HISTORY

In 1964 John Landi wanted something to make passing traffic stop at his road side banana stall.

He had heard of a “Big Pineapple” in Hawaii and thought that something big would definitely stop traffic. With assistance of 1200 pounds and local engineer, Alan Chapman, who 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, The Big Banana could become a reality.

Builder Alan Harvey started the construction in September 1964 with the work to be completed before Christmas. The 13m, biggest banana in the world and Australia’s first “Big Thing” 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. In 1968 John Landi retired and sold his share to John Enevoldson 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.

The Big Banana Fun Park now boasts the biggest Water Park between Sydney and the Gold Coast, a state-of-the-art Laser Tag Arena, Toboggan Ride, Hyper Bumper Cars, 4D Ride Simulator, Ice-Skating Rink, “The World of Bananas” plantation tour experience, 36 hole Mini Golf course, Go Bananas Fun Zone, the biggest Giant Slide in the country, Going Bananas Cafe, Gift and Souvenir shop, Candy Kitchen, Opal Centre, Reptile World and Aloha Shack, and will soon feature 4 world-class Escape Rooms!