As we drove up so we drove down. Again, past the Macadamia castle at KnockRow. It heralds ” The most visited tourist side for over 35 years.” As if the name of the town isn’t enough warning already!
https://www.google.com.au/#q=macadamia+castle
How a mock English castle got built in NSW with a ‘real’ knight with a ‘real’ sword at the entrance, and why, remains hidden to this writer. Never mind, the kiddies want to see it and they are the ones that are then lured inside and make mum and dad spend the money. It is the money spending that the castle is all about. The area where the castle is situated is a macadamia nut growing area but the connection of nuts to the castle is obscure. I believe you can buy all sorts of nuts and their combinations once inside the castle, together with souvenirs including tea spoons and shiny knights in armour.
Of course, nothing would be complete without driving past, stopping and taking pictures in front of the ‘big banana’. Not only that, you can even walk through it. Who has ever walked through a banana? It really is mindboggling how anyone would think up walking through a banana. What next, walk through a real forest or climb a mountain?
Big Banana
We drove through an area called the sapphire coast followed logically by an emerald beach. There were signs pointing to a coastal porpoise petting opportunity and Fredo meat Pies delights.
More to come!
Tags: Byron Bay, Fredo Pies, Macadamia Castle
Oosterman Treats Blog 
May 9, 2014 at 10:36 am |
I’ve just checked out Google images of Macadamia Castle, what an extraordinary looking place. It looks like it could sit quite happily in DisneyLand.
Gerard I’m gutted, I repeat, gutted that you did not provide a picture, or even better, pictures of the Big Banana. Boo Hoo!!
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May 9, 2014 at 10:45 am |
Yes Lottie, big, big banana and celebrating 40 years too! Lots of shops try and copy the banana trying to cash in. There is now also a big prawn and big oyster in the same area.
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May 9, 2014 at 11:54 am |
Is it legal to pet a porpoise? I’d claim it was an accident – I never did it on porpoise, your honour.
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May 9, 2014 at 12:53 pm |
Yes, I thought all ani/mammals were now supposed to be protected from ‘performing’ or training to do tricks.
Shall I dob them in?
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May 9, 2014 at 12:55 pm
Nah, just throw them a fish.
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May 9, 2014 at 10:55 pm
The Coffs Harbour dolphin prison is disgusting – two concrete pools and cruel exploitation of dolphins for idiots. Activists have been trying to get it shut down for years, and there’s a petition on http://www.change.org worth signing at:
http://www.change.org/en-AU/petitions/the-hon-katrina-hodgkinson-mp-minister-for-primary-industries-stop-the-show-and-retire-the-coffs-harbour-dolphins-to-a-sea-sanctuary
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May 10, 2014 at 1:05 am
FigMince: I thought all those sort of animal performances were illegal now. The drive through Coffs harbour along the Pacific Highway was and still is a visual nightmare. We are supposed to desist using mobiles while driving. What about all that visual clutter screaming out for attention? Those sales yards, the hoardings, mile after relentless mile? How could mankind spoil nature with such vigour and determination.
Yet the main streets in Coffs are a pleasure to walk through. What sort of council allows so much ugliness to dominate along the main thoroughfare?
Is it the insensitivity that then doesn’t also see the cruelty inflicted on animals (and Manus people)?
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May 9, 2014 at 12:04 pm |
Did you give the footrest a good workout?
I had my foot on the footrest today and thought I was on the clutch.
Of course I strangled the engine just when I wanted to get away.
Habe a good time and I hope you have lots of sunshine. And don’t overeat on them bananas.
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May 9, 2014 at 12:51 pm |
Yes, the footrest was fantastic, made it all worthwhile. My son took over as well. Lovely trip and warm till the last day when it cooled down. Here back in Bowral it was 2c this morning. brrr. Both heaters on full blast.
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May 10, 2014 at 1:20 am |
Yes, Berlioz. The bananas were keenly sought after. Part of the holiday was trying and getting used to my new ‘flexible partials’. Boy what a painful job. H urges me on daily but I am getting fed up with bananas. How long does torture last? Does anyone know?
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May 9, 2014 at 8:57 pm |
Welcome back. It sounds like a good trip. Always nice to return though isn’t it?
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May 9, 2014 at 9:52 pm |
Yes, especially the warm welcome we got when picking up Milo from the kennel. He had an extra chicken neck!
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May 10, 2014 at 1:22 am |
Milo at the kennel had a JRT female as companion. He was over the moon. (so I was told by his carer.)
