The Bathurst district is known for its pineapple farms, and the Big Pineapple attraction on Summerhill Farm. This area has an interesting history which dates back to the 1820 settlers and how one special fruit managed to turn things around for the struggling pioneer farmers.
The British settlers who arrived in the Eastern Cape in 1820 struggled to grow crops for many decades in the Bathurst area. This was until the first pineapple was planted there in 1865. (Source: 5 Reasons Bathurst may be South Africa’s most eccentric town, Kate Whitehead, 2014, CNN Travel). The story goes that while Mr Charles Purdon was entering a barber’s shop in Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape, he was taken by some pineapples which had come from Natal. The barber, Mr Lindsay Green gave him some of the pineapple crowns (or tops) and this was the beginning of what is today one of South Africa’s and the Eastern Cape’s largest industries – pineapple growing. (Source: Farming in Bathurst, 2016)
Over a century later in the 1980s, the members of Bathurst’s agricultural community decided to build a big pineapple to give more exposure to the local pineapple industry, and as a tribute to this tasty fruit, which had saved the early farmers in this part of the Eastern Cape who’d not had much success growing crops. (Source: Bathurst Attractions, David Bristow)
The Big Pineapple would be built on the Summerhill pineapple farm, which was originally allocated to the 1820 Settler Charles Crause – today part of the original 1825 homestead has been restored and houses the Packshed Restaurant. In 1833, John Hawkins, who was a founding member of the Bathurst Agricultural Society, purchased the farm for 2000 pounds. He was also one of the first farmers to plant pineapples. (Source: Sunshine Coast Tourism).
Planning was in full swing, and money was raised by donations and a government fund to send two representatives to Australia to inspect and attempt to buy the building plans for the big pineapple in Queensland, Australia which was designed by Peddle Thorp and Harvey, Paul Luff, and Gary Smallcombe and Associates, and built in 1971 (Source: Beverley Young, 2020).
The trip was successful and on their return, construction of the Bathurst pineapple began, as seen in the images below.
The Big Pineapple was constructed from a fibreglass outer skin covering a steel and concrete superstructure. Construction began in 1990 and was completed 12 months later. (Source: Architecture Spotlight: South- Africa, Ben Hinson, 2015).
Although it is a copy of the original “Big Pineapple” in Queensland, Australia, the Queensland pineapple building has two levels and stands only 16 meters tall (52 ft), compared to the Bathurst pineapple building which has three levels and was made slightly taller at 16.7 meters (55 ft). This was done so that Bathurst could claim the title: “The world’s biggest pineapple”.
Today Bathurst brings together the past and the present, being the heart of one of the largest pineapple growing areas in South Africa. Located on the outskirts of Bathurst just off the R67, only 15km from Port Alfred, is where you will find the world’s biggest pineapple, standing 16.7 meters high with three levels that each provide something different to experience:
- The first floor has a gift shop where you can buy pineapples, various pineapple food items (dried pineapples, jams, chutneys, etc.), and all sorts of pineapple-themed souvenirs such as locally made pottery, trinkets, bags, t-shirts and hats to name but a few of the items for sale – ideal for overseas and local tourists looking for that small gift to take home.
- The second floor boasts a museum that offers tourist information and displays of the South African ‘Pineapple Story’.
- The third floor has a continuous video presentation on display about the history and cultivation of this fruit, and leads up to the observation deck which offers magnificent 360° views over the surrounding farm lands to the Indian Ocean on a clear day.
The Big Pineapple represents the region’s pineapple industry and pays tribute to the agricultural success of the 1820 settlers. Today, it is a wonderful tourist attraction that has been visited by people from all over the world. So next time you are in the area, stop by, take in the history and indulge in some pineapple juice, as the saying goes ”There is no thirst, like Bathurst!”.
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