How do I get from Sydney to the Blue Mountains?

You can take a direct train from Sydney Central Station to towns like Katoomba, Leura, or Blackheath. For harder-to-reach spots, hiring a car is recommended.

Are there free attractions in the Blue Mountains?

Yes — many lookouts, waterfalls, and walking trails such as Lincoln’s Rock, Wentworth Falls, Leura Cascades, and The Three Sisters are free to visit.

What are some must-see natural spots?

Highlights include Jellybean Pool, South Lawson Waterfalls, Minnehaha Falls, Govetts Leap Lookout, and the Grand Canyon Walk.

Can I explore the Blue Mountains without a car?

Yes, using trains and local buses, or the Blue Mountains Explorer Bus. However, a car offers more flexibility for remote sites.

Are there food and drink experiences worth trying?

Absolutely — enjoy freshly baked pies in Leura and Katoomba, cider tasting in Bilpin, and cosy cafés in mountain towns like Blackheath.

Hunter Valley Chocolate Company

Ask anyone who’s road-tripped through Pokolbin and they’ll tell you the same thing: a visit to Hunter Valley Chocolate Company is as much a part of the wine country experience as cellar doors and cheese stops. On my own journeys through Wine Country Drive and Broke Road, I’ve always swung by the Chocolate Factory to fuel up on truffles, rocky road and the odd cheeky hot chocolate. This yarn from Paul Beames dives into their history, chocolate-making craft and why this is one of the sweetest parts of the Hunter Valley charm.

Behind the Brand: A Chocolatier’s Story

The story of Hunter Valley Chocolate Co. is woven into the rise of gourmet food alongside the Hunter’s vineyards. Originally a boutique operation, it grew into a factory store and on-site café that now attracts thousands of visitors each month. Featured in HV Magazine and listed across the Yellow Pages as one of the most popular foodie stops in Pokolbin, the Chocolate Company built its reputation on an artisanal approach and quality over hype.

They introduced locals to Belgian couverture chocolate, laying the foundation for what we now call chocolate-based excellence. By blending European know-how with regional produce like Australian dried fruits and distilled pure fruit oils, they’ve become a staple of the Hunter’s gourmet food scene.

The Chocolate Making Process

Step inside the kitchen and you’ll see more than just melted chocolate being poured into moulds. This is precision and patience at work. They use Belgian couverture chocolate, a high-quality type with extra cocoa butter that gives it that glossy snap and smooth melt. Tempering is done the old-school way — carefully controlling temperature to avoid the dreaded dull finish or grainy bite.

READ Hunter Valley Village

Add-ins are sourced locally where possible. The honey might come from a beekeeper up the road, the macadamias from a regional grower and the wine pairings from neighbouring cellar doors. The result is chocolate that tells a story — one tied to both tradition and the land it’s made on.

The Best of Local Flavours and Handmade Treats

Alright, let’s talk about the real reason you’re here — the goodies. Every traveller I’ve met has a favourite, and here are a few local heroes you’ll want to hunt down:

Shiraz Truffles – A nod to the Valley’s signature grape variety, rich and slightly boozy.
Rocky road – Loaded with marshmallows, nuts and couverture chocolate.
Chilli chocolate – For the brave.
Chocolate rocks – Bite-sized.
Peppermint thins – Dark couverture snaps.
Easter chocolates – Seasonal moulds in Belgian chocolate.
Hot chocolates – Winter only.

Here’s a snapshot of customer favourites based on retail outlet sales (2023 Hunter Valley Chocolate Factory stores and Coffee Lounge sales):

Chocolate Flavour / Product	% of Total Sales	Popular Pairing
Rocky road	28%	Coffee
Chocolate rocks	22%	Dessert wine
Peppermint thins	18%	After-dinner drinks
Chili chocolate	16%	Craft beer
Milk & dark chocolate blocks	16%	Shiraz

Top Attractions for Sweet Lovers

The Chocolate Factory is more than a shop. Here’s what you’ll find on-site:

Viewing window – Watch chocolatiers at work, tempering and moulding.
On-site café and coffee lounge – Grab hot chocolates, milkshakes and sweet snacks.
Retail outlets – Buy ready-packed gift hampers and baskets, perfect for last-minute orders.
Factory store – Stock up on bulk blocks, buttons and gourmet goodies.

It’s friendly and grounded, true Hunter Valley charm. Travellers roll in from Wine Country Drive, often combining it with a tasting at nearby cellar doors. Many visitors also pop in as part of their 1 Day Hunter Valley Wine Tours, it’s a delicious break between cellar doors and cheese tastings.

READ The Garden Cellars Hunter Valley

Seasonal Events And Tasting Experiences

Throughout the year, the Chocolate Company runs themed drops and tastings:

Chocolate and fudge tasting – Small group sessions that pair sweets with wine or coffee.
Easter chocolates – Handmade bunnies, eggs and novelty moulds.
Christmas hampers – Bundled with wine, cheese and sweets for gifting.
Winter hot chocolates – Rich flights, sometimes infused with local spirits.
Wedding and corporate packages – Tailored gift hampers and chocolate favours.

I joined a chocolate and fudge tasting on a cold July afternoon. Sitting in the café with a tray of truffles and a glass of Shiraz was proof enough that some pairings are meant to be.

Local Hacks For Your Visit

If you’re heading to Hunter Valley Chocolate Co., here’s what you need to know:

Get in early – By afternoon, the popular flavours (especially rocky road and peppermint thins) can be gone.
Bring an esky – Summer heat will melt your haul before you hit the next winery.
Check the factory store hours – They’re open 7 days, some outlets trade 24 hours in wine country resorts.
Bundle your stops – Plan your route around Broke Road and Wine Country Drive, hit the cheese shops, cellar doors and the Chocolate Factory in one loop.
Last-minute orders – Their hampers and baskets are a lifesaver if you’ve forgotten gifts.

Stories From The Road – Choccy Moments

One hot summer, I ducked in for air during a 40-degree day. The café was busy, the fridges humming, and the cold white chocolate milkshake was the best decision I ever made. Another time on a wet spring day, I huddled by the Coffee Lounge with a steaming mug of dark hot chocolate, watching the rain pound down on Broke Road.

READ Gardens in the Blue Mountains

I’ve also seen people stuff hampers into every spare boot space — the kind of panic buying you only see when people realise they’re about to leave wine country without chocolate.