Hot Chocolate Festival 2018

Overview

Victoria's Hot Chocolate Festival is back again this August. And it's just in time, too. To save Melburnians from these blustery days, they'll be churning out 31 hot chocolate flavours over 31 days.

This year, the festival will be run across two locations: the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie in Bellbrae. Eight different flavours will be served up each day, so make sure you plan your visit(s) carefully as to not miss out on the best. Fan favourite flavours like triple chocolate brownie and Nutella will return to this year's menu, along with the more adventurous likes of Mad Camper — made with smoked dark chocolate and charcoal ice-cream — Ohh La La, which is served with a mini almond croissant, and an insect-spiked Jiminy Cricket.

All limited edition hot chocolates will be served with an extra shot of hot couverture chocolate and a giant handcrafted marshmallow. Some of the highlights will arrive topped with edible bugs, exploding choc balls and edible drinking cups — the perfect antidote to any winter blues.

The chocolateries together creates over 6000 hot chocolates per year, so newcomers can trust they know their way around this winter-warmer.

If exploring the festival and enjoying all the free chocolate tastings isn't enough to satisfy your sweet tooth, you can also book into a 45-minute tasting session at both the Yarra Valley and Great Ocean Road stores. For $20 you'll be able to sample eight hot chocolates and make three of your own 'hot chocolate spoons' from over 50 ingredients to take home.

The Hot Chocolate Festival will run daily from 9am–5pm, August 1–31 at the Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie, 1200 Great Ocean Road, Bellbrae, and the Yarra Valley Chocolateire, 35 Old Healesville Road, Yarra Glen.