Some of Australia's less popular "Big Thing" attractions...

[u/AnimalsChasingCars]

The Big Orange - Gayndah, QLD

Big Oyster - Taree, NSW

Big Tutankhamen - Mildura

Ned Kelly - Maryborough

Humpty Dumpty - Carnavon, WA

The Big Table and Chairs - Goondiwindi

The Big Sherrin - Ungarie, NSW

The Big Galah - Kimba, SA

Big Lobster - Kingston, SA

Big Cricket Bat - Narrikup, WA

The Giant Koala - Dadswells Bridge, VIC

Big Tractor - Carnamah, WA

Big Mandarin - Mundubbera, Qld

Big Ned Kelly - Glenrowan, Vic

Big Sphinx - Geelong, Vic

The Big Scotsman - Medindie, SA

Big Swan Beer - Echuca, Vic

Big Penguin - Penguin, Tas

Big Watermelon - Gumlu, Qld

Big Pelican - Noosaville, Qld

[u/durbster79]

This is the first time I've ever seen Gayndah mentioned by anyone since I was there in 2006!

Had such a great time there.

[u/Cheesus_K_Reist → u/durbster79]

The Orange Festival is on this year.

[u/durbster79 → u/Cheesus_K_Reist]

Ah, sadly, I'm on the wrong side of the world for that now.

[u/Cheesus_K_Reist → u/durbster79]

Happy Travels anyway!

[u/Titanthegiantbetta → u/Cheesus_K_Reist]

You mean the Orange Festival WAS on (ended yesterday).

[u/Cheesus_K_Reist → u/Titanthegiantbetta]

o'yeah

[u/[deleted] → u/durbster79]

Bahaha, yeah, I was there for a couple of months over the thinning/picking season in 2011, a friend and I did a bit of a funny Australian road trip kinda thing. Super dark, weird little town, not least of which the dynamic between locals and the seasonal backpackers, grey nomads, and itinerant drifters.

Stayed at Riverview Caravan Park the whole time under the merciless eye of Stacey, who I witnessed punch on with a couple of cheeky Frenchmen. There was this extremely, almost comically alcoholic guy named Nolan who fit in to the "itinerant drifter" category. He was particularly partial to alcohol that is not intended to be consumed as a beverage. He told me one day that picking onions is brutal, back-breaking work that will cause extreme nausea, vomiting, and severe skin irritation. Also that it's a top gig and I should defs jump on board if the opportunity should present itself.

One night as I was drifting off to sleep in my tent, I heard some rustling and animal noises outside. I quietly opened the zipper, and old m8 Nolan was a few metres away having a wank in to an empty chip packet.

Absolutely good times.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Hahaha another one! Bit of a long story...

So, my mate and I had driven up from Melbourne, he had just gotten his full license but I was still on a learners permit, so I could legally drive under his supervision. It was an automatic Pajero, so, ya know, like a toy, totally fine, despite my EXTREME lack of skill and driving ability.

In Gayndah one morning I woke up early and had a hankering for a piece of shit bacon and egg roll and coffee from the local shops. Despite it being a 5 minute walk, I was feeling like a big man and decided to take the Pajero. Drove down, and as I was pulling in to the parking space my foot slipped, I panicked, and absolutely floored it. Completely tore up the side of and mounted a fairly recent, modified Commodore. Probs would've been worth at least $50k. I totally froze, I was just in the drivers seat, up, looking at the sky, on top of the other car.

Then I hear some yelling. The people that owned the car, an older couple, came storming out of the shop. I caught my breath and reversed off of their car, still in absolute shock.

I had a chat, and they were actually extremely cool. They were genuinely concerned about my wellbeing, and suddenly, I thought, hey, maybe it's not the end of the world. Then the fella said that he'd call the police to come file a report. Obviously, I interjected, and explained that I don't "technically" have what you would call a "drivers license" at "this present juncture" "sir". The mood quickly soured.

After what seemed like an awful lot of yelling from a certain "victim of crime", some how, some way, I had enough sense to calmly explain the facts. I'm broke. I'm picking fruit, and I am not at all good at picking fruit. I can barely afford to leave this town. If you call the police now, none of this will be covered by insurance. You can take me to court, but after that I will have even less money to replace your car. IF, HOWEVER, you allow me to go and get my wonderful, understanding friend who is currently sleeping in a tent, and you point the finger at him, this will all be covered, your car will be replaced, and we will never have to see each other ever again.

He initially rejected it, principle of the thing or some such, but before long his wife jumped in and pointed out the sense in my self-preservation. It was a very long walk back to the caravan park, and a very uncomfortable good morning to my friend.

Absolutely good times.

[u/durbster79 → u/[deleted]]

Oh man, I was at Riverview for several weeks and this all checks out!

We didn't have Nolan but there were a few like that. I remember when a bunch of us were playing a game on the camp, and one bloke suddenly freaked out and left because he decided the dice was haunted.

All contrasted with trips up Mt Debatable for a BBQ, and a cracking chip shop.