Natureworks enjoyed creating a unique attraction for Warrego Motel, Charleville – a big silver souvenir spoon. The 2-metre-high spoon sculpture stands outside the motel, attracting passers-by and providing a memorable photo opportunity. As expected, this larger-than-life spoon is great for stirring interest!
A Big Thing for the motel
Why choose a big souvenir spoon?
At first, Guy and Maree weren’t sure of what sort of big thing to go for. However, when on holiday at Niagara Falls, Maree saw a couple of giant souvenir spoons. Silver souvenir teaspoons were popular collectable items in the 1970s, often featuring landmarks, animals, portraits, and other images to commemorate events or places.
Keen to see if she could have her own big thing for the motel, Maree immediately emailed a photo of the Niagara Falls spoon to Natureworks. She asked if Natureworks could make one like that, with a few custom modifications. Naturally, Natureworks said “we’d love to!”, as the team are always keen to create unique pieces that support rural communities.
Image gallery – the big souvenir spoon
"We’ve had quite a lot of people stop and take photos, and lots of positive feedback. I’m just so proud of it; I love it. I keep looking at it in awe – just can’t believe I finally got a Big Thing!”
Creating the big souvenir spoon sculpture
To confirm detailed requirements for the big spoon sculpture, Maree and the Natureworks team exchanged emails across the globe (while Maree and Guy were still on holiday!). Maree annotated an image of the spoon she’d seen at Niagara Falls, showing how she would like it to be customised. She and Guy wanted the spoon sculpture to represent the motel and the local Charleville area.
The specification for the big souvenir spoon included:
- a bilby, which is common to the area (Charleville holds an annual Bilby Festival in September and Natureworks makes a larger-than-life bilby sculpture)
- a shooting star, to represent the beauty of outback stargazing (see Charleville Cosmos Centre)
- a map of Queensland reading ‘The Gateway to the Outback’ marked with the location of Charleville (see Experience Charleville for visitor information)
- The Warrego Motel logo
- Silver finish to resemble a silver teaspoon, with UV coating for weather protection.
Another unique Big Thing for Charleville
The resulting Big Souvenir Spoon sculpture is unique to the motel and symbolises its Charleville location. It stands proudly at the front of the motel, drawing attention and adding to the area’s quirky collection of Big Things.
The sculpture’s size and uniqueness add to its appeal. As Maree says, “I’ve seen a couple of big spoons but not souvenir spoons. Our big spoon is big – my son is 6’2” and it’s taller than him. It weighs about 30kg.” When asked if the spoon had created a stir in the area, Maree said yes, adding that her husband was Australia’s biggest stirrer!
Listen to an interview with Maree on ABC radio...
"We are so happy with it and can’t thank you and the Natureworks team enough for achieving exactly what I had envisioned. On the Facebook page “Big Things Australia” we have reached over 1.6k views/likes.”
Project details
| Client | Warrego Motel, Charleville |
| Project | 2m high big souvenir spoon sculpture |
| Audience | Tourists and visitors to the Charleville area |
| Location | 73 Wills St, Charleville, QLD 4470 (see map) |
| Date completed | 2025 |
| Related products | Big Things – Objects |
| Related catalogues | Big Things Sculpture |
| Similar projects | Giant lizard, Giant Murray Cod, Giant Paintbrush |
Big Things stir up interest!
This project is an example of how a small idea (in the head of a business owner) can turn into a Big Thing that supports a business and reflects its local community.
If you have an idea for a Big Thing, no matter how quirky or unusual, don’t be shy – contact Natureworks and we’ll turn your idea into reality!
