This year’s Big Pineapple Music Festival was set to wow crowds at the end of May, yet organisers were forced to reschedule the event due to current virus restrictions.

The impressive line-up, featuring Hilltop Hoods and The Chats, will now perform on November 21, should regulations be eased in the coming months. To read the full story click here. To enter the draw to win one of the 500 tickets click here

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The festival beat 25 other festivals to win the 'People's Choice' award thanks to its popularity with its large community of festival goers that loyally support the event.

The Sunshine Coast Daily has more information here.

Tickets for the 18+ event go on sale Thursday at 9am AEST via Moshtix. Pre-sale tickets start from $120 plus booking fee and two nights' camping starts from $40.

For more information and the full line up see the full story in The Sunshine Coast Daily

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The Sunshine Coast Daily reported on the successful approval of the Big Pineapple's renewal plans on 13 December. Read the article here.

After years of planning and stakeholder consultation the Big Pineapple welcomes today’s Council approval of our renewal master plan.

This approval will help facilitate new tourism attractions and food based industry at one of the Sunshine Coast’s most famous tourism icons.

The approved renewal master plan positions the Big Pineapple for sustained growth and success, with an emphasis on showcasing the region’s famous, world-class produce and other attractions, including major music events, adventure tourism and on-site accommodation options.

Jim Costello, Big Pineapple Renewal, Project Director, announced, “Planning approval adds further momentum to our renewal program, following opening of TreeTop Challenge, construction of COYO’s new production facility, hosting regional food and sport events, and the Big Pineapple Music Festival again winning the best music festival in Queensland.

“The approval has been years in the making and we appreciate the support of many Sunshine Coast residents who have long wanted to see the iconic Big Pineapple return to the glory days as a must-visit tourist attraction.

“This approval allows us to open up the site to many other uses, such as food production, accommodation and recreational uses, which will drive strong jobs growth in the hinterland, with over 800 jobs created through construction and 700 ongoing positions.

“Our vision as illustrated in our master plan is gradually coming together, with visitors again able to climb the Big Pineapple from next year, enjoy time in our zoo and TreeTop Challenge, and tackling a parfait and other food and beverage afterwards inside our refurbished Sunshine Planation Building.”

“With the confidence of Council and Queensland Government we now look forward to many more announcements to build and realise a world class integrated tourism attraction at the Big Pineapple which the Sunshine Coast community can again be proud of.

Image shows Jim Costello, Project Director with Mayor Jamison

Compass is an award-winning, Sunshine Coast based service for people with disability, offering numerous enriching life skills and vocational opportunities. Through Compass, they build skills and confidence through various ventures such as working on the local 20-acre Compass Farm, along with other enterprises such as cafes, a woodwork shed, pottery, and commercial kitchen. The newly announced partnership with the Big Pineapple extends on Compass’ successful training model where people with disability learn and apply skills, readying them for vocational opportunities in the community.

Compass CEO, David Dangerfield, expressed his delight at partnering with the Big Pineapple. “Together with the Big Pineapple team, we will build a best practice model for inclusion of people with a disability in valued roles, that will rival anything seen in this country.”

“We strongly support the vision of the Big Pineapple to return agribusiness and food related tourism to this iconic location. With dozens of enterprises ready to call the Big Pineapple home over the coming years, we have eager people, supported by teachers and volunteers, ready to ‘pitch in’ and help the Big Pineapple become a great success.”

Jim Costello, Big Pineapple Renewal Project Director, agreed, “We are pleased to welcome Compass into the Big Pineapple family, and we see numerous opportunities for people with disability across our site. We are offering land and space for farming ventures, with the produce able to be sold in our refurbished market hall, just as one example. We also see Compass workers supporting other food and beverage operators who are coming to the Big Pineapple”.

“As part of the Big Pineapple refurbishment program commencing this year, we are returning the iconic pineapple farm across the slope near the train tracks. The Compass crew can make sure our pineapples are always well tended and ready to be included in our re-booted pineapple sundaes and parfaits, as we welcome more visitors to our site.”

Local Sunshine Coast Councillor, Cr Jenny McKay enthusiastically expressed her support. “It’s wonderful two great Sunshine Coast hinterland companies have teamed up, and I can see tremendous opportunities for Compass workers to contribute in many practical ways at the Big Pineapple”.

“From first-hand experience I know Compass is dedicated to helping people with disability and their families. Through the assistance of corporate partners like the Big Pineapple we can ensure we are one of the most caring and inclusive communities in Australia.”

For more information about Compass click here.

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Read more of the Sunshine Coast Daily's explanation of the Big Pineapple's expansion here.

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Read more of the Sunshine Coast Daily's article here.

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Read more in the Sunshine Coast Daily's wrap up here.

The best of the Sunshine Coast’s running talent has been on display at the Big Pineapple this week, as the iconic tourism site hosted the region’s cross country carnival.

Over four (4) days this week athletes from age 9-19 have tackled the challenging hills across the Big Pineapple, during various cross country courses ranging from 2-6 kilometres.

While the Big Pineapple has recently opened TreeTop Challenge, the challenges were all on the ground as more than 3,000 students from 65 schools tackled the hilly, rain-forested course.

Sunshine Coast Independent Schools’ representative Bronwyn Thornburn said “the lush green slopes and rainforest made for a spectacular cross country venue for students from Noosa to the Glasshouse Mountains.”

“This is the first time we have held the cross country carnival at the Big Pineapple and we will be sure to come again,” Ms Thornburn said.

The beautiful venue inspired several stand out performances, with Matthew Flinders Anglican College athletes Matilda Fraser and Lia-Belle Wiese winning with comfortable margins, despite the challenging terrain and standard of competition.

“Luca Warman-Flood from St Andrews Anglican College also ran an outstanding race, winning the 15 year old boys’ event in heavy rain. It was a great carnival for St Andrews Anglican College who were crowned the winning school for the carnival,” Ms Thornburn said.

“Many of our students now have great memories of their time at the Big Pineapple, like their parents, although they worked a lot harder for their experience.”

The carnival demonstrated the flexibility of Big Pineapple Fields, which later in the month will be transformed into a concert venue for the sell-out Big Pineapple Music Festival.

Dean Croydon, General Manager, Big Pineapple, said “We are steadily building up the tourism offer again, and it is great that a new generation of Sunshine Coast kids are back at the Big Pineapple.”

When Alma Park Zoo closed for development in 2014 there were 200 animals needing a new home. Zoo Keeper, Julie Seabrook, took on the mammoth task of re-homing these animals so the species and individual families could be kept together.

And that was how Wildlife HQ Zoo was born!

View the story here - http://queenslandweekender.com.au/wildlife-hq-zoo/

Tourism Industry Development Minister, Kate Jones, officially launched the tourist attraction. "When it comes to enticing more visitors and creating more tourism jobs on the Sunshine Coast, new attractions are the key," Ms Jones said. Read more from The Mirage News.

View video from 7News

, being announced as its first anchor tenant. Organic yoghurt company, COYO, is redeveloping a former macadamia nut factory on the 170ha Big Pineapple site in order to establish its international base this year.

To read more from Food and Drink Business Magazine about our recent developments click here.

It's true that The Big Pineapple is about to look a whole lot different. Read the article here.

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