The Chocolateries Great Ocean Road Review: A Sweet Bellbrae Stop

The Chocolateries Great Ocean Road in Bellbrae is a destination for chocolate lovers, families and anyone building a food stop into a Great Ocean Road day trip. Formerly known as Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery, it combines a huge chocolate showroom, freshly churned artisan ice cream, an all day café, free tastings and landscaped grounds in one very easy place to linger.

Why The Chocolateries Great Ocean Road Is Worth Visiting

For me, the appeal is that this is more than a quick chocolate shop. You can browse hundreds of handcrafted creations, watch chocolatiers at work, taste chocolate for free, stop for breakfast or lunch and give the kids room to explore outside. It works equally well as a destination in its own right or as a very tasty pause between Torquay and Anglesea.

Chocolate, Ice Cream and a Showroom That Means Business

The showroom is the headline act. The Chocolateries Great Ocean Road says its team creates more than 480 handcrafted chocolate varieties, which gives the place that slightly overwhelming, in a good way, feeling where you start by promising yourself one small treat and suddenly you are comparing blocks, truffles, rocky road and gift boxes. Free samples of milk, dark and white chocolate pastilles are offered, and there are also opportunities to sample selected ice cream and chocolate ranges. If chocolate is your thing, this is close to a full bodied experience rather than a five minute retail stop.

The Café Makes It a Proper Food Stop

The all day café is a big reason I would happily return. It serves breakfast, brunch, lunch, drinks and sweet treats, so you do not need to arrive with dessert as the only plan. The real hot chocolate is an obvious choice for serious chocolate fans, while the broader menu makes the venue practical for families where not everyone wants to eat sugar from start to finish. There is indoor and outdoor seating, and the combination of café food, artisan ice cream and chocolate gives you plenty of ways to pace yourself.

A Family Friendly Great Ocean Road Attraction

This is one of those places where the children can be excited before you even reach the chocolate counter. The Bellbrae property sits on expansive landscaped grounds with lawns, gardens and a free Chocolaterie Discovery Map activity. There are resident animals to see on a scenic walk as well. That mix matters because it turns a food stop into an outing, and it gives parents a chance to enjoy the café while the whole visit still feels like an activity rather than simply shopping.

My Weekend Off Low Carb Rule Has Entered the Chat

I usually keep things low carb during the week and give myself the weekend off, a routine that has made the whole idea much easier to stick with. A chocolaterie is exactly why that rule exists. There is no point driving the Great Ocean Road, walking into a room filled with handmade chocolate and pretending a carrot stick is going to deliver the same joy. Pick something you genuinely want, enjoy it, then keep exploring. Sometimes balance looks a lot like excellent chocolate on a Saturday.

Free Entry Adds Real Value

Entry to The Chocolateries Great Ocean Road is free, which makes it an easy recommendation for a mixed day out. You can look around the showroom, enjoy the grounds and take part in the free Discovery Map without buying an admission ticket. Paid experiences, café meals, chocolate, ice cream and some hosted tastings cost extra. The venue currently advertises guided tasting sessions for a small fee, plus bookable chocolate making classes and seasonal experiences. That lets you keep the visit casual or turn it into something more special.

Location Works Brilliantly for a Surf Coast Day Trip

Bellbrae is a smart location for this kind of attraction. The Chocolateries Great Ocean Road is around ten minutes from Torquay and sits between Torquay and Anglesea, so it is easy to pair with Bells Beach, a coastal walk, the Australian National Surfing Museum or a winery stop. This is my favourite style of regional Victoria exploring: start with one destination, then let the day expand into food, scenery and a few places you did not originally plan to visit.

Final Verdict

I rate The Chocolateries Great Ocean Road 4.5 out of 5. Yes, I would go again, and yes, I would recommend it to a friend. The free entry, huge chocolate range, artisan ice cream, café, family friendly grounds and handy Surf Coast location make it an easy addition to a Great Ocean Road itinerary. If you are a chocolate lover, it is a destination. If you are travelling with children, it is a useful break in the journey. If you are both, that is basically gamechanger territory.

Trivia: The Great Ocean Road location opened in 2016 as the second Chocolaterie created by Ian and Leanne Neeland, following their original Yarra Valley destination.

Getting there

The Chocolateries Great Ocean Road is at 1200 Great Ocean Road, Bellbrae VIC 3228, on the corner of Elkington Road. From Melbourne, take the Princes Freeway toward Geelong, exit toward Anglesea, then follow Anglesea Road to the Great Ocean Road and continue toward Bellbrae. The venue is between Torquay and Anglesea.

