hero media

Australia’s most famous pineapple is getting a glow-up – and it comes with a microbrewery

Credit: Visit Sunshine Coast

Emily Murphy Emily Murphy
The Sunshine Coast’s Big Pineapple just scored $5 million from the Queensland Government. Here’s what’s coming.

If you grew up in Australia, chances are you’ve got a photo somewhere – squinting into the sun, ice cream in hand, standing in front of one of Australia’s iconic Big Things. The 16-metre fibreglass Big Pineapple at Woombye is one of those places that exists somewhere between national treasure and beloved kitsch. And now, it’s getting its biggest upgrade yet.

The Queensland Government has committed $5 million to the Big Pineapple Rejuvenation project – the largest single grant from the first round of the state’s $80 million Tourism Icons Investment Fund. That’s a lot of pineapple cash.

So, what’s actually changing?

The Big Pineapple in the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
The revitalised precinct will be less of a roadside stop, more of a full-day destination. (Credit: Visit Sunshine Coast)

Quite a lot, it turns out. The funding will go towards both structural repairs and a whole new suite of experiences at the Woombye site.

On the practical side, the main building complex is getting some much-needed TLC: glazing replacements, veranda repairs, and energy-efficiency upgrades. The kind of stuff that doesn’t make headlines but keeps a heritage-listed icon standing for another 50 years.

The exciting part? What’s going inside. The revitalised precinct is set to include a family-friendly microbrewery, cafes, retail outlets, a full restaurant, a sports bar and function spaces. Think less roadside stop, more full-day destination.

Owner Peter Kendall said the funding would breathe new life into the attraction’s heritage infrastructure. The upgrades, he said, are designed to “attract more visitors to the Sunshine Coast, while creating jobs and boosting the local economy."

A comeback already in progress

The Big Pineapple in the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Chances are you have a picture with the 16-metre fibreglass pineapple if you’ve road-tripped in Queensland. (Credit: Visit Sunshine Coast)

This isn’t the Big Pineapple’s first rodeo with reinvention. The landmark was officially relaunched back in June 2024, after a major refurbishment of its internal structure. That first stage brought a cafe, a children’s playground, a new viewing platform and a fully restored train back to the site, which has been a tourism drawcard since it first opened in 1971. The new funding builds on that momentum.

The Big Pineapple grant is just one piece of Queensland’s broader tourism ambitions. The $80 million Tourism Icons Investment Fund is part of Destination 2045, the state government’s long-range roadmap to position Queensland as what Tourism Minister Andrew Powell calls “the Home of the Holiday."

Round one of the fund spread money across the state, with other recipients including:

  • A new wave pool and surf lagoon at Palm Valley on the Gold Coast
  • Australia’s largest zip line in the Numinbah Valley
  • An expansion of the BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort, including a new waterpark
  • A new flying fox adventure experience along the Brisbane River
  • Revitalisation of the Great Keppel Island Hideaway Bistro
  • A new 2.4-hectare lakes precinct at Longreach’s Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame
  • A flood-resilient rafting centre at Lake Placid near the Barron River

Under the fund’s terms, the state government’s contribution must be matched at a minimum by project owners, meaning the actual investment pouring into these sites is considerably higher.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

AI Prompt

Why it matters

The Big Pineapple in the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
The goal is to make the Big Pineapple a destination that travellers plan a trip around. (Credit: Visit Sunshine Coast)

Visit Sunshine Coast CEO Mark Stoeckel put it well. “Almost everyone has a story, memory or photo connected to [the Big Pineapple]".

For decades, it’s been the kind of place you stop at because it’s there, it’s enormous, and how could you not? The goal now is to make it the kind of place you’d actually plan a trip around, and stay a few hours longer than expected. A microbrewery and a proper restaurant will do that.

“Projects like this help preserve the character and nostalgia people love, while creating a new generation of experiences that will attract visitors, support local jobs and strengthen the region’s tourism future," Stoeckel said.

Round two of the Tourism Icons Investment Fund opens soon, so there’s more to come for Queensland’s tourism landscape. But for now, it’s the Big Pineapple’s moment in the sun.

Woombye’s Big Pineapple is located at 76 Nambour Connection Road, about an hour’s drive north of Brisbane.

Want to see more stories from Australian Traveller in your Google search results?

  1. Click here to set Australian Traveller as a preferred source.
  2. Tick the box next to "Australian Traveller". That's it.
Emily Murphy
Emily Murphy is Australian Traveller's Email & Social Editor, and in her 4+ years at the company she has been instrumental in shaping its social media and email presence, and crafting compelling narratives that inspire others to explore Australia's vast landscapes. Her previous role was a journalist at Prime Creative Media and before that she was freelancing in publishing, content creation and digital marketing. When she's not creating scroll-stopping travel content, Em is a devoted 'bun mum' and enjoys spending her spare time by the sea, reading, binge-watching a good TV show and exploring Sydney's vibrant dining scene. Next on her Aussie travel wish list? South Australia and The Kimberley.
View profile and articles
Noosa River, Makepeace Island
Noosa

I stayed on Richard Branson’s $25,000 per night private Noosa island – here’s what it’s like

As travellers embrace exclusive-use escapes for unforgettable experiences, this heart-shaped patch of paradise on the Noosa River reflects a growing appetite for once-in-a-lifetime stays.

Read more
This hidden stargazing spot in Queensland just joined the world’s best
Sunshine Coast

This hidden stargazing spot in Queensland just joined a list of the world’s best

Australia has a new Dark Sky Reserve, and it comes with an unforgettable collection of after-dark experiences.

Read more
The white-painted exterior of Elysium Noosa Resort.
Noosa

Is Noosa’s most talked-about new resort actually worth it?

