Little Karen, Big Things.

A blog to follow my obsession with oversized tourist attractions. My goal is to see all official "Big Things" in the world! It's a BIG goal (pun intended) but let's see how far I get!

[littlekarenbigthings]

Big Tap 💧 #latergram from many months ago between lockdowns that I forgot to post. This one had been on the list for many years when fellow big thing enthusiast @gozandthebigthingsofaus posted it when I was living in Chicago. I'd never heard about this big thing and it looked so cool! So I'm glad we were finally able to see it, even if it was a cold and windy day when we went (exhibit A, Jack needing cuddles to stay warm!) #BigTap #CarolineSprings #LittleKarenBigThings Image Description: Karen holding Jack standing beneath a giant tap sculpture that has a white faucet and big silver water drip coming out looking like it'll hit Karen and Jack. Completely cloudy sky in background. (at Caroline Springs, Victoria) https://www.instagram.com/p/CRLO789NhFW/?utm_medium=tumblr

[littlekarenbigthings]

Giant Pitchforks! While not as amazing as the worlds largest pitch fork out front of @richardsfarm in our favorite American town @bigthingssmalltown in Casey, IL... These were pretty good big things especially for a random playground in the middle of a housing estate! Probably one of the most random big things we've seen :) An extra bonus random point goes to the fact it was in the city of Casey! Then to celebrate 4th July (Aussie time) we went and got massive American style hot dogs (I got chilli cheese dawg) in nearby Frankston. Big things and hot dogs = great mini roadtrip #LittleKarenBigThings #BigPitchforks #Happy4th (at Hill Farm Park, Pasadena Estate, Clyde.) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQ5egqWt23k/?utm_medium=tumblr

[littlekarenbigthings]

Big Gnome Reflective Lullaby by Gregor Kregar, affectionately known as Chrome Gnome is usually at McClelland Sculpture Park but is currently on loan and is down the street located right near the Frankston Hospital. Very cool and shiny big thing!! #latergram #littlekarenbigthings #chromegnome #reflectivelullaby (at Frankston, Victoria) https://www.instagram.com/p/CO6XXBbtA7g/?igshid=4sdw1o7pscv7

[littlekarenbigthings]

Big Bug! I think this might be my new favorite big thing photo!! Love that Jack's getting old enough to get into it with me! Another sculpture by #DeanColls called Alexander the Great. I might have found another big thing sculpture artist to follow along with Claes Oldenburg! #littlekarenbigthings #mcclellandsculpturepark (at McClelland Sculpture Park+Gallery) https://www.instagram.com/p/COoMmDqtPqS/?igshid=ltwdsa18rtmu

[littlekarenbigthings]

Rex the Ram, big ram scull 🐏 Officially called 'Rex Australis – The King is dead, long live the King' by Dean Colls. Been wanting to go to McClelland Sculpture Park since we got back to Aus and finally made it yesterday. Beautiful day and got to see some great sculptures in a relaxing nature setting. #littlekarenbigthings #mcclellandsculpturepark (at McClelland Sculpture Park+Gallery) https://www.instagram.com/p/COoLnRQtRp6/?igshid=18s0ze4or7v79

[littlekarenbigthings]

Big Frog 🐸 Found this guy at the Olinda playground which used to be a golf course. It is the prettiest playground we've played on (and I'm a playground expert after covid lockdown!) #littlekarenbigthings #olinda #bigfrog #australianbigthings (at Olinda Playscape) https://www.instagram.com/p/CKU4JUmHlm_/?igshid=mbvx7zcv48hf

[littlekarenbigthings]

Big Wine Bottle, Rutherglen. Ahhhh how I have missed road tripping!! We did a quick 2.5 day trip and went about as far as we could with covid restrictions... to the NSW border! The big wine bottle is also pretty famous, and while I would have preferred it to be a little more realistic, the size and location on the top of a hill overlooking the town made up for it. Plus it had a nice playground next to it which Jack enjoyed :) Also, can we please give recognition for my Instahub who really outdid himself with these Big Thing pics (he even did some picture frame up scouting while Jack and I played on the swings Haha) We stayed at a neighbouring town, Wahgunyah and Max got to have his first ever true blue aussie country pub experience at the Old Empire Hotel. Would totally recommend stopping here if you're in the area! #littlekarenbigthings #bigwinebottle #rutherglen #Wahgunyah (at Big Wine Bottle) https://www.instagram.com/p/CH5FOdmHR-l/?igshid=1keae3nbl14o1

[littlekarenbigthings]

