The Story of The Big Oyster
The Big Oyster in Ceduna sits next to a visitor information centre off Eyre Highway, north of Ceduna, South Australia. This oyster sculpture originally served as a float for a local festival, the annual Oysterfest. The massive sculpture was built by Leon Veerhuis.
Ceduna is a popular fishing port and railway hub in South Australia. Located along the shores of Murat Bay on the western coast of Eyre Peninsula, the town has a population of around 3,408 people, per the 2016 census.
At the end of 2022 The Big Oyster was removed for repairs and is still yet to be returned to its rightful place.
The Big Oyster in Ceduna is not the only Big Thing of its kind in Australia. In Taree, New South Wales, another gigantic oyster structure sits atop a car dealership. The spectacular structure was built by two brothers, Attila and Louis Mokany, the brains behind The Big Merino in Goulburn and The Big Prawn in Ballina.
Popular Big Things in South Australia
South Australia is home to some of the most popular Big Things. Here are some good examples:
The Australian Farmer in Wudinna is an 8-metre-long statue representing the early settlers of Wudinna. Artist Marijan Bekic carved the 70-tonne granite sculpture with the help of his son David. It took approximately 187 years to develop the sculpture, from the initial proposal to the final launch.
If you’re a fan of seafood, you’ll also love The Big Lobster nicknamed ‘Larry’. Located in Rosetown, South Australia, this 17-metre lobster statue was yet another brilliant work of Paul Kelly, the artist behind the Big Scotsman, one of the oldest Big Things of Australia.
Other popular Big Things in South Australia include:
- The Big Santa in Adelaide
- The Big Windmill in Penong
- The Big Ram in Karoonda
- The Big Rocking Horse in Gumeracha
- The Big Pelican in Loxton
- The Big Orange in Berri
