Australia's Most Famous 'Big Thing' — Reinvented
Standing 16 metres tall on a 170-hectare site in Woombye, the Big Pineapple is one of Australia's most recognised landmarks and a Sunshine Coast icon since 1971. Originally built as the centrepiece of the Sunshine Plantation, it was heritage-listed on the Queensland Heritage Register in 2009 and once drew over a million visitors annually — making it the most popular tourist attraction in Australia at its peak.
After years of renewal, the Big Pineapple precinct has been reborn as a multi-attraction hub that blends nostalgia with modern adventure. Today the site is home to the scenic Pineapple Train, the acclaimed Wildlife HQ Zoo, the adrenaline-pumping TreeTop Challenge zipline course, and the award-winning Sunshine & Sons distillery — alongside a café, viewing platform, and a natural broadacre amphitheatre that hosts major music festivals and events.
Entry to the Big Pineapple grounds is free — you only pay for the individual experiences you choose. Whether you're a family with young children, an adventure seeker, a spirits enthusiast, or simply chasing an iconic selfie, there's something here for everyone. The site's ongoing master plan promises even more attractions as this famous tourism icon continues its revival.
Six Unique Attractions, One Iconic Location
From gentle train rides to extreme ziplines — the Big Pineapple precinct offers a full day of diverse experiences for every age and interest. Entry to the grounds is free; each attraction is ticketed separately.
Pineapple Train
All aboard the heritage train for a scenic ride through lush rainforest, bamboo groves, orchid gardens and the plantation grounds. The train departs every 30 minutes from 9am to 3:30pm and stops at Koala Station — your gateway to Wildlife HQ Zoo.
Zoo
Wildlife HQ Zoo
Home to over 200 native and exotic species — including Queensland's only sun bear, red pandas, primates, koalas, quokkas, dingoes, crocodiles and Tasmanian devils. ZAA-accredited with daily keeper talks and 15+ bookable animal encounter experiences.
Adventure
TreeTop Challenge
One of Australia's best high-ropes and zipline courses — 2km of challenges through 8 acres of coastal rainforest canopy. 120 activities across six courses of escalating difficulty, 12 ziplines (up to 140m long) and heights over 30 metres. Allow half a day.
Distillery
Sunshine & Sons Distillery
Crowned Best Queensland Distillery at the 2025 Royal Queensland Awards. Australian Certified Organic gin, vodka, rum and specialty spirits pot-distilled in the hinterland rainforest. Open daily from 10am — tastings, cocktails on the terrace, kids and dogs welcome.
Climb the Pine
Ascend inside the 16-metre heritage-listed fibreglass pineapple to the viewing platform at the top for 360-degree panoramic views of the Sunshine Coast hinterland and coastline. A must-do photo opportunity and a bucket-list tick for any road-tripper.
Tour
Pine Mobile Tour
Jump aboard the Pine Mobile for an informative guided ride around the broader Big Pineapple property. Learn about the site's history, the surrounding tropical agriculture, and the ongoing renewal of this iconic Sunshine Coast landmark.
Scenes from the Big Pineapple
A Slice of Sunshine Coast History
The Big Pineapple was opened on 15 August 1971 as the centrepiece of the Sunshine Plantation — designed by architects Peddle Thorp and Harvey along with Paul Luff and Gary Smallcombe. At its peak, the Sunshine Plantation was the most visited tourist attraction in all of Australia, drawing over a million visitors annually who came to learn about tropical fruit farming, ride the plantation tramway, and visit the Macadamia Nut Factory.
The two-level fibreglass structure sits on a 165-hectare site that was once the heart of the Sunshine Coast's pineapple and sugarcane farming industry. Heritage-listed in 2009, the Big Pineapple represents an early and significant example of agri-tourism in Queensland — and a fond memory for generations of Australian families who stopped here on their road trips north.
Now under renewal, the Big Pineapple is being transformed into a modern entertainment and nature-based tourism hub while preserving the heritage character that made it famous.
Everything You Need to Know
Essential details for planning your day at the Big Pineapple precinct.
Opening Hours
Big Pineapple grounds: daily 8:30am–4pm. Pineapple Train: 9am–3:30pm (last departure). Wildlife HQ: 9am–4pm (last entry 3pm). TreeTop Challenge & Sunshine & Sons: check individual websites for session times. Closed Christmas Day.
