The fate of one of Australia’s most iconic ‘big attractions’, Larry the Lobster, still hangs in the balance after he failed to attract a buyer at auction.
The 17-metre tall fibreglass crustacean has sat by the roadside in Kingston, South Australia, since 1979 drawing huge numbers of tourists. However, times have been a little tougher in recent years and the restaurant Larry is attached to has been closed for quite a few months.
Current owners Jenna and Casey Sharpe bought Larry in 2007 and recently gave Kingston’s favourite son a $50,000 makeover.
However, with a starting price of $300,000 Larry and the associated restaurant failed to attract a single bid at auction.
“We’re still hopeful of a purchaser coming to the table,” Casey Sharpe told the ABC. “Obviously, Larry will remain out the front on the highway for people to enjoy but it’s essential that the restaurant reopen I think … especially for the summer for the tourism industry of Kingston.”
Kingston Mayor Reg Lyons told the ABC that Larry’s future owners would need to develop a strong business plan ‘to be able to generate enough income to be able to maintain the premises and to maintain Larry’.
“It’s good news that Larry is still here,” he said. “He is still an icon and he’s still an attraction to our town and district and community.”
• Do you think Larry and his other big friends help making travelling Australia that little bit more fun? Comment below
If the local crayfishers could supply a small percentage of their catch at a reduced price and then this restaurant became the cheapest place in Australia to get a feed of lobster, it would become a ‘must stop, stay and eat’ town for Australian and international tourists.