Some people love them and some people hate them, but Australia’s Big Things have indisputably become a conversation-starting feature of the grey nomad adventure.
‘Masterpieces’ like Coffs Harbour’s iconic Big Banana have remained consistent money-making tourist destinations, but others struggled due to high maintenance costs, the building of bypasses, and just the changing needs of the driving public.
Last year, the 17-metre high Larry the Lobster was given very expensive plastic surgery top bring him back to his former glory. Owners Jenna and Casey Sharpe apparently poured more than $50,000 of their own money into the makeover in order to ensure the most famous resident of Kingston in the south east of South Australia didn’t go to rack and ruin.
However, the whole saga has taken its toll and the family has now put the fibreglass giant, and the restaurant he sit – in front of – up for sale.
“We’re ready to just cut our losses and move on from that whole saga and put it behind us,” Mr Sharpe told the ABC. “It has been quite a drain on our family and our personal lives.”
While not giving away the asking price, Mr Sharpe said he hoped to re-coup the money that was put towards Larry’s renovations, and would consider selling Larry and the restaurant separately. He said that since the facelift, Larry looked like a ‘million dollars’ and was drawing more tourists than ever before.
“It’s time to find someone with the time and the drive to get the restaurant back up and running,” Mr Sharpe said.” Hopefully someone comes in with a lot of ambition and a bit of money behind them … it’s just got so much potential.”
Seen them both. Big banana was a big disappointment IMHO but “Larry” was quite impressive. Restaurant wasn’t open when we went past but possible needs to be open and cater for coffee and fast food sales.