Daylesford Part II: Cider & Chocolate…

If you have been fortunate to visit the Victorian town of Daylesford, then you would know it is a “foodies’ paradise!” Among relaxing day spas or countless antique stores, Daylesford offers quality restaurants, cafes’, pubs and wineries. Each serving seasonal delights, fresh from the farm to the table.

Set within the Macedon Rages of Victoria, Daylesford exhibits quality fresh provincial produce, carefully created by passionate farmers, wine makers, cheese makers and bakers.

Visit the bustling weekend markets, breath in the aroma of the village bakeries, or simply call upon the local friendly farm gates that sell delicious honey, fresh eggs or seasonal fruit and vegetables.

 

 

 

 

 

Usually when we visit Daylesford, we have our regular stops, where we purchase some of this regions fine produce, such as home produced honey form Des O’Toole’s Honey or salami from Istra’s small goods.

On this particular trip, after visiting the antique shops in the morning and enjoying a picnic at Wombat Hill Botanical Gardens (which you can read about here, in Part 1 ) we decided to pay a visit to the local cider mill.

Daylesford Cider grows organic apples on site using seventeen different varieties of English heritage apples. The English style cider is produced on the premises and sold from and English style tavern cellar door, creating a cosy, cottage atmosphere.  Set among pristine landscaped gardens, including a separate area for lawn games, the friendly staff greet and welcome customers.

We relaxed in the courtyard that afternoon with the warm sun playing hide and seek in between the clouds. Children were playing in the gardens, while the adults were sampling an array of ciders served on unique cider paddles. With the distinct smell of pizzas in the air, being freshly cooked in the outdoor wood fire oven, what better way to spend a Sunday afternoon?

 

 

 

 

 

 

After a delightful visit at Daylesford Cider and a six pack of ciders to go, we ventured off to another regular attraction. The Chocolate Mill is seven minutes north of Daylesford heading towards the historical gold mining town of Castlemaine. The Chocolate Mill is a definite must for all chocolate lovers. The chocolates are all hand made on site and are produced from Callebaut Belgian Couverture Chocolate. This certified fair trade couverture chocolate, is made from the finest cocoa beans and 100% pure cocoa butter, and is free from artificial colours, flavours, preservatives and palm oil.

 

 

 

Talented staff produce these delectable desserts through the large viewing window in the showroom. Watch them mold these little morsels of heaven, right in front of your eyes! In fact, when we were there just after Christmas, the staff were busily producing chocolate bunnies for their countless Easter orders, four months prior!

 

 

 

 

With the rich, sweet smell of chocolate in the air, we sat down in the adjoining café to feast on their award winning hot chocolates, iced coffees, ice creams and cakes. A perfect end to the day!

 

 

 

 

Directory:

Des O’Toole Honey –

143 Jubilee Lake Road, Daylesford VIC 3460

(03) 5348 2997

 

Daylesford Cider Company –

Cellar door open 7 days a week

Kitchen open, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday 12pm to 3pm offering a seasonal menu

155 Dairy Flat Rd, Musk VIC 3461  (03) 5348 2275

 

Chocolate Mill –  

Open 7 days a week, 10am to 4.45pm

5451 Midland Hwy, Mount Franklin VIC 3461  (03) 5476 4208

 

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Related Posts:

Daylesford Part I: Antiques and Tragic History

 

 

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