Five quirky stops hiding in plain sight
We all know the famous “big things”, but Australia’s roadside stops go way beyond oversized fruit and giant guitars.
If you’re the kind of traveller who brakes for the weird, the wonderful and the slightly unhinged… this is your kind of list.
These are the roadside attractions that turn a long drive into a proper adventure, and the best part of the journey… is the weird stuff you find along the way.
Rooey II: A Kangaroo with a Taste for Vegemite
Out on the edge of the Nullarbor, where the road stretches endlessly and the landscape feels almost surreal, you’ll find Rooey II, a giant kangaroo casually holding a tub of Vegemite.
As you do.
Built in 1987 to lure in road trippers passing through during the America’s Cup buzz, this roadside icon has been stopping travellers in their tracks ever since. It sits right near the WA/SA border, making it the perfect “you’ve made it this far” photo op.
It’s unexpected, slightly absurd and exactly what a Nullarbor drive needs.
The TARDIS Bus Shelter: Not Your Average Pit Stop
Somewhere along a quiet rural road in Western Australia, there’s a bright blue police box sitting by a driveway. Step inside and things get interesting.
This fully electrified TARDIS, complete with lights and a working control panel, started life as a bus shelter built by a local dad for his daughter. Now? It’s a full-blown pilgrimage stop for Doctor Who fans from around the world.
There’s even a guest book inside, filled with names from every corner of the globe.
Moral of the story: never underestimate a roadside bus stop.
The Ballandean Dinosaur: Delightfully Random
No backstory. No deep meaning. No logical reason to exist. Just… a dinosaur.
Originally built for a fruit festival back in 1998, this oversized reptile now lives its best life by the side of the road near Ballandean. It has absolutely nothing to do with the town and honestly, that’s part of the charm.
It’s the kind of stop where you pull over, laugh, take a photo and keep driving slightly confused but very entertained.
BallaGNOMEia: The Gnomes Have Moved In
The Nullarbor has always had a reputation for being a little eerie… but this takes it to another level. At a remote rest stop, a community of garden gnomes has quietly taken over.
Welcome to BallaGNOMEia.
No one’s entirely sure where they came from (rumour has it they hitched rides on caravans), but their numbers have been steadily growing. These tiny residents now line the rest stop, creating a bizarre, slightly magical roadside scene.
They seem friendly enough, just keep an eye on your snacks.
Tin Horse Highway: Where Things Get Weird (In the Best Way)
Cruising through WA’s Wheatbelt, you might think it’s all open paddocks and long, quiet roads. Then suddenly… horses. Lots of them.
Made from scrap metal, frozen mid-chaos and doing everything from drinking beer to pulling off acrobatics, the Tin Horse Highway is one of Australia’s most entertaining roadside attractions.
What started as a community project in the ’90s has turned into a full-blown outdoor gallery, with more than 70 sculptures and counting.
