The Big Eagle is an iron sculpture that has been sitting at the top of Kirra Point since 1984, looking over the Coolangatta beaches below. Known by locals as the “Rusty Chook”, it was intended to commemorate the Coolangatta centenary in 1984.
I visited the Big Eagle in 2019, but when writing up this big thing entry to the Brown Signs website, I discovered the “Rusty Chook” may be removed. It only just made it onto the website and it was to disappear. In March 2021, the rusty chook was indeed removed. The council decided in November 2020 to keep and preserve the rusty chook. Unfortunately, the decision was made to replace it with a replica “that exhibits the original artistic integrity of the Sea Eagle sculpture”, one or three options proposed, one of which would have cost around $500,000.
The Big Eagle, also known as Kirra Eagle or simply Sea Eagle, will continue to look over Kirra Beach and attract big things tourists for another big thing selfie. When would it return was the question locals were asking. In March 2025, the news of The Rusty Chook’s return was indicated to be in mid-2025.
The Big Eagle is mounted on top of two large steel supports that lean out from the hill. The eagle’s wings are spread out and he looks over the famous surfing waves of Kirra Beach.
There is a picnic table with a decent sized shelter over it and two free BBQs near it. A first for me, there is also a Zip hot water unit offering ready to go boiling water to make a cuppa to enjoy while looking at the views.
The views are a stunning highlight of visiting The Big Eagle. Rusty Chook has the prime spot for views of Coolangatta Beach 
and Greenmount Beach to the east, and of Kirra Beach and beyond to the high rises of Surfers Paradise to the west and northwards.
Kirra Point also gives a great view over the popular surfing beach below. You can watch the surfers catching a few waves while you take in the rest of the views. At 8.30am, there were already quite a few there.
The Gold Coast Council funded the first $2000 and local real estate agent Adrian Maher provided another $8000 to ensure the big eagle was completed in 1984.
The sculpture is made from 6mm steel plate and weighs 2.4 tonnes. It was crafted by a renowned Coolangatta sculptor, Craig Medson, after proposing the idea in 1982.
A plaque on the supporting structure has the following:
By Craig Medson
1983Commissioned By:
Gold Coast City CouncilSponsored By:
A. J. Maher & Family
Gold Coast City Council
BHP Steel
Nucon Pty LtdWith Special Thanks To:
T & J. Blundell