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Australia is home to a variety of large novelty structures, including one in the shape of a peanut. The Big Peanut is a 3.4m tall and 1.2m wide steel sculpture that was unveiled in Kingaroy, Queensland, in 2021. The sculpture was designed by artist Kane Minogue and constructed from farming equipment gathered from peanut farms across the South Burnett. The Big Peanut is one of Australia's Big Things and is illuminated at night by two specially designed lighting poles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Kingaroy, Queensland, Australia |
| Height | 3.4m (approximately 50 feet) |
| Width | 1.2m |
| Weight | 450kg |
| Material | Steel |
| Artist | Kane Minogue |
| Date | Unveiled in 2021 |
| Illumination | Two specially designed lighting poles |
| Nearby attractions | The Peanut Van |
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What You'll Learn
The Big Peanut statue in Kingaroy, Queensland
Kingaroy, Queensland, also known as the "peanut capital of Australia", is home to a statue of a giant peanut known as the Big Peanut. The statue is located in Lions Park near the heart of the town and was unveiled in November 2021. It is approximately 50 feet high and made from pieces of old farming equipment donated by local farming families. The sculptor, Kane Minogue, is an acclaimed metal sculptor who lived in Queensland for 13 years and has school friends in Kingaroy.
The Big Peanut is a community project that was four years in the making. It was funded through a combination of council and business support, donations from community members, and sponsorship from companies in the peanut industry, including Bega Cheese (PCA) and G Crumpton & Sons. The Kingaroy Needs a Big Peanut committee played a key role in bringing the project to life, with members including Abigail Andersson, Tina Torrens, Rowena Dionysius, Kristy Board, and Greg Lewis.
The statue is illuminated at night by two specially designed lighting poles, and the area around it has been upgraded with new pathways, wheelchair-friendly picnic shelters, and a wheelchair-friendly barbecue. The official unveiling of the statue took place in April 2022, with a celebration that included free face painting, fairy floss, and a sausage sizzle cooked by volunteers from the Kingaroy Men's Shed.
The Big Peanut has been described as a "monument to the peanut-growing families" of Kingaroy and is a significant addition to the town's attractions, with tourists already visiting to take photos of the statue. It is one of Australia's "Big Things", a collection of large structures and statues that are often quirky or unique and have become popular tourist attractions.
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The Peanut Place in Tolga, Queensland
The Peanut Place was also notable for its Big Peanut statue, one of Australia's many "Big Things." The Big Peanut stood at approximately 50 feet tall and depicted an anthropomorphic peanut wearing a green cork hat. It served as a popular photo opportunity for visitors. Unfortunately, The Peanut Place closed down in 2019, but it remains a memorable attraction for those who visited.
The shop offered a wide range of flavoured peanuts, including chilli, chilli and lime, sweet and salty, butterscotch and caramel, Mexican salsa, and salt and vinegar. Visitors could also sample boiled peanuts, a unique delicacy. In addition to flavoured peanuts, The Peanut Place offered other peanut products such as peanut butter, candies, peanut oil, and ice cream. The peanut ice cream, made on-site, was particularly popular among visitors.
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The Peanut Place's peanut flavours
The Peanut Place in Tolga, Queensland, Australia, is a peanut lover's paradise. The retail store offers a large variety of flavoured peanuts, including:
- Chilli and lime
- Sweet and salty
- Butterscotch and caramel
- Mexican salsa
- Salt and vinegar
The Peanut Place also offers boiled peanuts, which some have described as "delightful" and "an acquired taste". In addition to flavoured peanuts, The Peanut Place sells plain nuts, souvenirs, ice cream, and drinks. The owner is reportedly friendly and always willing to discuss his products and share his knowledge of the area. The store also provides free tastings to help customers decide between the various flavours and packet sizes.
The Peanut Place is not to be confused with the Big Peanut, a 3.4-metre tall sculpture in Kingaroy, Queensland. The Big Peanut was unveiled in 2021 and is illuminated at night by two specially designed lighting poles.
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The Peanut Place's friendly owner
The Peanut Place in Tolga, Queensland, is a haven for peanut lovers and seekers alike. The retail store, which closed down in 2019, boasted a vast array of peanut products, from plain nuts to an extensive range of savoury flavoured nuts. The owner, a very friendly gentleman, was always willing to discuss his products and share his excellent knowledge of the area. He was happy to talk about the history of the place and what he does there.
The Peanut Place was a fun and tasty stop for travellers exploring the Tablelands. The boiled peanuts were a particular favourite, changing the minds of those who had previously found them strange. Other popular flavours included chilli and lime, sweet and salty, butterscotch and caramel, and Mexican salsa. Warmed peanuts were also a delicious treat.
The owner's passion for peanuts and the local area was evident, and he was always willing to offer free tastings to help customers decide between the various flavours and packet sizes. The store also offered a small souvenir section, as well as ice creams and drinks. The toilets were noted to be very clean.
The Peanut Place stood out with its big peanut man sign, a 50-foot-high statue of an anthropomorphic peanut wearing a green cork hat. This statue, one of Australia's Big Things, was a familiar landmark for travellers, and its friendly owner ensured that it was a welcoming and enjoyable stop for all who visited.
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The Big Peanut's lighting
Australia's peanut capital, Kingaroy, Queensland, finally got its own "big" attraction with the unveiling of the Big Peanut in November 2021. The 3.4m-tall and 1.2m-wide steel sculpture, weighing 450kg, was built by scrap metal artist Kane Minogue from Grafton, NSW, out of farming equipment gathered from peanut farms across the South Burnett.
The Big Peanut is illuminated at night by two specially designed lighting poles. The lighting highlights the brown colour of the peanut and the green cork hat worn by the anthropomorphic statue. The statue is posed to be smiling and waving, welcoming visitors to the town.
The lighting of the Big Peanut is an important part of its appeal, especially at night when it stands out as a unique landmark in the heart of Kingaroy. The illumination not only makes the statue more visible but also adds to its character, creating a friendly and inviting atmosphere for locals and tourists alike.
The lighting design was carefully considered to ensure the statue was well-lit and showcased the unique features of the Big Peanut. The two lighting poles are positioned on either side of the statue, providing symmetrical lighting that emphasises the height and width of the structure. The lights are angled to highlight the details of the sculpture, such as the cork hat and the waving arm.
The lighting of the Big Peanut is a testament to the community's dedication to making the structure a reality. For years, the concept of a Big Peanut was discussed, and finally, with the support of local businesses, the council, and the "Kingaroy Needs a Big Peanut" committee, the sculpture was installed and lit up for all to enjoy.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there is a Big Peanut in Kingaroy, Queensland, Australia.
The Big Peanut is a 3.4m tall and 1.2m wide steel sculpture. It weighs 450kg.
The Big Peanut is brown all over with a green cork hat. The peanut man is posed to be smiling and waving.
Yes, there is a place called The Peanut Place in Tolga, Queensland, Australia. It offers a large range of flavoured peanuts, including chilli and lime, sweet and salty, Mexican salsa, and salt and vinegar.
