Big Banana (New South Wales)
In a land full of big things, the Big Banana at Coffs Harbour is one of the biggest, both in fame and stature. And it's only a short drive away from the charming town of Bellingen and the World Heritage Listed Dorrigo National Park.

Big Pineapple (Australia)
The other heavyweight in the Big Thing Universe, the Big Pineapple is located on Queensland's Sunshine Coast. It is also home to one of the finest souvenir shops in Australia. A pineapple in a snowdome, can you imagine anything more beautiful?

Big Merino (New South Wales)
You'd have to travel a very long way before you came across a more innovative use of concrete than the Big Merino at Goulburn. It truly is one of the engineering marvels of the modern world. Go there, and when you leave spread the gospel.

Big Ned Kelly (Australia)
In 1878 Ned Kelly shot 3 policemen and became the most wanted man in Australia. Australians don't like authority so he also became a national hero. After that it was inevitable that a 6m likeness would be erected at Glenrowan, the site of his capture

Big Tasmanian Devil (Australia)
As big things go, the Tassie Devil is somewhat underwhelming but I had to include something from Tasmania and the alternatives, the Big Coffee Pot, the Big Apple and the Big Penguin are too stupid, too cliched and too short respectively.

Big Lobster (Australia)
If the Big Lobster was located on the east coast it would undoubtedly rival the Big Banana and the Big Pineapple as the greatest big thing in the world. Instead it's found down the road from Adelaide and its true grandeur remains largely unrecognised.

Big Potato (Australia)
The Big Potato is in Robertson, the town where the movie Babe was filmed. You might have expected therefore that the local tourism board would opt for a big pig. Instead they've gone for a big brown lump that looks like a giant kangaroo dropping.

It's Men At Work

Just play the video

This one is a Meat Pie and Coke (AKA Dogs eye dead horse). I think its Aussie tradition to combine 2 things that health professionals call junk food and label it as a meal. You have these everywhere, the Football, the cricket, everywhere. No you don't pay $3.50 - try $7 for both together. Yep, the sporting events have their own constitution. Most places know as soon as patrons step inside the ground, you lose any sense of their being a life outside of the stadium.

Traditionally, cricket fans have been gentlemanly. They watched the game without showing much emotion. They cheered good play from opponents and arrived at the game in respectable attire such as suits and ties

World series cricket attracted a new breed of fan to whom cricket was not always the main attraction. Known as Yobbos, these fans liked making noise, taking the crap out of people and dressing up in silly attire. They brought with them drums, horns and instigated Mexican waves. Cricket games subsequently developed the kind of carnival atmosphere more commonly associated with football.

Yet despite having many distractions to the game, the Yobbo's were far more one eyed in comparison to the gentleman fans of days gone by. Instead of cheering good play by opponents, Yobbos booed like a fan at a football game; and chanting obscenities


For a while, the Yobbos had harmless fun but it was only a matter of time before they became the subject of complaints from the wowsers in the members stand. The members voiced their disapproval of the excessive noise and subsequently, the Yobbo's musical instruments were banned.

The members were also offended by the Mexican wave as whenever it reached them, they remained seated to which the yobbos booed.

Yobbo's also had a habit and breaking into chants. It wasn't long before security began ejecting anyone suspecting of starting the wave or having a good time.With their musical instruments banned and their Mexican wave under attack, the Yobbos searched for new means of entertainment. Throwing items such as plastic cups and half eaten meat pies was the logical solution. This new form of entertainment caused serious problems as occasionally an unsuspecting cricket fan with no interest in food fights found themselves in the lions den of a pack of Yobbos. In such situations, protests to watch cricket in peace were greeted with sadistic laughter or perhaps a meat pie to the back of the head.

Yobbo's also began entertaining themselves by invading the pitch. This was a concern to channel nine commentators as they looked silly when they spoke about the pride of playing for Australia only to then see Australians running onto the field without wearing any trousers!

Authorities initially tried to calm Yobbism by ejecting troublemakers. Unfortunately, no matter how many were ejected, thousands remained to continue the troublemaking. This left the authorities with only one option; sell half strength beer. Many yobbos were outraged and vowed to boycott the cricket.

Other yobbos developed ingenious schemes to smuggle alcohol into the stadium. They discovered that water melons could be injected with vodka. Fruit salad could be soaked in booze over night and port could be placed in coca -cola bottles and look like the real thing.

Yes, If you haven't been to the Cricket you have no idea what you are missing.

By the way, Kudos to all you who have ever been in bay 13.

There are many reasons to come and visit your two favourite Aussie and American in the land of Oz. Although we promise everyone a rockin' good time in the land down under, the real reason you should visit (reefs, architectural icons, a perfect climate and general fabulousness excepted), is a little cookie know as the Tim Tam - "the most irresistible chocolate biscuit."

Tim Tams are awesomeness in biscuit form. Chocolaty wafers with a smooth caramel center dipped in chocolate - what's not to like?

It may be pretentious of me to label The Castle the funniest Australian comedy ever made, but that’s probably not far from the truth.

This film comes from the Working Dog production company, who were responsible for the classic Aussie TV show Frontline as well as variety news and entertainment talkie The Panel. Working Dog star Rob Sitch directs The Castle with tasteful, silly and intelligent humour, complemented with a breezy and effortlessly energetic rythtem.

The Castle is a small guy versus the big guys film that has a sentimental emotional core, and many jokes are derived from the story of a charming family defending their home against a compulsory acquisition.

Performances from a talented Australia cast breathe life into a bunch of quirky but lovable characters. Michael Caton is especially great as the father of the family, Darryl Kerrigan, a lovable oaf with a heart of gold. Veteran actor Charles (Bud) Tingwell also appears as a wise lawyer who takes it upon himself to defend the Kerrigans.

The script was written by Santo Cilauro, Tom Gleisner, Jane Kennedy and Sitch - all regulars on TV’s The Panel. They have a sound sense of joke timing, and how to keep audiences interested. The Castle is a rare find; a funny, wonderful piece that shines in its own homely, honest way.

It is common in Australia to humorously quote lines from "The Castle". Some of the most popular of these are:

• What do you call this? (in reference to obvious items)
• Tell 'em they're dreaming!
• A man's home is his castle.
• It's not a house, it's a home.
• Dale dug a hole.
• That is going straight to the Pool Room.
• How's the serenity? So much serenity!
• It's what you do with it.
• It's the vibe.

Director: Rob Sitch
Cast: Michael Caton, Anne Tenney, Stephen Curry, Sophie Lee, Anthony Simcoe, Charles (Bud) Tingwell, Wayne Hope, Tiriel Mora, Eric Bana

This is the Chips and gravy and Coke..... Americans may call the chips "fries". Add some gravy or brown sauce to the chips then when you get thirsty wash it down with a 600ml bottle of Coke and you got yourself something out of this world

There's a place around the corner that make the best chips and gravy around. You have not lived until you've tasted them. I don't know how they do it or what they put in it but it tastes perfect. This I'll have at least once a week or once a fortnight, depending on how I'm feeling. I'm very spontaneous and if I'm driving past the shop I will sometimes stop and grab me some.