Bowen’s Big Mango turns 21
One of Queensland’s most popular tourist spots that put Bowen on the map, turns 21. But how much do you know about Bowen’s Big Mango?
Townsville
Don't miss out on the headlines from Townsville. Followed categories will be added to My News.
An estimated 1.5 million people have had their photo taken at the internationally-renowned Big Mango at Bowen – and now this selfie hotspot is celebrating a major milestone.
The 10-metre iconic tourist attraction, at the top of The Whitsundays, turns 21 on Thursday May 25 and is arguably among the most popular of Australia’s ‘big things.’
Weighing five tonnes and made of fibreglass, it cost $90,000 to build in May 2002 and was the brainchild of a local doctor, Geoff Ingham, who established the Big Mango Trust to help fund the project.
The Big Mango attracts an estimated 80,000 people a year with more than half of those calling into the Bowen Visitor Information Centre next door where tourists can buy almost every kind of mango product imaginable such as trifle, daiquiri mix, chutney, and bright coloured clothing.
Bowen Tourism and Business manager Leanne Abernethy said the Big Mango was the largest mango structure in the world and has become an “internationally-renowned symbol” of the town and region.
“We’re a proud coastal town of many farming families who value the opportunity to share our pride with as many visitors as possible.”
To mark the milestone, Google has set its Australia homepage to include the Big Mango.
The company added, “Today’s Doodle celebrates Australia’s Big Mango, an iconic road trip and tourist destination built to honor Bowen’s agricultural industry.
“The structure is one of the many Big Things across the country – a collection of massive roadside attractions that includes an acorn, banana, and gumboot just to name a few.”
With a population of about 11,000 and known as ‘the food bowl’ of The Whitsundays, Bowen provides 10 per cent of the entire Australian mango supply.
The Big Mango symbolises the Kensington Pride variety, also known as the ‘Bowen Special’ after being introduced from India in 1871.
Bowen Tourism and Business chairwoman Jenn Honnery said the Big Mango was named the Top Tourist Attraction in The Whitsundays Tourism Awards in 2022.
The Bowen Visitor Information Centre is also on track to sell a record number of mango sorbet this year, averaging about 385 sales a week.
A few key publicity stunts over the years have helped cement the Big Mango’s popularity including when it made headlines across the globe after mysteriously disappearing overnight as part of a collaboration with Nandos and their new Mango and Lime flavoured sauce.
Many people also don’t know there have been two big mangoes in Bowen. The second Little Mango is six metres high and sits on the Santa Barbara Parade, donated by Nandos.
The Bowen Visitor Information Centre, next to the Big Mango, is open 9am-5pm on weekdays and 10am-3pm on weekends.
The Big Mango is available 24/7 for selfies.
More Coverage
Originally published as Bowen’s Big Mango turns 21
‘1000mm+ to come’: Swiftwater rescues as Townsville inundated
North Queensland residents have been warned of more severe and life-threatening flooding after multiple rescues and homes, vehicles and streets inundated across Townsville.
Road closures: Bruce Hwy, multiple suburbs cut off in flooding
The Bruce Highway has been cut and multiple streets across NQ are flooded due to widespread and heavy rainfall. Here is a list of roads we know are closed. PLUS: Changes to ferry schedules.