Leslie Massey
The Big Pineapple is a 16-metre-high fibreglass structure located on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia. It was one of the country's most popular tourist attractions, drawing over a million visits per year. The Big Pineapple was established in 1971 as one of Australia's first 'agri-tourist' destinations, showcasing a real, working pineapple farm. In recent years, the site has undergone renewal and transformation, with new attractions such as a zoo, high ropes and zipline courses, and music festivals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Nambour Connection Road, Woombye, Sunshine Coast Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Height | 16 metres (52 feet) |
| Opening Date | 15 August 1971 |
| Site Area | 165-170 hectares |
| Current Status | Under renewal and transformation |
| Attractions | Zoo, TreeTop Challenge, Beer and Cider Expo, Music Festival |
| Historical Visitor Count | Over 1 million visits per year |
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What You'll Learn
- The Big Pineapple is a heritage-listed tourist attraction in Queensland, Australia
- It was one of the first 'agri-tourist' destinations in Australia
- The Big Pineapple is undergoing renewal and transformation
- The site is home to Wildlife HQ, a zoo with over 200 animal species
- The Big Pineapple hosts a music festival, which has featured Midnight Oil in concert
The Big Pineapple is a heritage-listed tourist attraction in Queensland, Australia
The Big Pineapple is set on a large site spanning 165 hectares or 170 hectares, depending on the source. In its heyday, it was the most popular tourist attraction in Australia, drawing over a million visits per year. It was established as one of the first 'agri-tourist' destinations in Australia, showcasing a real, working pineapple farm to entertain and educate visitors about agriculture and tropical produce.
Over time, the Sunshine Coast region experienced significant development and urbanisation, which contributed to a decline in visitors to the Big Pineapple. However, the site is currently undergoing renewal and transformation, with plans to diversify its offerings. New attractions have been introduced, such as the popular zoo Wildlife HQ, the TreeTop Challenge high ropes and zipline course, and a sold-out events program, including the Big Pineapple Music Festival.
The Big Pineapple has been recognised as a Queensland icon and was featured on an Australia Post stamp celebrating Australia's 'Big Things'. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 6 March 2009, and under new ownership, further rejuvenation plans are underway through community consultation.
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It was one of the first 'agri-tourist' destinations in Australia
The Big Pineapple is a 16-metre-high fibreglass structure located on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia. It was established by Bill and Lyn Taylor in 1971 and was one of the first "agri-tourist" destinations in the country.
The concept of "Big Things" as tourist attractions first appeared in Australia in the 1960s. These oversized structures were typically built by entrepreneurs or local communities to showcase something unique to their town or district, often highlighting local flora or produce. The Big Pineapple was one of the earliest examples of this phenomenon.
As one of the first "agri-tourist" destinations, the Big Pineapple sought to educate and entertain its visitors about agriculture and tropical produce. Visitors were exposed to a real, working pineapple farm, with the lure of a giant replica pineapple perched above the plantation. In its heyday, the Big Pineapple attracted crowds of up to 10,000 tourists per day, making it one of the most popular tourist attractions in Australia.
The Sunshine Coast, where the Big Pineapple is located, has undergone significant changes over the years. The region has transformed from a rural outpost dominated by cane fields and fruit plantations to a landscape of sprawling suburbia. Despite these changes, the Big Pineapple remains an iconic symbol of the area's agricultural heritage. The attraction has been recognised as a Queensland icon and was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 2009.
Today, the Big Pineapple continues to be a popular destination, hosting events such as the Big Pineapple Music Festival and offering experiences like the TreeTop Challenge high ropes and zipline course. The site is currently undergoing renewal and transformation, with plans to further rejuvenate the Big Pineapple experience and attract a new generation of visitors.
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The Big Pineapple is undergoing renewal and transformation
The Big Pineapple is a national tourism and food icon based on Queensland's Sunshine Coast. It is a 16-metre fibreglass structure that was historically Australia's most popular tourist attraction, drawing over a million visits per year. The Big Pineapple is currently undergoing renewal and transformation, guided by a master plan across its 170-hectare landholding.
The site has a rich history and was once a pineapple farm purchased by Taylor Family Investments Pty Ltd in 1971. It was opened to the public on 15 August 1971 and became a popular tourist destination, featuring unique attractions such as the Big Pineapple structure, a visitor centre, and a train. In addition to its iconic status, the site also faced some challenges, including a period of closure between 2009 and 2010.
