Forget Willy Wonka – Australia is about to score its very own chocolate factory fantasy. Last week, plans were unveiled for a massive $150 million project that will reimagine Australia’s original Cadbury factory into “the world’s most extraordinary chocolate experience.” Set to open in 2027, this choccy wonderland is everything your sweet dreams are made of – think an interactive cacao forest, a build-your-own bar studio, a hands-on masterclass kitchen and a chocolate emporium (AKA free samples galore).
Many Aussies are surprised to discover that Cadbury's century-long Aussie story actually began in Tasmania. Back in 1922, the British confectionery giant picked Claremont, just outside Hobart, as an ideal spot for its international expansion thanks to its riverside location and close access to top-quality dairy farms.
For decades, the factory doubled as a tourist attraction, giving visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the chocolate-making process, plus plenty of free samples. The tours were discontinued in 2015 due to technology upgrades and health and safety concerns – but Aussies will have a new way to see how their favourite treats are made when The Chocolate Experience opens right next door to Tasmania’s historic Cadbury factory site.
It’s been years in the making, but plans for the $150 million chocolate-themed experience will soon be lodged with Glenorchy City Council. If approved, the attraction is expected to draw more than 550,000 visitors and pour $120 million into Tasmania’s economy each year.
The new attraction will draw inspiration from the original Cadbury factory, reimagining its pipes, machines and conveyor belts into a hyperreal chocolate wonderland. At the heart of it all is the Chocolate Immersion Tour, an interactive journey through Cadbury’s 100-year Tasmanian history.
The journey begins in the Cacao Forest, brought to life with light, sound and interactive play. From there, visitors step into the Chocolate Lab, where taste and touch reveal how cocoa becomes liquid chocolate. In the Factory Control room, guests can play chocolatier by designing their own personalised bar, before heading to the Chocolate Studio to watch exclusive creations infused with Tasmanian flavours come to life. The tour ends in the Emporium, where you can sample the different flavours and shop for personalised gifts that aren’t available anywhere else in the world.
To top it all off, a Chocolate Lounge will serve up decadent dessert degustations, while a masterclass kitchen gives visitors the chance to try their hand at the art of fine chocolate making. Now, that’s what our sweet dreams are made of!
If approved, construction of The Chocolate Experience is set to begin in early 2026, with doors slated to open in 2027. The project also includes a major makeover of the Claremont waterfront, featuring upgraded public walkways, an extended foreshore cycleway and a brand-new ferry terminal. In partnership with Navigators (operators of the MONA ferries), two new purpose-built ferries will transport more than 80 per cent of visitors from Hobart to the new Claremont terminal in just 30 minutes. You can find out more about the project here.