Melba's Chocolates

Everybody loves chocolate, especially when it comes from Melba's. Enjoy a scenic drive through the Adelaide Hills to visit our Woodside Chocolate factory and view our extensive range.

Melba's Chocolates & Confectionery is a famous South Australian brand with amazing chocolate range including signature Giant Chocolate Specialities, Cow Pats and Sheep Nuts. In our confectionery range, you can find another signature product - Traffic Lights... Are you a licorice fan? Melba's is famous for its Inch Licorice...

Cannot make it to the factory then shop online with Melba's Online Shop. It's simple and a very convenient way to bring Melba's into your home all year round!


HISTORY
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Melba’s Chocolates was started by Graeme and Joy Foristal in March 1981 in a small wash house behind their Adelaide Restaurant, ‘Melba’s’! The business progressed in varying stages and with the restaurant sale, was relocated to a single car garage behind their Oakbank home.

In June 1990 the Adelaide Convention Centre asked Melba’s to supply their after dinner chocolate. Larger premises were required. This coincided with Graeme’s attendance at an Adelaide Confectionery Company’s liquidation sale where he purchased 5 truck loads of equipment. Little did they know that this was the lead up to Melba’s becoming significant chocolate & confectionery makers and a South Australian tourist attraction.

July 1st 1990 Melba’s transferred to this historic Woodside Farmers Union Factory site which had closed in 1977 and been left to languish. Melba’s took over the former cheese factory building. The mammoth task of cleaning the old site commenced. Fourteen years of abandon and neglect were washed away – Stage 1 of Heritage Park had commenced.

Historically, Melba’s operated old heritage chocolate and confectionery making machinery and this continues today allowing visitors to experience the old arts and techniques.

Stage 2 of Heritage Park commenced in 1991, taking in the former small goods buildings. Burnt out shells were repaired, floors and walls rebuilt and the buildings divided into separate tenancies, where small manufacturers and crafts people set up work/display areas.

A three bedroom residence was built in 1991 on the upper floor of the Chocolate Factory, the former testing laboratory, milk receiving depot and can storage area.