Well I got a recommendation that it's even worth driving for an hour to stock up on some cheap groceries at the Golden Circle factory outlet at Capalaba on Brisbane's bayside.
I see they've got a website, and looking at the specials it seems pretty good:
http://www.goldencirclefs.com.au/index.htm
Any Ozbargainers heard of this place before? Would be interesting to hear of any experiences.
Edit: Apparently there is a similar place outside of Melbourne: http://www.ardmonafactorysales.com.au/
Not sure if they've moved, or closed down a previous outlet, I think I went to a different one a few years ago. It was definitely a Golden Circle factory outlet, and I didn't consider it worth going back. The prices (at that time) were marginally cheaper, but not worth the effort of going there, when you can pick up better specials at the supermarkets if you're diligent. Might be different now.
I would rather go to The Grocery Club (or something similar) an end of line / past best before dates kind of store, just next to the Rocklea Markets. The deals there are sometimes nothing special, sometimes really good. If you know what you normally pay etc, then it works well.
I picked up several cans of golden circle pineapple for 99c each last time I was there. Past best before date, but quite ok.
Hi inherentchoice
Yes, I have been to the Factory Outlet at Capalaba a number of times. I found there were great bargains for a number of lines - especially for things like lunches to take to work/school. I could buy a slab of tuna and rice lunch packs for about $4, they had cartons of muesli bars for around $3 (Goulburn Valley Brand - something like 15 or so in carton), as well as fruit/jelly/puree snack packs. My last visit's favourite bargain buy was a carton of individually packed peas - $2 for 8 individual packs which gram for gram was cheaper than buying the tins from Woolies/Coles.
There are also some great frozen meal buys too - 2 Healthy Choice for $5. At Coles last week the special was 2 for $8.
All of the items I bought from the Golden Circle Outlet were in their best-before dates by about a month, whereas the majority of items at The Grocery Club were well out of their best-before dates by several months.
I have also been to the Ardmona Factory Outlet in Shepparton (I used to be a Melbournite), and the stock is very similar as they are all owned by Heinz.
A small note though - some things such as baked beans and spaghetti - are dearer when comparing to homebrand/coles. I know at my local supermarket I can get homebrand baked beans for 69c a can. At the outlet it works out to be about $1 per can, but it is the brand name Heinz or SPC at the outlet. Depends on whether you like your homebrand vs name brand for some things.
Some of my friends look at my cupboard full of tinned items and wonder if I'm preparing for the apocalypse, but if you can do one trip and get slabs of items, you will have saved yourself a lot of $$. \
Hope this helps!
I have not personally been there myself, however a lady I work with loves the place. She cannot speak highly enough about all of the bargains. Good luck.