A $100 million “Chocolate Experience” is set to be built at the Cadbury factory north of Hobart, featuring the world’s largest chocolate fountain, a chocolate lab and chocolate emporium.
Dreamt up by tourism industry veteran Simon Currant, the project has been in the works for around 15 years.
The Liberals have backed the project with $4 million in funding if re-elected, comparing it as the “greatest thing to happen to tourism” since MONA.
The new attraction will complement Cadbury on the Derwent River and, alongside becoming home to the world’s largest chocolate fountain, will include a 3D time tunnel, themed electric ferries, a chocolate studio producing unique Tasmania-branded chocolates and a ‘build your own bar’ experience.
“We talk a lot about the cultural and economic lift of the MONA-effect, but it’s important that we keep investing, growing, changing and giving visitors even more reasons to visit Tasmania and spend their money in our cities and regions,” Leader Jeremy Rockliff said.
“This will re-write the ‘must-see’ list for every visitor that comes to Tasmania. Hug a Tassie devil, sip wine on Wineglass, stroll Salamanca, climb Cradle and cap that all off with the sweetest experience of them all at the Chocolate Experience at Cadbury.”
The project is expected to be completed by 2026 and is forecast to boost the Tasmanian visitor economy by $120 million annually while creating around 300 jobs in construction and 200 jobs on completion.
“We are continuing our strong backing of our tourism industry to ensure that our visitors stay longer, see more of our State and spend more while they are here, supporting local businesses and jobs right across Tasmania,” he said.