• Drive times (approx.): Around 1 hour 25 minutes by car from Flinders Street Station, Melbourne, depending on traffic.
• Torquay: Around 10 minutes away and a very convenient base for beaches, surfing attractions and the start of the Great Ocean Road.
• Anglesea: Around 10 minutes away in the other direction, with beaches, coastal walks and easy access to the Surf Coast.

When

Open every day from 9am to 5pm, except Christmas Day.

Cost

FREE entry. Café purchases, chocolate, ice cream, classes and some hosted tastings cost extra.

Rating: 4.5
Would I go again: Yes
Would I recommend to a friend: Yes

Cuisine Type: Chocolate, Sweets
Address: 1200 Great Ocean Road, Bellbrae VIC 3228
Telephone: (03) 5263 1588
Reviewed by: Howie's Melbourne Food Blog

The Chocolateries Great Ocean Road FAQ

Is entry to The Chocolateries Great Ocean Road free?
Yes. General entry is FREE. Food, drinks, retail chocolate, classes and some tasting experiences cost extra.

What are the opening hours?
The venue is open every day from 9am to 5pm, except Christmas Day.

Are there free chocolate tastings?
Yes. The venue offers free tastings of milk, dark and white chocolate pastilles, plus selected chocolate and ice cream samples. Paid hosted tasting sessions are also available.

Is The Chocolateries Great Ocean Road good for children?
Yes. Families can explore the lawns and gardens, use the free Chocolaterie Discovery Map and see resident animals, as well as enjoy chocolate and ice cream.

Does the venue have a café?
Yes. The all day café serves breakfast, brunch, lunch, drinks and sweet treats, with indoor and outdoor seating.

Is the venue accessible?
The venue lists wheelchair ramps, accessible parking and accessible toilets. Contact the Chocolaterie directly if you need specific assistance.

Nearby Tourist Destinations

While you are here why not visit these other great locations:

• Anglesea Beach: A relaxed Surf Coast beach and township stop that pairs easily with a Bellbrae visit.
• Australian National Surfing Museum: Torquay museum celebrating Australian surfing history, boards, champions and surf culture.
• Bellbrae Estate: A nearby Surf Coast winery for visitors wanting to add a local wine stop to the day.
• Bells Beach: One of Australia's best known surf beaches, with dramatic cliffs, ocean views and major surfing history.
• Currawong Falls: A longer bushwalk near Aireys Inlet with forest, ridges and waterfall scenery. Check out more information on Currawong Falls.
• Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch: One of the best known landmarks on the Great Ocean Road, located near Eastern View.
• Lorne: A major coastal town with beaches, cafes, galleries and access to waterfalls and Otways walks. Enjoy Lower Kalimna Waterfall and Phantom Falls in Lorne.
• Ocean View Circuit Walk: is definitely the highlight walk from Moggs Picnic Area. Check the complete information on the Ocean View Circuit Walk.
• Point Addis Marine National Park: Coastal scenery, walking opportunities and impressive views along the Surf Coast.
• Split Point Lighthouse: The landmark lighthouse at Aireys Inlet, a scenic extension to a Great Ocean Road day trip.
• Surf Coast Walk: A long coastal walking route with sections around Torquay, Bells Beach, Point Addis and Anglesea.
• Torquay Foreshore: Beaches, walking paths, picnic areas and easy access to Torquay's shops and cafés.

Official Website

Check current opening hours, menus, classes and visitor information here: The Chocolateries Great Ocean Road.

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Ocean View Track Walk from Moggs Creek Picnic Area

The Ocean View Track from Moggs Creek Picnic Area is one of those Great Ocean Road walks that gives you a satisfying mix of forest, coastal heathland and a big ocean reward. Starting in the Great Otway National Park near Aireys Inlet, the 4.5 km circuit is generally rated moderate and takes about two hours, with some steeper uphill sections before the coastal views open up.

Why the Moggs Creek Ocean View Circuit Is Worth the Climb

For hikers looking for a scenic Great Ocean Road bushwalk near Aireys Inlet, this circuit packs a lot into a manageable distance. The track moves through dry woodland and coastal heath before reaching broad views towards Split Point Lighthouse, Fairhaven Beach, Eastern View and the ocean. It feels wonderfully removed from the road even though the coast is never far away.

The walk begins at Moggs Creek Picnic Area, where picnic tables and toilets make it easy to organise a relaxed start. From the western end of the car park, follow the signed Ocean View Track into ironbark and messmate forest. The climbing is steady rather than technical, but there is enough uphill walking to make good shoes, water and a comfortable pace worthwhile.

