The Sunshine Valley Gazette

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Iconic Big Pineapple featured on new $1 coin collection

Nambour's prized Pineapple will be immortalized in coin form.

Nambour & Woombye's renowned tourist attraction, the Big Pineapple, has secured a shining spot in Australia Post’s latest $1 coin collection. This collection, which is made in partnership with the Royal Australian Mint, showcases some of the country’s most cherished ‘Big Things’.

Australians' unwavering fascination with the kitschy charm of these giant landmarks remains evident, as about 90% of Aussies have reportedly visited at least one of the approximately 1,000 ‘Big Things’ dispersed nationwide. While several 'Big Things' such as the Big Banana and Big Tassie Devil frequently make the must-visit list, it’s an honor for Nambour's prized Pineapple to be immortalized in coin form.

“Our ‘Big Things’ are colourful, entertaining and truly make their mark in so many local communities across Australia," said Australia Post General Manager Retail Product and Supply Chain Kayla Le Cornu. "We’re celebrating some of our most iconic ‘Big Things’ with this new coin collection, in partnership with the Royal Australian Mint.”

Residents of Nambour and fans of the Big Pineapple can now purchase these commemorative coins at participating post offices or online. Individual coins retail at $3 each, with a full coin set and folder available for $29. The set features ten different ‘Big Things’, and notably, one in every ten sets contains a colored Giant Murray Cod coin.

University of Sunshine Coast lecturer and expert on Australia’s ‘Big Things’ Dr Amy Clarke said: “’Big Things’ can be a one-trick pony if there isn’t something else to do onsite. Once you’ve got a photo, the chances of going back are low, unless there’s plenty of additional fun to be had. And while people often associate ‘Big Things’ with the 1980s, when a lot of them were built, we’re still building more ‘Big Things’ today.”

Aussies told Australia Post what they’d love to see in their hometowns with some specific requests to consider, including :

• A big black swan in Perth

• A big gold nugget or pan in Ballarat

• A big surfboard on the Gold Coast

• A big quokka on Rottnest Island in Western Australia

• A big football or a big coffee in Melbourne

• A big Tassie tiger for Tasmania

Australia Post is celebrating the Big Pineapple with a new coin collection, in partnership with the Royal Australian Mint.

So, for those in Nambour, it's not just a coin, it's a token of local pride. Celebrate the town's iconic Big Pineapple and cherish a piece of Australian history.

The full Australia Post Aussie ‘Big Things’ coin collection includes:

• The Big Pineapple (Sunshine Coast, QLD)

• The Big Banana (Coffs Harbour, NSW)

• Giant Koala (Dadswell Bridge, Vic)

• Big Tasmanian Devil (Mole Creek, Tas)

• Big Blue Heeler (Muswellbrook, NSW)

• Big Jumping Croc (Wak Wak, NT)

• The Big Lobster (Kingston, SA)

• Giant Ram (Wagin, WA)

• Giant Murray Cod (Swan Hill, Vic)

• Big Swoop (Canberra, ACT)

For more information on the Aussie Big Things collectables visit: https://auspost.com.au/shop/collectables/coins-and-banknotes/aussie-big-things