I found a place that still makes heart-shaped ice cream, just in time for Valentine's Day

02/13/2025 02:00 PM

Valentine's Day is often seen as a time to shower loved ones with extravagant gifts – grand gestures, sparkling jewellery, or overpriced roses. 

And while I appreciate grand gestures, I've always believed that the most meaningful gifts don't have to come with a hefty price tag. To me, the best kind of romance is found in experiences, something with a bit of heart. Or even, a lot of heart.

Remember the Streets Heart ice cream? The chocolate-coated vanilla treat used to be a staple of Australian milk bar freezers, but these days can be a little harder to find. Luckily, I have discovered a hand-made alternative that might be even better!

There’s a catch, though. These handcrafted ice creams are exclusive to just one place, located in a quaint town about two hours north-west of Melbourne. 

As a co-host of Drive TV, I've spent countless hours on the road, crisscrossing Victoria and uncovering its most breathtaking landscapes. 

From rugged coastlines to rolling vineyards, I've seen it all. Or so I thought, as this particular destination had never made its way onto my itinerary. 

That's when I realised this wasn't just a quick errand but the perfect excuse for a ‘hearty’ road trip. A chance to embrace the open road, discover new sights, and truly soak in the journey, with a tasty reward at the end. 

The road trip car: The GWM Haval Jolion Hybrid

For this drive, I had the GWM Haval Jolion Hybrid – a compact SUV that blends style, efficiency, plenty of interior space, a large boot at an impressive 916 litres (rear seats folded), and great standard kit, especially in this mid-range Lux specification (priced from $35,990 drive-away).

The hybrid engine combines petrol and electric power (140kW/250Nm output), offering great fuel efficiency even on a longer drive, with GWM Haval claiming a maximum theoretical driving range of 1486km.

For our trip, though (approximately 270km), I returned to the office with a reading of 5.6L/100km, not far off its claimed figure of 5.1L/100km.

The road trip destination: Chewton in the Castlemaine Goldfields region

It’s a simple premise. Show your love by fetching a ‘can’t get one of these at Woolies’ special treat, or share your love by taking a fun and accessible road trip together. No matter which path you choose, it’s surely a guaranteed journey into the good books.

The trip from South Melbourne to Chewton, with plenty of picturesque stops along the way, will see you head approximately 150 kilometres north-west of Melbourne city centre, on a drive that should take about two hours.

While the road trip starts with a stint on the Calder Freeway, it doesn't take long for the hustle and bustle of city life to fade away. As you leave the congestion behind and the road opens up, you're suddenly surrounded by rolling hills, farmland, and wide-open spaces. 

Our route in the Haval Jolion took us through the idyllic town of Kyneton, which offers a delightful blend of natural beauty, rich history, and the bonus of being home to an award-winning pie. Grabbing a pie on a road trip is a must, and you can’t have dessert until you’ve eaten dinner, so if you get the time, stop into the Country Cob Bakery.

If a pie doesn’t fuel your digestive romance, you can (like I did) opt for a bite to eat in a town just a stone’s throw away.

Malmsbury is a quaint village tucked away in the Macedon Ranges, known for its beautiful Victorian-era architecture and peaceful atmosphere. 

It's home to the stunning Botanic Gardens, the iconic Malmsbury Viaduct – a striking brick railway bridge that is one of the largest of its kind in Victoria – and, like many other towns in this region, it's rich in gold rush history.

I stopped for lunch at a local favourite, the Malmsbury Bakery, but was careful not to overindulge. After all, the real heart-starter was just a few stops away.

The next leg from Malmsbury to Chewton is where you can create your own delightful journey through the heart of Victoria's Goldfields. There are a few roads here that can let you explore this historic and beautiful part of Victoria.

Choose from romantic-sounding places, like Yapeen, Chokem Flats and Big Red Knob… yes, really! Maybe just leave them off the initial itinerary, and don’t try to explain them to the kids.

Also on this route, you’ll also pass through Guildford, a quaint and peaceful town that offers a delightful blend of history and natural beauty. Fun fact: The Guildford General Store was used as a location to celebrate 50 years of Holden. 

Did we stop there for a photo in the Haval Jolion? Well… no. That wouldn’t have been the right thing to do.

The next stint from Guildford to Castlemaine takes you through yet another beautiful stretch of Victoria's countryside, boasting wide-open fields and the occasional cluster of tall, leafy trees.

And the enchanting beauty doesn’t stop there, with Castlemaine just a few kilometres down the road – an old place with a new soul, like stepping into a town where rich gold rush history seamlessly meets a vibrant, contemporary energy.

The streets are lined with historic buildings that date back to the 19th century, and passing through the main strip you'll find heritage-listed shops, cafes, and pubs, many of which have retained their old charm.

If you have the time, take a trip back in time to the Victorian gold rush, and stop by the Castlemaine Diggings Heritage Park. The park is a significant historical site that preserves remnants of the gold mining era. Here, you can explore the mining heritage, and even try your luck at panning for gold.

But let's not forget, the goal of this journey in the Haval Jolion was clear – to track down these famous Valentine's ice creams.

Crafted by My Goodness Treats, they need to be pre-ordered and can be picked up at the Chewton Service Station on the Pyrenees Highway.

Lovingly heart-shaped and available in a range of flavours – including a very tasty-sounding Toffee and Almond – these are the perfect loving gift, or even just a gift to love. The hearts are packed in pairs (naturally) and available in an order of eight for $45.

I’m happy to report the ice cream lived up to the hype, and judging by the strong pokes in my belly, baby boy gave his approval too!

The bag you see is packed to the brim with ice creams, but unfortunately, they’re not all for me. One case is for my Valentine, and the rest are making their way back in the Haval Jolion for the Drive team – packed well with ice to keep them from melting in the hot sun.

Needless to say, I will be the most popular person in the office this Valentine’s Day!

Even if you're not planning on venturing this way for treats, the region is well worth exploring. Add it to your list for a scenic day trip or a charming romantic getaway.

Do you have another romantic Valentine’s road trip you would like to share? Let us know in the comments below.

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