Some Big Things became icons because of a film, and others were literally built for one. Charlie the Buffalo is the actual taxidermied star of Crocodile Dundee (1986). Arnold the Giant Murray Cod was built as a working prop for Eight Ball (1992) — a film about building a giant Murray Cod. The Skywhale has been the subject of multiple documentaries. The Big Ned Kelly stands on the actual site of the 1880 siege. Five icons where the line between Big Things and Australian screen history blurs.
Australian cinema has had a complicated relationship with Big Things — sometimes celebrating them as kitsch tourism icons, sometimes building working ones for the camera. The icons in this roundup all crossed that line in one direction or another.
A taxidermied film star, a fibreglass prop turned icon, and a hot-air balloon that's been the subject of multiple documentaries. The most cinematic Big Things in Australia.
The actual water buffalo from the famous "hypnotism" scene in Crocodile Dundee (1986). After a long retirement at the Adelaide River Inn, Charlie was taxidermied in 2001 and now stands at the bar of the 303. The genre's most direct film connection.
Read moreBuilt in Melbourne in 1991 as a working prop for the Australian film Eight Ball (1992) — a film whose plot was literally about building a giant Murray Cod tourist attraction. After filming, donated to Swan Hill. The Big Thing that was a film prop first.
Read morePatricia Piccinini's 34m hot-air balloon, designed for Canberra's 2013 centenary. Subject of multiple documentaries, art-house films, and her ongoing exhibition Skywhales: Every Heart Sings. The only Big Thing that's also exhibited at the National Gallery of Australia.
Read moreThe cinematic Big Things are scattered — Charlie in the Top End, Arnold on the Murray River, the Skywhale at the National Gallery, the Big Ned Kelly on the actual Glenrowan siege site.
Filter by connection type or browse the lot. Each card links to a full guide where one exists.
Cinematic icons cluster in two regions — the Top End (Crocodile Dundee country) and the Murray River / South-East Australia (Eight Ball, Ned Kelly).
3–4 days, moderate. Darwin → Humpty Doo (Big Boxing Crocodile) → Adelaide River Inn (Charlie the Buffalo) → Kakadu (Gunlom Falls — Mick Dundee's famous bathing scene). The film, restored to its actual locations.
3–4 days, easy. Melbourne → Glenrowan (Big Ned Kelly + 1880 siege site) → Murray River → Swan Hill (Arnold the Giant Murray Cod). Two of Australia's most-filmed historical events plus a working film prop turned icon.
1–2 days, very easy. National Gallery of Australia + Skywhale viewing (if scheduled) + Patricia Piccinini's other works in the NGA permanent collection. Australia's most-debated contemporary public art.
Top End cinematic trips work best in dry season (May–Sept). Murray River trips work year-round. The Skywhale flies only on scheduled NGA dates.
Darwin, Melbourne, Canberra — start at your cinematic region.
Trip Planner ↗The Adelaide River Inn is a Charlie-themed stay. Otherwise standard regional motels.
Trip Planner ↗Essential — all cinematic icons are 30 mins+ from major city centres.
Trip Planner ↗Every major Australian airport · ground transfer specialists.
Airport Shuttle Services ↗Our flagship tour doesn't go to the Top End (where Charlie lives) or Canberra (the Skywhale) — but it does visit several icons with film and screen heritage along the Pacific Highway. The most accessible way to taste the genre.
View the tour →