The Big Peanut in the Atherton Tablelands at Tolga is a promotional big thing, built in 1977 for The Peanut Place. Unfortunately, The Peanut Place closed around 2018. For the time being, the big peanut man stands tall as he has for over 40 years.
Kingaroy is the main area you think for peanut farms and growing peanuts. Peanut farming history is well detailed at the Kingaroy Heritage Museum . The Atherton Tablelands is a significant peanut producer.
The Peanut Place was established by Jeff Herbohn to promote the local Hi Oleic peanut. Hi Oleic peanut oil has different chemistry to regular peanuts. The oleic acid ratio more closely relates to olive oil with more monounsaturated fatty acids.
If knowing the peanuts are better for you isn’t enough, The Peanut Place had peanut inspired goodies and gifts you could buy after getting a Big Thing photo for your collection. Peanut ice cream and thirteen varieties of flavoured peanuts were available from the store.
The Big Peanut Man still stands proud, perhaps looking a little weather worn. The peanut produce may not be available from The Peanut Place anymore but you can still get The Big Peanut photo.