The Big Pineapple is a 16-metre fibreglass pineapple structure, originally opening in 1971 as a tourist attraction at the pineapple plantations in Nambour.
One of Australia’s well known big things, the Big Pineapple was one of the most popular tourist attractions in Australia in its heyday.
The significance of the Big Pineapple is why it has been heritage listed, one of five big things chosen by Australia Post for its
2007 Big Things stamp
The Big Pineapple has started a comeback after it went into receivership in 2009. The outside of the pineapple appears to have been restored with bright and fresh colours, however, it is closed from accessing inside it.
The markets no longer exist, the restaurant is closed up, the plantation is no more. They seem to have a long way to go to reach its former glory but if they complete the restorations and new features they plan to then it will be a great addition (re-addition) for tourist stops on the Sunshine Coast.
Inside the pineapple is split into two levels with an entrance to the first level from the outside. The second level is accessed by a spiral staircase with stairs up to the viewing platform at the top of the pineapple (at the base of the stalk).
Wildlife HQ Zoo is at the same location, built to relocate animals when Alma Park Zoo closed in 2014. The zoo is the only functional attraction at the Big Pineapple until others are restored or built.
The Big Pineapple Train passes through the property and along the zoo. The train, like the pineapple structure, is undergoing maintenance.
TreeTop Challenge
A treetop challenge course has been added, like the ones already in Thunderbird Park at Mt Tamborine and in the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary 
. The Treetop Challenge at the Big Pineapple is the highest in Australia with a variety of courses from easy to Black Diamond extreme.
The courses are designed for ages 8 and over with a minimum reaching height of 160cm, and higher at 180cm for the harder courses.
At the time of first listing this iconic big thing, the Big Pineapple was worth visiting to cross off your ‘big things’ list, unless you wanted to go to Wildlife HQ Zoo. As a revival of the Big Pineapple continues, the TreeTop Challenge as another reason to go, other than just taking some photos from the outside of the pineapple.
To get there:
Heading north on the Bruce Hwy, take the Nambour exit (Exit 201) to Nambour Connection Rd, continuing towards the left at the end of the exit. Follow Nambour Connection Rd for about 750m and turn right into the entrance of the Big Pineapple.
Heading south on the Bruce Hwy, take the Maroochydore exit (Exit 201), and turning right at the roundabout at the end of the exit towards Nambour on the Nambour Connection Rd. Follow Nambour Connection Rd for about 750m and turn right into the entrance of the Big Pineapple.
Cost: Free (excluding other attractions)
Hours: Anytime
Toilets: Yes
Bins: Yes
Tables: Yes
Seating: Yes
Water: No
Food: Yes, cafe
Wheelchair accessible: Yes
Pets: No
BBQ: No
Playground: No
Links:
https://www.bigpineapple.com.au/
