Plans for an ambitious tourist attraction at the Cadbury Claremont factory are progressing, but visitors will miss out on what was promised to be the world’s largest chocolate fountain.
The chocolate fountain, once prominently featured in promotional materials, has been quietly removed from plans for the $155 million development.
Developer Simon Currant downplayed the change, suggesting media had exaggerated the fountain’s significance in the project.
However, last year Currant had enthusiastically promoted the fountain concept when asked about its origins.
“There are a few that claim it, but I can tell you we’re going to easily beat it. The idea came from us, and it’s an obvious one with the glass and a half mixing in,” he said at the time.
The fountain remained in renders on the development website until March this year before being removed.
Despite this change, the “Chocolate Experience” will still feature numerous attractions including a chocolate lab, cocoa tree arboretum, history experience, mass ingredient barn, playground and ferry access.
“The Cadbury Chocolate Experience remains firmly on track, with the designs being finalised ahead of a DA being submitted shortly,” Currant told Pulse today.
“Construction is expected to begin early next year, with the immersive experience opening in 2027.”
The project, which has been in development for around 15 years, has received $4 million in promised funding from the Liberals at the 2024 state election, who compared it to the “greatest thing to happen to tourism” since MONA.
Once operational, the attraction is expected to create up to 200 local jobs and contribute approximately $120 million annually to Tasmania’s economy while attracting up to 500,000 visitors each year.
Developers hope to secure final planning approval by the end of this year.
