We randomly came across the The Big Merino on a road trip today and it honestly surprised us.
It’s a 15-metre-tall sculpture built in 1985, originally created to celebrate the region’s wool industry. Goulburn used to be a major centre for wool trade in Australia, and merino sheep are basically a symbol of the country’s livestock industry.
We didn’t plan this stop at all, just followed the bigger towns along the route and ended up finding it. The Big Merino is about 15 metres tall and 18 metres long, and when it was first built it weighed around 97 tonnes. It was even moved about 800 metres in 2007, which is kind of crazy when you think about it.
The gift shop next to it is full of cute sheep-themed things, but mostly wool products. Sweaters, scarves, socks, blankets, everything. Some are quite pricey, but you can tell they’re proper wool.
The town itself feels like a typical Aussie regional town, with a lot of old churches and classic buildings. On the way between Goulburn and Canberra, you’ll also pass Lake George, with open landscapes on one side and rolling hills on the other. It’s not as dramatic as the Great Ocean Road, but still a really nice drive.
Because of highway changes, the whole structure was actually relocated later on. Now it’s part of a wool-themed museum, and you can go inside to learn about the history of the industry. If you touch the rough “wool” texture, it almost feels like you’re connecting with Australia’s long wool history. Definitely a fun and meaningful photo stop.
If you’re driving back to Sydney from the Snowy Mountains or Canberra, it’s a super easy stop in Goulburn. You really can’t miss it, the giant sheep is visible from far away.
There’s parking right next to it, and a small shop and visitor centre nearby where you can browse wool products. You can also go inside the sheep and walk upstairs to look out through its eyes, which is actually quite funny but worth doing.
We were actually on the way to Young for cherry picking, about a four-hour drive. Goulburn turned out to be the perfect place for a quick break before continuing the trip.
The Big Merino
Address: Corner of Hume and, Sowerby St, Goulburn NSW 2580