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2 of Australia’s Big Things just became ice cream flavours

Emily Murphy Emily Murphy
Australia’s love affair with Big Things has taken a sweet turn.

Summer road trips and ice cream go hand in hand, so it’s little wonder Peters Ice Cream has turned to two of Australia’s most famous Big Things for inspiration.

Drumstick Road Trippers ice cream range on surfboard
Drumstick has launched a new Road Trippers range.

Drumstick, the country’s best-selling ice cream cone, has launched a new Road Trippers range that takes its cues from the Big Rocking Horse in South Australia’s Adelaide Hills and the Big Banana in Coffs Harbour on the NSW North Coast.

The two new flavours – Rocky Road and Banana Caramel – are unapologetically nostalgic. The Rocky Road pays homage to the Adelaide Hills’ towering 18-metre Big Rocking Horse, with marshmallow, chocolate, diced nuts and raspberry syrup swirled through each bite. Banana Caramel channels the Big Banana with banana and toffee ice cream layered with caramel syrup and finished with blondie pieces.

A road trip snack with serious Aussie cred

The Big Banana in Coffs Harbour, NSW
The Big Banana is Australia’s most famous Big Thing. (Image: Destination NSW)

Big Things are a uniquely Australian obsession. From the Big Pineapple to the Big Prawn, there are more than 75 oversized landmarks scattered across the country, each with its own story and roadside appeal. They might seem kitsch, but these quirky icons have become enduring symbols of regional pride and tourist curiosity.

The Big Banana is the most famous of them all. Since 1964, it has welcomed more than a million visitors each year, who come for its photo ops, toboggan rides and banana-themed treats. It also punches well above its weight on social media, attracting more than 300,000 shares annually.

The Big Rocking Horse in Adelaide Hills, South Australia
The Big Rocking Horse holds a Guinness World Record. (Image: Frame)

The Big Rocking Horse, built in the early 1980s, remains the largest of its kind in the world. At 18 metres tall, it has earned a Guinness World Record and has long been a favourite pit stop for road trippers exploring the Adelaide Hills. Both landmarks perfectly embody the eccentricity and nostalgia that Big Things bring to the Australian travel experience.

According to recent research by Youi, more than half of Aussies are planning a road trip in the coming months. For Drumstick brand manager Michael Dib, the Road Trippers range is a nod to the roadside pit stops that define the experience.

“From The Big Banana to The Big Rocking Horse, our two new flavours celebrate the weird, legendary and uniquely Australian landmarks we all know and love," says Drumstick brand manager Michael Dib.

“For Aussies, snacking and road trips go hand in hand, so Drumstick wanted to create bold new flavours that celebrate classic road trip memories while helping everyone make new ones this summer."

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

AI Prompt

Where to get them

3 people eating Drumstick Road Trippers Rocky Road ice cream
Get single-serve Rocky Road cones at petrol stations and convenience stores.

The cones land in time for summer road trips, rolling out this month. Multi-packs are available at Coles, Woolworths and independent grocers, while single-serve Rocky Road cones will also be stocked in petrol stations and convenience stores. So next time you’re road-tripping past a Big Thing, you might just have the perfect cone to match.

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Emily Murphy
Emily Murphy is Australian Traveller's Email & Social Editor, and in her time at the company she has been instrumental in shaping its social media and email presence, and crafting compelling narratives that inspire others to explore Australia's vast landscapes. Her previous role was a journalist at Prime Creative Media and before that she was freelancing in publishing, content creation and digital marketing. When she's not creating scroll-stopping travel content, Em is a devoted 'bun mum' and enjoys spending her spare time by the sea, reading, binge-watching a good TV show and exploring Sydney's vibrant dining scene. Next on her Aussie travel wish list? Tasmania and The Kimberley.
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6 of Australia’s best destinations to recharge in nature

(Credit: Hilton Cairns)

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    From coast to coast and everywhere in between, our collective backyard offers unforgettable nature experiences for every kind of traveller.

    Whether you’re a hiking enthusiast or prefer to while away the day at the beach, Australia has some of the most incredible landscapes in the world (and some epic Hilton stays to return to after each day of exploring). Slow down, breathe in, and get ready for an unforgettable adventure, and these destinations are perfect for a nature escape.

    1. Albany, WA

    Aerial view of travellers exploring Granite Skywalk, located within Porongurup National Park.
    Climb the Granite Skywalk fora unique nature experience. (Credit: Tourism WA)

    Albany, in regional Western Australia, is a paradise for nature lovers, best known for its dramatic, rocky coastline and endless swathes of white-sand beaches. Explore it all from Hilton Garden Inn Albany, with a gorgeous waterfront location and close proximity to some of the most iconic natural landscapes.

