Gold Coast's big octopus is Australia's next big thing

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! - the Surfers Paradise themed attraction on Queensland’s Gold Coast - has unveiled their nine-metre-long Big Octopus created and constructed by Pico Play.

Visitors to Queensland will now be able to add the Big Octopus to their road-trip list of ‘Big Things of Australia’, a popular activity for generations of holidaymakers.

Pico Play - global leader in creating world-class themed attractions and entertainment - being the same team who were involved in the design and construction of Universal Studios Singapore, applied their extensive expertise in the planning, design and development of inspired leisure experiences to create Ripley’s eye-popping Big Octopus.

The marine attraction has been in design since May 2020 with construction starting in August while Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Surfers Paradise was closed for renovations during COVID-19.

The deadly venomous Blue-Ringed Octopus was selected due to its infamous status in Australia, taking 40 people four months to build the giant sea creature in a secret Gold Coast factory.

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The Big Octopus will make a huge impact by day and by night with glowing coloured LED lights contained in its blue rings that can be customised to support seasonal events and different charities.

Pico Play Creative Director of Themed Attractions and Entertainment Mark Eady said he hopes the Big Octopus attraction will become part of the time-honoured tradition of Big Things of Australia road trips and create new opportunities to increase domestic tourism to the Gold Coast post COVID-19.

Eady adds “we’re honoured to be able to boost Australian tourism numbers by giving back to the community and creating a destination experience that assists the local and national tourism industry at a time when it’s most needed.

“The Big Octopus will be able to be seen by everyone who visits Ripley’s Believe It or Not! and become an iconic attraction on the Gold Coast for years to come.”

The Big Octopus will take pride of place at the auditorium entrance of Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Surfers Paradise, welcoming curious visitors with its outstretched tentacles clutching a surfboard.

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Australasian Leisure Management - 24th November 2020

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