The concept of a big tulip in the Highlands is set to remain dormant.
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The Southern Highlands entry of ‘The BIG Tulip’ in leading online travel site WOTIF’s ‘Next Big Thing’ 18th Birthday promotion has been beaten by Queensland finalist ‘The Big Melon’ from Chinchilla.
The recent winning announcement ends a two-month nationwide pursuit to create Australia’s next oversized roadside attraction.
Arguably the juiciest ‘Big Thing’ in Australia, The Big Melon adds to Queensland’s legion of iconic structures, with the state home to almost a third of Australia’s ‘Big Things’ including the Big Pineapple and the Big Mango.
After thousands of Aussies submitted their ‘Next Big Thing’ ideas, a tight two-week voting process saw the Southern Highlands ‘The Big Tulip’ battle it out against three other finalist towns; the Big Peanut, Kingaroy (QLD), Big Kilt, Glen Innes (NSW) and Big Melon, Chinchilla (QLD).
While the unique flair of the Big Kilt and blooming beauty of the Big Tulip received strong support, they appeared to be no match for Queensland’s oversized edibles with the state’s Big Peanut and Big Melon drawing a close race to the finish.
Destination Southern Highlands Manager, Steve Rosa said, “we initially submitted an entry for the Big Pie to recognise our positioning in the last two years as Australia’s Home of Pies with our innovative and award winning destination marketing campaign Pie Time but was advised there was already a big pie constructed on the Gold Coast QLD.”
“It was then we submitted an entry for recognition as Australia home of Tulips via Australia oldest Tulip Festival Tulip Time,” he said.
“While we are a little disappointed at not winning we’d like to thank each and every person who got behind our entry and voted for Australia’s ‘Next Big Thing’ to be based in the Southern Highlands.
“It aroused a lot of exposure for the Southern Highlands while also creating a great deal of conversation and debate about where the Big Tulip should be positioned as well as what it should look like should we have won the promotion.
“But, one thing that came out of our entry was the great support it had for a possible quality tulip art sculpture installation in the future at the Southern Highlands Welcome Centre that could be used to attract, educate and refer visitors and locals around the regions great events and attractions.”
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