Height
4 meters
Year Built
1970
Address
New England Highway, Stanthorpe, QLD 4380
The Lowdown
The Big Apple in Stanthorpe stands as a vibrant 4-meter tall tribute to Queensland's premier apple-growing region. The Granite Belt, named for its distinctive granite boulders and soil, is Queensland's only area cool enough to grow crisp, delicious apples thanks to its elevation of over 800 meters above sea level. This cheerful red apple sculpture celebrates the region's orcharding heritage, which began in the late 1800s when settlers discovered that the cool mountain climate was perfect for stone fruits and apples. Today, the Granite Belt produces a variety of apple cultivars along with peaches, plums, and increasingly famous cool-climate wines. The Big Apple welcomes visitors to explore the orchards, farm gates, and cellar doors that make the region a food and wine lover's paradise.
Did you know?
"The region produces over 50 varieties of apples, including Gala, Fuji, Pink Lady, and heritage varieties"
History
The Big Apple was erected in 1970 to celebrate Stanthorpe's thriving apple industry, which had been the backbone of the local economy since the early 1900s. The Granite Belt's unique climate - cool winters with occasional snow and warm dry summers - proved ideal for apple cultivation, and the region quickly became Queensland's only significant apple-producing area. While the apple industry has faced challenges from imported fruit, the Big Apple continues to symbolize the region's agricultural heritage and draw visitors to explore the many orchards and farm gates that still operate in the area.
More Fun Facts
- •The Granite Belt is Queensland's only apple-growing region and one of the coldest inhabited areas in the state
- •Stanthorpe is one of the few places in Queensland where it snows, typically receiving snowfall several times each winter
- •The region produces over 50 varieties of apples, including Gala, Fuji, Pink Lady, and heritage varieties
- •The Granite Belt has emerged as one of Australia's top cool-climate wine regions, particularly for alternative varieties
- •At 811 meters elevation, Stanthorpe is Queensland's coldest town
Visiting Tips
- 💡Visit during the Apple and Grape Harvest Festival (February-March) for tastings, tours, and events
- 💡Pick your own apples at orchards like Suttons Juice Factory and Vineyard
- 💡Combine apple orchard visits with cellar door wine tasting - the region has over 50 wineries
- 💡Try local apple cider and apple wines unique to the Granite Belt
- 💡The Stanthorpe Visitor Information Centre has maps of orchards, farm gates, and cellar doors
Opening Hours
The Big Apple is located in a public area and can be viewed at any time.
More Big Things Nearby
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Big Golden Gumboot
A 7.9-metre tall golden fibreglass gumboot celebrating Tully as one of Australia's wettest towns.
Big Mango
A 10-meter tall, 7-tonne fibreglass tribute to Bowen's mango industry, famously 'stolen' by Nando's in 2014 for a viral marketing campaign.