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Chic . Explore . ThinkerTen

My Style ~ My Journey ~ My Inspiration

AustraliaTravel

Australia’s Big Things : Big Banana in Coffs Harbour NSW

by kumamonjeng June 25, 2019
written by kumamonjeng June 25, 2019
Australia’s Big Things : Big Banana in Coffs Harbour NSW

There are a number of “big things” in Australia, these are set of large structures, some of which are sculptures. Over 150 objects around the country and Big Banana is one of them and considered the first Big Thing in Australia. Most big things found along major roads between destinations.

Big Banana is a fun park located in Coffs Harbour NSW Australia. You won’t be able to miss out this Big Banana, also the symbols of Coffs Harbour. If you are planning a road trip from Gold Coast to Sydney, Coffs Harbour would be a great stopover. It is about 320km away from Gold Coast, less than 4 hours drive via Pacific Hwy and M1. This is a nice stop between Gold Coast and Sydney.

Australia's Big Things : Big Banana in Coffs Harbour NSW

The grounds of the park are set amongst a banana plantation.

Australia's Big Things : Big Banana in Coffs Harbour NSW

A large walk-through banana

The walk through banana is like a mini museum which displays pictures of the old banana plantation and some history of Coffs Harbour.

Australia's Big Things : Big Banana in Coffs Harbour NSW

Why Big Banana was built?

Bananas have been abundant in Coffs Harbour region since the 1880s and the industry peaked in 1960.  Now you can still see the banana plantation in Big Banana complex.

The Big Banana was built by John Landi who was looking for a means to stop passing traffic at the roadside banana stall. He did it! People do get attracted by the giant banana and stopover for food and leisure. By the way, he has gotten the inspiration from the Big Pineapple in Hawaii.

Australia's Big Things : Big Banana in Coffs Harbour NSW

Check the size of the Big Banana

The size of the Big Banana is 13m long, 5m high, 2.4m wide and was built in timber-framed, bright yellow structure. This would be a great spot for photo shootings.

Banana-themed amusement park

The Big Banana has evolved over the years and become an iconic landmark in Coffs Harbour. It is now a banana-themed amusement park and has educational banana experience and plantations tour. During our visit, we saw primary school children having their field tour. Other attractions are ice skating rink, laser tag arena, 36-hole mini golf course, wild toboggan ride, and the water park and many more

Australia's Big Things : Big Banana in Coffs Harbour NSW

Great for family

There is no entrance to Big Banana, but you do need to pay at the attractions that you wish to visit. We only went for lunch at the Big Banana and stores hopping.

Australia's Big Things : Big Banana in Coffs Harbour NSW

Water Park

The Water Park boasts 7 slides, including open body slides, two-person tube slides and a 45-degree Kamikaze slide for the thrill seekers. Looks pretty fun and how I wished I was here in summer.

Australia's Big Things : Big Banana in Coffs Harbour NSW

Facilities in Big Banana

Toilets are clean in the Big Banana and plenty of parking.  I reckon this is a good stop to break your long journey drive, have a coffee here or something to chill.

Australia's Big Things : Big Banana in Coffs Harbour NSW

Restaurant & Cafe

The food in Big Banana is expensive but worth to try them out since we are here.  We have ordered the signature dish “Big Banana Burger” AUD 17.50 which contains a slice grilled banana in the burger and the beetroot too.  Aussie burger usually contains a slice of red beetroot.  Another signature dish is the Big Banana split Ice-cream if you love to have dessert.

Australia's Big Things : Big Banana in Coffs Harbour NSW

View from the top of the Big Banana Fun Park

Australia's Big Things : Big Banana in Coffs Harbour NSW

After our lunch, we had a walk at the candy & cheese shops, opal gem factory which is open to the public with no fees.

Cheese Making

Australia's Big Things : Big Banana in Coffs Harbour NSW

We were asked if we like to taste some cheese at the cheese shop.

Australia's Big Things : Big Banana in Coffs Harbour NSW

Candy Maker

Australia's Big Things : Big Banana in Coffs Harbour NSW

Visitors are able to watch how candy is made in front of you.  There is a large selection of colorful candy to buy back as a gift.

Australia's Big Things : Big Banana in Coffs Harbour NSW

Opal Center

Opal is the iconic gemstone in Australia and is widely found here, 95% of the worlds opals are from Australia. I love the blue and white opals and they do have black opals too, also the most expensive one.

Australia's Big Things : Big Banana in Coffs Harbour NSW

Reptile World

Australia's Big Things : Big Banana in Coffs Harbour NSW

Final thoughts:

If you are doing a road trip from Gold Coast or Brisbane to Sydney, Big Banana Coffs Harbour is a good place to stop.  We are not really into the fun theme park but we are glad to have their signature dishes, Big Banana Burger.  If you love dessert, do remember to go for Big Banana split Ice cream too.

Australia's Big Things : Big Banana in Coffs Harbour NSW

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8 comments

Stacie June 25, 2019 - 8:47 pm

That looks like the perfect place to have some major family fun. You can definitely make a day of that place.

Reply
Lasonia June 26, 2019 - 1:47 am

This looks like an awesome place for a family. I would definitely love to try that Big Banana burger.

Reply
Kalyan Panja June 26, 2019 - 4:49 pm

I would love to visit this interesting place in person and enjoy the activities and delicacies of the place.

Reply
Shannon Gurnee June 27, 2019 - 6:47 am

I would love to visit Australia someday. Sounds like a great experience.

Reply
Anita June 27, 2019 - 10:52 am

That John Landi had a great idea there. You can’t miss a landmark like that! Very creative! Looks like lots of fun.

Reply
Alexandra Cook June 27, 2019 - 11:54 am

It is indeed a lovely place to explore, Such great captures I must say that and your description is lovely and the candies looks really good.

Reply
Catherine June 27, 2019 - 12:29 pm

Looks like such a fun and interesting place to check out. I hope to visit Australia some day!

Reply
Danielle June 28, 2019 - 1:02 am

This looks like such an interesting and fun place to visit. I bet you had the best time!

Reply

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I am the travel writer for Thinkerten. I lived in Japan, Australia, Malaysia and now based in Singapore. Speak 4 languages, Japanese, English, Malay, and Chinese. There are the many types of travels one can experience and mine are mostly focus on self-driving/road trip to explore the places I wanted to see and learn about. Only if you get out of your country, you will see the real you and understand more about yourself, to realize of your own identity, your own culture, and your root.

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