The Big Pineapple, between Port Alfred and Bathurst. Photo by NJR ZA. Wikimedia Commons

Top 10 Astonishing Facts about Big Pineapple, Bathurst


 

There are two schools of thought in South Africa about the introduction of pineapples. The first was introduced in 1655 by Jan Vanriebeeck. The other is that the first pineapple plants were grown in Ceylon and planted in Natal.

The “Big Pineapple,” located outside of Bathurst, South Africa, is the world’s largest pineapple structure, standing just under 56 feet tall.

The surrounding area is primarily agricultural, with pineapple production being the most notable feature. Farmers who moved to the area in the 18th century struggled to grow crops until they planted pineapples. Locals naturally decided to honor the fruit and the sweet earnings it provided by erecting a massive structure in its shape. The Big Pineapple was built in the 1980s by members of Bathurst’s agricultural community.

The structure is three stories tall. It’s made of metal and fiberglass and has a viewing platform. Inside the pineapple is a museum dedicated to the fruit, as well as a variety of pineapple products for sale.

1. Big Pineapple, Bathurst is a replica of the one in Queensland

The Bathurst pineapple structure is a replica of Queensland, Australia’s original “Big Pineapple.” The Queensland pineapple building is only 16 meters tall; the Bathurst pineapple building is a slightly larger replica. The Bathurst pineapple building was expanded so that Bathurst could boast of having “the world’s largest pineapple.”

2. Big Pineapple, Barthust has no entry fee

free entry stamp free entry black round stamp free entry stock illustrations

Free entry stamp, free entry black round stamp. Photo by Aquir. Unspalsh

Barthust is open all year due to its location on South Africa’s Sunshine Coast. The Sunshine Coast has the highest number of sunshine hours in South Africa. While winter lasts from June to August, the sun still shines and the weather is pleasant.

There is no registration fee. It’s completely free! The office is open from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily. Children can also ride the farm tractor through the pineapple fields. Canoeing and scenic horseback riding are also options. It is, indeed, a family-friendly attraction.

Sunday is the best day to go because of the weekly farmer’s market.

3. Bathurst was built using metal and fiberglass

The structure is made of metal and fiberglass and has a viewing platform. Inside the pineapple is a museum dedicated to the fruit, as well as a variety of pineapple products for sale. Inside the pineapple is a museum dedicated to the fruit, as well as a variety of pineapple products for sale.

The massive structure is a testament to their agricultural success. In the 1980s, members of Bathurst’s agricultural community planned to build it. The structure’s construction began in 1990 and lasted for more than a year. The structure was built with the goal of increasing exposure for the local pineapple industry.

Though it is a knockoff of a similar fruity structure in Australia, the Big Pineapple is slightly taller by more than two feet and thus claims the title of “World’s Largest Pineapple.”  The Big Pineapple was built in the 1980s by members of Bathurst’s agricultural community.

4. Big Pineapple, Bathurst has four floors

The Big Pineapple, between Port Alfred and Bathurst. Photo by NJR ZA. Wikimedia Commons

The structure has four floors and includes a gift shop selling pineapple products, a museum about the history of pineapple farming in South Africa, a video room, and an observation deck with views of the surrounding farmlands and the Indian Ocean. 

The Big Pineapple’s “skin” is steel and concrete covered in glass fiber.
Over 1300 pieces of farming equipment and accessories, including tractors and dairy utensils, can be found at the Bathurst Agricultural Museum.

5. It is the Principal Growers Association’s headquarters

The big pineapple also serves as the headquarters of the Principle Growers Association, which is led by Paul Beyleveled. Since 1984, he has been growing pineapples.

Paul Beyleveled serves as its chairman. Since 1984, he has been growing pineapples there. Others claim that when Jan Van Riebeeck arrived at the Cape of Good Hope in 1652, he introduced pineapples to South Africa. Others claim that the first pineapples were grown in Siri Lanka.

6. The Big Pineapple was awarded the SATOUR Tourism Promotional Award 

This unusual project captured the imagination of the Eastern Cape Region as well as the local and overseas visitors, and thus received this award in recognition of its contribution to local tourism in 1991.

In essence, the Big Pineapple and the summer hill farm at Bathurst have become a symbol of the Eastern Cape pineapple industry to people all over the world, much like the wine lands are to the Western Cape and the cane lands are to Natal.

7. Big Pineapple, Bathurst design was inspired by Maison Domino

Maison Domino is a 1915 structure designed by French architect Le Corbusier whose concept is best described as a conception of a system of construction which envisaged the problems of post-war reconstruction.

8. Pineapple Bathurst hosted the International Pineapple symposium in 2005

Pineapples at a display. Photo by Noroi. Wikimedia Commons

Various stakeholders in the pineapple growing sector gather to discuss procedures based on strict monitoring of the main phytosanitary problems (fusariosis, fruit borer, mealybug associated wilt, etc.), as well as to improve weed management and plant nutritional status, to enable reductions in the amounts of insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides applied during the crop cycle, contributing to
environmental protection, lower production costs, and better fruit quality.

9. Experimental Pineapple growing is practiced in Bathurst

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A pineapple farm. Photo by Domonite. Unspalsh

Agricultural research facilities are tasked with coming up with proposals, which are then implemented. One such example is delaying natural flowering in pineapple through foliar application of particular enzymes. If natural flowering is reversed, it could reduce cost of cultivation and increase the percentage of fruits of marketable size.

All horticultural study groups, which meet monthly to promote improved production and food safety, include producers.

10. There are no traffic lights in Bathurst

The Big Pineapple, between Port Alfred and Bathurst. Photo by NJR ZA. Wikimedia Commons

There’s something to be said for a village with only one main road running through it. Bathurst has no traffic lights. However, there is a stop sign along the R67, which is known as the Port Alfredo Port by locals and runs from Grahams town to the Indian Ocean via Bathurst. There isn’t much traffic. Animals can be found on the road, so be cautious when driving.

 

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