charley's chocolate factory

Don't expect chocolate fountains and shelves of chocolate products. This chocolate tour starts from the basics ... the trees! So it's a very different chocolate factory tour from most. The stand-out feature is the passion of the owners ... it's infectious! I thoroughly enjoyed the potted history of chocolate, and the tour of the plantation. The information on the process of growing, harvesting and processing was so interesting ... made even more so by the enthusiasm of the presenters. The chocolate is locally made, high quality, single-origin dark chocolate, which makes for a very special tasting experience. Of course, the chocolate is also for sale. The tour does involve some easy walking on uneven ground through the plantation. Some guests in thongs or dress sandals had a bit of discomfort, so follow the advertised advice and wear appropriate footwear. Hat and water is also essential in hot weather, though there is bottled water for sale. I also suggest allowing a little longer than the advised drive times, as the farm can be a bit tricky to find. Tour includes a barbecue lunch - simple, tasty, and perfect to finish the visit. The tour was excellent value, and I came away with a much improved appreciation of chocolate.

Thanks for being great guests, we really enjoy having locals do the tour!

Thanks for your review, glad you liked the lunch, and thanks for participating.

The tour of this working cocoa plantation and chocolate producer is a fascinating insight into all things chocolate. You'll get to see the trees from seedling to pod-producing, learn about how chocolate is made, taste some delicious Mission Beach made chocolate and enjoy a wonderful, if simple, local burger for lunch.The set-up is appealingly low-key, friendly and easy going. Goodies such as chocolate (of course!), locally produced dried fruit and other chocolate-themed stuff is available for purchase at the end of the tour.Bring a big hat, sun screen, sensible shoes (only moderate walking but more comfortable in something other than thongs) and a sense of discovery.Things start at 10:30am and you finish after lunch at about 1pm. Highly recommended.

We did the chocolate factory visit today. It cost $25 for seniors. The farm is located 11 klm from Mission Beach Mitre 10, heading towards El Arish, on the left hand side of the road. The tour starts at 10.30 am and lasts to around 1pm. You are informed about how and from where chocolate comes from. It is a working farm with a number of varieties of the Cocoa plant from seedlings to mature pod producing plants. The process of making chocolate is explained by Chris and Lynne. They have a great passion for their chocolate production. Following the tour, which includes a small tasting of 3 varieties of chocolate from the south pacific, a light lunch of a hamburger is provided. Take a big shady hat and water as it can get hot out in the field. Toilet facilities are basic, being a porta loo in the car park area. Value for money and a great insight into the history of chocolate and cocoa.

Very good tour to know more about chocolate history, farming and producing. See chocolate trees at the farm and taste all steps of production chocolate.Who dark chocolate loves should made this tour.

Very informative tour of the farming of cocoa beans to the production of chocolate. A very industrious couple behind this farm! I highly recommend spending a few hours learning about the history of chocolate and finishing off the tour trying their chocolate and a homemade burger. Excellent!