30+ big things you must see for an epic Queensland road trip

Brisbane | Sunshine Coast | Fraser Coast | Whitsundays | North Qld | Outback | SE Qld

Wheel of Brisbane, South Bank

Take a spin 60 metres above the city in your glass gondola. It's Brisbane’s way of saying, “Look at me now.”

Queensland Museum, South Bank

Start with something prehistoric: a towering T-Rex and Triceratops waiting to greet you inside the museum. They don’t bite, promise.

Our tip: stick around to check out the exhibits and let the kids get hands-on in the SparkLab.

Big Pineapple, Woombye

This absolute Queensland icon stands 16 metres tall, but offers so much more than the ultimate selfie. Mid-glow-up, the Big Pineapple is home to its own wildlife park, high ropes course and zipline thrills, plus one of Queensland's best craft distilleries, Sunshine & Sons. 

Conquer these activities while you're here.

Banana Bender Pub, Aussie World

Not exactly a “big thing”, but it’s got the chaotic energy of one. Expect psychedelic walls, over-the-top decor, and plenty of photo ops.

Big Pelican, Noosaville

Say g'day to Pelican Pete as you stroll the riverfront in Noosaville. Fish and chips from Noosa Boathouse is a must while you're here, but keep a close eye on your feed - Pete's the only pelican who won't try to steal a bite.

Matilda the Kangaroo, near Gympie

This one once winked at the world during the 1982 Commonwealth Games. Now she greets drivers with a gentle flutter on the Bruce.

Big Whale, Hervey Bay

You'll need a wide-angle to snap all 22-tonnes of whale-breaching fun next to the Fraser Coast Discovery Sphere. This whale fix is year-round (for actual humpback selfies visit Hervey Bay between June–October).

While you're here: Head out on a Tasman Venture whale watching cruise and you'll spot the real big things of the ocean. 

Big Ned Kelly, Maryborough

A bushranger in banana country? Turns out a local played a key role in identifying Kelly’s remains — so the town gave him a giant fibreglass tribute.

Big Barrel & Big Bottle, Bundaberg

Home to legendary drinks, Bundy celebrates in style — with huge nods to its rum and ginger beer heritage.

Must-do: Blend your own rum at the famous distillery. 

Big Orange (Gayndah) & Big Mandarin (Mundubbera)

Two citrusy giants waiting in the middle of orchard country. You’ll smell the zest before you see them.

Big Bulls, Rockhampton

Some things just make sense. Like Big Bulls in Queensland's Beef Capital. There are six life-sized bulls scattered around town - see if you can spot them all. 

Big Easel, Emerald

Van Gogh goes big with a towering sunflower painting that dominates the skyline. Want more? Visit in bloom season for real-life wildflowers across the plains. 

Big Mango, Bowen

One of the country’s most iconic fruits, and the star of many roadside snack breaks. Make a delicious pitstop along the Bruce Highway for the 10-metre tall Big Mango. Bonus: mango sorbet next door at the visitors centre. 

Big Cane Toad, Sarina

This one’s less cute, more controversial. A tribute to Queensland’s most unwanted pest — and still a must-snap.

Big Dugong, Mackay Harbour (NEW)

A gentle marine nod to local sea life. Blink and you’ll miss it, but don't.

Big Gumboot, Tully

Built to celebrate being the wettest town in Oz. This giant golden gumboot's got a staircase inside, so you can climb to the top for the perfect pic.

Our tip: This landmark is the meeting point for one of North Queensland's wildest adventures, white water rafting down the raging Tully River.

Big Brolga, south of Townsville

Strike a dancer’s pose with this long-legged local.

Big Cassowary, Mission Beach

Real cassowaries are majestic, but as an endangered species they can also be a little tricky to spot in the wild. This one’s a sure bet to photograph - just head to Cassowary Shopping Village in Wongaling Beach. 

Our tip: Etty Bay is one of your best chances to see a real cassowary. 

Big Peanut, Tolga

A peculiar roadside treat, immortalised in fibreglass form.

Big Croc Head & Big Barra, Daintree

Snap a scary croc snarl (fake, thankfully), then head upriver for a selfie with a super-sized barramundi.

Big Mower, Gordonvale (NEW)

Big. Green. Iconic. A tribute to suburban lawns everywhere, which you'll pass if driving between Babinda Boulders and Cairns. 

Big Barramundi & Big Croc, Normanton

Two heavyweights of the outback, towering over tiny Normanton. Tackle the iconic Savannah Way road trip to capture this shot. 

Flossie the Big Barra, Karumba

The fishing town’s pride and joy — don’t miss her glittering scales at Les Wilson Barramundi Discovery Centre.

Big Kronosaurus, Richmond

Jurassic vibes with serious teeth. The Big Kronosaurus roars outside Australia's dedicated marine fossil museum - a highlight of the Dinosaur Trail. 

Australian Age of Dinosaurs, Winton

Walk among prehistoric giants sitting atop an epic mesa. The museum is as huge as its ancient residents, home to the world's largest collection of Australian dinosaur fossils.

Must-do: Spend a few days in Winton to join a dino dig or get an insider's peek into life in the fossil labs.  

Big Sheep, Blackall

Pay your respects to wool legend Jack Howe with this oversized ovine. The blade shearer put Blackall on the map in 1892 at ‘Alice Downs’ when he set a world record by shearing 321 sheep in seven hours and 40 minutes - a record that took 58 years to beat. 

Big Meat Ant, Augathella

Because why wouldn’t you build a giant angry ant?

Big Boomerangs, Thallon

Lunch with a photo opp? Perched outside famous Nindigully Hotel are perhaps the biggest boomerangs you might ever see. It marks the film location of an Aussie classic, Paperback Hero. 

Want more quirky outback pics? This region is home to some of the best silo art. 

Big Watermelon, Chinchilla

Voted “next big thing” and now proudly perched along the Warrego Highway in the melon capital of Australia.

Our tip: For more laughs (and photo ops) time your road trip for Chinchilla Melon Festival.

Big Apple, Stanthorpe

A towering Royal Gala might be the first clue: you're in apple country. This region is home to over a million apple trees, and after mastering the 'take a bite' photo your next stop should be Sutton's for a glorious slice of homemade apple pie. 

Hungry? Stick around for epic restaurants and Granite Belt cellar doors.

Big Pie, Yatala

The flaky, golden icon of Queensland’s best-known pie stop. Yes, you can eat the real ones.

Big Pumpkin, Beaudesert (NEW)

Harder to spot but worth the hunt, the Big Pumpkin has found its new home in the Scenic Rim Farmers Market. Leaving without a basket full of local produce? Impossible.