Work advances on new attractions and event space at Sunshine Coast’s Big Pineapple

February 4, 2019

Work on the $150 million master plan to ensure the Sunshine Coast’s Big Pineapple returns to the glory days it enjoyed as a popular, stand-out tourist attraction in the 1980s is gaining pace.

The Tree Tops Challenge high ropes and zipline course is nearly complete. The two-kilometre course, featuring about 120 activities, with a variety of challenges including a 120 metre zipline will take people around a half a day to complete.

New attractions for the sprawling 170 hectare site include a water park, an adventure precinct, a major concert event space and on-site accommodation as well as a $60 million-dollar agribusiness precinct, with work on upgrading the former macadamia nut factory now well advanced.

The renewal plans for the Big Pineapple across the site include:

Food and tourism hub to showcase the region’s produce - including craft brewery and major distillery
Tourism attractions, including a water park
Adventure and recreation, including TreeTop Challenge adventure course
Events space, supporting a highly successful music program, including the Big Pineapple Music Festival and large major events
793 various accommodation options including – RV park and eco resort
Travel centre including a service station
Educational elements including a school camp

Big Pineapple Renewal Project Director Jim Costello said the redevelopment of the Big Pineapple would ensure the attraction remained an icon on the Sunshine Coast long into the future, commenting "our renewal master plan is set to position the Big Pineapple for sustained success, with an emphasis on showcasing the region’s famous, world-class produce and other attractions, including major music events, adventure tourism.

“Our plans set our vision for the future, but the Big Pineapple renewal is also about the ‘here and now’ too with an active events program, a high quality zoo, TreeTop Challenge about to commence operations and COYO organic yoghurt set to establish their international base here later in 2019.”

Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said the master plan for the heritage listed tourist park is very impressive, advising "work on the project is tipped to pump nearly $90 million into the Sunshine Coast’s economy. Once it’s fully operational, the revamped Big Pineapple site will support more than 630 local jobs."

Minister Jones said the full renewal plans would entice more than a million visitors per annum to the Sunshine Coast, rivalling peak visitation in the 1980s when the Big Pineapple was Australia’s number one tourism attraction.

She added “importantly this will pump $45 million per annum into the Sunshine Coast economy through expenditure and overnight stays.

“More tourists than ever before are flocking to the Sunshine Coast every year. Projects like this will ensure visitor numbers only continue to grow in the future.

National Visitor Survey data for the year ended September 2018 showed 1.9 million domestic tourists spent a record $2.4 billion on the Sunshine Coast last year (more than 18% growth year-on-year).

Meanwhile, International Visitor Survey data for the same period showed a record 319,000 international tourists spent nearly $250 million on the Sunshine Coast.

Visit Sunshine Coast Chief Executive Simon Latchford said it was essential to support new and appropriate tourism developments.

Latchford concluded “it’s so good to see the Sunshine Coast’s nationally recognised and legendary landmark investing in renewal to reposition the precinct as an agritourism and visitor icon. For many Australians, the Big Pineapple holds treasured memories, so it is great that it can once again be a must-do family and tourism experience.

“As part of the offering, food-based tourism is a strong, emerging part of our broader tourism economy and an increasingly important drawcard for the Sunshine Coast.

“While the Sunshine Coast may have some of Australia’s most appealing natural attractions, a new era of hotel and tourism products is vital for the Sunshine Coast if we are to fulfil the region’s tourism potential, grow the economy and provide a significant flow of new jobs for the area’s growing population."

31st October 2018 - Young adventurers enjoy TreeTop Challenge attraction at Mt Tamborine

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

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

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

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

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

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

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’

24th March 2009 - Big Pineapple owners to fight heritage listing

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