Holiday destinations for those with an incurable sweet tooth.
Those that don’t like a bit of chocolate are a rare breed (indeed, probably as rare as the Tasmanian Tiger). But for those of us that like chocolaty goodness more than is strictly necessary, it’s possible to work a sweet-toothed diversion into a trip in many parts of Australia. Whether it’s discount factory outlets, watching cocoa bean turn into bar in a factory or making your own mousse, here are some of the best chocolate adventures to be had across the country.
Cadbury’s Chocolate Factory
Where: Hobart, Tasmania
Easily the most famous chocolate factory in Australia, the Cadbury operation at Claremont is absolutely huge and tours of the operations are extremely popular. This is where many of Australia’s favourite chocolates are made – from Dairy Milks to Caramello Koalas – and the tour shows how all the magic happens. It’s not quite on the Willy Wonka scale, but it’s not too far off, and there are free samples a plenty as you’re going round.
The factory is an interesting mix of ancient and modern. There’s thoroughly up to date machinery that produces bars and snacks at an astonishing rate, but there are also 18 heritage buildings within the massive compound.
Perhaps more importantly, the Cadbury Chocolate Shop in the Visitor Centre is the cheapest place in Australia to buy Cadbury’s chocolate. It all comes at factory-direct prices, which means smart cookies can take advantage and scoop up enough to keep them fat for months.
The best way to get there is as part of a package that includes a cruise up the Derwent River.
Tassie alternatives
The Cadbury factory is by far the most popular chocolate factory in Tasmania, but there are a couple of smaller scale alternatives with more boutique operations. Federation Chocolate at Taranna on the Tasman Peninsula is a family-owned business, and you can watch the goodies (including liquorice and apple-flavoured varieties) being made on the premises.
Meanwhile the House of Anvers Chocolate Factory in Latrobe is owned by a Belgian, and he has brought his country’s knowledge of the craft to Australia, and combined it with pure, fresh Tasmanian dairy produce. Amongst the truffle tasting and the opportunity to watch the temptations being made, there is a small museum about the history of chocolate.
Gourmet chocolate tour
Where: Adelaide, South Australia.
Adelaide may be billed as the city of churches (or festivals, when it’s trying to be a bit more contemporary), but it has a guilty secret as Australia’s chocolate capital. There are specialist chocolate stores dotted all over the city (some even prefer to call themselves ‘chocolate houses’) that specialise in concoctions a little more special than your usual Freddo or Kit Kat.
Through Red Balloon Days it’s possible to do a half day tour of Adelaide’s chocolate emporiums, combined with its best places for a darned good coffee. Of course, there’s plenty of chance to track the whole chocolate-making process, from sniffing the raw ingredients to scoffing down hand-made treats.
At the end of the trail, there’s the chance to try some chocolaty treats made by a top chef.
Do-it-yourself chocolate adventure
Where: Adelaide
Of course, you don’t really need a tour guide to be able to explore Adelaide’s sweet-toothed temptations. Most of the top spots are within walking distance of each other. The first place to start is the Haigh’s Chocolate Factory, which is a five minute drive or short walk from the city centre. Tours of the factory are available for free if booked in advance. The tour takes in the chocolate makers at work – disappointingly, there isn’t an oompah loompah in sight – and tracks the goodies from cocoa bean to consumption.
Haigh’s also has a shop on Rundle Mall in the city centre.
However, there are some other good spots to try out whilst there, such as Chocolate Bean on Union Street.
Chocolate World in the Adelaide Arcade specialises in fine European choccies, and can organise private tastings. Meanwhile in Glenelg (get the tram), there is Bracegirdle’s (www.bracegirdles.com.au). This is a shop and café combined, so you can pig your way through the choc-heavy menu then whop out the credit card for a spending spree on top-of-the-range Belgian treats.
WA posh chocs
Where: Margaret River, Western Australia
It’s also possible to go chocolate tasting in WA. The Margaret River Chocolate Company has a large array available for sale in its wine country outlet. And very good it is too – the perfect stop off for something to anchor all that wine down with.
Dessert cookery lessons
Where: Glebe, Sydney, New South Wales
Of course, it’s very well seeing what the pros can do with chocolate. But isn’t it far more satisfying to be able to make a deliciously wicked concoction yourself? Well, if that’s the case, it’s possible to learn how to makes some spectacularly sweet dessert dishes at one of the He Cooks School’s speciality courses.
Held over three hours at the Sydney Secondary School’s Blackwattle Bay campus, a variety of puddings are covered. These include Strawberry Zabaglione and Apple and Pear Galette, but the chocoholics will be more interested in the Chocolate and Raspberry Brownies and the Dark Chocolate Mousse.
And then, of course, you can have chocolate mousse for dinner for the rest of your days…
This article was originally written for Ninemsn.
Copyright David Whitley
