25-07-2025
British expat amazed by $2 Aussie roadside scene: 'Never seen anything like it'
A British expat who recently made a home for herself in Far North Queensland was stunned by a roadside feature that she now believes should be everywhere around the world.
Anita, originally from London, said she was "genuinely impressed" after stumbling upon an unmanned bright yellow trailer on the side of the road filled to the brim with bananas selling for $2 per kilogram.
"I've never seen anything like it," she told Yahoo News.
Fruit and vegetable stalls on regional roadsides across the country are a common sight for Aussies, with similar set-ups selling avocados, mangoes, lychees and in other parts of the country strawberries and mandarins.
The Cairns banana stall is one of 11 in the area operated by the Banana Brothers. Owner Tony Trafford told Yahoo News the produce comes directly from local farms, and customers regularly tell him they "taste better" than store-bought bananas. "You don't get $2 snacks anywhere now," he said.
"The stand is completely unmanned and runs on honesty. You can weigh your bananas on a little scale or just grab one," Anita said.
Young expat amazed by 'brilliant' roadside feature
Anita, who recently moved to Cairns with her partner, said she was getting her bearings in her new home when she came across the stand, which "stood out" on the roadside.
"The bananas are organic and straight from a local farm, which makes it feel like a healthier and more authentic way to get your fruit," she said.
"It's also just a fun experience and way more memorable than picking something off a supermarket shelf."
She'd love to see other countries adopt the idea. "I'd love to see these kinds of stands become a normal thing all around the world. It would be amazing to see something like this back home in England," she said.
Tony explained that the unmanned trailers operate on an honour system. Those without cash can use a built-in EFTPOS machine to pay with their cards.
He explained that thefts do happen, including one prolific Maserati driver allegedly caught red-handed stealing large amounts of bananas and fleeing the scene.
"Most people do the right thing, which we rely on," he explained, adding cameras do operate at all his sites across Cairns to deter opportunistic thieves.
Queensland's $600m banana industry
Far North Queensland makes up for 94 per cent of Australia's banana production, valued at around $600 million, according to the Queensland Government. Due to strict quarantine regulations, all of the bananas sold in Australia are locally grown.
Earlier this year, Queensland's banana crops "copped a flogging" following unprecedented rain in the area.
Luckily, only a small percentage of flooded farms' banana crops were destroyed following the deluge, but many faced four to five months of recovery after the trees' roots became waterlogged.
But as locals waited for the water levels to subside, the town of Innisfail appeared to have nothing in its local Coles store except bananas. In one photo shared online, no other produce, except for the 18 boxes of the fruit, can be seen in a photo of the store's produce section.
Anita moved to Australia with her partner two years ago, and after travelling around she believes Cairns is one of the best places she's ever lived.
"The winter weather alone is a winner," she said of the tropical climate.
"Being surrounded by the Great Barrier Reef, tropical islands, mountains, and the Daintree Rainforest honestly feels surreal. I still can't believe I get to call this place home," she said.
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