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May 9, 2014 at 9:21 pm |
A lot of mental boggling going on here.
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May 9, 2014 at 9:57 pm |
Mind boggling how crass commercialism has got hold of some of the most beautiful nature in the world. I don’t think ‘Big bananas or Big Oysters are Australia’s answer to the Taj Mahal, pyramid of Cheops, or Eifel tower.
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May 9, 2014 at 10:53 pm |
The Photo – put my mind at rest Gerard – its not the Beach Hotel is it? If not – then where? Ah Knockrow Castle – tourist con like all others – there are a million of them around the North Coast – greedy Australians making money selling unnecessary rubbish to people who are all too eager to part with their money. The forests and the beaches and the food make it all worth while.
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May 10, 2014 at 1:14 am |
Almost Rosie.
The Photo was taken at the Bangalow Hotel having a beef burger and a beer. You are right. The beaches and the Byron Beach hotel with the busy alleys and cluster of cafes and shops makes Byron Bay unique.
It is the part of Australia that gets hit with the sun first, being the most easterly part of Australia. The sunsets are amazing. A warm glow of gold tinged with a roseate 😉 hue.
We tried spending a night on the way over at Port Macquarie. It was all booked out, an estimated 10.000 people had flooded this town as a result of the annual of …wait for it… and iron-man competition.
I never iron anything.
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May 10, 2014 at 1:43 am
Ah – the Bangalow Hotel – taken out the back. Yes. And a great little town. I knew it before it became “trendy” – Byron, too, for that matter. Gosh – I came up to the North Coast from Sydney 40 years ago with two small kids – just after the Aquarius Festival and in time for saving Terania Creek from logging. I have seen many changes, have lived in a few different areas, walked in every forest and swum on every beach. But it is way too crowded now and expensive. Nice to visit though. Glad Milo had a little romance while you were away. Laughed out loud re your comment about the iron-man competition. Hope you and Helvi really enjoyed your time away.
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May 10, 2014 at 3:39 am
We loved our holiday Rosie. We are going to do it more often. Milo is walking tall today.
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May 10, 2014 at 3:33 am |
A top banana for sure. Over the top? A tad, I’d say. Interesting post and a very nice trip for sure.
I love reading the little story about Milo’s holiday of sorts. So cute that he had another JRT for company while at the kennels.
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May 10, 2014 at 3:41 am |
Yes, Yvonne. He had a bit of a fling I would say. He had his favourite cushion with him as well. I bet the female JRT was allowed to share his cushion. He is a bit of a gentleman. ( deep down).
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May 10, 2014 at 5:23 am |
Yes, Coffs is a billboard Mecca. As for dolphin, one can see them at most beaches, enjoying the surf. Unfortunately those who have lived their lives in captivity don’t survive in the ocean, much like Manus imprisoned humans go apeshit crazy. Why do we do that to people. Thanks Phoney Abbott, Prime Moron!!
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May 10, 2014 at 5:52 am |
Yes Big M, I have joined the ALP again. I let membership drift after the Whitlam years and the bashing of Peter Baldwyn. I do hope the local ALP are as opposed to the ALP refugee policy as I am. If not, i’ll give it the heave ho and join the Greens, but at my age I am past hurling bricks around or throwing myself in front of bulldozers. ( perhaps a ride-on mower)
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May 10, 2014 at 6:06 am
Good on you, Gez. I have to admit to never having been a member of a party, but, have been a staunch unionist, since starting work. Our union used to be the worst union in Australia, but, a change of leadership brought about, almost constant discussion with the Health department regarding wages and conditions, as well as genuine support for overseas nurses, as well as, other unionists within Australia.
Maintain the rage, but wear them steel capped boots around them mowers!
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May 10, 2014 at 6:07 am |
Too many ‘as well as’s’!
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May 12, 2014 at 1:20 am |
“Who has ever walked through a banana?”—Certainly not me, but I think I’d rather enjoy it. 😉
Thanks for visiting my site. Much appreciated!
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May 12, 2014 at 1:38 am |
Same here. Love your outspokenness.
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May 23, 2014 at 1:08 am |
That ‘big banana’ would not be at all out of place along any roadside in the American South or Midwest. “Cadillac Ranch” is my favorite… but you can’t discount the World’s Largest Ball o’ Twine. Or the Chocolate Moose. (see http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/americas-strangest-roadside-attractions)
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May 23, 2014 at 1:42 am |
I do like the cars stuck in the desert. It is far more of a sculpture than our ‘big banana’. For my eyes anyway.
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