Tasmanian Premier promises to build the world’s largest chocolate fountain if re-elected

Tasmanian Premier promises to build the world’s largest chocolate fountain if re-elected

Tasmania’s Premier has suddenly become heavily inspired by Willy Wonka and has vowed to create a ‘world of pure imagination’.

Liberal leader Jeremy Rockliff has made a bold promise that if re-elected, his Government will partner with tourism pioneer Simon Currant to deliver his vision for the world’s ultimate chocolate experience.

The new experience will sit alongside Cadbury on the Derwent River and feature the world’s largest chocolate fountain, a Tasmanian premium chocolate studio, a chocolate lab with a make your own chocolate bar, a chocolate emporium, café, playground and so much more.

Rockliff said tourism was a key part of his 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future and praised Hobart’s Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) for its inspiration.

“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,” 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.

“Importantly, the Chocolate Experience at Cadbury is expected to be a huge economic driver for our tourism sector, and our State as a whole.”

Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff

The Chocolate Experience is expected to create 300 jobs in construction, 200 jobs on completion and provide a $120 million boost in annual economic activity for Tasmania.

Tasmania’s Labor leader, Rebecca White, said her party would “love to see the visitor experience happen again”, but had doubts over transparency and decision-making.

“The Labor party has already announced a $50m no-interest loans program that would be eligible for operators in the visitors economy to apply to and I would welcome the proponents of the Cadbury visitor experience to make an application under our program,” she said.

“It’s really important that when a government is handing out taxpayer money, they do it transparently. We don’t want to see what happened at the New Norfolk distillery where the Liberal party made commitments and were unable to explain what the criteria were for applications.”

According to The Guinness World Records, the current world’s tallest chocolate fountain is owned by Austrian chocolatiers Confiserie Wenschitz GmbH. It is over 12 metres tall and has a tonne of liquid chocolate cascading down its panels.

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

Jeremy Rockliff

Latest News

  • Hotels

Runaway Bay Motor Inn on the Gold Coast for sale after three decades of ownership

The Runaway Bay Motor Inn, the only 40-plus room motel on the Gold Coast is up for sale after three decades of ownership by a Tasmanian family. It is situated on a 5,591sqm freehold site and comprises 41 guest rooms, a manager’s residence, reception and office space, a swimming pool, restaurant, bar and function area […]

  • Tourism

Italian National Tourist Board promotes ‘Roots Tourism’ in Melbourne

The Italian National Tourist Board (ENIT), in collaboration with Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and several Regional tourist boards, held a B2B workshop in Melbourne last week focused on Roots Tourism. The event, on 4 October, brought together approximately 50 Australian agents and tour operators 10 Italian suppliers and regional “Italea” experts. […]

  • Cruise
  • Food & Beverage

Seafood Excellence winners launch new sea-to-plate menu onboard Luxe Island Seafood Cruise

The 2024-25 season of the ultimate seafood dining experience, Luxe Island Seafood Cruise at Rottnest Island, has a new sustainable seafood menu and is now open for booking. Owned by Sea West and operated by its brand Rottnest Cruises, the award-winning Luxe Island Seafood Cruise offers an indulgent day of cruising onboard a 69ft, three-level […]

  • Aviation
  • Breaking News

35 per cent base salary increase part of Virgin Australia pilots new enterprise agreement

Virgin Australia pilots have overwhelmingly voted in favour of a new enterprise agreement that delivers substantial improvements to their pay and working conditions, following 15 months of negotiations. The new agreement guarantees a 35 per cent base salary increase in the first year, followed by 3 per cent annual increases and includes industry-leading lifestyle and […]

  • Conferences

Iconic ‘Spirit of Sydney’ artwork takes pride of place at ICC Sydney

International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney), managed by ASM Global, has announced the addition of the monumental artwork ‘Spirit of Sydney’ by renowned Australian artist Frank Hodgkinson to its collection. Normally reserved for event attendees, members of the community were able to view the iconic ‘Spirit of Sydney’ mural at the venue’s art tours, guided […]