It’s not just the scale of natural scenery that can take you by surprise on a road trip. Sometimes it’s the strangest man-made objects that catch you off-guard. Just take a look at these nine massive roadside attractions.

The World’s Biggest Sheep

This is one sheep that’s sure to wake you up, not send you to sleep. Big Merino (see top) is a massive 15 metres tall and and 18 metres long. Made from concrete and steel, and modelled on a real-life ram named Rambo, this sculpture celebrates Goulburn Australia’s claim to be the Fine Wool Capital of the World. Built in 1985 it houses a museum marking two centuries of wool production.

The World’s Biggest Beagle

Fancy telling your friends you’ve spent the night inside a dog? Then book a room at Cottonwood, Idaho’s Dog Bark Park Inn. Run by local artists Dennis J. Sullivan and Frances Conklin with dogged determination since 1997 you can stay inside the big beagle for $158 a night. Dogs are extra, though.

The World’s Largest Lobster

You’ll find a common theme with these massive landmarks. Shediac in New Brunswick, Canada says it is the “Lobster Capital of the World”. So guess what has pride of place on Main Street? Yes! A giant lobster. Measuring 11 meters in length, five metres in height and weighing 90 tonnes it was created by artist Winston Bronnum. In his early years Bronnum built bridges and dams so this Lobster is here for the long haul.

The World’s Tallest Thermometer

It’s no exaggeration to say that it gets a little warm in Death Valley, California. With temperatures often exceeding 50 degrees centigrade, it’s kind of the residents of Baker to give you advanced warning of the heat ahead with the world’s tallest thermometer. The 41m-tall tower was built to commemorate the highest temperature ever recorded on earth at 134 degrees Fahrenheit or 57 degrees centigrade. It’s a good place to pay a pit stop and stock up on ice cold drinks before heading into the heat.

The World’s Biggest Disco Ball

It’s only natural that the home of Strictly Come Dancing should also be home to the world’s biggest glitter ball. The ball is 2.4 metres in diameter and features 46,500 mirrors and has sat on Blackpool’s South Promenade since 2002. Add it your road trip dance card this year.

The World’s Biggest Axe

Guess what? Nackawic, New Brunswick is the Forestry Capital of Canada. And how do the residents celebrate? Why, with the world’s biggest axe, of course. The 15 metre-tall tool weighs of 55 tonnes and is embedded in a 10-metre diameter stump. It’s been amusing travellers who have been trying to pull it out since 1991.

The World’s Biggest Pineapple

Queensland’s Big Pineapple is a big deal Down Under. The 16 metre-high fruit was opened in 1971 and gained protection from the Queensland Heritage Register in 2009. Behind the pineapple is a massive agri-tourism project where over 40 varieties of fruits, nuts, sugar cane, spices (and, of course, pineapples) are grown. It’s also home to an annual sell-out music festival.

The world’s biggest Dinosaur

By this time you won’t be surprised to hear that Drumheller in Alberta, Canada is the Dinosaur Capital of the World. Situated in the heart of the Canadian Badlands where there’s an incredible concentration of well-preserved fossils, the world’s biggest dinosaur is 25 metres tall, making it over four times bigger than the biggest T-Rex. The super-sized female is very accommodating and 12 people can fit in her mouth, after they’ve climbed up 106 stairs to get there.

The World’s Biggest Ketchup Bottle

Apart from advertising the local Brooks catsup, this 52 metre-tall tower serves a practical purpose as well. Filled with water, not tomato sauce, it serves the population of Collinsville, Illinois. Built in 1949 it was saved from demolition in 1995 and in 2002 was added to National register of Historic Places. It even has its own website and fanclub!

9 of the world's weirdest roadside attractions