Height
3 meters
Year Built
2005
Address
Herbert Street, Bowen, QLD 4805
The Lowdown
The Big Ripe Tomato at Bowen celebrates the town's well-earned reputation as Australia's premier tomato-growing region. This enormous red fruit (yes, tomatoes are technically fruit!) stands proudly in the heart of Bowen, representing the millions of tomatoes harvested each year in the surrounding fields. The region's warm climate, rich soils, and abundant sunshine create perfect conditions for producing the juicy, flavorful tomatoes that grace Australian salads and sandwiches. Bowen claims to produce around one-third of Australia's winter tomatoes, making the Big Ripe Tomato a fitting tribute to an industry that puts this North Queensland town on the map.
Did you know?
"Bowen produces about a third of Australia's winter tomatoes"
History
Bowen's tomato industry developed in the mid-20th century as farmers recognized the ideal growing conditions. The Big Ripe Tomato was installed to celebrate the town's agricultural success and welcome visitors.
More Fun Facts
- •Bowen produces about a third of Australia's winter tomatoes
- •Botanically, tomatoes are fruits, not vegetables
- •Bowen mangoes are also famous nationwide
- •The town was named after the first Governor of Queensland
- •Bowen's beaches are stunning and uncrowded
Visiting Tips
- 💡Buy fresh tomatoes from local farms
- 💡Try Bowen mangoes in season (November-February)
- 💡The beaches at Bowen are beautiful and uncrowded
- 💡The town is a gateway to the Whitsundays
- 💡Visit during the Bowen Harvest Festival
Opening Hours
Outdoor sculpture accessible at all times.
More Big Things Nearby
Big Barramundi
A 6-metre long fibreglass barramundi celebrating Normanton's status as the 'Barramundi Capital of Australia'.
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.