Giant slug statue proposed to boost tourism in Narrabri Shire

By the Editorial Team · Friday, October 9, 2026

Narrabri Shire in Australia is planning to build a 65-foot statue of the endangered Mount Kaputar pink slug to boost local tourism by adding to the country's famous oversized roadside attractions. This project aims to attract travelers along the inland highway between Melbourne and Brisbane, leveraging the slug's rare survival and local natural landmarks to stimulate economic growth in the region.

Australia’s Narrabri Shire is considering the installation of a giant statue aimed at boosting local tourism by joining the country’s long-standing tradition of oversized roadside attractions. The proposed sculpture, potentially measuring 65 feet in length, will depict the endangered Mount Kaputar pink slug, a rare species native to Mount Kaputar, a volcanic remnant located east of Narrabri in northern New South Wales.

This initiative follows a well-established pattern in Australia, where large, often whimsical monuments—such as the 40-foot Big Banana in Coffs Harbour, the 52-foot Big Pineapple in Woombye, Queensland, and the 35-tonne Big Prawn in Ballina, New South Wales—have historically drawn significant visitor numbers. The Big Banana, installed in 1964, was famously visited by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip during a motorcade in 1970, highlighting the cultural curiosity and appeal of these oversized emblems.

The Mount Kaputar pink slugs, which reach up to 20 centimeters and exhibit a vivid, almost fluorescent watermelon-pink hue, are observable only in specific cool, misty conditions on rock faces near the summit of Mount Kaputar. According to Narrabri Shire Mayor Darrell Tiemens, the slugs have attracted interest, particularly as they were feared extinct following the severe “black summer” bushfires of 2019-2020 but were later confirmed to have survived, albeit with rare sightings.

While the exact cost of the giant slug statue has not been finalized, estimates suggest a budget in the six-figure range. The project seeks to capitalize on Narrabri’s strategic location along the major inland highway connecting Melbourne and Brisbane. Local officials hope the attraction will encourage more travelers, including a notable segment of British tourists with interests in gardening and natural history, to stop at regional points of interest such as Mount Kaputar National Park and the nearby Sawn Rocks geological formation, noted for its organ pipe-like cliff faces.

Tourism in Australia has shown signs of recovery and growth, with over 9.1 million overseas visitors recorded in the year ending June, representing an 8 percent increase compared to the previous year. The giant slug statue proposal aligns with broader efforts by regional communities to leverage unique local features and biodiversity for economic development through tourism.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.