Haigh’s Chocolates – Visitor Centre & Factory Tour Adelaide
Ever wanted to know how chocolate is made, or where it comes from? Looking for somewhere to take family, friends or visitors to learn a little more about our state’s famous chocolate brand?
Well, those with a sweet tooth will be in chocolatey heaven when you book in for a FREE guided viewing tour of the Haigh’s Chocolates Visitor Centre at Parkside.
Haigh’s, established on May 1st 1915, is a family-owned company now in its fourth generation and is Australia’s oldest chocolate manufacturing retailer. The Visitor Centre on Greenhill Road in Parkside has a long history as the tour guide will tell you at the start of the tour. Once registered, visitors are asked to wait in a small room with historical photographs lining the walls. There are photos of the Haigh’s men who have been involved with the company, the first store on King William Street and then Beehive corner, plus images showing what actual raw cocoa beans look like. We were offered a few chocolate buds to taste while we waited!
The tour then takes you along a hallway lined with glass windows so that you can watch some of the production lines in action. There are more than 250 products made at the Parkside factory, but the chocolate actually being made you won’t see – this is top secret of course and happens over at the Mile End factory. Here you will see Haigh’s staff busy in their white uniforms, hand rolling delicious fruits in chocolate, carefully wrapping chocolates in pretty foil and have some of the sophisticated machinery explained. It’s quite astounding to see how much effort by hand goes into the making and presenting of each chocolate.
After your tour you’ll be offered a complimentary tea or coffee and another sample of a delicious Haigh’s chocolate. Lastly comes the shopping – it’s hard to leave without buying a gift or two! Haigh’s are famous for their chocolate frogs, truffles, fruit centres, fudges and bars. They often have limited edition packs, special lines and there are also baskets of chocolate seconds at a reduced price.
Tour Days & Times
Guided Tours operate Tuesday through Friday 9am to 3pm and Monday & Saturday 9am to 12pm.
There are no tours on Sunday or public holidays.
A self-guided viewing is available Monday through Saturday 12pm to 2pm – no booking is required.
For more information and all enquiries please visit the Haighs website.
What: Haigh’s Chocolates Factory Tour
When: Monday to Saturday (see times above)
Where: 154 Greenhill Road, Parkside
Who: All Ages, but ideal for primary school age and up
At Play & Go Adelaide we make every effort to provide accurate information to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. We recommend confirming times, dates and details directly before making any plans as details may be subject to change.
Image Source: Photos by Play & Go 2013
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