Australia has amassed over 150 oversized roadside sculptures since the movement took off in the 1960s and 70s, and ten of the most iconic still pull travellers off the highway for a photo. This guide covers the classics, where to find them, and how to string several together into one memorable road trip.

The eastern seaboard holds the richest concentration of Big Things, so book flights into Sydney as a natural starting point.

Built in 1964, this 13-metre-long banana holds the title of Australia's oldest Big Thing, anchoring the World of Bananas complex complete with toboggan rides, mini golf, and a water park. Banana-themed merchandise fills the gift shop for anyone wanting proof of the visit. It's the essential first stop for any Big Things road trip, given both its age and its status as the movement's genuine starting point.

Standing 16 metres tall since 1971, this pineapple's climbable interior leads visitors up ramps and platforms to genuine views over the Sunshine Coast from the top level. Listed on the Queensland Heritage Register, it sits amid markets, an event space, and a food precinct that make it worth more than a quick photo stop.

Known locally as Rambo, this 15.2-metre ram has stood on the Hume Highway since 1985, roughly midway between Sydney and Canberra. Inside, a wool exhibition and gift shop lead up to a viewing platform positioned at the ram's eye level. Its location makes it a natural rest stop for anyone driving the Sydney-Canberra route regardless of whether Big Things are the trip's main draw.

Nicknamed Larry, this 17-metre fibreglass-and-steel lobster has marked the gateway to the region's Southern Rock Lobster fishing industry since 1979. An on-site restaurant serves noticeably fresh seafood, letting visitors follow up the photo with a meal that actually matches the sculpture's theme.

A hotel booked along your planned route saves considerable backtracking between these scattered stops.

Standing roughly 9 metres tall near the Pacific Highway, this prawn came close to demolition in 2009 before a public campaign saved it, cementing its status as one of Australia's most genuinely beloved Big Things. It celebrates the region's real commercial fishing heritage rather than existing purely as a novelty stop.

Bowen holds the title of Australia's mango capital, and this 10-metre sculpture near the Bruce Highway marks that claim, with peak fruit season running October through February. Timing a visit during those months lets travellers pair the photo stop with considerably fresh local mangoes sold nearby.

This 14-metre koala has sat on the Western Highway since 1989, its tree-trunk base and contented expression making it one of the more photogenic entries on this list. A souvenir shop sits on site, and wild koalas occasionally turn up in the surrounding bushland for travellers lucky enough to spot one.

Standing 12 metres tall since 1988 at the New England Highway entrance to Tamworth, this guitar anchors the Golden Guitar Tourist Centre's wax museum and music memorabilia collection. Tamworth's Country Music Festival each January, Australia's largest, makes this an especially good time to combine the sculpture with a genuine live music trip.

A Sydney Opera House guided tour, bookable through Traveloka's activities listings, rounds out your road trip's starting point before heading north.

This Pekin duck sculpture sits south of Darwin near Litchfield National Park, with an adjacent working barramundi farm offering hand-feeding for visitors. Its proximity to Litchfield makes it an easy add-on for travellers already planning a trip through the region's waterfalls and swimming holes.

Set along the Warrego Highway in outback Queensland, this sculpture pairs with an information centre offering an interpretive display on spider species found across the region. It also serves as a gateway to Channel Country and the distinctly spectacular Carnarvon Gorge, worth the detour for travellers with a few extra days.

The Big Banana, Big Prawn, Big Pineapple, and Big Mango all sit within a manageable driving distance of each other along the eastern seaboard, forming the backbone of most Big Things itineraries.

The Big Merino, Big Golden Guitar, and Big Redback Spider all pull travellers further inland, a worthwhile detour for anyone with extra days rather than a strict coastal itinerary.

Queensland and the Northern Territory suit a May-October dry-season visit best, while NSW and Victoria work well year-round with spring and autumn offering the mildest driving conditions.

School holidays and major regional events fill up accommodation near these stops fast, so booking ahead matters more than it might for a typical city trip.

A car rental is essential for a Big Things road trip given how spread out these stops sit, and an airport transfer gets you from Sydney Airport into the city smoothly before you pick up your car.

Ten stops spread across five states and territories takes real route planning to string together into one trip. Traveloka is Southeast Asia's leading travel platform, trusted by over 100 million users, bringing flights, hotels, activities, car rental, eSIM, and travel insurance together in one app for trips across Asia and beyond. Check Traveloka promotions before booking, and download the app before your road trip.