    Head to Torndirrup National Park, where you can venture out onto a see-through platform to watch the waves batter the shoreline below – if you dare. Further north, marvel at Porongurup National Park’s Castle Rock, an imposing granite range over a million years old that you can scale via the Granite Skywalk.

    Between May and December, Albany becomes a whale watchers’ paradise as humpback whales, southern right whales, and even blue whales journey north towards the Kimberley. Pack your binoculars; there’s a good chance you’ll spot them from the shore.

    2. Alice Springs, NT

    views of the MacDonnell Ranges DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Alice Springs
    Return from your explorations to enjoy views of the MacDonnell Ranges.

    Surrounded by dusty red desert, rolling spinifex dunes, and eerie ghost gums, Alice Springs sits upon a landscape so unique it’s otherworldly. From here, plan a day trip to Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park, where you can take in the unrivalled majesty of Uluru. While there, check out The Olgas, a cluster of 36 impressive rock formations perfect for hiking. Walking trails offer a mix of easy strolls and trickier hikes that wind through gorges and creek beds.

    Other bucket-list-worthy experiences in the area include Stanley Chasm Angkerle Antwatye in the MacDonnell Ranges, best seen at midday for a spectacular view of the sun passing through its crevice, and the rim walk at King’s Canyon, which will leave you feeling breathless as you take in views of the desert from the top of 300m high sandstone walls.

    Nestled on the banks of the Todd River with views of the MacDonnell Ranges, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Alice Springs offers the ideal spot to relax and recharge after a day of adventuring.

    3. Busselton, WA

    Busselton Jetty, Busselton
    Watch the sunset reflect onto the endless blues at Busselton Jetty. (Credit: Tourism WA)

    For a deeply relaxing nature getaway, look no further than Busselton. This charming seaside city is the gateway to the Margaret River Region, where you’ll find no shortage of lush greenery, winding coastlines and unique marine life. Start the day with a stroll and a swim at Busselton or Dunsborough beach, and plan for a sunset walk along the Geographe Bay Foreshore to drink in the changing light. How’s the serenity?

    If you’re visiting Busselton in Spring, don’t skip a nature walk through Ambergate Nature Reserve, which is bursting with wildflowers of every colour once the weather begins to warm.

    A stay at Hilton Garden Inn Busselton puts the Margaret River region on your doorstep. Sitting on the pristine shores of Geographe Bay, it’s just a handful of steps from Busselton Jetty and underwater observatory, where you can see the vibrant marine life up close without getting wet.

    4. Cairns, Qld

    view from a room at Hilton Cairns
    Check into Hilton Cairns and soak in the beauty.

    There’s no shortage of natural wonders to marvel at from Cairns. Get up close and personal with the underwater wildlife by diving or snorkelling through Australia’s underwater playground, the world-heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef.

    Head away from the shore to the Daintree Rainforest, the world’s oldest surviving rainforest and home to iconic fauna like the cassowary, as well as infamous plants like the Stinging Tree.

    Wherever you go, Hilton Cairns or DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns make the perfect home base for a Cairns adventure. Both sit so close to the ferry terminal to get out on the reef, and offer easy access to dining and bar options to top off an amazing day.

    5. Darwin, NT

    two people floating in Florence Falls, Litchfield
    Explore Litchfield National Park’s beautiful swimming holes. (Credit: Tourism & Events NT/ Safari Global)

    Australia’s northernmost city has plenty to offer nature lovers. Day trip to Litchfield National Park and hear the thunderous roar of Florence Falls, take in the mangroves at Charles Darwin National Park, or head to Mary River Wetlands to marvel at the rare birdlife that call the wetlands home.

    You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to accommodation in Darwin, with  Hilton Darwin, DoubleTree by Hilton Esplanade Darwin and Hilton Garden Inn Darwin all providing excellent access to the city’s natural attractions (and a leisurely pool to cool off in after a day in the sun). Meet the top end’s most famous (and infamous) animal inhabitants at Territory Wildlife Park, or take a leisurely stroll through George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens.

    6. Gold Coast, Qld

    Hilton Surfers Paradise
    Stay at the iconic Surfers Paradise.

    It might be known for being a literal paradise for surfers – it’s in the name, after all – but there’s more to the Gold Coast than initially meets the eye. Check into Hilton Surfers Paradise Hotel & Residences to take advantage of direct access to iconic beaches, coastal wildlife and the best of Surfers Paradise.

    But the hotel is also an easy drive away from the world-heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforest, a hinterland treasure teeming with walking trails. Make a day of it by stopping off at some of the local food producers that abound in the Gold Coast hinterland.

    Start planning your next nature escape at hilton.com.