Day 5 — Bananas, Prawns & a Byron Bay Detour
Day 5 begins with a cruisy roll out of Taree, heading north toward one of Australia’s most iconic oversized celebrities. If you’ve ever done a road trip up the east coast, you already know what’s coming…
🍌 The Big Banana — Coffs Harbour’s OG Superstar
Fun Roadie Bits:
There’s a toboggan ride that sends you zipping down the hill with ocean views.
A water park, ice skating rink, laser tag, and mini golf — it’s chaos in the best way.
The banana bread is dangerously good.
The banana sundaes are a rite of passage.
The gift shop sells everything from banana magnets to banana lollies you’ll definitely eat before you get back to the car.
🦐 The Big Prawn — Ballina’s Giant Seafood Guardian
Fun Roadie Bits:
The detail is wild — the shell texture, the legs, even the eyes. Someone really cared about this prawn.
It originally didn’t have a tail, which caused a minor national identity crisis. The tail was added later, restoring balance to the universe.
Locals fought hard to save it from demolition — Ballina takes its giant seafood seriously.
It’s one of those Big Things that looks even better in person.
Perfect for a quick snap, a laugh, and maybe a cheeky Bunnings snag.
🌴 A Couple of Nights in Ballina — Rest, Relax, Reset
After days of driving and Big Thing hunting, Ballina is the perfect place to slow down. I ended up staying a couple of nights here to rest, recharge, and explore the area at a much more chilled pace.
Why Ballina is a great base:
Beautiful beaches without the Byron crowds
Easy coastal walks
Great cafés and fresh seafood
A slower pace that hits just right after long driving days
It’s the kind of stop that resets your brain and gets you excited for the next day’s adventures.
🌞 A Day Out in Byron Bay — Because You’re Basically Next Door
With Ballina as home base, I took a day trip up to Byron Bay — because it’s practically illegal to be this close and not pop in.
Byron Highlights:
- Cape Byron Lighthouse — the views are unreal
- Main Beach — classic Byron energy
- The Pass — perfect for watching surfers do their thing
- Shops & cafés — a mix of boho, beachy, and “I could never afford this but it’s fun to look”
After a full day of sunshine, surf, and people‑watching, I cruised back to Ballina for a quiet evening by the water.
🔄 Day 6 — The Journey Home Begins (But the Big Things Aren’t Done Yet)
Day 6 marks the official start of the return trip back home — but don’t worry, the adventure is far from over. There are still a few oversized Aussie icons waiting to be admired, photographed, and gently laughed at along the way.
Leaving Ballina behind after a couple of blissfully chilled days, I headed south with that familiar road‑trip mix of “sad to leave” and “excited for what’s next.”
🦟 The Big Mozzie — Hexham’s Giant Bloodsucker
Fun Roadie Bits:
It’s modelled after the local Hexham Grey mosquito — a species famous for being extra bitey.
The Big Mozzie sits on top of a giant pole, wings out, ready to strike (in a friendly, non‑blood‑sucking way).
It’s one of those Big Things that makes you laugh and cringe at the same time.
Perfect for a quick photo and a “thank goodness you’re not real” moment.
With another Big Thing ticked off the list, it was time to keep cruising south.
🌆 Overnight in Newcastle — A City With Coastal Soul
Before calling it a night, I rolled into Newcastle — a city that blends beach vibes, industrial history, and a surprisingly great food scene.
Quick Newcastle Highlights:
- Nobbys Beach — perfect for an evening stroll
- The Ocean Baths — iconic and refreshing
- Darby Street — cafés, bars, and good eats
- The foreshore — ideal for stretching the legs after a long drive
It was the perfect place to rest up before the next leg of the journey.
🚗 Day 7 — The Straight Shot to Bomaderry
Day 7 was one of those classic road‑trip days where the mission is simple: just drive. No detours, no theme parks, no giant fruit or oversized animals lurking around the next bend — just a clean, straightforward run south.
Leaving Newcastle, I settled into the rhythm of the highway and once again made the very sensible choice to bypass Sydney. At this point, avoiding Sydney traffic had become a personal sport, and honestly, I was undefeated. The GPS barely had time to panic before I’d already skirted around the chaos and continued on my merry way.
With no new Big Things to add to the collection today, it was all about enjoying the drive — snacks, music, and the satisfaction of watching the kilometres roll by.
Eventually, I pulled into Bomaderry, NSW, my stop for the night. It’s a quiet, easygoing town and the perfect place to reset before the next leg of the journey.
Not every day on a road trip needs to be packed with action. Sometimes the simple travel days are exactly what you need — a chance to breathe, cruise, and get ready for whatever comes next.