7 of Australia’s so-bad-they’re-good BIG tourist attractions
For every undisputed beauty such as the Great Barrier Reef or Uluru, there are tones that try as they might to appeal to tourists, fail miserably. Then, there’s a list of so-bad-they’re-good tourists attractions of the oversized variety that are successful for all the wrong reasons. This proves that sometimes getting it wrong is oh so right. Here are the seven that are not to be missed.
The Big Banana
Complete with a banana-themed gift soft, café and plantation tours, it is said that Coffs Harbour’s Big Banana was set up by the roadside in the 1960s to attract the attention of passers by to the banana stall. Needless to say, it has now gone big business with the Big Banana a must-visit stop for travellers visiting these parts.
The Big Crocodile
An unofficial Australian icon thanks to the late Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin, the Big Crocodile in Wyndham Western Australia was built in 1987 by the kids of the community to remind locals and visitors to be aware of crocodiles in the surrounding waters.
The Big Golden Guitar
Modelled on the Golden Guitar trophies awarded to the winners at Tamworth Country Music Festival, the Big Golden Guitar is aptly located in Tamworth – the home of country music in Australia.
The Giant Koala
Located on the Western Highway between Horsham and Stawell in Victoria, The Giant Koala has a souvenir shop inside and a café next door. Standing 14-meters tall, it’s homage to the cute and cuddly Australian animal that spends most of its life asleep.
The Big Kangaroo
Originally built to entice travellers to stop for a break, the big kangaroo known as Rooey II, is located at Border Village in South Australia, just shy of the border with West Australia. Now holding a can of soft drink, Rooey used to be holding a beer but it was thought that this was sending the wrong message.
The Big Lobster
Affectionately known as “Larry” to the locals, the big lobster is a major attraction in Kingston, South Australia. It was built to attract tourists to the visitor centre and a restaurant located behind the sculpture.
The Big Pineapple
Located in Woombye Queensland and known to be one of the world’s largest pineapple, the plantation in which it is housed features a small animal farm and two rides, the Nut Mobile and a train ride. Both rides bring visitors around the plantation with guided tour by the driver.
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