Big Rocking Horse, Tourist attraction in Gumeracha, Adelaide Hills Council, Australia

The Big Rocking Horse is an 18 meter tall wooden structure in Gumeracha that connects three viewing platforms with internal stairs and rises above the surrounding landscape. The site also includes a wooden toy factory, a wildlife park with native animals, and a café.

The project opened in 1981 after eight months of construction, conceived by David McIntosh and John Twopenny as a landmark for the region. This development became a lasting attraction that drew families to the Adelaide Hills.

The site was created to introduce children to wooden toy craftsmanship and establish the area as a family destination. It brings together traditional craft with nature experiences, drawing visitors who want to explore both sides of this attraction.

Stairs inside the horse climb to three viewing platforms: at the head, on the saddle, and on the rocker bows near the base. Access to the platforms was closed in 2001 after a fall and reopened in April 2004. The complex also holds the toy factory, café, wildlife park and miniature golf.

The steel frame was fabricated by Halwell Engineering in Adelaide and trucked to Gumeracha, where the cladding was attached. The horse sits in 80 tonnes of concrete so it cannot rock, and stairs inside lead to three platforms: at the head, on the saddle, and on the rocker bows near the base.