History of Charley's Chocolates
Posted by R Medd on 24th Aug 2026
From Banana Farm to Chocolate Paradise: The Charley's Story
In 2012, Lynn and Chris Jahnke saw possibility where others saw just a run-down banana farm. Today, that vision has transformed into Charley's Chocolate - Australia's most awarded chocolate maker, nestled in the heart of Far North Queensland's World Heritage rainforest, next to the Great Barrier Reef.
Our Home in Paradise
Step onto our 160-hectare Mt Edna property and you'll understand why our chocolate tastes like nowhere else on Earth. We are based where the Great Barrier Reef joins the Wet Tropics World Heritage rainforest. Here, where ancient rainforest meets rich volcanic soil, our cocoa trees flourish under the tropical sun. Rare birds soar overhead, cassowaries wander through our protected rainforest, and the sweet scent of chocolate drifts from our state-of-the-art factory.
Visiting our rainforest with staff member Logan
What Makes Charley's Different?
True Tree-to-Bar Chocolate
While most chocolate makers buy their cocoa beans from around the world, we grow ours right here at Mission Beach. From the moment our cocoa pods form to the final wrapping of each bar, we control every step of the journey. The result? Chocolate that captures the pure essence of tropical Australia.
Our Mt Edna plantation 
Our Signature Collections:
- Single Origin Australian Bars: Experience pure FNQ terroir with our Mount Edna, Crocodile Mountain, and Davidson Plum bars
- Tree-to-Bar Creations: Taste single origin chocolate made exclusively from our own plantation beans
- Local Flavour Combinations: Discover bars enhanced with tropical fruits and nuts from our FNQ neighbours and using cocoa from our neighbours in the Pacific
A Journey of Excellence
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2013 |
Our first cocoa harvest - a moment of truth for Australian-grown chocolate |
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2014-2016 |
First bars, first awards won - proving tropical Australia could produce world-class chocolate |
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2017 |
International recognition at the Cocoa of Excellence Awards, Paris |
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2017-2019 |
Building our dream - state-of-the-art production facilities |
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2021 |
Celebrating local art with new packaging by FNQ artist Kim Rayner |
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2021-2023 |
Expanding our vision with Block 4 plantation |
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Today |
Leading the development of Australia's premium cocoa industry |
Charley’s is the most highly awarded chocolate maker in Australia. All in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage area. For the pure experience of single origin Australian grown and made chocolate try our Mt Edna, Crocodile Mountain and Davidson plum bars.
Visit Paradise: Where Nature Creates Perfect Chocolate
Our location isn't just beautiful - it's chocolate-making perfection. At 17.8 degrees south, Mission Beach sits in the sweet spot of the world's cocoa-growing belt. Here, where the Wet Tropics Rainforest meet the Great Barrier Reef, nature provides everything needed to create extraordinary chocolate.
Our state-of-the-art factory is surrounded by protected rainforest. Watch this beautiful Superb Fruit Doves feast on native fruits
Superb Fruit Dove
Where to find us
Finding us is part of the adventure. As you turn off the Bruce Highway onto El Arish Mission Beach Road, you're entering chocolate country. Look for our signs.
