Description

Some Big Things celebrate local industry. Some are merely a cynical attempt to lure passing motorists. And some simply defy explanation. The Big Pink Buffalo is one of the latter.

A Darwin landmark for over 25 years, 'Lefty' the Big Pink Buffalo is 7.5 metres long, 3.5 metres wide, 5 metres high and weighs a massive 7.4 tonnes! There are two theories about how Lefty got his nickname. One says it was because he was located on the left-hand-side of the road as you are coming into Darwin; the other is that his left testicle is larger than his right.

Commissioned by Marlene and Geoff Thornton in 1978, who ran the Buffalo Shed tourist shop in Tannandice Street, the buffalo was originally grey. The business was later acquired by two sisters, who decided in 1984 to have the buffalo painted bright pink to make it stand out to passing traffic. It caused an outrage and community resentment lingered on for years - someone once painted it grey again in the middle of the night! When the Buffalo Shed closed down in 1996, the Big Pink Buffalo was sold at auction for $2500 and Lefty was moved to his current home.

The Big Pink Buffalo is located outside Travan's Cars and Commercials, 438A Stuart Highway, Winnellie, Darwin. Tel: (08) 8984 4887.

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