Thomas Dambo’s Giants Of Mandurah

Thomas Dambo is an amazing aboriginal artist best known for his gigantic and breathtaking sculptures. His art isn’t just about impressing with size, though.

Dambo crafts these monstrous creations out of recycled materials, primarily wood, and we have created a special guided tour for you to discover all six of Thomas Dambo’s Giants of Mandurah.

Only an hour’s drive south of Perth lies the sleepy little coastal town of Mandurah, Western Australia. Thomas Dambo’s giant sculptures have been strategically placed across the landscape. They are not just random art piecesbut are thoughtfully integrated into the community to reflect our Aboriginal culture and respect for country.

Thomas Dambo: The World’s Leading Recycle Artist

Thomas Dambo is celebrated as the world’s foremost recycle artist and embodyies a lifelong commitment to sustainability, recycling, and boundless creativity. Influenced by his aboriginal culture, he found his niche in recycled art, and began to explore other diverse creative outlets, including music, street art, and scenic design.

He gained a master’s degree in interactive design from the Kolding Design School in Denmark, and embarked on his mission to transform waste into whimsical, larger-than-life art installations.

When you take the tour (below), you’ll certainly be able to snap a cool pic for Instagram, but the tour is more about feeling the raw, creative energy that turns discarded materials into monumental wonders. The tourism boost from these sculptures also means more business for local shops and eateries, so while you’re marveling at Dambo’s work, you’re also supporting the local economy.

Engaging with Art and Nature: The Story Behind Each Giant in Mandurah

Each Giant sculpture in Mandurah has its own tale to tell, a unique character that reflects the surroundings and community spirit. These aren’t just massive figures looming in nature. They’re part of an ongoing conversation about art, the environment, storytelling, and the southwest corner of Western Australia.

Take a moment to explore each of these distinctive personalities. Each Giant comes with its own symbolism and narrative, skillfully crafted from recycled wood. It’s an opportunity for visitors to engage their imagination, creating stories and connections as they wander from one giant to the next.

Constructing these sculptures wasn’t a walk in the park. The process involved careful planning and craftsmanship to ensure each piece fit perfectly within its natural setting.

This task brought its own set of challenges, from logistical considerations to the weather and wildlife, but it all comes together to form a seamless blend of art and nature.

Here’s a tour of the six Giants of Mandurah by Thomas Dambo, designed as a self-guided journey for adventurers exploring Western Australia’s beautiful Peel region using Google Maps.

1. Santi Ikto (Halls Head)

• Trail: Moderate, 1.3 km, ~20 minutes
• Description: Santi Ikto resides near the coastline at Halls Head, symbolizing harmony with the ocean and sky. Accessible by a short but steep trail, this sculpture offers a serene view of Mandurah’s waters, reminding visitors of nature’s interconnectedness.
• Image: Santi Ikto.

2. Seba’s Song (Wannanup)

• Trail: Easy, 1.2 km, ~20 minutes
• Description: Seba’s Song is a melody of sustainability. Crafted near Wannanup, the sculpture’s location reflects Thomas Dambo’s emphasis on protecting wetlands and appreciating the gentle rhythms of nature.
• Image: Seba’s Song.

3. Yaburgurt Winjan Cirkelstone (Coodanup)

• Trail: Easy, 550 m, ~10 minutes
• Description: Tucked into Coodanup, this giant honors the Bindjareb Noongar people, with its circular design symbolizing unity and storytelling traditions. The flat trail ensures it’s welcoming for all visitors.
• Image: Yaburgurt.

4. Little Lui (Lakelands)

• Trail: Moderate, 3.6 km, ~45 minutes
• Description: Hidden in Lakelands, Little Lui connects visitors to the bushland’s tranquility. This thoughtful sculpture encourages quiet reflection and exploration of the surrounding environment.
• Image: Little Lui.

5. Bille Bob (Subiaco)

• Trail: Easy urban walk
• Description: Unlike the others, Bille Bob is situated in Perth’s leafy Subiaco. The giant reflects a traveler’s curiosity, emphasizing the joy of wandering and uncovering new perspectives in urban settings.
• Image: Bille Bob.

6. Secret Giant

• Location: Discovered by solving clues from the other giants.
• Description: A treasure hunt awaits for the hidden sixth giant, encouraging participants to engage deeply with the region’s environment and cultural heritage. The reward is a giant finale with a hidden story.
• Image: Find Clues.

Fostering Creativity and Cultural Transformation in Western Australia

FORM is an independent non-profit organization and is dedicated to harnessing the power of creativity to inspire cultural development and community transformation across Western Australia.

With a presence in Perth and the management of Spinifex Hill Studio in South Hedland, FORM created the region’s only Aboriginal artist collective, and it was the primary supporter of Thomas Dambo’s Giants of Mandurah project.

Beyond visual arts, FORM champions aboriginal literacy and creative education through initiatives like the Scribblers Festival for young people and the Creative Schools program.

Large-scale projects such as The Giants of Mandurah exemplify FORM’s commitment to cultural tourism. These projects, along with past successes like the Field of Light: Avenue of Honour in Albany and the PUBLIC Silo Trail, demonstrate how public art integrated with local stories can spark lasting tourism and economic benefits.

By engaging local communities, FORM fosters ownership of tourism initiatives. They create enduring cultural and economic legacies and help bridge the gap between original owners and global visitors.

For more about FORM’s transformative work, visit their official website.

For an interactive guide, maps, and more details, you can explore Thomas Dambo’s official site.

Share on Facebook

Post on X

Save