We have all noticed on the home page the "big question" big pineapple, prawn, cow, akubra, banana etc ad infinitum in australia - much to my disgust. I wouldnt be seen dead in anyone of them. However, having said that, its horses for courses.. Do any of us actually visit them? curious to know.... I may have myself visited the big banana many many years ago with the child bride on our honeymoon. Thankfully the years and "old timers" has befuddled the memory. cheers pete.
Ma said
04:20 PM Oct 18, 2010
Driven past them, taken to odd piccy or two, but no, never been in them. Can't see the point really
glassies said
05:49 PM Oct 18, 2010
yep ive visited the big cow in wauchope simply because i lived near it and took the kiddies i believe if closed down before i left ,also lived not too far from the big banana although i must say i never paid the fee to go in and see what and how they grow bananas .
the big prawn well been to that because its simply a servo in ballina, not so sure about any
of the others ,havent realy seen any others though that i can remember of ,pretty much sure
they are more for the kiddies kinda thing.
jimricho said
06:37 PM Oct 18, 2010
I think the Big Banana in Coffs was the first one. I have an idea (could be wrong) that it was set up by a private operator as a sort of roadhouse/mini theme park. The idea was original and "catchy".
It seems many tourist committees/councils, bereft of original ideas, decided to do the copycat thing (with variation), some of which are quite corny. The prize for the corniest/dumbest one must go to the "Golden Gumboot" in Tully.
Ma said
07:00 PM Oct 18, 2010
Do you think the "raw prawn award" goes to the Big Prawn at Ballina (?) incidently it's closed down now too.
Gerty Dancer said
07:04 PM Oct 18, 2010
We went into"The Big Merino" in Goulburn recently, mostly because we stopped beside it for fuel/food, and wandered in out of curiosity. Found a book for sale among the tourist souvenirs (not all made in China, the woollen clothing on offer was local, good quality, and expensive!) which listed all of Australias "Big things"! Wasnt interested enough to buy it.... usually avoid such places.
Amusing to watch the tourists photographing the back end of the huge ram!
Firefly said
07:04 PM Oct 18, 2010
I remember years ago looking in the Ayers Rock owned by the Leyland Bros at the time I think. It was part of a servo and rather ordinary way back when. Wouldn't even know if it was still open though.
jimricho said
07:06 PM Oct 18, 2010
Forgot about that one Firefly, definitely a contender for corniest/dumbest, also the most cringe-worthy.
Ma said
07:08 PM Oct 18, 2010
Went to the rock thingy on our way to your place FF. Less than ordinary still. Adequate enough for a "loo" stop though.
Firefly said
07:13 PM Oct 18, 2010
It was corny from day one Jim, and thats rather sad really.
So it lives on Ma.
petengail said
08:17 PM Oct 18, 2010
Interesting replies - I like jimricho's "cringeworthy". Sums it up nicely lol
justcruisin01 said
09:19 PM Oct 18, 2010
Have done a lap around the big block, does that count?
Nicholstones said
09:57 PM Oct 18, 2010
We wouldn't go out of our way for a 'big thing' but if there is one where we happen to be staying then we would generally go and take a photo. So many of them seem to be getting rather run down though, Larry the Lobster at Kingston SE in SA was definitely showing its age last year, and we noticed the Big Prawn in Ballina was closed a few months ago when we drove past.
We did the guided banana tour at the Big Banana at Coffs a couple of years ago and found it really interesting.
Ron and Shirley said
10:33 PM Oct 18, 2010
In the mid 70s as a young Victorian family touring up the coast we did the Big Banana & Pineapple etc etc and the kids (around 6) loved those places. Must admit I quite enjoyed the Big Pineapple particularly being exposed to the variety of fresh tropical fruit for the first time and the informative train ride through the farm. Also the wares etc that you could purchase in those days were in the main locally made.
Repeated the trip in the late '90s and returned to the Big Banana & Pineapple as Shirley had never been, and both of us were not impressed. Could be an age thing. Noticeably all the non-edible wares were now Chinese made "trinkets" just like everywhere else though with a different name stamped on them.
Seen many of the other "big" things but usually just as a carpark cuppa stop. Agree with Gerty re the Big Merino as Shirley use to be a "knitter" and so we went for a look a few years ago. Great stuff, but pricey.
gillyb said
08:15 PM Oct 19, 2010
Used to love going to the 'Big Pineapple" many many years ago when the kids were little (they're now well into their 30's) and we lived in the northern suburbs of Brissie, I especially loved the tropical fruit sundae's they used to make but I think I may be very disappointed if I went again these days....some things are best left to memories
Dawn said
10:50 PM Oct 19, 2010
I believe the Big Pineapple has just been purchased by Bowdens who own a fantastic private car collection so might be interesting for some of you male GNs who are car fanatics in the future. Might be well worth having a look at then?
Sunshine said
09:21 PM Oct 20, 2010
The big oyster in Taree, oh dear ~ what were they thinking? and there is another big prawn south of Swansea NSW.
Cruising Granny said
11:59 PM Oct 21, 2010
I loved the Big Merino at Goulburn. Whoever constructed it must have been an artist of some sort. The texture and dimensions are quite spectacular. Even the rubbish bin next to the sheep is a mini merino.
The sheep viewing was out of order because of some safety concerns with the structure.
The corniest of them all is the Big Galah at Kimba.
Then there's the Big Orange at Berri, SA. Great views.
glassies said
11:38 AM Oct 24, 2010
did we forget the big guitar in there im not sure ? ive been to that big ayers fake rock what a disaster that was hey ? one word boring.
We went into"The Big Merino" in Goulburn recently, mostly because we stopped beside it for fuel/food, and wandered in out of curiosity. Found a book for sale among the tourist souvenirs (not all made in China, the woollen clothing on offer was local, good quality, and expensive!) which listed all of Australias "Big things"! Wasnt interested enough to buy it.... usually avoid such places.
Amusing to watch the tourists photographing the back end of the huge ram!
It was corny from day one Jim, and thats rather sad really.
So it lives on Ma.
We did the guided banana tour at the Big Banana at Coffs a couple of years ago and found it really interesting.
Repeated the trip in the late '90s and returned to the Big Banana & Pineapple as Shirley had never been, and both of us were not impressed. Could be an age thing. Noticeably all the non-edible wares were now Chinese made "trinkets" just like everywhere else though with a different name stamped on them.
Seen many of the other "big" things but usually just as a carpark cuppa stop. Agree with Gerty re the Big Merino as Shirley use to be a "knitter" and so we went for a look a few years ago. Great stuff, but pricey.