Undoubtably, the view from the Ocean View Circuit Walk lookout with sweeping views west to east over the Great Ocean Road is the highlight of the walk.

One of my favourite things about hiking is how quickly a familiar coastal destination can feel completely different once you leave the car behind. I am an avid photographer, and this is exactly the kind of walk where carrying the camera pays off.

It reminds me of the lesson from my old Pentax Q: be prepared and take the camera with you and more importantly have it at the ready if you like taking photos of native birds. You never quite know when the view or native birdlife is going to turn into the photo you are happiest you captured (or missed, ha ha).

The forest section has its own quiet appeal. Friends of Eastern Otways notes ironbarks, messmates, peppermints, Mountain Grey-gums and Southern Blue-gums along the route, plus grass-trees and small orchids in season. Birdlife can include Eastern Yellow Robins, White-throated Treecreepers, Grey Shrike-thrushes and the uncommon Rufous Bristlebird, so this is not a walk where you need to rush.

The fairly rare grass-trees and small low level ferns are probably the scenic highlight after the view of the Great Ocean Road. If you are fortunate the birdlife may be around but the birdlife is definitely more abundant in the Moggs Creek Nature Walk area where the microclimate seems cooler and wetter.

As the route heads towards the coast, the landscape changes and the reward becomes obvious. The Ocean View lookout delivers sweeping coastal scenery over the Great Ocean Road, Fairhaven and the sea. On a clear day, the combination of blue water, pale beach and the line of the coast is awesome for landscape photography.

A moderate wide angle lens makes sense here, although a telephoto can be just as useful for compressing the coastline and pulling distant details closer. A telephoto lens may especially be useful if trying to take a shot of the lighthouse otherwise the lighthouse will look like a pinprick.

The official Parks Victoria visitor guide lists the Ocean View Circuit Walk at 4.5 km and about two hours return, with steep sections through dry woodland and coastal heathland. I'd generally describe the walk as easy to moderate to moderate depending on fitness. That difference is fair. The surface is generally straightforward, but the uphill sections will get your attention, especially on a warm day.

Spring is particularly attractive because the heathland can be dotted with wildflowers, while cooler autumn conditions can also make the climbing more comfortable. The avid bushwalker will know that spring and autumn are definitely the best time to do walking in Victoria.

Don't be tempted to wait around for warmer weather as this can often mean too hot as well as entering snake season. Arrgh! Whatever the season, check park conditions before leaving Melbourne.

Add Moggs Creek to your walk

For the completist walker or those just wanting a bit more exercise then add a little diversion to Moggs Creek to your walk. This adds just over 1km return (560 m one-way) to your walk.

Now Moggs Creek probably isn't anything particularly special visually speaking so for me as I'm a completist as well as wanting that little bit more exercise I don't mind adding a bit of extra redundant walking. However, if that's not your personality it would be easy to give it a miss and you wouldn't really be missing out on anything (except some exercise).

It was nice to see some local history at Moggs Creek and I guess, just to see what it is. However, if you are looking to add to your walk I'd definitely recommend doing the Moggs Creek Nature Walk over walking to Moggs Creek.

If you have time after the circuit, the picnic area is a good place to slow down before heading back to the Great Ocean Road. Aireys Inlet, Fairhaven, the Memorial Arch and Split Point Lighthouse are all logical additions to the day. For me, that is the sweet spot of a Victorian weekend walk: enough effort to feel earned, a beautiful view, a camera full of possibilities and still time for another coastal stop on the way home.

Trivia: Parks Victoria describes the lookout at the end of the Ocean View Walk as offering a magnificent vista over the Great Ocean Road, Fairhaven and the ocean. The surrounding walk also passes through dry woodland and coastal heathland where spring wildflowers can be a highlight.

Make sure to really appreciate the view of the Great Ocean Road from the Ocean View Circuit Walk Lookout before heading back to Maggs Creek Picnic Area and carpark. Once you start the walk back it will be easy to forget the fantastic view you just enjoyed.

Getting there

From Melbourne, travel towards Geelong and continue to the Great Ocean Road. Near Moggs Creek, turn inland from the Great Ocean Road onto Old Coach Road, then follow local signs via Old Neuk Road and Boyd Avenue to Moggs Creek Picnic Area. The final approach includes an unsealed road. The picnic area is approximately 16 km east of Lorne and is a practical trailhead for the Ocean View Circuit.

