The town of Carnamah in Western Australia has unveiled the newest Big Thing – which also happens to be the largest tractor sculpture in the world.
Australia’s Big Things are the quirky pieces of novelty architecture that originally started popping up in the 60s. But they have gone on to become a beloved fixture of an Aussie road trip. Now, the West Australian town of Carnamah, 300 kilometres north of Perth, has added a brand new addition to the Big Things catalogue – The Big Tractor.
Carnamah’s Big Tractor is Australia’s newest Big Thing. (Image: Jenny McDonald)
The monument is a scaled replica of the Chamberlain 40k tractor, a nod to the agrarian history and identity of WA’s Wheatbelt. Standing at 11.5 metres tall and 16 metres long, the steel monument lays claim to being the biggest tractor sculpture in the world.
A real Chamberlain 40k tractor parked next to the large-scale replica (Image: Jenny McDonald)
Building The Big Tractor was no easy feat, though – it took 17 months, and 60 people to complete the large-scale replica, costing a cool $750,000. With a population of just 400, the township of Carnamah hopes the Big Tractor will draw attention to the area and put them on the map.
The Big Tractor, which took over a year to construct, is the largest tractor sculpture in the world. (Image: North Midlands Project)
Elizabeth Whitehead is a writer obsessed with all things culture; doesn't matter if it's pop culture or cultures of the world. She graduated with a degree in History from the University of Sydney (after dropping out from Maths). Her bylines span AFAR, Lonely Planet, ELLE, Harper's BAZAAR and Refinery 29. Her work for Australian Traveller was shortlisted for single article of the year at the Mumbrella Publishing Awards 2024. She is very lucky in thrifting, very unlucky in UNO.
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Australia’s extraordinary landscapes make this vast continent like no other place on Earth, offering an unforgettable feast for the senses as you traverse deserts, cruise on vast inland lakes and dine under star-studded skies. What makes this land special is the people you’ll meet along the way, and the chance to forge a deep connection with the country and its people. The new AAT Kings small-group tours focus on the incredible experiences available in remote places that might otherwise seem daunting.
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Fly over beautiful Flinders Island as part of a tour of Tasmania. (Image: Luke Tscharke)
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Fly over the Anna Creek Painted Hills. (Image: Emile Ristevski)
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See the iconic Bungle Bungle Ranges from the air. (Image: Tourism WA)
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Expand your knowledge at Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience. (Image: Tourism NT/ ArchieSartracom)
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