Banana the Bullock is an exceptional Big Thing of Australia. Unlike most Big Things, it shares its name with its location. The gigantic sculpture of a bullock is found in Banana, a small town located in the Shire of Banana, Central Queensland.
The Story of Banana The Bullock
Understandably, you may be tempted to think that the town of Banana has something to do with banana farming in the region. But, on the contrary, the name originated from an iconic bullock whose replica was sculpted and erected in the town.
Banana The Bullock was famous for its dun-coloured coat and prowess in assisting local stockmen in herding wild cattle into their holding yards. He existed in the 1860s, a time when the locals were largely animal keepers.
When the famous bullock died, he was taken to a nearby gully, later called ‘Banana’s Gully.’ As the population around the gully grew, they adopted the name ‘Banana,’ later becoming the original site of the Banana Shire headquarters in 1862.
Cattle keeping is still a popular practice in Banana, thanks to the thriving beef industry in the region. In fact, the locals have developed a cattle ranching culture that includes stockmen and women competitions to showcase their cattle ranching skills.
Other Related Big Things
Away from the legendary Banana The Bullock, you can find other Big Thing sculptures that replicate a member of the cattle family. For example, the Big Cow, also known as Holy Cow, represents the history of dairy farming and Big Cow festivals in Queensland.
Here is a list of more Big Things representing different cattle species:
