The Big Whale in Hervey Bay is a wood and stainless teel sculpture of a blue whale, breaching out of the ground.
The 22-tonne sculpture, taking 400 hours of carving, is made from 10 tonnes of local red ironback to create the main body. A further 12 tonnes of marine grade stainless steel forms the frame and underbelly of the 12-metre-high whale.
Whales are a significant part of the identity of Hervey Bay so it is no surprise to find a big thing of a whale here. The Big Whale story is from Nala, a whale first spotted at Hervey Bay in 1992 and returning almost every year.
Hervey Bay’s waters protected by Fraser Island is a whale sanctuary where thousands of humpback whales use to stop and play during their annual migration.
Nala often comes with a new baby which she shows off by encouraging the young calf towards whale watching boats with some gentle nudging.
If you head 500 metres north along Main Street towards the Wetside Water Park, the large roundabout has a similarly constructed whale tail. The tail isn’t as big as Nala’s sculpture but it is a nice associated connection from where the Big Whale is located and closer to the water near the water park.