Nala The Big Whale Travel Guide

Nala, the Big Whale, is a captivating public artwork in Pialba, Hervey Bay, dedicated to the region's famed humpback whales. Unveiled in 2012, the sculpture depicts a breaching humpback whale and stands as a symbol of Hervey Bay's rich marine biodiversity.The sculpture is named after a real humpback whale, Nala, who was first identified in 1992 with her calf. Nala has returned to Hervey Bay many times and is easily recognizable due to the unique patterns on her fluke. Students participating in the Oceanic Project's 'Kids on the Ocean' initiative named her after the character from The Lion King.Crafted by artists Chris Calcutt and Ross Bradbury, with timber carving by Glen Waterman, Nala is made from stainless steel and ironbark timber. The sculpture is positioned outside the Fraser Coast Discovery Sphere, a museum and visitor center focusing on ecology, culture, and marine life. At night, Nala is floodlit, creating a dramatic display.