Brisbane to Melbourne with no traffic lights, and no Big Banana

A $2.2 billion bypass around Coffs Harbour will eliminate a major traffic bottleneck on the east coast, allowing travelers to avoid the city's 12 traffic lights. The Big Banana, a popular landmark built beside the old Pacific Highway in 1964, anticipates a significant loss of daily visitors, as an estimated 35,000 vehicles currently pass by each day.

The Big Banana's CEO, Michael Lockman, predicts the landmark will see fewer than a million tourists per year once the bypass opens, down from around one million annually. Despite the anticipated decline in foot traffic, the business has invested up to $20 million in rides and a water park to remain viable. Business owners in Coffs Harbour are preparing for a reduced tourist flow by attending workshops to adapt to the changes.

The bypass project, funded by federal and state governments, aims to alleviate congestion for motorists traveling between Melbourne and Brisbane via the Hume Highway and Pacific Motorway. Some residents express concerns that the bypass may negatively impact small towns, while others argue that faster travel benefits everyone. The bypass's impact on businesses and tourism will be closely monitored in the coming months.