Big Mango found but was it ever really stolen? - ABC Local

The 10-tonne tourist attraction was found not far from where it disappeared near the Bowen Tourist Information Centre.

It had been reported that a mobile crane was filmed on CCTV removing the gigantic fruit, but police were not called in to investigate and now local tourism authorities have been accused of staging an elaborate publicity stunt.

Aaron Kearney from 1233 ABC Newcastle's Breakfast was so concerned when he heard the Big Mango had been stolen by mysterious thieves he launched a campaign to list all the Big Things so we could keep a close eye on them, just in case.

He was particularly concerned that the criminal gang might next go after the Big Banana and Big Pineapple to put together one massive fruit salad.

Here in the Hunter we're blessed with the Big Prawn at Fraser Park, which miraculously survived last year's bushfires even when the adjacent service station burned to the ground.

Ozzie the Mozzie is a landmark at Hexham, and further up the valley Kurri Kurri is fond of its Big Kookaburra while Muswellbrook has the Big Blue Heeler, which often features on internet lists of international curiosities.

And just down the road on the Central Coast is the reptile park's Big Dinosaur.

But our 1233 Facebook correspondents came up with many more big attractions, including NSW landmarks such as Goulburn's Big Merino, Robertson's Big Potato and Broken Hill's Big Ant.

Other big stuff scattered throughout the State includes a very large oyster, avocado, tomato and Tamworth's famous golden guitar.

Victoria boasts a rolling pin, strawberry and apple among its big attractions.

And Queensland, aside from the mysterious disappearing mango, has a macadamia, turtle, pelican, spider and cicada.

It seems some people are so dedicated they spent their holidays seeking out all the Big Stuff.

Of course there are always the nay-sayers.

Some people wished for the disappearance of the Big Banana and Merino, and especially the enormous phallic symbol that graces the Newcastle foreshore.

But not to worry, Newcastle has been saved from a reputation as the home of the Big Penis.

We now have the Big Egg, Brett Whitely's amazing sculpture outside the city's art gallery.

But that's a whole other story...