Let’s Go Bananas
While big might not always be best, when it comes to having fun there is no point thinking small.
Not only the world’s largest banana, the Big Banana in Coffs Harbour is also the first of Australia’s ‘big things’. That’s right, our nation-wide obsession for building over-sized inanimate objects – from pineapples to rams, sapphires, guitars and beer cans, can be traced right here to this iconic feature on the north coast landscape.
Coffs Harbour
It all began in 1964 when John Landi decided to create something eye-catching to stop passing traffic at his roadside banana stall.
The plan worked and people stopped in droves to check out the Big Banana. Originally an educational showcase, over the years it has evolved into the biggest fun park on the North Coast.
The park recently unveiled its newest temptation, The Go Bananas Fun Zone, packed full of ticket redemption gaming machines like Pirate’s Hook, Treasure Quest and Wack n Win.
Other attractions include the 83-meter long, six-laned Giant Slide, aptly named “The Racer” which is the biggest of its kind in Australia, while giant water slides will send you hurling through the water at speeds of up to 60 km per hour. Those with little ones in tow will find more gentle watery pursuits in the Kids Aqua play area.
Visitors can also beat the heat with a spin at the ice skating rink, play a round at the 36-hole mini golf, hurl down a 500-metre track on a toboggan, or get kitted out with a battle-vest and phaser in the alien-inspired laser tag arena. You can also learn all about bananas in the cinematic “World of Bananas” experience, take a short plantation tour and pick up all kinds of banana-inspired souvenirs in the gift shop.
All that fun is bound to make you hungry, luckily you can replenish in the café and ice creamery. Did someone say banana split?
Big Banana is open from 9am – 5pm daily except Christmas day (extended hours in NSW school holidays).