Australian Town Races to Grow 400kg Pumpkins You Can Row

When Mark Peacock paddled a 407-kilogram pumpkin down the Tumut River in 2024, his quirky achievement sparked something unexpected in his small Australian town. Neighbors didn't just applaud—they grabbed seeds and started digging.

The NSW Snowy Mountains community of Tumut is now racing to claim the title of Australia's giant pumpkin capital. After Peacock's Royal Easter Show win, 40 residents planted seeds last year, determined to grow vegetables massive enough to use as boats.

The town's 151-year-old agricultural show created a new giant pumpkin category, complete with a trophy and public weigh-ins that draw crowds. Secretary Margaret Hillier admits the first year didn't go as planned, with most pumpkins falling short of expectations.

Chris Kobier, a local who moved to town six years ago, took the challenge seriously. His goal was simple: grow a pumpkin big enough to paddle down the river, just like Peacock did.

But nature had other plans this season. A summer frost, followed by a heatwave, high winds and scarce rainfall wreaked havoc on the massive vegetables across town.

Most pumpkins will weigh less than 150 kilograms this year, far from the 400kg boats growers dreamed of. Kobier's entry sits at a "disappointing" 80kg, though last year heartbreak stung worse when his 350kg pumpkin developed a soft spot and crumbled days before the show.

The Ripple Effect

The impact reaches beyond backyard gardens. Snowy Valleys Mayor Julia Ham says the unusual hobby has woven the community closer together through friendly competition and shared learning.

Peacock, the horticultural scientist who started it all, freely shares his expertise and even gives away seeds from his prize-winning pumpkins. He says watching giant vegetables roll into the show puts smiles on every face.

The town has embraced the phenomenon with chalk art on footpaths and pumpkin sculptures at the show. Ham is already dreaming bigger, wondering where to find funding for a giant fiberglass pumpkin at the town entrance.

Kobier admits he's "not the biggest fan" of eating pumpkin, but that won't stop his quest. His participation helped him feel part of Tumut's fabric, giving him what he calls "skin in the game" for the community's success.

Despite this year's setbacks, the growers aren't giving up—they're already planning next season's crop, determined to put Tumut on the map one massive vegetable at a time.