The biggest of Australia’s ‘Big Things’ – the Sunshine Coast’s Big Pineapple – has been officially relaunched. And there are heaps of things to do with the kids!
Standing 16 metres high, the first stage of the Big Pineapple regeneration has opened to the public. It includes the launch of a new café, a new children’s playground, a new viewing platform and a fully restored train.
The Plantation Train, its carriages, and the track have been fully restored to meet current safety standards and certification requirements.
Owner Peter Kendall said he knew that the relaunch of the Big Pineapple had been eagerly anticipated by the Sunshine Coast community.
“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,” said Mr Kendall.
“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 Plantation Train at the Big Pineapple, Sunshine Coast
“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.”
Situated on a 165-hectare site, the Big Pineapple was originally launched on 15 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, it was one of the nation’s most popular tourism attractions, luring over one million visitors annually, including 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.
Servicing Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and beyond, Kids on the Coast is an online guide for parents with kids events, attractions & things to do with kids, schools and education, school holiday guides, health & wellbeing for families, parenting and lifestyle news located on Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast & Brisbane, QLD.
