The Big Banana Fun Park

In 1964, John Landi had a vision: he wanted to create something that would make passing traffic stop at his roadside banana stall.

Inspired by the "Big Pineapple" in Hawaii, he decided that something big was the answer. With the help of 1,200 pounds and local engineer Alan Chapman, the Big Banana was born. Builder Alan Harvey began construction in September 1964, and on December 22, the biggest banana in the world and Australia's first "Big Thing" were officially opened. Today, the Big Banana boasts the biggest Water Park between Sydney and the Gold Coast, an Ice Skating Rink, Toboggan Ride, "The World of Bananas" theatre and tour experience, a state-of-the-art Laser Tag arena, a 36-hole Mini Golf Course, and the biggest Giant Slide in the country, known as "The Racer".