Passion Explorer
Big Things & Roadside Attractions
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9 destinations
Thailand★ 4
Giant Buddhas
Thailand has many giant Buddha statues and religious monuments including the Big Buddha in Phuket. Infrastructure rates 6/10 with daily costs around ฿1,500-4,000. These sites offer spiritual and cultural insights and combine well with beach visits and temple circuits.
View details →Canada★ 3
Coast to Coast Colossi
Canada has giant roadside objects in every province, often celebrating local culture. Famous giants include World's Largest Nickel (Sudbury), Giant Goose (Wawa), and Big Apple (Ontario). These are linked by the Trans-Canada Highway and include categories like wildlife, food, cultural symbols, and industry. Infrastructure rates 7/10 with provincial tourism support. Most attractions are free with visitor centers attached; many are functional and can be entered or climbed. Attractions are designed for family photo opportunities and combine well with visits to national parks, lakes, and mountains.
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Mexico★ 4
Monumental Art
Mexico showcases massive murals and sculptures expressing regional pride. Infrastructure scores 6/10 with daily costs in the range of MXN 1,000-2,500. The art and monuments often celebrate history and culture and combine well with local festivals and markets.
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South Africa★ 4
Big Five Sculptures
South Africa features animal sculptures along popular routes including the Nelson Mandela statue in Howick. Infrastructure scores 6/10 with daily costs around R500-1,200. The Big Five theme highlights local wildlife and cultural pride in public art along roadsides.
View details →Australia★ 3
Big Things Capital of the World
Australia boasts over 150 "Big Things," making it the Big Things Capital of the World. It features a national obsession with these oversized icons, mapped routes, and a massive circumnavigation called The Big Lap (15,000 km). Famous icons include the Big Banana (Coffs Harbour), Big Pineapple (Queensland), and Big Merino (New South Wales). The categories include food (40+), animals (30+), people (20+), and objects (60+). Infrastructure is rated 8/10 with official maps, apps, and merchandise. Most attractions are free with some charging AUD 5-20. Key features include Big Things passport stamps and annual additions, with a popular Instagram hashtag #BigThingsOfAustralia. This is commonly combined with beach towns and outback experiences.
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Multiple Countries★ 4
Regional Attractions
This category includes diverse giant roadside attractions such as troll sculptures in Norway, Dala horses in Sweden, Santa Claus monuments in Finland, giant Jesus in Poland, giant objects in Turkey, world's largest frames in the UAE, giant sculptures in South Korea, giant shoes in the Philippines, giant durians in Malaysia, the Merlion in Singapore, giant hands bridge in Vietnam, reclining Buddhas in Myanmar, giant bulls in Spain, colossus plans in Italy, and ancient colossus history in Greece.
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Argentina★ 4
Roadside Gaucho Culture
Argentina celebrates gaucho culture through roadside attractions including mate cups and gaucho statues along Route 40. Infrastructure is modest (5/10) with daily costs $60-150. These combine well with rural and ranch visits.
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New Zealand★ 3
Quirky Kiwi Icons
New Zealand has a disproportionate number of Big Things per capita, reflecting Kiwiana culture. Famous items include the Giant L&P Bottle (Paeroa), Big Carrot (Ohakune), and Giant Gumboot (Taihape). These roadside attractions are distributed across both islands with a rural focus and celebrate agricultural and cultural pride. Infrastructure is moderate (6/10); most locations are free and self-guided, often located at town entrances. Many have associated festivals and combine well with Lord of the Rings sites and adventure sports.
View details →France★ 3
Quirky Provincial
France features quirky provincial roadside attractions symbolizing regional pride such as giant furniture and food items. Infrastructure rates 7/10 with daily costs €70-180. These sites combine well with wine tours and local gastronomy.
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