Unless living in the outer western suburbs or living semi-local like Geelong you'd probably only visit here as part of an extended trip along the Great Ocean Road or a stay at say Lorne, Bells Beach, Airey's Inlet or your own favourite spot on the Great Ocean Road. At least that's what I'd imagine.

• Drive times (approx.): About 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours from Flinders Street Station, Melbourne, depending on traffic and Great Ocean Road conditions.
• Good base: Aireys Inlet: Close to Split Point Lighthouse, Fairhaven and the eastern Otways walking network.
• Good base: Lorne: A larger coastal base with accommodation, dining and easy access to more Great Otway National Park walks.

When

The walk can be visited year-round, subject to weather, fire danger, road access and park closures. Spring is excellent for wildflowers, while autumn often brings cooler walking conditions. Check Parks Victoria alerts before travelling.

Cost

FREE. There is no entry fee for this walk or the Moggs Creek Picnic Area.

Ocean View Circuit Walk pdf map

The following information and images are from Parks Victoria. Disclaimer: The information maybe out of date so use with caution.

The above image shows the walk outlined in orange leaving from the Moggs Pinic Ground carpark. The line shown in aquamarine blue is the walk to Moggs Creek from the Ocean View Circuit lookout.

You may download the Great Otway National Park Anglesea Aireys Inlet Currawong Falls pdf map from here. Again, this information is from Parks Victoria and maybe out of date. Disclaimer: User caution is advised.

For additional information on walks in neighbouring Lorne, check out the Lorne Walks and Waterfalls pdf map.

Ocean View Track Moggs Creek FAQ

How long is the Ocean View Track from Moggs Creek Picnic Area?

The commonly published circuit distance is 4.5 km, with about two hours recommended for the return walk.

How difficult is the Ocean View Circuit Walk?

Allow for a moderate walk with some steep or sustained uphill sections. The track is generally well graded, but walkers should wear suitable footwear and carry water.

What views can I see from the Ocean View Track?

The walk is known for coastal views towards Split Point Lighthouse, Fairhaven Beach, Eastern View and the Great Ocean Road coastline.

Are there toilets at Moggs Creek Picnic Area?

Yes. Public visitor information for Moggs Creek Picnic Area lists toilets and picnic facilities at the trailhead.

Is the Ocean View Track free?

Yes. Visiting the picnic area and walking the circuit is FREE.

When is the best time to walk the Ocean View Track?

Spring is a great choice for heathland wildflowers, while autumn can offer comfortable walking temperatures. Conditions can change at any time, so check official park alerts before your visit.

Is the track currently open?

Parks Victoria currently lists Moggs Creek Picnic Area and Ocean Track among areas reopened (as at 13 September 2026) after the January 2026 storm and flood damage.

Can I bring my dog on the walk?

The circuit is within Great Otway National Park. Dogs are generally not permitted in national parks unless a specific exception applies. Check the latest Parks Victoria rules before travelling with a dog.

Tourist Destinations near the Ocean View Circuit Walk and Aireys Inlet

While you are here why not visit these other great locations:

• Aireys Inlet: A relaxed Great Ocean Road township with coastal walks, cafes and access to Split Point Lighthouse.
• If you love waterfalls then the nearby Currawong Falls walk should be near the top of your things to do list.
• Distillery Creek Picnic Area: A nearby Great Otway National Park trailhead for short nature walks and longer bushwalking routes.
• Chopstix Noodle Bar: If you love unique and eclectic venues that make an impression then Chopstix could be your in your future for your food fetish. Located in Lorne.
• Eagle Rock Marine Sanctuary: A protected marine area below Split Point Lighthouse with dramatic coastal scenery and rock platforms.
• Fairhaven Beach: A long surf beach immediately east of Moggs Creek, with broad coastal views and patrolled areas in season.
• Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch: One of the Great Ocean Road's best known landmarks, located near Eastern View.
• Lorne: A major Great Ocean Road town with beaches, food, galleries and access to waterfalls and forest walks. Check out the Lower Kalimna Falls Walk or Phantom Falls, among many waterfall walks in the Lorne area.
• Moggs Creek Beach: A quieter coastal stop with views towards Split Point Lighthouse and a creek-side boardwalk area.
• Painkalac Creek: A scenic waterway at Aireys Inlet with walking opportunities and access towards the coast.
• Split Point Lighthouse: The iconic lighthouse at Aireys Inlet, with headland views over Eagle Rock and the Surf Coast.
• Teddy's Lookout: A popular Lorne lookout with elevated views of the Great Ocean Road and coastline.

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Official Website

Check current track conditions, park alerts and visitor information here: Great Otway National Park, Parks Victoria.

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