Tasmania does Big Things on a Tasmanian scale — fewer of them, generally smaller, but with serious charm and a fondness for puns. The Big Penguin in the actual town of Penguin is peak Tassie. Add a Big Tassie Devil, a few cherry sculptures, and Greg Duncan's The Wall in the Wilderness — Tassie's contribution to the genre is small but considered.
Tasmania's Big Things tradition didn't follow the boom-era mainland trajectory. Many are 21st-century additions, often the work of local artisans rather than tourism developers. The result is a Big Things scene that feels handmade rather than mass-produced.
The Tassie selection — a charming north-coast penguin, a Mole Creek devil, and a wilderness art installation that's a Big Thing by any reasonable definition.
3-metre fibreglass fairy penguin in the centre of the aptly-named town of Penguin, on Tasmania's north coast. Built in 1975 to mark the town's centenary — small but iconic, and one of the most photographed roadside attractions on the Bass Strait drive.
Read moreTribute to Tasmania's endangered marsupial icon, standing guard outside Trowunna Wildlife Park near Mole Creek. The Sanctuary itself runs the leading conservation breeding program for devils facing the deadly DFTD disease.
Read moreSculptor Greg Duncan's 100-metre Huon pine carving depicting the history of the Tasmanian highlands — a 20-year project, opened in stages, and the most ambitious "Big" thing in the state by any measure.
Read moreEvery Big Thing in this guide plotted on a single map. Most are scattered along the north coast (the Spirit of Tasmania arrival route) and the Midland Highway between Devonport and Hobart.
For an interactive version with all pins, see our full Big Things map.
Filter by region or browse the lot. Each card links to a full guide (where available) with visiting info, opening hours, photos, and what's nearby.
Tassie's small enough that all the Big Things can be packed into a single 10-day lap. Or carved into shorter regional drives — your call.
3 days, easy. Devonport arrival run east to Launceston via Penguin, the Big Penguin obviously, the Big Platypus at Latrobe, and Big Spud at Sassafras.
5–7 days, moderate. Hobart loop through the central highlands — The Wall at Derwent Bridge, the Big Trout at Liawenee, with stops at Cradle Mountain and Lake St Clair.
2–3 days, easy. Devonport to Hobart via the Midland Highway — Big Platypus, Big Tasmanian Devil at Mole Creek, finishing with the Big Cherries at Sorell on Hobart's outskirts.
Flights, ferries, accommodation, car hire — everything you need to plan a self-drive Tassie Big Things road trip.
Hobart, Launceston, Burnie + Spirit of Tasmania ferry.
Trip Planner ↗Sandstone cottages, wilderness lodges, Hobart hotels.
Trip Planner ↗From Hobart, Launceston, Devonport airports.
Trip Planner ↗All major Tasmanian airports & ferry terminals.
Airport Shuttle Services ↗Tasmania isn't on our flagship East Coast Big Things tour — but a 7-10 day Hobart-Devonport loop is one of our most popular bespoke itineraries, combining the Big Things with MONA, Bay of Fires, and Cradle Mountain.
Plan a custom trip →Tasmania is just one of eight states and territories. Each has its own character — and its own roadside icons.