Where are bananas grown in Australia?
Most of Australia's bananas are grown in tropical north Queensland, especially around Tully and Innisfail. Smaller crops are grown in northern New South Wales, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
The Cavendish banana is the main variety grown in Australia, followed by Lady Finger bananas. The Tully and Innisfail region produces the majority of the national crop thanks to its warm, wet climate.
Australia does not allow fresh banana imports because of the risk of introducing pests and diseases. This means almost all bananas sold in Australian supermarkets are grown locally.
Cyclone damage
Tropical cyclones are a major risk for growers. In 2006, Cyclone Larry destroyed most of the banana crop in north Queensland, and prices in shops soared to more than $12 a kilogram. Cyclone Yasi in 2011 also caused major damage.
Banana plants are vulnerable to Panama disease tropical race 4, a soil-borne fungal disease. The disease was detected in Queensland in 2015, and growers follow strict biosecurity measures to stop its spread.
Coffs Harbour in New South Wales was once a major banana-growing region and is home to the Big Banana, one of Australia's most famous roadside attractions, which opened in 1964.
Did You Know?
Tully also claims the Golden Gumboot, a monument to the town's high annual rainfall.