“Stand Up Straight And Say Cheese!”
Time for a picture in front of Australia’s “Big Pineapple!”
This giant Pineapple exists in Queensland, Australia – and the terrific news site The Guardian reports that a new owner is trying to return it to its former glory!
As you can see, it’s a unique roadside attraction. After decades being a fan favorite, a new road left it remote and ultimately abandoned. But, it’s coming back! The Guardian reports about the origin of this tourist attraction, the future of it and the story of Patsy, who worked there:
“the glory days of the 1970s and 80s when the Big Pineapple boldly claimed to host more than one million visitors a year and crowned itself Australia’s No 1 tourist attraction.
Those were the days when its 350 staff worked hard to maintain the pineapple plantation and serve famously decadent parfaits layered in lashes of whipped cream, macadamia nuts, tropical fruit and ice-cream.”
“Patsy was there in the 1990s when a bypass abruptly cut the giant pineapple off from its main traffic route, the Bruce Highway. She bore witness to a decade of decline that followed the monument’s sale to a Sydney businessman. And she saw the pineapple’s paint fade after its darkest day on 13 October 2010, when staff arrived to find its gate locked and the once must-see attraction abandoned.”
But that is changing!
The attraction has long been a part of Australia…as The Guardian reports:
“In 2006 the National Trust of Queensland unveiled a list of state icons – alongside the Great Barrier Reef and the Gabbawas the Big Pineapple. The year after, it was one of five big things celebrated on Australia Post stamps. In 2009 it was heritage listed. Last year the Royal Australian Mint stamped its likeness on a $1 coin.
Today, the pineapple is a curious site next to a regional road with a serviceable cafe and a train ride. It takes a bit of imagination to reconcile what stands now with the raw emotive power of its past.”
The great news is that someone has bought it and it returning it to its former glory!
As The Guardian reports:
“The new owner, Peter Kendall, is restoring his big new asset, in stages. Workers are inside the belly of the oversized fruit, so that visitors can once again clamber to the viewing platform nestled in its spiky top. There are plans to develop a pineapple plantation on the site, reopen the main building – now derelict – add water slides and glamping and, perhaps most importantly, bring back the parfaits.”
That is great news! Bravo to The Guardian for their reporting on this pop culture artifact!
See the entire story here:
Now, speaking of giant food – I took this shot recently from Times Square in New York:
Yes, that is a giant hot dog – more of that story soon. Remember this other large food item I wrote about?
This Cheetos statue is real, and click here to see where you can find it!
I love these pop culture monuments…like this “singing ringing tree!”
It’s not only art, it makes music too!
Click here for a video of it making music!
I would also love to visit this bridge in Vietnam:
Yes, this bridge is held up by a pair of hands!
Click here for more details:
And one last story to share – this one about a “statue of love”:
Yes, it moves together and more!
Click here for the video:
If you enjoy these posts, why not subscribe and never miss out? It’s easy, and there are NO ads of any kind, just stuff I like…click on the main page and “follow” me on the upper right…
Leave me a comment with your thoughts on the big pineapple and if you enjoy this story, please share on social media – thanks!
Categories: Art, Australia, Books / Media, Exotic Travel, Food, Pop Culture, Real Estate, Travel, Travel Adventures, Wacky Food
johnrieber 
Hooray for the return of the pineapple! I love structures that give way to art and creativity.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree…they are pop culture treasures that should be preserved! Thanks for the comment!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hear, hear!
LikeLike
glad the giant pineapple is making a comeback, these eccentric attractions are treasures who encouter them. anywhere in th world .
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What an interesting post! l love those giant hands holding up the road, and am glad the pineapple is being restored to its former glory.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the pop culture aspect of it to be sure – thank you for commenting!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Even though I will never see it, the restoration of the giant pineapple is a tribute to human quirkiness, and that makes me happy!
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLike