🚗 Day 8 — Cruising South, Taking My Time & Meeting a Giant Gorilla
Day 8 kicked off with a relaxed departure from Bomaderry, easing back onto the highway for the slow and steady journey home. And sure — could I have driven all the way back in one go? Probably. But where’s the joy in rushing when you can stretch the adventure out just a little longer?
So instead of powering through, I aimed for an overnight stop in Pambula, giving myself another day to enjoy the road, the scenery, and whatever surprises popped up along the way – and surprise it did.
🦍 The Big Gorilla — Batehaven’s Unexpected Heavyweight
Somewhere between the coastal curves and snack breaks, I rolled into Batehaven (Batemans Bay) and stumbled across a brand‑new addition to the Big Things family: The Big Gorilla.
This one wasn’t on my original list — which made it even better.
Fun Roadie Bits:
- It’s big, bold, and looks like it’s ready to star in its own blockbuster.
- Located at the Halfway Pitstop, which is exactly the kind of place you’d expect to find a giant gorilla casually hanging out.
- Perfect for a quick photo and a laugh before jumping back on the highway.
- A great reminder that the best road‑trip moments are often the unexpected
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🌊 Overnight in Pambula — A Peaceful Coastal Pause
Why Pambula was the perfect overnight stop:
- Calm beaches and coastal walks
- A relaxed, small‑town vibe
- Close to Merimbula if you want a little more action
- The ideal place to unwind before the final stretch home
It was a gentle, easy end to the day — exactly what you want when the road trip is slowly wrapping up but you’re not quite ready to let it go.
🏡 Day 9 — Leaving Pambula & Rolling Back Into Reality
Day 9 marked the final stretch — the last leg of the adventure before heading back to normal life. I left Pambula in the morning, cruising past the Sapphire Coast scenery one last time, soaking up those quiet coastal vibes before the highway took over again.
It was a straight, simple drive home. No Big Things hiding around corners, no unexpected detours, no giant fruit or animals waiting to surprise me — just the familiar hum of the road and the slow realisation that the trip was officially winding down.
There’s always that bittersweet feeling on the final day of a road trip. Part of you is ready for your own bed, your own shower, and a break from living out of a bag… but another part wants just one more stop, one more view, one more random roadside oddity.
But eventually, the kilometres ticked down, the scenery shifted, and before long I rolled back into reality — home again, road‑trip playlist exhausted, camera full, and heart pretty happy with the adventure.
Another journey done. Another set of memories made. And, of course, a few more Big Things crossed off the list.
🧠Final Wrap‑Up — Nine Days of Big Things & Bigger Memories
Nine days, countless kilometres, and a whole lineup of oversized Aussie icons — this road trip had it all. From the early coastal cruising to the first official Big Things in Goulburn and Robertson, the adventure kicked off with laughs and classic roadside weirdness.
Wollongong brought the coastal calm, Day 4 delivered cliffside magic and giant boots, and Day 5 was peak Aussie nostalgia with the Big Banana, the Big Prawn, and a sunny detour to Byron Bay. Ballina gave you space to slow down before turning south again.
The return trip still had surprises — including the Big Mozzie in Hexham and the unexpected Big Gorilla in Batehaven — proving the Big Things magic wasn’t done yet. Newcastle, Bomaderry, and Pambula rounded out the journey with quiet nights and easy drives before the final roll back home.
A road trip full of giant fruit, giant animals, giant footwear, and a whole lot of good memories. Until the next adventure — because there’s always another Big Thing out there waiting.
About 43+ hours of driving…
Covering about 3,600+ kms…
Done in about a 10 days…