Welcome to Hotel Addict, a monthly column where I check into Australia’s best hotels and share what makes them worthy of your wishlist.

Read more
Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel's rooftop infinity pool
Sunshine Coast

The Sunshine Coast’s brand-new beachfront hotel is worth the hype

The Sunshine Coast’s first international hotel in four decades transforms Mooloolaba into its brightest beach break.

Read more
hero media

Can’t handle the cold? Hamilton Island serves a slice of summer in winter

(Image: Hamilton Island)

    Eleanor Edström Eleanor Edström
    Continue
    When the winter chill settles in, an escape to Hamilton Island’s year-round tropical shores is the only acceptable coping mechanism.

    As a heliophile with the cold tolerance of a Mediterranean house cat, the arrival of winter tends to spark a particular panic. How will I survive? Must I really start layering? What do you mean, Aperol season is over? But there are far better ways to spend the cooler months than sulking in the depths of your doona.

    Enter, Hamilton Island. With its year-round sunshine and permanent on-holiday atmosphere, this Whitsundays favourite promises a veritable slice of summer in winter.

    Think salt-stiff hair and the smug pleasure of devouring seafood beside the water while friends back home are defogging their windscreens. Here’s why Hamilton Island should figure into your winter plans.

    1. Year-round summer weather

    A woman hiking along the Passage Peak trail on Hamilton Island.
    Hike under sunny winter skies on Hamilton Island. (Image: Andrew Caitens)

    In the crisper months, Hamilton Island offers perfectly mild, sunny weather (17-24°C) that lends itself to morning swims and afternoon spritzes. Better still, you can enjoy the island’s outdoor adventures – from hiking to mountain biking – without the humidity or rain you’ll often find in summertime. With direct flights from most major Australian cities offering ease of access, Hamilton Island is the ideal place to flee the cold.

    2. Getting active without the humidity

    A buggy parked overlooking Hamilton Island’s golf course, with sweeping views of the sea at Whitsundays in winter.
    Zip around Hamilton Island by buggy. (Image: Hamilton Island)

    Whether you’re hiking up to Passage Peak or exploring the island by buggy, tropical Queensland humidity is nobody’s friend. The one way to guarantee you will avoid the inevitable stickiness and fluffy hair? Visit during winter. There’s plenty to be enjoyed, from sunrise yoga at The Sundays (exclusive to guests of The Sundays) to playing golf on Dent Island.

    3. Hamilton Island Race Week

    Yachts racing across the sparkling Whitsundays during Hamilton Island Race Week.
    Feel the thrill of Hamilton Island Race Week. (Image: Salty Dingo)

    Taking place in August, Hamilton Island Race Week is a destination in its own right that attracts spectators and racers from around the globe. Boating enthusiasts and thrill-seeking holidaymakers flock to the island, which is palpably energetic as the first yachts set off for Dent Passage from Hamilton Island Yacht Club. The annual action-packed week, taking place from 15 to 22 August in 2026, offers an exciting calendar of on- and off-water events – spanning everything from celebrity chef dinners to golfing comps and wine tastings.

    4. Best time for snorkelling

    A woman snorkelling in the crystal-clear waters of the Great Barrier Reef.
    Explore Hamilton Island’s winter waters. (Image: Andrew Caitens)

    While the crowds on Hamilton Island may disperse with the cooler weather, the marine life certainly doesn’t. Winter is widely considered one of the best times to snorkel and dive in the Whitsundays.

    It’s down to a number of reasons: excellent water visibility, higher chances of seeing whales as they migrate north and – best of all – no nasty stingers. This means no need to wear those notoriously unflattering full-body wetsuits visitors have to wear in warmer months. On top of all this, you’ll find calm seas ideal for sailing and Great Barrier Reef tours.

    5. Fewer crowds

    People kayaking.
    Experience a quieter Hamilton Island on a kayaking adventure. (Image: Hamilton Island)

    Winter is often the quietest time to visit Hamilton Island, with the peak season crowds thinned to a relaxed trickle. You can snorkel or dive straight off the reef-laced waters of Catseye Beach, then swap fins for a buggy and zip between One Tree Hill, the marina and sunset cocktails without the usual summer queues. Active days stretch from kayaking, sailing and jet skiing to hopping over to famous Whitehaven Beach to witness those breathtaking white swirls of silica sand. You won’t have to elbow your way to the front of the crowd to get a good snap.

    6. Delicious dining

    The interiors of Bommie Restaurant, featuring modern coastal design with warm lighting and elegant detailing.
    Treat yourself to Bommie Restaurant’s fine dining featuring fresh, seasonal Aussie produce. (Image: Nikki To)

    The food on Hamilton Island tastes just as good any time of year, and winter is still perfect weather for sundowners. Start with an iced tea Negroni at harbourside Bommie Deck, before transitioning to Bommie Restaurant for a fine-dining feast centering on seasonal Aussie ingredients. Or perhaps enjoy a more casual poolside evening at Sails Restaurant, where plates of chermoula chicken skewers, baked cauliflower steak and crispy sumac squid come served with ocean views. From family-friendly pub meals to elevated wine tastings, there’s something for everyone.

    5. Clear skies for idyllic views

    The golden hour across the Whitsundays in winter.
    End your day with golden Hamilton Island sunsets over the water. (Image: Hamilton Island)

    Never let a cloud rain on the parade of Hamilton Island’s spectacular scenery. Winter brings clearer skies and more stable weather to the Whitsundays, meaning your picture-perfect sunset at One Tree Hill is likely to remain that way. And after putting in the legwork to hike to a scenic lookout, the last thing you want is a vista hidden behind low cloud and haze.

    To learn more about travelling to the Whitsundays in winter, visit hamitlonisland.com.au.