Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie and Icrecreamery is a delicious family-friendly destination on the Great Ocean Road in Bellbrae from the founders of the popular Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice creamery in Yarra Glen.

The shop, cafe and gardens are a perfect destination if you're taking a day trip to the Great Ocean Road. Located between Torquay and Angelsea, there's really nothing else like it in the area and already it is a smash hit with locals and tourists alike. We visited on a sunny weekend in the first week of opening and the place was filled to the brim with eager chocoholics.

The 15 hectare property is similar in set up and design to the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice creamery.

The large main building houses the chocolate factory where you can watch the European chocolatiers at work…

….a huge shop with every sort of chocolate you can think of, including free tastings, a metre long chocolate bar and the ‘Great Wall of Chocolate'!….

…and a cafe with savoury and sweet treats.

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As we arrive for lunch we have a MOO box ($11.50) with a ham and cheese roll, a fruit kebab, fruit box and freckle cookie, all packaged up in a cow-decorated box.

I have a decadent ‘Chocoholics only' milk, dark and white chocolate concoction with whipped cream and a shot of couverture chocolate ($9.50). In fact, all of the desserts are very reasonably priced and are easily shareable between two or three people.

The cafe has an activity centre where children can colour in large chocolate- and nature-themed colouring-in sheets while waiting for their food. I recommend taking the time to sit down at the cafe so that you can enjoy some of the chocolate and ice cream products on site. If you're in a hurry there is also an ice cream cabinet with a few drinks available at the entrance kiosk.

The cafe provides views of the surrounding gardens with a kitchen garden and play space. A lavender maze is coming soon!

Children aged 6+ are able to participate in hands-on Junior Chocolatier Classes where they can learn how to make their own chocolate and enjoy free tastings.

If you're looking for a child-friendly destination on the Great Ocean Road then you won't be able to beat the temptations on offer at Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie and Icrecreamery.

**From Wed 14 Feb to Sun 25 Feb Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie and Icrecreamery are holding their annual Ice Cream Festival.

Ice cream enthusiasts can also get a ‘behind the scenes' scoop at specially scheduled tasting sessions each day of the Festival. Ice cream gurus will host 40-minute tastings, with samples of 12 different flavours to taste test for just $18 per person in a private tasting area. Bookings essential.

Look out for the Ice Cream Lovers Deal too, where $15 buys your very own souvenir sundae cup and four tokens to redeem for any four ice cream flavours during your visit.

HOT Tips:

• pram access;
• high chairs;
• change facilities;
• child-friendly standard menu;
• kids menu;
• activities and games;
• Free entry, free chocolate tastings and watch chocolatiers at work;
• arrive early or late – peak hour is lunch time and the queues for ordering food can be long. I noticed some patrons were waiting up to an hour for meals. If you order something pre-made from the cabinet eg a dessert then it comes quickly; and
• free parking on site.

Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie and Icrecreamery, Cnr Great Ocean Road and Elkington Road, Bellbrae (03) 5263 1588

Open every day 9am-5pm (except Christmas Day)