The Big Prawn, Ballina

The Big Prawn

One of the most famous of Australia's “Big Things”, a giant prawn sculpture weighing 9 tonnes, and a must-stop for road-trip photos.

The Big Prawn was built in 1989 and measures about 9 metres long. It is the best-known example of Australia's roadside “Big Things” culture. In 2009 it faced demolition, but after public appeals it was restored and given a tail. It now stands in the car park in front of a Bunnings hardware store. Admission is free, and a photo stop takes about 10 minutes. You can easily combine it with fish and chips at the Ballina river mouth or a stroll along the seaside boardwalk. The prawn is about 35 km from Byron Bay, close to Ballina Byron Gateway Airport.

Opening hours

Open all day

Must-see spots · Car culture · Sculpture

Nearby sights

Lennox Head
Killen Falls
Lake Ainsworth
Broken Head Nature Reserve
Bangalow
Tallow Beach & Arakwal National Park
Byron Bay Town Centre
Main Beach, Byron Bay

Places to eat nearby

The Roadhouse Coffee & Pizza
Three Blue Ducks at The Farm
Chihuahua Taqueria
Beach Byron Bay
Raes Dining Room