The Story of The Big Sphinx
The Big Sphinx is located at the Sphinx Hotel in North Geelong, Victoria. The Sphinx Hotel offers ‘a taste of Egypt in the heart of Geelong.’ The gigantic Sphinx measures 15 metres high.
Formerly known as The Gold View Hotel-Motel, the Big Sphinx is a popular joint locally, nationally and internationally. It is owned and managed by The Ramia family, offering a premier venue for Egyptian-inspired food and entertainment.
What’s a Sphinx?
A sphinx is a mythical creature consisting of a human head, the body of a lion and the wings of a falcon. Sphinxes are popularly found in Egypt, the largest being the Great Sphinx of Giza.
However, unlike the Big Sphinx in North Geelong, The Great Sphinx of Giza is much bigger and older. It measures approximately 20 metres high and 73 metres long.
According to reports, the Giza Sphinx is approximately 4,500 years old. For this reason, it’s one of the most celebrated and recognized symbols of ancient Egypt.
In ancient Egypt, Sphinxes were regarded as spiritual guardians. Like the Great Sphinx of Giza, male sphinxes had the head of a pharaoh while female versions depicted Hatshepsut, the famous queen of Egypt.
Other Iconic Big Things of Australia in Victoria
Victoria is home to several other iconic and historical Big Things of Australia worth seeing. Here are some great examples.
- Big Lizzie in Red Cliffs: A gigantic tractor built in 1915.
- The Big Cigar in Churchill: A giant replica of Sir Winston Churchill’s famous cigar.
- The Big Pheasant in Tynong: A 25-metre long pheasant located outside Gumbuya Park.
- The Big Lizard in Marysville: Located at a playground in Gallipoli Park.
