Built by Claus Wirries in the 1970s, The Big Winch in Coober Pedy, South Australia, celebrates the town’s opal mining industry.
The Big Winch Measurements
Measuring 8 metres high and 5 metres wide, the iconic winch sculpture stands proudly as the symbol of the town. Since its launch, this oversized winch has been a popular attraction and meeting point for locals and visitors.
The location of the giant winch offers spectacular, 360-degree views of the town, especially during sunrise and sunset. And the best part of it is that you won’t have to pay anything to enjoy the breathtaking views – it is completely free. There’s also a small opal store and a souvenir shop inside where you can learn a thing or two about the history of opal mining in the town.
Other Related Big Things of Australia
The Big Winch in Coober Pedy shares some similarities with The Big Bench in Broken Hill, New South Wales. Although the two Big Things of Australia are not related, they are both iconic in their own ways.
The Big Bench in Broken Hill also celebrates the town’s mining history. Like The Big Winch, the gigantic bench in Broken Hill also sits atop a hill, providing spectacular views of the town. The oversized bench was launched in 2002 and has since become a popular photo-op spot for locals and visitors.
The Big Winch and The Big Bench are not the only Big Things of Australia built to celebrate mining activities. Other popular mining-inspired sculptures include:
- The Big Miner in Warrenheip, Victoria
- The Big Miner’s Lamp in Bowenfels, New South Wales
- The Big Miner in Rubyvale, Queensland
- The Big Gold Nugget in Douglas-Daly, Northern Territory
