Charley's Chocolate Tours

From cocoa tree to chocolate bar · Mount Edna, 10 minutes from Mission Beach

4.4 / 5 | GuestTours Rating
35 or 90 minutes
COMPACT or BIG tour
4 days a week
Wed, Thu, Fri and Sat
10 minutes
From Mission Beach
From $21
per adult · child $15
Our Review

Charley's Chocolate Tours Review

Charley's Chocolate is a cocoa plantation and chocolate factory at Mount Edna, about 10 minutes from Mission Beach. The COMPACT tour takes 35 minutes and runs three days a week. The BIG tour takes 90 minutes on Thursday mornings and adds the history and all 13 steps of making chocolate. Both end with a tasting, and tour guests get a bonus in the shop.

See full review ↓

GuestTours Verdict
GuestTours award: Best Chocolate Experience. GuestTours rating: 4.4 / 5.
Charley's Chocolate Tours
From cocoa tree to chocolate bar · Mount Edna, 10 minutes from Mission Beach
4.4 / 5 GuestTours Rating
Charley's Chocolate Tours
COMPACT Chocolate Tour, 35 minutes
Adult
16 years and over
$21
Child
3 to 15 years
$15
Infant
Under 3, free (no tastings)
Free
Family ticket
2 adults + 2 children
$65
Also bookable
BIG Chocolate Tour, 90 minutes
per adult
$39
Options & Prices

COMPACT or BIG chocolate tour

COMPACT Chocolate Tour, 35 minutes

From $21 adult · $15 child · family $65

Cocoa trees, the plantation, the factory and a chocolate tasting. Wednesday and Friday 10:30am, Saturday 12:30pm. Departs Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

BIG Chocolate Tour, 90 minutes

From $39 adult · $25 child · family $110

The full story, the 13 steps of chocolate making, a cocoa pod opened and a tasting. Thursday 10:00am, gate opens 9:30am. Departs Thursday.

Seniors pay $19 for the COMPACT tour and $34 for the BIG tour: tell us in the notes. Family is 2 adults and 2 children. Children under 3 are free but do not get tastings. Tours run subject to minimum numbers.

Inclusions

What is included on Charley's Chocolate Tours

  • Guided tour of the cocoa plantation and chocolate factory
  • Cocoa nibs tasting
  • Chocolate tasting (from age 3)
  • Shop bonus for tour guests
  • Umbrellas for rain and sun
Who It's For

Is Charley's Chocolate tour right for you?

Great fit
👨‍👩‍👧
Families
Family tickets, under 3s free, and short walks.
Great fit
🍫
Food lovers
You see how chocolate is made, from tree to bar.
Great fit
☔
Rainy days
It is an all-weather tour, with umbrellas provided.
Look elsewhere
⚠️
Guests without a car
Getting there is self-drive only.
Look elsewhere
⚠️
Late arrivals
The BIG tour starts at 10:00am sharp and cannot wait for latecomers.
Your Day

How the day runs

The BIG tour on a Thursday. The COMPACT tour follows the same route in 35 minutes.

9:30 AM
Gate opens
Arrive between 9:30am and 9:50am. Please not earlier.
10:00 AM
Tour starts
The 3800 year history of chocolate and the tree nursery.
On the tour
Into the plantation
Walk among fruit-bearing cocoa trees and see a cocoa pod opened.
On the tour
The factory and the tasting
The 13 steps of chocolate making, then a chocolate tasting.
11:30 AM
Shop
The tour ends at about 11:30am; tour guests get a shop bonus.
Practical Information

Before you go

📍
Location
Mount Edna, 388 Cassowary Drive (El Arish to Mission Beach Road). Search "Charley's Chocolate Factory" in Google Maps.
🚗
Getting there
Self-drive: 10 minutes from Mission Beach, 15 from Tully, 90 from Cairns
🅿️
Parking
Ample parking, caravan and RV friendly
🕗
Opening
COMPACT: Wed and Fri 10:30am, Sat 12:30pm. BIG: Thu 10:00am.
👶
Child tickets
3 to 15 years. Under 3 free, without tastings.
♿
Mobility
Level or slightly sloping gravel or grass, about 80 to 120 metres of walking in stages
↩️
Cancellation
We'll confirm the cancellation terms with you when you book.
Full Review

The full review

Most chocolate tours show you a factory. This one starts with the tree. You walk among fruit-bearing cocoa trees, meet a baby cocoa tree and see the working chocolate factory.

