This cache will see you perambulating through Melbourne's Chocolate Heart; The Chocolate Block.
Stop and enjoy the sensory overload.
Take your time.
Indulge.
Or simply rush to the cache. Either way, the choice is yours.
The cache is easy enough to get to at all times, but retrieval will be difficult with a high concentration of muggles at most times of the day. Remembering that discretion is the better part of valour, please treat The Chocolate Block cache with care, and retrieve stealthily and carefully. Having a partner with you to shield the retrieval would be highly desirable.
Stop 1 - A box of chocolates
As this is Melbournes Chocolate Cache, we start with a Melbourne institution.
This chain was first opened in 1958 in Camberwell and served chocolates made in the back of their shop. They first introduced creams, nut clusters and jellies in their chocolates before the current wave of European style pralines became popular.
I recommend trying the 50th Anniversary assortment box for a step back into chocolate history.
Stop 2 - The bean
Wander north up to the GPO and inside you will find a little bar in the center ground floor area. They are well regarded for the hand crafted chocolates, as well as that very trendy item of the minute; the macaron.
Here the brightly colored delights sell extremely well, but if your are a coffee hound, the Cafe Latte shaped like a pyramid may tempt.
Stop 3 - Dark is best?
This shop first opened for business on this site in 2003. Founded by Shane Black, their philosophy is that chocolate is not just a food but an experience. This passion is exemplified in your surrounds here.
The hot chocolate here is highly regarded, although our next stop, just around he corner, claim to have the trump card.
Stop 4 - To choose your hotty...
This small cafe chocolate bar, in Hub Arcade off Royal Arcade, only use Genuine Belgian courverture chocolate to create their masterpieces.
The hot cohcolate menu here is extensive, and being voted top 5 in Melbourne means there is only one thing to try. But which one?
A plain one? Or flavoured with cinnamon, mocha, affogato, jaffa or chilli? The chilli comes ordered to scale so there is something there suitable for everyone.
Stop 5 - Hoppers!
Founded in Adelaide in 1915, this establishment is Australia's oldest family owned chocolate manufacturer and retailer.
Famous for their chocolate frogs, available in milk, dark or peppermint chocolate, and available continuously since the 1950's. They sell over one million of these little chocolate hoppers each year.
Very hard to hop past these!
Stop 6 - Belly button fluff?
Founded in Zurich in 1845, this maker has a long and well regarded history. Their signature, of course, is the small round chocolate balls with soft centres. They also sell here an extensive range of bars and other individual hand made chocolates.
Stop 7 - Chocolate panache
As the name of this stop may suggest, their signature chocolates contain a granache centre. I can particularly recommend the dark chocolate truffle, especially if you like the darks.
Stop 8 - Memories of home
If, perhaps, you originate from further shores and have a sweet desires from your past, this stop may be for you.
Although not to my preference, imported pre-wrapped bars and other goodies may be found here. They don't sell just chocolates, but a wide array of goods may be purchased from here, taking you back to the memories of ol' blighty.
Stop 9 - The Chocolate Cache
If you have followed the tour you have now found yourself roughly 105 meters from the cache. Head westwards (bearing 242.88) down Collins St, and the cache will be on your right.
When logging this, please leave your own personal recommendations for anything you may have tried along the way. Your fellow cachers will thanks you!
How to catch a cache:
I know you think it's simple. Go to the posted coordinates, find it, sign it, return it, log it. But stop and think for a bit.
- Get there You use your GPSr to get you to ground zero
- Search You use your GPSr and do that dance we all know so well and get as close as possible. Perhaps look around for potential hiding spots before you actively start climbing trees, crawling under seats or poking inside bushes. Always assume there will be others around, and try to be subtle about it. Your shoes need tying, or you are on the phone leaning against something. Not looking for something. Can't find it? Then please log your DNF and let me know... maybe something's wrong. Maybe I can check on it...
- Retrieve Before you go grabbing that cache in excitement, you should take note of both exactly where and how the cache was placed. Landmarks and markings help. This is important to ensure the cache goes back where it should later.
- Sign the log If you didn't sign the log, there's no proof you found it. Your log may be deleted! Of course, if for some reason it is not possible to sign the log, send me proof somehow. I may rant, but I'm reasonable.
- Return it Because you know where and how the cache was hidden, you are now able to stealthily able to return the cache to the exact correct hide with out any issue. Now the next cacher can also successfully find the cache.
- Log I know it's not easy to post details of your hunt every time, but please consider that many cache owners have put effort into their hides. It is always appreciated when you put effort into your log.