Macadamia Castle’s Big Knight finds new home at Coffs Harbour Butterfly House

The mystery of the missing Big Knight which once stood sentry outside a one-time northern NSW theme park has now been solved. Here’s what happened.

The Big Knight from the old Macadamia Castle near Ballina is strapped to a truck for the journey to the Coffs Harbour Butterfly House.

When the popular Macadamia Castle tourist attraction near Ballina announced plans to rehome the Big Knight which had stood sentry over the park for decades there was gnashing of teeth.

The armoured icon stood proud lording it over the theme park at Knockrow since the 1980s.

The Knight also provided a what-the-heck moment for traffic racing along the M1, as he peered out from the nut trees.

But with the Macadamia Castle re-imagining itself as a wildlife sanctuary, the medieval monolith had to go.

The Big Knight in his glory days at the Macadamia Castle.

A number of Northern Rivers residents decried such a fate, but can take some comfort that the Knight has now been snapped up in Coffs Harbour – and will sit alongside The Big Banana.

Well, he will actually become a ‘thing’ at the Coffs Harbour Butterfly House, after owner Troy Saville got wind the Knight needed new digs.

The Macadamia Castle in Byron Bay’s hinterland has become a wildlife sanctuary.

Mr Saville made inquiries and while there were a couple of other interested parties, they dropped off the chase.

Chess-like, the Big Knight moved two steps down the highway and one inland to Boambee – on the back of a flatbed truck after being craned into position.

Verne Dove and Troy Saville, from Bonville, are the owners of the Coffs Harbour Butterfly House. They are pictured here with their children Justis, Jaidal and Trinity.

“It needs a fair bit of repair – they cut his legs off when they were taking him down,” Mr Saville said, evoking images of the celebrated Monty Python skit.

And the Knight it seems isn’t quite as large as some memories would have it.

Coffs Harbour Butterfly House is a world of discovery for young families – and will soon have a Big Knight to add to the magic.

“I actually couldn’t tell you how tall it is but everyone remembers it as being a lot bigger than it is – it’s where myth becomes legend,” Mr Saville said.

Constructed of steel frame with thin fibreglass panelling, the Knight will be welded back together, shined (no doubt with Armor All) and join the treasure trove of exhibits at the Butterfly House.

“We’re going to create a magic area with a castle and dragon so he’ll fit right in,” Mr Saville said.

“We’re pretty eclectic here with butterflies and dinosaurs and Alice in Wonderland.”