Holidays are all about indulgence, and nothing says indulgence more than chocolate. This delectable treat creates a feeling of absolute euphoria. We call it love at first bite.
Fortunately, there’s a wonderful assortment of chocolatiers and factories sprinkled throughout Australia, so you can get your fix with ease while on the road and even learn a few fun facts along the way.
We’d hate for you to miss out on sampling delicious goodies when on your next adventure, so we’ve moulded a list of Australia’s best chocolate attractions.
You’re welcome.
1. Phillip Island Chocolate Factory, VIC
Prepare for a sensory overload at this Phillip Island gem. The factory is home to Pannys Amazing World of Chocolate, which features a succession of enthralling, interactive exhibits that explain the wonderful story of chocolate. You can even create your own chocolate bar before being tempted by a mammoth selection of Belgium-style handmade treats that are so delicious you’ll wish you bought more.
Visit when staying at...BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Phillip Island, Phillip Island Park Lane Holiday Park or NRMA Phillip Island Beachfront Holiday Park.
2. Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery, Yarra Glen, VIC
It’s with good reason this Yarra Valley icon is generally chock-a-block with visitors. The chocolaterie has a massive assortment of European-style handcrafted goodies, highlighting that quantity can be friends with quality. Enjoy generous portions of free samples – as well as insanely delicious ice cream – then burn off energy at the on-site gardens or wetlands. Perfect.
Visit when staying at...BIG4 Yarra Valley Park Lane Holiday Park.
“Nine out of 10 people like chocolate. The tenth person always lies.” – John Q Tullius
3. Bright Chocolate, VIC
Showcasing a small range of premium goodies, Bright Chocolate is a must-visit for sweet tooths. The peak time to check it out is 2pm on Fridays when behind-the-scenes tours guide you around the factory and detail the chocolate-making process. Outside of tour times, head in store and get your hands on these tempting treats.
Visit when staying at...BIG4 Tasman Holiday Parks - Bright, NRMA Bright Holiday Park or BIG4 Porepunkah Holiday Park.
4. Haigh's Chocolates, Adelaide, SA
One of Australia’s most-loved chocolate brands, Haigh’s has been delighting chocolate lovers for a century. Trace its extensive history on a free tour at the visitor centre, located on the outskirts of the Adelaide CBD. Held Monday to Saturday at 9am, the tours allow you to watch the chocolatiers in action and, afterwards, purchase mouth-watering Haigh’s products.
Visit when staying at...BIG4 West Beach Parks, The Retreat at West Beach Parks or Marion Holiday Park.
5. Melba's Chocolates & Confectionery, Woodside, SA
Let the tastebuds run wild at this Adelaide Hills beauty, spotted within an old cheese factory. Melba’s has been making a feast of tasty goodies for decades, and you can see how it all comes together by entering a series of dedicated rooms that highlight the entire process. Soak up the tempting sights and smells within the on-site café, and don’t leave without grabbing a block of Melba’s delicious rocky road.
Visit when staying at in Adelaide
"There are four basic food groups: milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, and chocolate truffles."
6. Havenhand Chocolates, Waikerie, SA
The Riverland is a prominent fruit-growing region, and this boutique chocolate outlet takes full advantage of easy access to the abundant local produce. Havenhand is well-known for its delightful fruit chocolates that carry a strong Belgian influence. Hundreds of varieties can be enjoyed here within a garden setting that affords glorious views of the Murray River. Ahhh, bliss.
Visit when staying at...a BIG4 park in the Riverland.
7. House of Anvers, Latrobe, TAS
This attraction offers one of the best boutique chocolate experiences in Australia. Visit its chocolate museum to retrace the history of this delectable product before entering the tasting centre to sample House of Anvers’ irresistible Belgian-influenced chocolates. These treats are among the highest quality, and your tastebuds will know all about it.
Visit when staying at...BIG4 Ulverstone Holiday Park
8. Margaret River Chocolate Company, WA.
This place is a chocolate lover’s dream. The Margaret River is a premium food and wine region of Western Australia, and this gem upholds that reputation through its creation of tantalising chocolates. There are more than 200 products to choose from, and you can watch on as all the action unfolds. Aside from the company’s original Margaret River site at Metricup, it also has a factory at West Swan in the famous Swan Valley region.
Visit when staying at...BIG4 Taunton Farm Margaret River, BIG4 Bunbury Riverside, BIG4 Breeze - Busselton, RAC Busselton Holiday Park, Mandalay Holiday Resort, Tasman - Yallingup Beach or Tasman - Yallingup Caves.
9. Whistler's Chocolate Co, Middle Swan, WA
A vast range of chocolates and associated products are on offer from this established Swan Valley company, which is set on extensive grounds. Among the many enticing goodies are delicious chocolate pretzels, which are a definite crowd favourite.
“The 12-step chocolate program: never be more than 12 steps away from chocolate!” – Terry Moore
Visit when staying at... BIG4 Perth Midland Tourist Park or Perth Central Caravan Park.
10. Fremantle Chocolate, WA
Continuing Western Australia’s solid reputation for producing top-shelf chocolate is this gourmet wonder. Despite its name, Fremantle Chocolate creates more than one product – in fact there are more than 300 varieties to choose from. Watch the magic unfold at the viewing gallery at Bibra Lake, roughly 10km southeast of Freo.
11. Charley's Chocolate Factory, Mission Beach, QLD
You don’t need a ‘golden ticket’ to gain access to this chocolate factory, which runs incredibly comprehensive and absorbing tours. Each Thursday (and some Fridays) at 10.30am you can learn about the chocolate-making process in captivating detail before finishing with samples of these high-quality products.
Visit when staying at...Tasman Holiday Parks - South Mission Beach.
“Chocolate is cheaper than therapy and you don't need an appointment." – Catherine Aitken
12. Hunter Valley Chocolate Company, Pokolbin, NSW
If you can’t find goodies from Hunter Valley Chocolate Company while you’re in Pokolbin, you’re not trying hard enough. The company has a strong presence in town with three locations from which you can sample its delicious treats, including a combined factory and showroom called Twenty-3-Twenty Chocolate & Fudge Factory. This is another chocolate company with a Belgian influence, while it also emphasises the use of Australian fruits and nuts. The result? Some of the finest chocolate you’ll ever taste.
Visit when staying at...Ingenia Holidays Hunter Valley.
13. Junee Licorice & Chocolate Factory, NSW
Housed in a former flour mill, this attraction continues the Belgian theme and places a strong emphasis on producing quality organic chocolate. Learn all about the process on a fascinating factory tour (held daily on the hour), which also covers the history of the old mill. While here, you can even make your own giant freckle or rocky road.
Visit when staying at... BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Wagga Wagga.
Isn't it time you treated yourself to a break? Book your next indulgent holiday with BIG4.
