Big Merino

The Big Merino is a 15 metre tall concrete Merino sheep (a type of sheep that is drought tolerant), located in Goulburn, New South Wales, Australia. Nicknamed "Rambo" by locals, the Big Merino contains a gift shop on the ground floor and a wool display on the second floor. Visitors can climb to the top and look out through the Merino's eyes to view the local area. (At this time, Jan '08, there is a sign claiming that due to insurance reasons the lookout is closed.)

The Big Merino was officially opened on 20 September 1985. In 1992 the Hume Highway bypassed Goulburn, which resulted in a loss of 40 busloads of tourists to the Big Merino complex per day. [cite web
url=http://www.abc.net.au/rural/content/2005/s1473371.htm
title = Bypassed Rambo looks for new pastures
work = ABC Rural
date = 2005-10-03
accessdate = 2007-05-01] On 26 May 2007, the Big Merino was moved to a location closer to the Hume Highway to increase visitor numbers and is now located near the freeway interchange at a service station.

ee also

*Australia's Big Things

External links

* [http://www.bigthings.com.au/ Australian Big Things]
* [http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21631731-1702,00.html Big Merino on the move - The Australian]
* [http://www.pr-inside.com/big-merino-ready-to-move-r108020.htm Big Merino ready to move - PR Insider]
* [http://ibnnews.org/local/road_closure_announced_for_rambo_move_22507_245410044_0000000.html Road closure announced for Rambo move - IBN News]
* [http://www.urbanmag.com.au/articles_jan_03.php Big drawcards or giant eyesores? - Urban magazine]
* [http://www.bigmerino.com.au/ www.bigmerino.com.au]

References