The Big Pelican Loxton South Australia

The Big Pelican Loxton South Australia

Standing proudly on the banks of the Murray River in Loxton, South Australia, the Big Pelican is one of the Riverland’s most recognisable landmarks. Set along Grant Schubert Drive near the Loxton Riverfront Caravan Park, this sculpture is a popular stop for travellers exploring the region’s many “big things,” while also celebrating a unique piece of Loxton’s cultural heritage.

The Big Pelican’s story began in 1979 when it was first built as a paper-mâché float for Loxton’s annual Mardi Gras parade. The parade has long been a highlight of local life, and the pelican quickly became a crowd favourite. Over the next decade, it appeared in parades across South Australia, including Adelaide. However, the float’s delicate construction could not withstand time or travel, and by the early 1990s, it required major restoration.

In 1992, the pelican was transformed into a permanent sculpture. Local volunteers and artists worked together to rebuild it with a fibreglass shell, ensuring it would survive the Riverland’s sun, wind, and floods. The decision to preserve the pelican as a fixed attraction spoke volumes about Loxton’s community pride. What had once been a temporary float became a lasting symbol of local identity and creativity.

Today, the Big Pelican stands beside the Murray River as a fun and family-friendly photo stop. Visitors can walk right up to the sculpture. The surrounding lawns and pathways make it an ideal place for a picnic or riverside stroll.

Not far from here are The Tree of Knowledge and the Heaven Clifftop Viewpoint.

To find more things to see and do in South Australia, click here.