The Story of The Big Macadamia Nut
The Big Macadamia Nut in Woombye is standing in ruins, almost covered in the thicket growing around it. This old Big Thing was built in 1978 as a tourist theme park but closed down in 2013.
Before shutting down, the Big Macadamia Nut attracted nut lovers for a tasty treat and a ride in its ‘nutmobile.’ The building also doubled up as a macadamia nut factory within an animal farm and a rainforest, where visitors could take a nature walk.
The huge nut was built by the owners of the Big Pineapple, also located in the town. The Big Pineapple was established in 1971 as an information centre, guiding visitors on everything they needed to know about tropical agricultural products.
Its owners Bill and Lynn Taylor were later awarded the inaugural national awards for tourism development for their significant contribution to tourism in the region.
As a result, the Taylors decided to expand the premises by building the Big Macadamia Nut, a restaurant, and an animal farm. Since then, the premises changed hands several times until it finally closed down in 2013. The business particularly began to struggle after the Bruce Highway was realigned in the 1990s, cutting off traffic to the location of the gigantic nut structure.
In 2009, The Sunshine Plantation, as it was famously referred to, went into receivership. However, the Big Pineapple continues to function but is not as popular as it used to be.
As for the Big Macadamia, its fate is yet to be determined.
The thrilling Nutmobile ride was sold to another tourist attraction in Bauple, Maryborough. Currently, the only ride remaining at the premises is the old train that leads to a zoo in the neighbourhood.
Other Nut-Themed Big Things
The Big Things of Australia come in different shapes, forms and sizes. For example, other nut-themed Big Things of Australia include:
- The Big Peanut in Tolga, Queensland, which served as an attraction for a famous peanut shop in the town.
The Big Arcons in Molonglo Valley, Australian Capital Territory, a nut-themed playground.
