Joanna James
Renowned as one of the most popular holiday hubs Down Under, Melbourne is home to quite a few larger than life attractions. Here are some of the biggest and boldest highlights in Victoria's capital.
Having been a fixture in Melbourne's Rutherglen since the beginning of the 1900s, the Big Wine Bottle was no mere tourist attraction when it was first built. Having served as the main source of water collection for the town, the water from Murray River was pumped into the 36m tall bottle which is visible for miles around.
As one of the more recent additions to Melbourne's big and bold highlights, the Big Mallee Bull in Birchip was the brainchild of Birchip Shire Council president, John Richmond. Constructed in 1990, the sculpture draws a lot of attention due to the many hilarious photo opportunities it provides. Built by the Students of the VCA, the Big Mallee Bull is an unmissable landmark for those driving over the West Gate Bridge.
Located in a putt-putt park, Ballarat's Big Miner was designed by none other than Wayne Johnston back. Famed for building the Gold Rush Gold back in 2004, the designer endured an uphill battle with locals over the construction before it was approved by the city council. The legal turmoil also made the news but the community drama was well worth the effort according to Wayne Johnston.
Occupying pride of place in Churchill, the Big Cigar was commissioned to be built back in 1965 when the town was first established. The local Housing Commission wanted a symbolic structure to cement this moment in the town's history so the 39m high copper, steel and aluminium cigar was constructed. It is known as "The Cigar" because the shape closely resembles the stogies Winston Churchill once smoked. As the town is named after the iconic statesman, the symbolism was more than apt.
Situated in Gumbuya Park, a once-thriving pheasant farm, The Big Pheasant is one of the oldest and most dilapidated landmarks in Melbourne. Having been a fixture in the town of Tynong for several years, a local man was charged for destroying the rear of the gold-coloured sentinel with explosives.
As a prop which was donated after production ended, the Giant Murray Cod stands as a reminder of the 1992 telefilm Eight Ball which was about an artist who creates a cod shaped sculpture to become the town's main tourist attraction.
A whopping 14.9m in height, the Giant Koala was crafted in 1989 by a Dutch artist. Featured on the cover of National Geographic, the koala also earned a cameo on the film Charlie and Boots.
Located in Fish Creek the Stunned Mullet was declared open to the public in 1989. Visitors based at Citadines on Bourke Melbourne or any similar Melbourne apartments in Bourke will be within easy driving distance of this big attraction.
As a landmark in Glenrowan, the Big Ned Kelly stands guard over Kate's Cottage, a museum and gift shop dedicated to the Kelly gang.
Situated in Laverton North, The Big Abalone was unveiled back in 2001 and declared the Melbourne's home state as the 'abalone capital of the world'.
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