big Meat Ant – Augathella
• The Big Watermelon – Gumlu
• The Big Melon – Chinchilla
• William the Wombat – Thallon
• The Big Bullock – Rockhampton
• The Big Easel – Emerald
• Buffy the Big Cane Toad – Sarina
• The Big Cassowary – Wongaling Beach
• The Big Mango – Bowen
• The Big Gumboot – Tully
• Krys the Croc – Normanton  

Brisbane Playgrounds with Big-ish Things

When you’re small even medium sized things look big, so while you are exploring Brisbane’s playgrounds with your kids, keep an eye out for some ‘big’ things. You might find a large green frog, a huge koala or perhaps even big peas in a pod!

Find some oversized playground fun at:

• Alexander Clark Park – koala
• Bray Farm Park – tomato, pumpkin, cockatoo
• CREEC – platypus, possum, frog
• Frew Park – tennis balls
• Kalinga Park – peas in pod
• Lobley Park – plane
• Roma Street Parklands – watermelons

There are plenty more to discover, these are just a few ideas to get you started!

Big Thing Photo Ideas

If you are visiting these big beauties it’s only fitting you snap a photo as proof of your accomplishment. To help elevate your big thing photography game, here are some fun, unique and downright silly suggestions:

• Do the same pose for each big thing you visit eg. hands in the air, thumbs up, handstand
• Take a mascot (like a small teddy) and snap a photo of it with various big things.
• Bring along a prop, which is a smaller version of the big thing you’re are visiting, such a pineapple lolly with the Big Pineapple, your own boot beside the big Boot etc
• Do an action shot in front of the big thing – leaps, jumps, handstands, the worm
• Snap pics of the same big thing from different angles and at different times of the day. You would be surprised what a different perspective can reveal!
• Pretend you are trying to touch, eat, kick, push or sit on the big thing. This will take a bit of patience from both the poser and photographer, but the pics will be worth it.

Don’t just keep these photos on your phone or camera. Why not turn them into a talking piece. Create an album, turn them into magnets, get a canvas made of your faves, plot them on a map or make a photo collage. 

This list is by no means exhaustive as new, quirky and unofficial big things pop up regularly. Use it as inspiration to begin your big things journey or perhaps discover new and interesting places around Brisbane and beyond.