Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery

You won’t find a Chocolate Factory surrounded by indigenous gardens, lavender fields, and landscaped grounds just minutes from the Surf Coast’s salty breeze — but that’s the magic of the Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery. On my first visit, I popped in for a quick coffee from the Pod Café and ended up two hours deep in chocolate tastings, learning about chocolate making and watching kids covered in cocoa dust. The air alone is thick with the scent of handcrafted chocolates and roasted beans. This isn’t your average sweet shop. It’s a full-on sensory experience that combines chocolate-making workshops, artisan ice cream, and local produce with good old-fashioned Aussie hospitality.

A Chocolate Heaven In The Surf Coast Hinterland

Just off the Great Ocean Road near Bellbrae — between Torquay and Anglesea — this Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery is as close as you’ll get to Willy Wonka’s factory without a golden ticket. The site itself is designed around landscaped coastal settings and indigenous gardens, with plenty of Coach Parking for groups, families or corporate events.

The team make every bar, truffle and bonbon using sustainably sourced chocolate and exotic ingredients — from tangy bush fruits to Middle Eastern spices. Inside, you’ll find white & dark chocolate products, Rocky Road, chocolate-covered fruits and nuts, and the freezers hum with artisan-flavoured ice creams.
Location:
In Bellbrae, 15 minutes from Torquay and Bells Beach
90 km from Melbourne’s West — a day trip
Neighbouring Surf Coast Strawberry Fields and Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery
Great Ocean Road Tours Australia includes this stop in several of its itineraries — and for good reason. It’s where you get to experience regional flavours, meet locals and taste the sweet side of Victoria’s coastal culture.

A Sweet Success

Since 2012, the Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery has become one of Victoria’s most popular foodie destinations — part of the Great Ocean Road Gourmet Trail. Ian and Leanne Neeland, the founders, also own the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery and Mornington Peninsula sites, combining European tradition with Australian produce. Each site features sustainably sourced chocolate, handcrafted chocolates and a love of the local community. The Bellbrae site alone attracts over 500,000 visitors a year, making it a Chocolate Factory with a purpose — supporting small producers and sustainable tourism.

Meet The Makers: Local Talent And Global Inspiration

Behind the scenes, a team of European and French chocolatiers work alongside local chefs, combining precision techniques with a love for local produce. They use dark couverture, couverture and locally inspired flavours like wattleseed, lemon myrtle and Passionfruit Meringue. Chatting with one of the chocolatiers, I found out every piece tells a story — whether it’s a nod to Dubai chocolate innovation or a tribute to Surf Coast honey. Their mission is simple: create handmade and artisan chocolates that celebrate both craftsmanship and community.

Tasting Experiences That Hit The Sweet Spot

Chocolate here isn’t just sold — it’s experienced. The Festivals & Experiences calendar at the Chocolaterie makes each visit unique.

Quick Guide To Tasting Experiences

Experience Type	Duration	Cost (AUD)	Best For	Insider Tip
Free Chocolate Tasting	10 mins	Free	Families & first-timers	Visit early to enjoy quieter morning sessions
Ice Cream Sampler	15 mins	$8–$12	Sweet-toothed travellers	Try local Otway Honey or Surf Coast blends
Chocolate High Tea	60 mins	$49 pp	Couples & groups	Book 2–3 weeks ahead for weekends
Hands-On Workshop	90 mins	$55–$75 pp	Chocolate lovers	Great rainy-day chocolate-making class

A Day Of Creativity: Crafting Treats By Hand

Here’s where you can roll up your sleeves and get into chocolate making. Their Junior Chocolatier classes — sometimes called Sundae School — are perfect for kids, while adults can join advanced tempering or Hot Chocolate Tasting Sessions. It’s fun, messy and satisfying — just how chocolate making should be. Participants learn to make artisan chocolates, from tempering to decoration, and take home their own handcrafted chocolates wrapped as wedding favours or personal treats.

Family-Friendly Fun: Beyond The Sugar Rush

Beyond sugar rushes and selfies, the Chocolaterie is a family-friendly attraction for all ages. The landscaped grounds have picnic lawns, shaded seating and open spaces for children’s wellbeing and play. During seasonal events, like the Great Easter Egg Hunt, kids can explore indigenous gardens, meet local producers or enjoy the outdoor Sundae School tent. It’s as much about connection as confection. Parents can relax under umbrellas with a barista coffee or cool down with artisan ice cream shops’ signature sundaes.

Pod Café With A View And Menu Worth Savouring

The on-site Pod Café serves up serious flavour beyond the chocolate. From barista coffee to hearty brunch plates, it’s one of the best kid-friendly cafés on the Surf Coast. Highlights include: Belgian waffles with chocolate-covered fruits Roast veggie tart with goat’s cheese Signature hot chocolates from the Hot Chocolate Festival Local pastries and flavoured ice creams Sit at the window and enjoy the coastal views. On a good day, you might even see a few roos grazing nearby — that’s the Great Ocean Road for you.

Seasonal Festivals & Experiences

The Chocolaterie has seasonal chocolate trends and events throughout the year.

Event Name	Time Of Year	Highlights
Ice Cream Festival	February	144 flavours from Timboon Fine Ice Cream
Brownie Festival	June	40+ brownie types & artisan ice cream pairings
Rocky Road Festival	May	DIY workshops & limited-edition Rocky Road
Hot Chocolate Festival	August	Creative dark couverture chocolate drinks
Great Easter Egg Hunt	March/April	Family friendly fun across the gardens

These events feature new Chocolate Range releases, New Products and sweet stories from local suppliers. You can sign up for the Chocolaterie newsletter to get upcoming releases and dessert creations first.

Practical Info: Plan Your Sweet Stop

Getting There

From Melbourne: 1.5 hours via Princes Freeway and Surf Coast Highway
From Torquay: 10 minutes west towards Anglesea
Closest airport: Avalon (45 minutes away)

Opening Hours

Open 7 days, 9 am – 5 pm, except Christmas Day

Parking & Access

Free onsite Coach Parking and car spaces
Access needs friendly pathways and a café