It’s A Busy Time At Bowen’s Big Mango

As Bowen’s Big Mango celebrated its birthday on the weekend, this iconic tourist attraction has been very busy in recent weeks.

It is expected to become even busier in the months ahead with so many people from the southern states heading to Bowen for the winter to escape the cooler weather in NSW and Victoria.

Bowen’s Big Mango is located on the Bruce Highway 5km south of Bowen, right next to the Bowen Visitor Information Centre.

It was erected in May 2002, so it has just turned 23 years old.

The 10 metre structure cost almost $90,000 to build and is a replica of the Kensington Pride variety of mango. Bowen is the birthplace in Australia of the Kensington Pride, after it was introduced from India in 1871.

Manager of Bowen Tourism and Business, Leanne Abernethy said the team at the Bowen Visitor Information Centre had welcomed more visitors so far this year than for the same period last year.

"In March, our visitor numbers were up by 8% on last year, and then in April, the increase was 6%,” she said.

“As the month of May comes to an end, I am confident the final tally will also show an increase on last year’s figures.”

The number of interstate visitors is starting to increase again, as it usually does at this time of the year, as the Grey Nomads start arriving for the next three months.

“In March and April, our total interstate visitors per month was sitting at about 16% of our total visitors but this has increased to 23% in May as the southern migration starts,” Leanne said.

Contributed with thanks to Bowen Tourism and Business

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Visitors Michael and Heather from Brisbane with Bowen Tourism and Business team member Melissa Beuzeville, at the Big Mango on Sunday, May 25. Photo supplied

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