Big Merino

Concrete sculpture in Goulburn, Australia

Big Merino Statue
Completion date1985; 39 years ago (1985)
SubjectMerino
Dimensions15.2 m (50 ft) tall
Weight97 tonnes (95 long tons; 107 short tons)
LocationGoulburn, New South Wales, Australia

The Big Merino is a 15.2 metres (50 ft) tall concrete merino ram, located in Goulburn, New South Wales, Australia. Nicknamed "Rambo" by locals, the Big Merino contains a gift shop on the ground floor and a wool display on the second floor. Visitors can climb to the top and look out through the Merino's eyes to view the local area.

The Big Merino was officially opened on 20 September 1985 at 98 Hume Street, Goulburn, approximately 800 metres north-east of its current location.

In 1992 the Hume Highway bypassed the town, which resulted in a loss of 40 busloads of tourists to the Big Merino complex per day.[1] On 26 May 2007, the Big Merino was moved to a location closer to the new Hume Highway to increase visitor numbers, and is now located near the freeway interchange at a service station. Today, a drive-through car wash occupies Rambo's original location.

  • The Big Merino
    The Big Merino
  • After the 2007 relocation
    After the 2007 relocation
  • Rambo's new home
    Rambo's new home
  • In April 2009.
    In April 2009.

See also

  • flagNew South Wales portal

References

  1. ^ "Bypassed Rambo looks for new pastures". ABC Rural. 3 October 2005. Archived from the original on 28 October 2016. Retrieved 12 June 2012.

External links

  • www.bigmerino.com.au

34°46′21″S 149°41′28″E / 34.7726°S 149.691°E / -34.7726; 149.691