The COMPACT tour is the one for most visitors. It takes 35 minutes, runs on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, and you still crack open a cocoa bean, taste the nibs and finish with a chocolate tasting. The BIG tour runs on Thursday at 10:00am. It adds the 3800 year history and the 13 steps of chocolate making, and you see a cocoa pod opened.

It works in any weather, and umbrellas are provided, but the ground can get muddy. Wear sensible shoes and a hat, and bring insect repellent. The walking is short and on gravel or grass. Children are welcome, though the content suits primary school age and up.

Why it earns Best Chocolate Experience and a 4.4: you see the whole journey from tree to bar, at a price that suits a family. The catch: it is self-drive only, tours need a minimum number of guests, and you cannot arrive late for the BIG tour.

Also on GuestTours: Paronella Park · Dunk Island ferry · Things to do in Cairns

Frequently Asked Questions

Charley's Chocolate Tours FAQs

The COMPACT tour costs $21 per adult, $15 per child and $65 for a family. The BIG tour costs $39 per adult, $25 per child and $110 for a family. Seniors pay $19 or $34.
The COMPACT tour takes about 35 minutes and the BIG tour about 90 minutes.
COMPACT on Wednesday and Friday at 10:30am and Saturday at 12:30pm. BIG every Thursday at 10:00am. Both run subject to minimum numbers.
Both visit the cocoa trees, the plantation and the factory and end with a tasting. The BIG tour adds the history of chocolate, the tree nursery, the 13 steps of chocolate making and a cocoa pod being opened.
At Mount Edna, 388 Cassowary Drive, about 10 minutes from Mission Beach. Search "Charley's Chocolate Factory" in Google Maps rather than the street number.
No, it is self-drive. There is plenty of parking and room for caravans.
Yes, children of all ages are welcome. The content suits primary school age and up, and there are colouring books for little ones on the BIG tour.
Children under 3 are free, but they do not get chocolate tastings.
The tour runs in all weather and umbrellas are provided. It can be muddy underfoot.
Sensible shoes, a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, insect repellent and a camera.
About 80 metres on the COMPACT tour and 120 metres on the BIG tour, in stages, on gravel or grass.
Yes, the tour ends at the shop and tour guests receive a shop bonus.
Yes, all tours must be booked and paid before you arrive. Send us your request below.
Charley's Chocolate Tours
From cocoa tree to chocolate bar · Mount Edna, 10 minutes from Mission Beach
4.4 / 5 GuestTours Rating
Charley's Chocolate Tours
COMPACT Chocolate Tour, 35 minutes
Adult
16 years and over
$21
Child
3 to 15 years
$15
Infant
Under 3, free (no tastings)
Free
Family ticket
2 adults + 2 children
$65
Also bookable
BIG Chocolate Tour, 90 minutes
per adult
$39
Before you book

Planning guides from our team in Cairns

We live in Cairns and we book these tours every week. These are the guides we send guests before they choose.

PlanningThe Best Day Trips from Cairns

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Read the guide → FamiliesCairns With Kids

Which tours suit children, and the age rules.

Read the guide → WeatherWhat to Do When It Rains

Wind cancels tours here, not rain.

Read the guide → DrivingSelf-Drive Day Trips from Cairns

Which drives work, and the two that eat the day.

Read the guide →

Ready to book Charley's Chocolate Tours?

From $21 per adult · family ticket $65