Margaret River Chocolate Factory 2024: Local’s Ultimate Guide & Review
The original Margaret River Chocolate Factory opened in the Margaret River wine region of Western Australia in 1999. After its success, Margaret River Chocolate Factory Swan Valley opened in 2000, followed by a concept store in Perth’s CBD. The factory is a major tourist attraction that produces a huge range of chocolate bars, chocolates, and other confectionery items.
We always visit this attraction when we are in Margaret River or the Swan Valley – not only are the free samples delicious, but it’s perfect for buying sweet treats for family and friends. Read on for our full review.
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Margaret River Chocolate Factory Margaret River WA
The original Margaret River Chocolate Factory is located between Margaret River and Dunsborough, making it an ideal place to visit when you’re in Australia’s South West.
Margaret River Chocolate Café
The Chocolate Café serves light lunches and sweet temptations, indoors or outside. Choose from dishes like burgers, chips, salad, soup, cakes, desserts, chocolate fondues, milkshakes, hot drinks (coffee, tea, hot chocolate), and decadent chocolate brownies.
Is Margaret River Chocolate Factory dog friendly?
Dogs are welcome outdoors (on a lead) at the Chocolate Factory in Margaret River.
Margaret River Chocolate Factory Opening Hours
The Chocolate Factory is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm, except on Christmas Day.
Chocolate Factory Margaret River Address
415 Harman’s Mill Rd, Metricup WA 6280
Margaret River Chocolate Factory Swan Valley
Since opening in 2000, this Swan Valley chocolate factory has become one of the region’s most visited attractions. Both visitors and locals enjoy the free tastings and peaking through the viewing windows to watch the products being made.
Margaret River Chocolate Company Swan Valley Café
The café can seat up to 120 people inside and in the outdoor area, overlooking the gardens.
Margaret River Chocolate Factory Swan Valley Breakfast & Lunch
The café is open every day serving breakfast, light lunches, and an array of sweet treats like cakes, desserts, and of course chocolates.
Is Margaret River Chocolate Factory Swan Valley dog friendly?
Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed at the Swan Valley Margaret River Chocolate Factory.
Margaret River Chocolate Factory Providore
Providore, the sister company of MR Chocolate Factory, is right next door. Pop in for a large range of preserves, sauces, olive oils, and their special chocolate liqueur.
Margaret River Chocolate Company Swan Valley Opening Hours
The Chocolate Factory is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm, except Christmas Day.
Margaret River Chocolate Factory Swan Valley Address
5123 West Swan Road, West Swan WA 6055
Margaret River Chocolate Factory Perth City
Margaret River Chocolate Store Perth Opening Hours
Perth’s CBD store is open from10.30 am to -5.30 pm Monday to Friday and from 9.30 am to 5 pm on Saturday.
Margaret River Chocolate Store Perth Address
317 Murray Street, Perth WA 6000
Who Owns Margaret River Chocolate Factory?
Patrick Coward and Martin Black, two Western Australians, own The Margaret River Chocolate Factory, which they started in 1999.
Where does Margaret River chocolate come from?
The Margaret River Chocolate Factory source its cocoa beans from Africa, South America, and parts of Asia. They also produce single-origin chocolates from cocoa beans grown in locations like Ghana, Tanzania, Java, Uganda, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Papua New Guinea, and Venezuela.
What To Expect
The Margaret River Chocolate Factory is more of a large store than a factory (from what the public see). However, there’s a large viewing window at the back where you can see into part of the factory, but there’s not always something being made.
Free chocolate tastings are available for tastings in the form of small chocolate pastelles (like in the above photo) in white, milk, or dark chocolate (or all three).
As you enjoy the chocolate, wander around the store to see all their products on sale, including hampers, nougat, honeycomb, ginger, chocolate bars, truffles, rocky road, drinking chocolate, chocolate instant mousse powder, and body products.
This chocolatier has a range of dark chocolate that is dairy-free and sugar-free (it includes the sweetener maltitol, which replaces the addition of refined sugar). Check with them directly, but I think the dark chocolate is vegan as it doesn’t contain any dairy product.
MR Chocolate Factory advise that their plain chocolate is gluten free, as well as many of their flavoured products. However, they do process products containing gluten so there is a small chance of cross contamination.
The two factories in Margaret River and Swan Valley are child-friendly with outdoor seating and gardens. Our twins enjoyed visiting for a babycino or ice cream when they were younger and still always want to pop in for the chocolate samples, and we stock up on products for gifts while there.
Be prepared for large crowds as tour buses stop at both locations. It’s always jam-packed in Margaret River during school holidays, with parents making use of the chocolate samples, ice cream, and outdoor area.
Margaret River Chocolate Factory Tour
You can’t tour the Margaret River Chocolate Company, but some tours take you there as part of their itinerary, like this tour with All About Margaret River.
Things To Do in Margaret River Chocolate Factory
Here are some things to do while at the MR Chocolate Factory:
- Free chocolate tastings
- Explore chocolate products
- Learn about the history of the Margaret River Chocolate Company
- Have coffee and cake (or a truffle) overlooking the gardens, or stop for lunch
- Buy a Margaret River Chocolate Factory Quokka to help fund ongoing quokka conservation and research (part of the proceeds from the sale of every chocolate quokka go to The Rottnest Foundation to fund quokka projects both on Rottnest Island and throughout Western Australia).
- View products being made through the window
The Best Time To Visit the Margaret River Chocolate Factory
Anytime is the best time to visit the Margaret River Chocolate Factory! It’s an excellent rainy day activity, but Easter is my favourite time when you’ll see all their Easter products, including Easter eggs and bunnies.
Margaret River Chocolate Factory Prices
Don’t go expecting seconds or “factory” prices – this is a premium chocolatier with prices reflecting such. However, the chocolate is delicious and comes in an extensive range. Perfect for a special treat or a gift for your loved ones.
In May 2023, a 100g milk chocolate bar was A$6.95 and chocolate coated redgum honeycomb was A$14.95 for 250g.
Busselton to Margaret River Chocolate Factory
The Margaret River Chocolate Factory is a half-hour drive from Busselton along Bussell Highway to the Harmans Mill Road turnoff.
Caversham to Margaret River Chocolate Factory
The Swan Valley factory is only a 5-minute drive from the popular Caversham Wildlife Park.
Driving & Distance Dunsborough to Margaret River Chocolate Factory
Dunsborough is a 25-minute drive to Margaret River Chocolate Factory via either Caves Road or Bussell Highway. The distance is about 30 km.
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