If you ever take a drive out to the Yarra Valley and find yourself around Healesville, the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery is a must-visit stop. In operation since 2012, this highly popular shop / factory / restaurant is a great place to stretch your legs and be distracted by the multitude of confections on sale.
The Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery is the creation of husband and wife team Ian and Leanne Neeland. Set in the midst of the wine making region, the chocolate factory is a place to indulge in other pleasures. It isn’t too far away from attractions around the area such as the Healesville Sanctuary and it is about one hour out of Melbourne.
Visiting the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery
Even before stepping into the main showroom floor, an ice cream stand greets visitors the Yarra Valley chocolate factory.
Head past it and go inside where a world of chocolate awaits.
A World of Chocolate
Just inside the door, there is a free chocolate tasting area. However, you will need to ask for someone to help you with dishing the delicious chocolate into your hands.
There are chocolates in the form of bars, truffles, pastilles and all sorts of shapes. There are over 250 different types and varieties of chocolates. There are also products that are made with fruit and nuts from the chocolaterie’s orchard.
It is a great place to browse and look for a gift to take home with you.
We especially liked the little whisks that you could use to turn a glass of warm milk into a chocolately drink.
The are also chocolate frogs and other kinds of novelty chocolates.
In addition, you can also pick up other produce such as relishes.
And, there is also a counter that sells the chocolaterie’s homemade ice creams.
You can also stare through huge glass windows to look the chocolate factory floor and watch as the sweet, delicious chocolate rolls off the conveyor belt.
Restaurant and Cafe
Besides the showroom, there is also a restaurant at the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery. The restaurant serves full meals and so you can make plans to stop by there for lunch. However, a warning is that it can fill up quickly and you may have to end up waiting to get a spot.
However, the views of the surrounding Yarra Valley from the restaurant and will almost give you a “Sound of Music” vibe.
Weather permitting, you can step outside and enjoy the sunshine in the lush, open lawn in front of the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery. It is a great place to kick a ball or toss a frisbee.
On your way out, don’t forget to pick up an ice cream at the stand that you saw when you first came in!
Yarra Valley Chocolaterie
Where: 35 Old Healesville Rd, Yarra Glen VIC 3775
Website
If you enjoyed this story, you may also enjoy this one on the Healesville Sanctuary where you can view native Australian animals like koalas and kangaroos, or this other story on what makes Sydney unique.
