Big Melon becomes Australia’s new thing
Photo: Adam Head
IT’S Queensland’s next big tourist attraction - literally.
The Western Downs town of Chinchilla yesterday unveiled the Big Melon, a giant nine metre long slice of fibreglass watermelon which will stand loud and proud permanently on the main street.
In a throwback to the tourism era where big was definitely beautiful, the melon follows in the footsteps of the Sunshine Coast’s Big Pineapple and Bowen’s Big Mango.
In a promotion headed by online travel giant Wotif.com, voters were asked to name Queensland’s next big thing in tourism, with the Big Melon edging out the Big Peanut which was planned for Kingaroy.
The melon was installed on Tuesday and will promote next year’s MelonFest, the biennial celebration of everything to do with watermelons.
Western Downs Mayor Paul McVeigh said the melon would spark renewed tourism in the town.
“It looks absolutely fantastic and I can see it being a real showstopper,” he said.
“It’s such a fun fruit and this is very exciting for us.”
Wotif Managing Director Daniel Finch said ‘’big’’ tourist attractions were still a favourite for Aussie travellers.
“There’s no denying ‘Big Things’ are an inherent part of regional tourism and help put local communities on the map,” he said.
“Queensland is home to the most ‘Big Things’ in Australia, and we’re confident The Big Melon will give Aussies one more reason to explore Chinchilla and add this great town to their next road trip.”