The Big Pineapple

New York may be called “The Big Apple” but Nambour, Queensland is home to “The Big Pineapple.” At 16 meters tall, this giant structure is the largest pineapple-shaped building in the world. Built in 1971, The Big Pineapple stands in front of a massive pineapple plantation. It attracts tourists to the plantation where visitors can enjoy rides and look at animals and botanical displays. Inside the building is a guide to the delicious tropical fruit which will entertain your kids and dazzle them with pineapple fact and information.

Big Bull

Wauchope in New South Wales is home to the Big Bull, a massive structure that stands in commemoration of all things dairy-related. The building was home to a milking display, a nursery for animals, and a place for kids to watch a day in the life of cows. It has been an education destination for years, but the building — located just a few kilometers outside of the town — has officially closed.

The Australian Farmer

This eight-meters-tall statue was unveiled in 2008 after 17 years of developing, designing and carving it out of solid granite.

Located in Wudinna, South Australia, this statue is a commemoration of the farmers that lived in the region long ago. It took 70 tonnes of local granite to make the Australian Farmer, but it was worth it to produce the monument.

Charlie Quartpot Statue or Anmatjere Man

Located just behind the Aileron Roadhouse, this 17-meter-high statue has been dominating the landscape of the Northern Territory since 2005.

The town, where the Anmatjere people have lived for centuries, is just 130 kilometers to the north of Alice Springs. The people have named the statue Charlie Quartpot, in honour of a rainmaker that called the area home long ago.

The Big Thing

In Western Australia, Denmark is home to The Big Thing — a massive barometer that stands nearly 4 meters high. It officially holds the Guinness Book of World Records title of “The Largest Barometer in the World”. It was actually built in the Netherlands, but was donated to the Western Australian town in 2007. The barometer is engraved with the name of its original owner, Bert Bolle. Even more impressive than the size is that the barometer actually works!

The Big Easel

Imagine painting on a canvas seven meters wide and 10 meters tall — that would take a lot of paint! The Big Easel was erected in November of 1999 as part of the Van Gogh Project, which is a series of Van Gogh paintings done on enormous canvases and on even bigger easels. Seven sites were chosen to display these huge pieces of art including Emerald Australia. The canvas depicts some of Van Gogh’s very famous sunflowers and rests on an easel 25 meters high.

The Big Orange

Australians like their fruit, but who knew they liked them this much? The massive orange stands 15 meters tall, 12 meters wide and weighs upwards of 85 tonnes. The building is divided into four floors: the first floor is an event room, the second floor a café and gift shop, the third floor is covered by a mural of the surrounding area, and the fourth floor serves as a lookout point. This massive building is absolutely fascinating, and your kids will love it!

Big Golden Guitar

The 12 meter-tall guitar is located in Tamworth, New South Wales, and it stands at the entrance to the Country Music Gallery of Stars Wax Museum. It weighs over 1.5 metric tonnes, and it has been around since 1988. Smaller replicas of the massive statue are handed out as awards at the Country Music Awards every January!

Many people searching for comfortable accommodations in Australia will look for rooms with a view of these massive structures, or will at least make it a point to visit them at one point or another.

The post Think Big: Australia’s Unique Sculpture Landmarks appeared first on Vi Travel Tips.

A photo that…takes my breath away

I was siting on the cliffs where Nullarbor Plain meets Great Australian Bight with whales swimming under my feet and was watching to endless horizon of the Great Australian Bight in South Australia. The view which takes your breath away.

A photo that…makes me laugh or smile

What a polite squirrel I met in the market

A photo that…makes me dream

Who wouldn’t want to spent time on pure white sand beach with crystal water? Champagne beach is called best beach in Vanuatu and is one of best beaches in the South Pacific and I can’t argue with that.

A photo that…makes me think

Everybody heard about global warming, but not so many people saw what is happening. Glaciers are one of best examples to see effects of climate change. I saw it in Southern Alps in New Zealand, in Rocky Mountains in Canada and US. This is current photo of Mikkajekna glacier in Sarek National Park in Sweden. The mark on the rock shows where tip of glacier was 22 years ago. Will be any glacier here in 50 years?

A photo that…makes my mouth water

Have you ever tried to taste Beaver tail? You should try one in Canada. BeaverTails is chain of pastry stands which sells pastry shaped like beaver’s tail. It was one of my favorite desserts in Canada. I would love to have one now

A photo that…tells a story

There is a statue in Sydney near State Library of New South Wales. It was erected in honor of Matthew Flinders who was first to sail around Australia. Can you tell what is so special about this statue?

Need a hint? Check behind the statue. Can you see another small statue in the lower left corner? It is Trim. The cat. The statue was erected by Trim’s admirers and I just want to quote Matthew Flinders:

“The best and most illustrious of his race the most affectionate of friends, faithful of servants and best of creatures. He made the tour of the globe and a voyage to Australia, which he circumnavigated, and was ever the delight and pleasure of his fellow voyagers”

A photo that…I am most proud of (aka my worthy of National Geographic shot)

This is hard one, because I have tons of aka worthy of National Geographic shots But because I can show only one, so it will be this one. It was taken during my volunteering in game reserve in South Africa. It wasn’t most friendly lion, but I loved to make shots of it.

Uff, I done it!

Now I would like to nominate 5 other bloggers I love to read and I could see they have lots of pictures to show

Lis @ listraveltips.com/travel-blog
Sophie @ www.sophiesworld.net
Marlys and Michael  @ easyhiker.co.uk
Lili @ muza-chan.net
Jade @ vagabond3.com

The rules of 7 Super Shots are here. I will be waiting to see your shorts.

The post My 7 travel shots appeared first on Vi Travel Tips.

There are to many pictures in the archive and probably it is time to share it at least on day per week.
This photo was taken near Eucla on Eyre highway at the border between South and Western Australia. It is one of most beautiful white dunes in Australia and it is only very short drive from Eyre highway.

The post Weekly Travel Photo. White dunes appeared first on Vi Travel Tips.

Here is list of official websites where it is possible to check roads current status:

• ACT road conditions
• New South Wales road reports
• Road Conditions in the Northern Territory
• South Australia Road Reports and Traffic Restrictions
• Road and traffic information in Queensland
• Victoria road conditions
• Western Australia Roadworks & Road Closures

Have a safe trip!

The post Australian road conditions appeared first on Vi Travel Tips.