Australian landmarks
Everyone has heard of Uluru, the Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge… but have you heard of the giant prawn in Ballina?
Maybe you have. It’s pretty bloody famous. Well, at least famous for the people who live in the vicinity. What you may not know is that Australia is home to lots of weird Australian landmarks just like this oversized crustacean.
There’s a big ant, big headphones and a big spider. There’s even a big root (but it’s not what you think). Check out a few other strange Australian monuments by reading on below.
1. The Big Root
People travel many kilometres for the big root… only to discover that it’s actually a seven-metre-wide, four-metre-tall eucalyptus tree root in Nowa Nowa, Victoria. Dirty minds aside, this natural oddity is quite a crowd pleaser.
It’s thought to be about 250 to 300 years old and its unique shape comes from the limestone shelf that it grew on. According to those in the know, its elaborate root system failed to penetrate the limestone many years back. It then took to growing across instead of straight down.
After being unearthed, it was polished and cleaned for 12 months. All of which was done with nothing more than a dentistry drill. It’s now located in its own purpose-built structure behind a local café in town.
2. The Big Headphones
Newcastle is a lively place. Known as the “Little city, big town”, it has a charming down to earth vibe. But did you know it’s also home to a 3-metre-tall pair of headphones?
Erected on Darby Street as part of an installation called The Headphone Project, these headphones double as a PA system and gig space for local performers. Simply plug into the system and you’ll be able to play for passersby in a flash.
The Headphone Project started as a way to add a point of difference to the popular Darby Street. Since then the headphones have become a major attraction. Authorised buskers use them, garage bands can hold impromptu (but supervised) gigs and people can even connect wirelessly to a playlist featuring local music.
3. The Big Funnel Web Spider
If spiders freak you out, then do yourself a favour and skip this paragraph. Why? Because the world’s biggest funnel web spider sculpture isn’t for the faint of heart.
Boasting an impressive 22 metre leg span (420 times larger than a real funnel web spider… thankfully), this structure is part of a waterslide attraction at the iconic Jamberoo Recreation Park. Customers can actually jump in an inflatable tube and hurtle towards the gigantic arachnid, before sliding down a tube into a pool of water.
In short, it’s totally fun if you don’t mind spiders and getting wet. For those with an aversion to eight-legged animals and soggy hair though, you might not be so thrilled by this weird Australian landmark.
4. The Big Ant
If there’s a big spider out there somewhere then it makes sense there should be a big ant, right? We’re not sure, but it doesn’t really matter – there’s a 5-metre-tall ant in Augathella, Queensland, whether we like it or not.
The ant was inspired by the local footy team who once wore a maroon jersey with blue and baby blue shorts. This colour combination is the same as a meat ant, which has a blue and brown body.
Origin story aside, local residents and visitors to the town seem to love the ant. And even though it’s yet to become as well-known as the big prawn or the big root, there will surely come a day when the big ant receives its five minutes of fame.
5. The Big Prawn
Weighing almost 40 tonnes and reaching about 10 metres tall, this unusual Australian landmark really lives up to its name as the “World’s Largest Artificial Prawn”.
Constructed in 1993 as a way to celebrate the local prawning industry, it’s since become one of the nation’s most endearing monuments. The big prawn was originally propped up on West Ballina’s transit centre, however, it now sits out the front of the local Bunnings Warehouse.
According to local residents, it was slated to be demolished back in 2009. But before the bulldozers could move in (presumably with tartar sauce and old newspapers), the community rallied around it and saved it from being eaten… ahem… destroyed.
In recent years, the big prawn earned itself a $400,000 makeover that included not just a fresh lick of paint and some much-needed repairs, but also a proper tail. With any luck, it’ll remain standing for many years to come.
Claim some BIG rewards at Uptown Pokies now!
Deposit $30+
Get 125% Match Bonus + 50 Spins on Top!
Redeem Coupon: LANDMARKS125
Promos info:
LANDMARKS125 bonus holds 25x roll over + 5x on spins winnings, available from the 13th of November until the 15th of December 2021, redeemable 2x. Free spins game: Secret Symbol
