Aussie Made: The history of Coca‑Cola ‘down under’
Made in Australia: The history of Coca‑Cola ‘down under’
Did you know Coca‑Cola has also been made in Australia, by and for Australians, since 1938?
From Atlanta to Australia
Coke was imported to Australia from the United States in the early 1900s and in 1938 The Coca‑Cola Company began production locally.
The first Australian-made bottle of Coca‑Cola rolled off the bottling lines in 1938 in a small building on the corner of Crescent and Dowling Street in Waterloo, Sydney.
It all rested on the shoulders of just one famous drink, 10 staff and four trucks, initially sold to shopkeepers by the bottle – literally.
A former Coca‑Cola salesman from Adelaide, Bob Jemison, recalled vigorously persuading a shopkeeper to take a single bottle. The following week, he talked the shopkeeper into taking two bottles.
By 1939 plants were operating in a number of locations around Australia, just in time for the outbreak of World War II. In 1941, a turning point arrived when President of The Coca‑Cola Company, R. W. Woodruff, decided to make Coca‑Cola available to all US service men and women, wherever they were, whatever the cost.
Australian plants supplied not only Americans but Australian service men and women, from urban bases to ‘jungle units’ stationed in the Pacific theatre.
During the war, the small Coca‑Cola plant in Brisbane became the focus of this operation, with manufacturing often running 24 hours a day to service the United States South Pacific headquarters, also located in Brisbane.
After the war, Australia saw an influx of US servicemen who brought with them new music, American style coffee, and of course, a love for Coca‑Cola.
Post war boom: 1950s
By 1950 the post-war economy had stabilised and The Coca‑Cola Company began to grant franchises across Australia.
At one stage, Coca‑Cola was bottled in 30 different locations throughout Australia from small, single-town bottler serviced country towns such as Inverell and Cairns, to large conglomerate bottlers spanning regional areas.
Ultimately the many bottling companies and franchise territories were consolidated into the single territory held by Coca‑Cola Europacific Partners today.
Nightlife and city lights: 1970s
Amongst the bright lights of the 1970’s shone the famous Kings Cross Coca‑Cola sign. Taking pride of place above the intersection of Darlinghurst Road and William Street in Sydney’s Kings Cross, the red and white neon sign has featured in news photography, happy snaps, films, and music videos. For Sydney locals it grew into an iconic meeting place - “We’ll meet you under the Coke sign!”
The 1974 Coca‑Cola sign created an unmistakable landmark that defined the area and quickly became known as ‘The Gateway to the Cross’.
When an upgrade to the Kings Cross billboard was needed, letters from the original Coca‑Cola sign were auctioned off in 2016, with all proceeds going directly to local charity Wayside Chapel.
Coca‑Cola first hosted Kings Cross as an official VIVID precinct in 2017, when the billboard came alive with portraits of Kings Cross locals.
Iconic Coke campaigns
While a global brand, Coca‑Cola in Australia has continued to make its mark through innovative, groundbreaking campaigns. In 2011, Coca‑Cola Australia launched what was to become one of the brand's most iconic marketing campaigns. Share a Coke was a fun summer idea that put popular Aussie names on bottles, turning every Coke into a social invitation to connect and share. It quickly became a global sensation, spreading to over 80 countries, winning awards, and bringing people together around the world. A true Aussie original that went worldwide!
Coca‑Cola in the Community
Coca‑Cola has consistently promoted inclusivity over the years, supporting LGBTQ rights and a wide range of local charities.
In 2017, during Australia's postal vote on marriage equality, Coca‑Cola launched limited-edition 'Love' cans and displayed 'Say Yes to Love' on its Kings Cross billboard. This marked the first time in 130 years that the iconic script was used for a non-logo purpose.
In 2002, Coca‑Cola Australia and Coca‑Cola Europacific Partners initiated a local community investment program, in line with The Coca‑Cola Foundation's global efforts. Over $19 million has since been donated to local not-for-profits to foster positive impacts and resilient communities.
Learn more about our Coca‑Cola in the Community progame here
Coca‑Cola also supported the inaugural Sydney WorldPride in 2023, reintroducing the 'Love Cans' and transforming the Kings Cross sign into rainbow colours, further emphasizing their commitment to love and acceptance.
Coca‑Cola in Australia today
Along with making brands and products that people love, Coca‑Cola also aims to create a more sustainable and better shared future.
In Australia, all Coca‑Cola’s soft drink and water bottles under 1L are made from 100% recycled plastic* (excl. cap and label). The company has partnered with groups including Planet Ark and Eco Barge to help increase recycling and reduce plastic waste in landfill and waterways.
Since Coca‑Cola’s journey began in 1938, it has come a long way from the days of just ten staff, four trucks, and one iconic drink. Today, Coca‑Cola Australia and Coca‑Cola Europacific Partners directly employ more than 3,500 employees.
Coca‑Cola is proud to keep delivering refreshing beverages and creating meaningful moments of connection for Australians every day.