Australians still can’t seem to resist the charm of the country’s iconic ‘Big Things’, with nine in 10 embracing these oversized landmarks as a cherished part of the great Aussie road trip. For 72 per cent of Aussies, visiting one is more than just a detour – it’s a rite of passage.
Following overwhelming demand for the first collection, Australia Post has released its latest $1 coin collection in partnership with the Royal Australian Mint, celebrating Australia’s iconic roadside attractions. The ‘Aussie Big Things 2’ collection features 10 of Australia’s favourite Big Things, including Tamworth very own, Big Golden Guitar.
Big Things – a detour worth taking
According to Australia Post research, almost two-thirds of Australians say they’re happy to go out of their way to visit a Big Thing, believing they make a road trip feel uniquely Australian.
When it comes to the most iconic Aussie road trips, New South Wales comes out on top as offering the best drives, followed by Queensland and Victoria. It’s no surprise for this year’s Big Things Coins, the Big Merino in New South Wales emerged as the favourite and most visited Big Thing.
No matter what state, Aussies are hitting the road over the airport runway with 1 in 3 Australians preferring road trips to overseas travel, and more than half packing up the car for two or more road trips a year.
It’s clear Aussies love a Big Thing adventure – over half have already taken a road trip to see one. 46 per cent say they’re planning a dedicated Big Things road trip in the near future.
Australia Post General Manager, Retail Product and Supply Chain, Kayla Le Cornu said Australia’s Big Things are more than just landmarks.
“Our Big Things capture the most quirky and wonderful aspects of Australian culture. Almost every Australian has a fond memory of visiting one, snapping a family photo, and visiting the local community.” Ms Le Cornu said.
“These larger-than-life icons are clearly a nostalgic and beloved part of Aussie tradition and we’re extremely proud to bring them to life in this coin collection in partnership with the Royal Australian Mint,”
Royal Australian Mint Acting Chief Executive Officer, Emily Martin said the Royal Australian Mint was delighted to partner with Australia Post to celebrate these much-loved icons of Australian life.
“No family holiday is complete without a stop at an Aussie Big Thing. As a child, my family often made the long road trip from Canberra to Kentucky (near Armidale) to visit family. We always stopped at the Big Merino and the Big Golden Guitar on the way through Goulburn and Tamworth”, Ms Martin said.
To mark the launch, Australia Post is giving collectors a chance to win big with a $20,000 grand cash prize up for grabs. To be in the running, customers simply need to purchase the coin tube and folder set, scan the QR code and register online.
Fans and collectors can head into participating Post Offices or online from today (24 September) to buy individual coins for $4 each and the full coin and folder set for $34. One in every 10 coin set features an exclusive, coloured Big Strawberry coin, while two special edition coins can be found in till change when making a cash purchase in participating Post Offices.
For more information on the Aussie Big Things 2 collectables visit: auspostcollectables.com.au/abt2
ENDS
The full Australia Post Aussie ‘Big Things’ coin collection includes:
- The Big Mango (Bowen, QLD)
- The Big Golden Guitar (Tamworth, NSW)
- The Big Merino (Goulburn, NSW)
- The Big Strawberry (Koonoomoo, VIC)
- The Big Galah (Kimba, SA)
- The Big Rocking Horse (Gumeracha, SA)
- The Big Penguin (Penguin, TAS)
- The Big Barramundi (Wanguri, NT)
- The Big Prawn (Exmouth, WA)
- The Big Wheelbarrow (Port Hedland, WA)
Don’t miss any of the important stories from around the region. Subscribe to our email list.