Bathurst Big Pineapple

The Bathurst pineapple stands about sixteen metres high, is built of fibreglass over a steel frame, and exists because this district grows pineapples and because Queensland already had one - the local claim that theirs is slightly taller than the Australian version is made with some satisfaction. Inside are three floors: a display on pineapple farming in the area, a shop, and a viewing deck at the top looking over the surrounding fields. The industry here dates to the nineteenth century and the district still supplies a large share of South Africa's crop. Bathurst itself is a small 1820 Settler village with the Pig and Whistle, one of the oldest continuously licensed pubs in the country, and the Toposcope monument marking where settler parties were allocated their land. The pineapple is roadside kitsch done wholeheartedly, which is the appeal.

Highlights

• The sixteen-metre fruit - fibreglass over steel, built to out-do Queensland's.
• The three floors - a farming display, a shop and a viewing deck at the top.
• The pineapple district - fields supplying a large share of the national crop.
• Bathurst village - an 1820 Settler settlement with a very old licensed pub.

When to go

All year. One hour. It is a roadside stop between Makhanda and the coast.

Good to know

It is deliberate kitsch and small - the visit is short. The internal display is modest. Hours can be irregular out of season. The viewing deck stairs are steep.

Nearby

Bathurst village and the Pig and Whistle are minutes away; Port Alfred is on the coast.