Ticket Prices
Grounds entry: FREE. Train: $5/person (under 3s free). Climb the Pine / Pine Mobile: $12 each. Wildlife HQ Zoo: adults $39, kids $25, family $109. TreeTop Challenge: from ~$59. Animal encounters and VIP experiences at additional cost.
Getting There
76 Nambour Connection Rd, Woombye QLD 4559. Take the Nambour Connection Road exit off the Bruce Highway — well signposted. About 15 minutes from Mooloolaba, 1 hour north of Brisbane. Ample free parking including bus and RV spaces.
Food & Drink
On-site café (hosted by Montville Coffee) serves meals, snacks, pineapple parfaits and drinks. Wildlife HQ has cold drinks and ice cream. Sunshine & Sons offers cocktails and a BYO picnic terrace (no BYO alcohol). Multiple food options across the precinct.
Events & Festivals
The Big Pineapple Fields — a natural broadacre amphitheatre — hosts major music festivals, craft beer expos, and community events throughout the year. Check the official website for the current events calendar.
Family Facilities
Playground on-site, wheelchair accessible paths, pram-friendly. The precinct is compact enough to combine multiple attractions in one day — start with the train, visit the zoo, and finish with a café stop and selfie with the big fruit.
🍍 Insider Tips for Your Visit
Start with the Train Take the Pineapple Train first — it drops you at Koala Station for the zoo, and you can ride it back to the main area afterwards.
Combo Your Day Zoo + Train is a natural pairing for families. Adventure seekers should add TreeTop Challenge. Adults can cap the day with Sunshine & Sons tastings.
Book TreeTop in Advance The high-ropes course is extremely popular on weekends and school holidays. Pre-booking online is strongly recommended to secure your session.
Wear Closed-Toe Shoes Essential for TreeTop Challenge and recommended for walking the zoo paths. Comfortable clothes that you can move in are a must for the ropes course.
Allow Half a Day Minimum The zoo alone takes 2–3 hours. TreeTop is another 2–3 hours. If doing both plus the train, plan for a full day.
Try the Pineapple Parfait A Big Pineapple tradition — grab one from the café after your train ride. It's been a visitor favourite for decades and pairs perfectly with Montville Coffee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Entry to the Big Pineapple grounds is completely free. You can walk around, take photos with the iconic 16-metre pineapple, visit the café, and explore the site at no cost. Individual experiences like the Pineapple Train ($5), Climb the Pine ($12), Wildlife HQ Zoo (from $25), and TreeTop Challenge (from ~$59) are ticketed separately.
The Big Pineapple grounds are open daily from 8:30am to 4pm. The Pineapple Train runs from 9am with the last departure at 3:30pm. Wildlife HQ Zoo is open 9am–4pm (last entry 3pm). TreeTop Challenge and Sunshine & Sons have their own operating hours — check their websites directly. The precinct is closed on Christmas Day only.
The main way to reach Wildlife HQ is via the Pineapple Train. Purchase your zoo admission wristband at the Big Pineapple ticket office, then board the train which departs every 30 minutes. Get off at Koala Station and you're in the zoo. Take the train back when you're done. As of late 2024, the lower car park entrance to the zoo has been closed — all visitors now enter via the Big Pineapple.
TreeTop Challenge has six courses of escalating difficulty — the earlier courses are suitable for older children and beginners, while the extreme courses are for confident adults. There is also a separate TreeTop Challenge Juniors park specifically designed for younger children. Age and height restrictions apply — check the TreeTop Challenge website for specific requirements.
Yes! Sunshine & Sons is a family-friendly (and dog-friendly) venue. While tastings are for adults, children are welcome to accompany parents. The terrace has a relaxed atmosphere and you can bring your own picnic (no BYO alcohol). The distillery is open daily from 10am until sunset.
Yes, ample free parking is available for cars, buses, and RVs. The car park is conveniently located close to the main entrance. The Big Pineapple is at 76 Nambour Connection Road, Woombye — well signposted off the Bruce Highway.
Explore More on the Sunshine Coast
The Big Pineapple sits in the heart of the Sunshine Coast hinterland, surrounded by beaches, rainforest walks, and other iconic attractions.
Ready for a Big Day Out?
Whether it's train rides, zoo encounters, treetop thrills or a cheeky gin tasting — the Big Pineapple has your perfect Sunshine Coast day covered.
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