Big Pineapple For Sale

The Big Pineapple, one of Queensland's most recognisable icons, is for sale.

The 170-hectare site attraction on the Sunshine Coast is on the market through public tender with agents Ray White managing the sale.

16 allotments on 15 titles are available with the site divided into a northern and southern parcel of 78.6 hectares and 91.9 hectares respectively.

According to Ray White Special Projects Director Mark Creevey, "we have had strong interest in the property from those looking to utilise the existing facilities to investors and developers who can acquire either or both parcels and possibly sell off the allotments.

"However, the land is zoned rural so intense redevelopment will not be allowed, at least in the short term."

Existing facilities include the main building housing a restaurant, function rooms, management offices, retail and shop areas as well as a confectionary and macadamia nut factory and parking for 700 cars.

Yet behind these technical details lies a unique venture created in 1971 by interior designer Lyn Taylor and her late husband Bill as the Sunshine Plantation.

Its unique agri-tourism credentials earned it an Australian National Travel Association award for tourism development only a year after opening.

The 16-metre fibreglass pineapple at the centre of the attraction was heritage listed earlier this year, along with the main building, the tourist train and track and the pineapple farm.

The call for tenders closes on 24th November.

Australia's Big Things will be featured in the November/December 2009 issue of Australasian Leisure Management.

15th July 2009 - CELEBRATING BIG THINGS

24th March 2009 - BIG PINEAPPLE OWNERS TO FIGHT HERITAGE LISTING