The renewal and transformation of The Big Pineapple aim to restore its popularity and establish it as a major tourism destination once again. This includes facilitating more on-site food and beverage production, with wholesale and retail distribution, as well as food production demonstrations and tastings. The plan also involves diversifying attractions, such as demonstration farms, microbreweries, distilleries, restaurants, and a convention centre.
The Big Pineapple is also committed to showcasing the region's produce and has partnered with companies like COYO, an award-winning producer of dairy-free products, and Diablo Ginger Beer, a crafty reinvention of traditional ginger beer. The site also hosts popular events, such as a craft beer and cider expo, and the Big Pineapple Music Festival, featuring renowned artists like Birds of Tokyo and Midnight Oil.
The transformation includes a focus on nature-based and activity-based tourism, with the TreeTop Challenge being a prominent example. This ecotourism experience offers a high ropes and zipline course set within the mature trees surrounding the Big Pineapple structure. The course provides a range of activities and challenges while preserving the natural environment. With its renewal and transformation well underway, The Big Pineapple is poised to reclaim its status as a leading tourist destination in Queensland and Australia.
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The site is home to Wildlife HQ, a zoo with over 200 animal species
The Big Pineapple is a heritage-listed tourist attraction in Woombye, on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia. It was originally opened on 15 August 1971 and is situated on a 165-hectare site. The Big Pineapple is a national tourism and food icon, featuring a 16-metre fibreglass pineapple structure. In its heyday, it was the most popular tourist attraction in Australia, drawing over a million visits a year.
Wildlife HQ has a diverse range of species, including Australian animals such as koalas, quokkas, kangaroos, wombats, and crocodiles, as well as exotic animals like African wild dogs, red pandas, binturong meerkats, and Queensland's only sun bear. Visitors can enjoy up-close animal encounters, feeding experiences, and behind-the-scenes access. The zoo also offers a unique VIP experience, providing personalised interactions with native and exotic animals.
In addition to the zoo, the Big Pineapple features the TreeTop Challenge, a high ropes and zipline course set within the mature trees surrounding the iconic structure. The site also hosts various events, including music festivals, concerts, and expos, attracting visitors with its diverse offerings and contributing to its resurgence as a popular destination.
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The Big Pineapple hosts a music festival, which has featured Midnight Oil in concert
The Big Pineapple is a heritage-listed tourist attraction on Nambour Connection Road, Woombye, in the Sunshine Coast Region of Queensland, Australia. It is also known as the Sunshine Plantation. The Big Pineapple is a 16-metre-high, two-level structure that was originally opened on 15 August 1971.
The Big Pineapple has been an iconic food-tourism destination, showcasing and celebrating Queensland's world-class produce. In its heyday, it was the most popular tourist attraction in Australia, drawing over a million visits per year. The site is currently undergoing renewal and transformation, with plans to facilitate more on-site food and beverage production, as well as demonstration farms, microbreweries, distilleries, restaurants, and a convention centre.
The Big Pineapple hosts the annual Big Pineapple Music Festival, which features a range of artists from various genres. The festival was first held in April 2013 and has since grown in popularity, regularly selling out. It has been recognised as one of Australia's top regional music festivals. The festival is part of a broader strategic plan to rejuvenate the Big Pineapple experience and pull the business out of bankruptcy.
In 2017, the Big Pineapple hosted a Midnight Oil concert as part of their reunion tour. This sold-out concert further demonstrated the venue's ability to host world-class music events. The Big Pineapple also offers on-site camping for its evening music events, adding to the relaxed, festival feel.
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Frequently asked questions
The Big Pineapple is located on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia.
The Big Pineapple is a 16-metre-high fibreglass structure that was originally opened on 15 August 1971. It is a heritage-listed tourist attraction and one of the first 'Big' attractions in Australia.
The Big Pineapple is home to a zoo, the TreeTop Challenge high ropes and zipline course, and a sold-out events program. It also has a visitor centre and train.
The Big Pineapple was established by Bill and Lyn Taylor in 1971 and was one of the first 'agri-tourist' destinations in Australia. It sought to teach and entertain its visitors about agriculture and tropical produce by exposing them to a real, working pineapple farm. The Big Pineapple went into receivership in 2009 and closed in October 2010. However, it has since been making a comeback, with new attractions and services proposed.
