History of the Big Banana

In 1964 John Landy wanted something to make passing traffic stop at his road side banana stall. He had already heard of the "Big Pineapple" in Hawaii and thought that something big would definately stop traffic.

With assistance of 1500 pounds and local engineer, Alan Chapman, set about designing the giant banana by cutting the best looking banana he could find into 40 pieces and developing plans from which builders could work from.

Builder Alan Harvey started the construction in September1964 with the work to be completed before Christmas.

The biggest banana in the world was officially opened on December 22 that year.

Not long after John Enevoldson joined as a partner and they expanded with 20 more plantation acres, a shop, cafe and a larger car park with both wives and three employees at the helm.

In 1968 John retired and sold his share to Alan who continued building the business until 1988 when it was sold to Horticulture World which was part owned by local businessman Bob Johnston.
Bob continued expanding the Big Banana into an educational showcase before undergoing a $30 million redevelopment that re opened in June 1989.

But disaster struck and 12 months later the big banana went into provisional liquidation, though still trading until Mr Kevin Ruby seeing huge potential in the complex purchased it in 1993.

The Big Banana now boasts a cafe, gift and souvenir shop, Candy Kitchen, Curious Minds Puzzles and Games, Sunset Lakes Nursery, Banana Splitz Ice Rink, Wild Toboggan Ride, Trike rides and the two newest attractions "The World of Bananas" multimedia theatre experience and "The Hippo" Australia's first 3 story high inflatable waterslide.

The Big Banana "It's a whole Bunch of Fun"