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Greg Cassidy to sell Big Mower in Beerwah for more than $2M
It features one of the Sunshine Coast’s oldest “Big Things” and had the late, great Steve Irwin as a return customer, because crocodiles destroyed his mowers. Now this iconic Business is For Sale.
Written by Jorina Maureschat December 16, 2023 - Courier Mail
Lovers of Australia’s iconic “big things” have a prime opportunity to get their hands on their own huge attraction, with the 49-year-old Big Mower in Beerwah hitting the market.
The Big Mower has been put up for sale by Savvy Business on behalf of owner Greg Cassidy, who took over the business from his father Pat Cassidy. It’s best known for the 11 metre tall mower facing Steve Irwin Way which still attracts tourists and visitors for photos.
The business was established in 1974 by Peter and Paul Knight, passing through the hands of Peter Gattera before Pat bought it in 1987. The pair reflected on the times when Australia Zoo opened, with the late Steve Irwin frequenting the store.
“They used to buy little two-stroke engines... [once] in a while you’d get a cranky croc that would come up and jump and grab the mower and take it to its death,” Greg said.
On one occasion, Mr Irwin returned to the store with a bandage around his hand after an altercation with a croc. “He said he was feeding it a chicken to get it out, watching the camera and ‘bang’, he got (Steve) on the hand,” Pat said.
He said it wasn’t the only occasion where Mr Irwin would return needing a new mower because one had been taken to the bottom of the crocodile enclosure.
Several years ago, the pair also discovered a geocache, a capsule used in an outdoor treasure-hunting activity named geocaching, containing two pages worth of names and phone numbers from across the world dating 16 years back.
The Big Mower also made a brief appearance in the 1994 film The Endless Summer II and Pat said it was one of the very first “big things” to have been built on the Sunshine Coast. “It was a big part of our life,” Greg said.
Greg said he decided it was time to move on and focus on his family and find a new career after owning the Big Mower since 2006.
Savvy Business principal Rod Russell said it was an attractive sale in a growing and “high-profile” area, designated as a “specialised centre zone.”
The business is also directly opposite a site where a Coles has been proposed to Sunshine Coast Council, and is now less than 15 minutes away from Aura after the opening of Bells Creek Arterial Rd.
Mr Russell said he expects a lot of interest in the “rare” opportunity of acquiring freehold property, with the sale including the business, building, land and equipment whilst excluding stock.
The property spans 1092sq m with the building taking up 550sq m on Beerwah Parade near the intersection at Steve Irwin Way, Kilcoy Beerwah Rd and Roys Rd.
The Iconic Big Mower is in the perfect location and the business enjoys a great name and reputation.
In saying this, it is now time for the current owner to move on and let fresh legs to take the business/property to the next level and capitalise on the unlimited growth opportunities on offer.
Buyers over $2 million (plus stock) should call Rod Russell on 0409 931 600 to learn more.