Australia is home to some of the finest cheesemakers in the world, with several dedicated cheese regions. We think that’s a perfect reason to explore and taste-test your way around this great land.
There is such a variety of cheese in Australia, it’s difficult to know where to begin! We produced approximately 371,000 tonnes of cheese in 2019–20, and, according to Dairy Australia, in the same year Australia exported close to 158,000 tonnes of cheese, worth approximately $995 million. Clearly, cheese in Australia is great business.
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There is such an enormous range of fabulous and delicious cheese destinations to try, so let’s take a look at some of our favourite Aussie artisan cheese experiences: whether you’re a soft cheese, blue cheese or cheddar fan, there really is something for everyone!
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King Island Dairy, Tasmania
If you’re after a true-blue Aussie cheese lovers’ experience then you can’t miss out on the King Island Dairy. You’ll love the delicious cheese platters or baked brie, available with matching wine and beer. What better way to sit back and enjoy the picturesque landscape? There’s also a great range of quality branded merchandise such as cheese boards, knives and cooler bags. King Island Dairy has an award-winning range of specialty cheeses, including blues, cheddars and soft cheeses like brie and camembert – they’re all made on King Island from King Island milk, sourced from a handful of local farms. For many Aussies, the very name King Island translates to “cheese” so we’re guessing this is a place on top of the list for many cheese lovers eager to embark on a cheese journey.
https://www.kingislanddairy.com.au/
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Bruny Island Cheese, Tasmania
If you’re in the south of Tassie, it’s worth visiting Bruny Island Cheese and Beer Company. Made and matured using traditional techniques, Bruny Island’s range of cheeses changes seasonally and are highly regarded as being some of the finest artisan cheeses made in Australia.
The cheeses reflect the seasonal nature of the Huon Valley dairy farm and their herd of rare breed cows. A favourite is “Saint”, a complex, richly flavoured soft cheese, firm and deliciously lactic tasting when young, it softens and becomes stronger and more pungent as it matures. Sounds divine to us!
https://www.brunyislandcheese.com.au/
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Pyengana Dairy Company, Tasmania
The heritage Pyengana Dairy Company is one of Tasmania’s finest; this is truly prestigious cheese making at its best. The cloth-bound cheddar is one of the most awarded cheddars in the nation. Best of all, when you visit, you’ll be able to see cheese being made in the factory and then spend the afternoon nibbling the gourmet cheese platters and sipping the perfectly paired wines at the café.
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Jannei Artisan cheese makers: Blue Mountains, NSW
If you love hand-made goat’s cheese, you’ll love visiting this boutique cheese maker, which is truly a hidden gem. You’ll even receive a free cheese tasting on arrival, thanks very much! Jannei has won more than 30 gold awards since 1998 and numerous silver awards in specialist cheese shows across Australia. We love the Bent Back Chèvre, a fresh aged white mold cheese which can be aged until it’s gooey or eaten fresh off the shelf. Delish!
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Bega Cheese Heritage Centre, Bega, NSW
Most of us will only think of cheese when we hear the word “Bega” and when you visit the heritage centre, you’ll be able to taste as many different cheese as you fancy. (It’s currently closed but keep an eye on their website for opening information)
We love Bega Extra Tasty, a full flavoured cheddar cheese which has been matured for nine months for an enhanced flavour, while keeping the smooth texture; perfect for those who love a bit of extra bite. Another favourite is Heritage Reserve; matured for 18 months to two years, this sharp flavoured cheese exhibits the characteristics of an aged cheese – a stronger flavour, crumblier texture which is absolutely delicious.
https://heritagecentre.com.au/
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Hunter Valley Cheese Factory, NSW
The Hunter Valley Cheese Factory is a purpose-built operating cheese factory, maturation and tasting rooms which commenced production in 1995. The cheese tasting menu is fantastic, and you can take part in the “Artisan Cheese Appreciation” course which features seven regional Hunter Valley Cheeses with tasting notes, the history of cheesemaking, cheese styles and regionality of cheesemaking, as well as class notes to take home and fresh cheese recipes to make yourself!
https://www.huntervalleycheese.com.au/
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Prom Country Cheese, Victoria
This is the perfect outing for lovers of blue cheese, which has long been referred to as an “acquired taste” but this cheese lover always makes the blue a top priority, the stronger the flavour, the better! Prom Country Cheese can be found on a beautiful acreage in Moyarra in South Gippsland. Second generation cheesemakers Burke and Bronwyn Brandon are involved in the entire paddock-to-plate process of their handcrafted and award-winning cheeses. Their Venus Blue vein cheese has won multiple awards and is simply divine. We also love “Sheep Sensation”, a unique, farmhouse-style cheese. A slow-make technique develops a fine, close texture with a creamy, luscious mouth feel. The body is covered in a wrinkled, bloomy white rind. Once you start tasting, it’s near-impossible to stop!
https://www.promcountrycheese.com.au/
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That’s Amore Cheese, Victoria
Giorgio Linguanti’s That’s Amore Cheese in Australia is one of the top cheese manufacturers in Victoria, producing award-winning cheeses with a distinct Italian style, made using traditional processes.
You can also experience their fresh ricotta straight out of production just the way you like it, savoury or sweet. There’s also delicious homemade gelato for you to try!
https://thatsamorecheese.com.au/
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Cambray Cheese, WA
Cambray Sheep Cheese is a small family-operated business in Nannup which boasts a unique range, including soft white-mould cheeses, a traditional Greek style feta, and a variety of matured cheese including the multi-award-winning Farmhouse Gold.
All Cambray cheese is made on the farm; only milk from a specially selected flock is used to produce the range of artisan handmade cheeses. You can drop into their farm/shop and enjoy a delicious cheese platter in the tranquil farm surrounds.
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Udder Delights in Adelaide Hills, SA
From Blue Cheese to Brie, Chevre to Camembert, Udder Delights is passionate about making, sharing and eating cheese in Australia. Their handmade artisan products are perfectly created at their cheese factory in Lobethal, in the Adelaide Hills. Working with South Australian dairies, from the Hills to the Fleurieu Peninsula, they greatly value their relationships with local producers.
Yet another cheese-lovers paradise, Udder Delights covers everything you could ever want from a cheese adventure. Head to the cheese cellar for their dairy-fuelled take on high tea, where every option celebrates dairy from their chocolate truffles to their cheesecake.
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Stanthorpe Cheese, QLD
You’ll find Stanthorpe cheese at Thulimbah, in the border highlands, north of Stanthorpe on the Granite Belt. Rosco and Karen have been farming beef and dairy cattle collectively for over 60 years.
The artisan cheeses are made from a single herd of pure-bred Jersey cows from one farm, making the cheeses totally unique and seasonally different and interesting. For example. If it’s raining and the grass is rich and luscious, the cheese reflects this with its bright yellow colour and earthy aroma. We can’t wait to try these incredible cheeses and, quite frankly, haven’t been able to focus on any other food and why should we?
https://www.stanthorpecheese.com.au
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