AusLeisure

Standing 16 metres high, the biggest of Australia’s ‘Big Things’ - the Sunshine Coast’s Big Pineapple - has been officially relaunched today.

The first stage of the Big Pineapple regeneration includes the launch of a new café, new children’s playground, new viewing platform and fully restored train.

The extensive renovation project has been undertaken by owner Peter Kendall and his company CMC Property.

Visitors will be struck by the Big Pineapple’s gleaming visage, courtesy of sandblasting, repairing and hundreds of litres of two pack marine paint to ensure the prominent structure stays bright and shiny for many decades to come.

The Plantation Train has been fully restored, along with its carriages and the track, to bring it up to current safety standards and certification requirements.

Situated on a 165-hectare site, the Big Pineapple was originally launched on 15th August 1971, in the heart of pineapple growing territory in Woombye.

The Big Pineapple quickly became a food and tourism icon showcasing and celebrating Queensland’s world-class produce. In its heyday, the Big Pineapple was one of the nation’s most popular tourism attractions, luring over one million visitors annually – including the likes of Prince Charles and Princess Diana, who visited in 1983.

More recently the Big Pineapple site has diversified its attractions playing host to Wildlife HQ Zoo, the TreeTop Challenge high ropes and zipline course, the award-winning coconut foods producer COYO and Sunshine & Sons distillery.

It is also the venue for the popular Big Pineapple Music Festival, which is scheduled to be staged again in October.

Owner Peter Kendall said he knew that the relaunch of the Big Pineapple had been eagerly anticipated by the Sunshine Coast community and shared “The Big Pineapple is undoubtedly the most recognisable tourism icon of the Sunshine Coast and so I am very proud of the team’s work to restore the pineapple to its original glory.

“This is just the first stage of the regeneration project. Our number one priority was to reopen the main Pineapple structure and café, and to get the train running again.

“We are awaiting some final certification for the train and hope to start public train rides soon, providing rides across the property including access to Wildlife HQ.

“The new cafe will provide fresh home style food and premium coffee, while the new children’s playground will ensure everyone is entertained”.

“Our next priority is to complete the renovations to the inside of the pineapple structure itself and we hope to reopen it for tours later on.”

Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Rosanna Natoli said it was wonderful to see the Big Pineapple being restored to its former glory while reinventing itself to cater to a modern market.

Mayor Natoli added “Many of us have fond memories of visiting the Big Pineapple, tasting local produce, and of course, riding the train. It was always a highlight of my childhood holidays.

“Today’s relaunch is a win for our tourism industry and means locals and visitors can enjoy, in both old and new ways, what is a quintessential icon for the Sunshine Coast.”

Visit Sunshine Coast Chief Executive, Matt Stoeckel enthused “Sunshine is an integral part of our identity, and nothing shines more brightly than the Big Pineapple.

“Australians are so endeared to the Big Pineapple and we are thrilled that it is operating as a tourism attraction once again. It also emphasises our history as an agri-tourism destination and highlights that we truly are Queensland’s Sunshine Pantry.”

More information about the Big Pineapple

Images from top: Big Pineapple owner Peter Kendall with Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli and Visit Sunshine Coast Chief Executive Matt Stoeckel at relaunch of Big Pineapple 11/06/24; Big Pineapple freshly painted with new viewing deck; The new Plantation Train ready to resume services at The Big Pineapple; Big Pineapple at night

Related Articles

12th December 2019 - Sunshine Coast unveils million-dollar renewal project for the Big Pineapple

29th May 2019 - The Big Pineapple attraction set to receive multi-million dollar upgrade

4th February 2019 - Work advances on new attractions and event space at Sunshine Coast’s Big Pineapple

13th August 2018 - Sunshine Coast’s Big Pineapple boosts agritourism credentials

1st February 2017 - Owners look to revamp Nambour’s Big Pineapple

22nd June 2015 - Big Pineapple Music Festival co-exists with Queensland Zoo animals

13th May 2014 - RSPCA launches investigation into Big Pineapple Music Festival’s impact on Queensland Zoo

19th April 2014 - Zoo relocates to Sunshine Coast’s The Big Pineapple

19th June 2012 - Saboteur sours Big Pineapple train relaunch

19th October 2011 - Future looks sweet for Nambour’s The Big Pineapple

27th August 2011 - Big Pineapple sold to buyers with ‘a vision to restore and grow’

30th July 2011 - New owners to reopen the Big Pineapple?

19th October 2010 - Car collection to boost Nambour’s Big Pineapple

4th September 2023 - Royal Australian Mint launches Big Things coin collection

15th October 2017 - Uncertain future for Australia’s ageing ‘big things’

16th August 2015 - Australia urged to embrace its iconic ‘big things’

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.