The Big Strawberry!! 🍓🍓🍓🍓 There is absolutely no question if this is a Big Thing!! It is a beaut and while it might not be up there on the national Big Things stage (like the banana, mango, prawn etc) it's a super famous Victorian Big. It's no wonder either, as it's a Big Thing done right. Not only is it gorgeous, but there is also: 1. a restaurant that of course sells pancakes with strawberry sauce, strawberry icecream and scones (plus lunch food) 2. a shop with strawberry condiments and necessary kitschy big thing souvenirs 3. Strawberry picking! 4. Indoor play center (sadly closed right now with covid restrictions) and an outdoor playground 5. History center (with an active beehive!) 6. Man cave with old motorbikes and old toys I loved this Big Thing and I couldn't pick a favourite pic :) You also know it's a good one when Max gets a pic with it! Finally r.i.p my signature star jump pose lol Jack is wayyyy to heavy to jump with 🤣 #littlekarenbigthings #bigstrawberry (at The Big Strawberry) https://www.instagram.com/p/CH4SWc1HfmN/?igshid=ys1pahq9ydl5

[littlekarenbigthings]

Big Eagle at the entrance of Healesville Sanctuary. We had a great day there yesterday. For any dino fans out there, the current Lost Sanctuary dinosaur exhibit is awesome, they make sounds and move, Jack was a big fan! #littlekarenbigthings #healsvillesanctuary (at Healesville Sanctuary) https://www.instagram.com/p/CHxVWRkHk-1/?igshid=1epdmglfem1xc

[littlekarenbigthings]

Found a Big Platypus within our 25km radius!!! Boy have we missed roadtrips and big things!! Bring on Nov 9th when we can roadtrip to regional Victoria! #littlekarenbigthings #australiasbigthings #covidsucks (at Eltham, Victoria, Australia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CGza6cuHMGE/?igshid=qlfoyccvtfdw

[littlekarenbigthings]

#tbt to before the 2nd wave when we'd been able to go out and I finally got to see big FIDO! Jack also pointed out that his tail moves which we didn't notice! V cool big thing next to Fairfield station. Also got some delish donuts from @hoppa_and_joe nearby. #littlekarenbigthings #toolazytopostuntilnow #imisstravel #stayhome (at Fido Dog) https://www.instagram.com/p/CDQ0R5aHxyB/?igshid=1r4dh4gqai950

[littlekarenbigthings]

Guess where I was again this weekend.... 4th and final visit to Casey this year, this time featuring special guests Ariel and Megan! We saw ALL the big things and had a fun girls weekend away! (at Casey, Illinois) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6svBEpHsuD/?igshid=1813u32q2ye7i

[littlekarenbigthings]

Merry Christmas!! #bigantlers #latergram (at Casey, Illinois) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6gYpacHGMb/?igshid=1bzxulfvj5qp0

[littlekarenbigthings]

World's Largest Key One of the newest Guinness world record holders in Casey. Jim Bolin built the key from a replica of a 2017 Chevrolet truck key. It's awesome! #latergram #littlekarenbigthings (at Casey, Illinois) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6PL7l9nAMe/?igshid=66oosp8rcv82

[littlekarenbigthings]

Big Mouse Trap Jack really got into the zone for this pic #perfectface #zoomin Love this new big thing in Casey! #littlekarenbigthings (at Casey, Illinois) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6HpKWSHb4z/?igshid=jahr1j2fa7j

[littlekarenbigthings]

What a weekend!! 2 different life highlights were had this weekend... 1) Max and I were lucky enough to win the raffle to go up on top of the world's largest rocking chair, the same chair we got married under in 2017! What an amazing experience and something only a handful of other people have been able to do. We also got to meet Jim Bolin who created the chair and all the wonderful Big Things in Casey; we were starstruck :) 2) As part of winning the raffle we also got to be in the Candy Canes on Main lights parade and were in the lead police truck.... which was the highlight of Jack's life, sitting on an "ee or ee or" truck! If you've never been to Casey, its such a charming town that is now home to 12 of the World's Largest records as well as other big things and its always adding more! Every time we come there's a new big thing and/or a new store. This was the first time we've ever been to the Candy Canes on Main event and it was so fun! Parade, late night and all day shopping, non profit vendors, makers market, food trucks, raffles, multiple Santa meetings and more, in addition to the regular fun big things... all run super smoothly and such a great wholesome family event! We ❤ Casey and are so grateful to be a part of such a great event and that we are able to visit so regularly xx (at World's Largest Rocking Chair) https://www.instagram.com/p/B50srkWHUMn/?igshid=1u3iv550ylii0

[littlekarenbigthings]

Big Route 66 Woman & Man 👫 Jack was veeeerry interested in these guys! 😂🤣 #littlekarenbigthings #upskirt #route66 (at The Pink Elephant Antique Mall) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3Sn3X8ngeQ/?igshid=lv60dx4qmfwh