Victoria’s cheesiest destinations

Whether it’s from a goat, sheep or cow, blue, soft, covered in ash or school aged – Victoria says yes please to cheese with a sleuth of specialty cheese makers dotted throughout the state. Either the destination of the day or a stop along the way, these local cheese producers offer high quality produce, tastings, meals, tours and workshops.

High Country

Milawa Cheese CompanyA must-visit in the High Country, Milawa Cheese Company operates on the site of the historic butter factory. Its internationally award winning range of hand-made cow and goat milk cheeses are produced on-site and are available for tastings. For a heartier meal, the adjacent Factory Bakery serves an array of dishes that highlight the region’s produce. Also on-site is Wood Park Wines Cellar Door, The Muse Gallery of Milawa, The Walnut Tree Collection and Eucalypt Wood Works making this a great destination for all. 17 Factory Road, Milawa, +61 3 5727 3589

Yarra Valley

Yarra Valley DairyLocated in the heart of the Yarra Valley under an hour’s drive from Melbourne, Yarra Valley Dairy offers a delicious range of cheeses, handmade from goats milk or from the cows milk provided by the surrounding dairy farms. A viewing window enables a glimpse into the cheese making process, while the selection is also available to taste. Yarra Valley Dairy doubles as a fine foods store where a range of wines from small single vineyards and local produce is also available. 70-80 McMeikans Road, Yering, Victoria

Mornington Peninsula

Main Ridge DairyThe only large scale commercial dairy in Mornington Peninsula, Main Ridge Dairy produces a range of farmhouse cheeses produced from high quality goat milk. Dairy tours run most Saturdays where visitors can catch a behind the scenes glimpse into the milking process. Dairy fiends can delve even further into the process with Main Ridge Dairy cheese making workshops to learn how the cheese is crafted. Those shorter on time can enjoy a cheese platter in beautiful surrounds or simply a tasting at the counter. 295 Main Creek Rd, Main Ridge, +61 3 5989 6622

Red Hill CheeseThis intimate “Cheese Cellar in the Forest” promises a high-end flavour experience. The handmade cheeses are designed to complement Mornington Peninsula wines and are best sampled with the tasting plate which features the cheese-maker’s selection of award-winning cheeses handmade with sheep, cow or goat milk. This small fromagerie is located on a farm at Red Hill, and visitors can relax on the deck overlooking the stringybark forest. 81 William Road, Red Hill, +61 3 5989 2035.

Blue Bay CheeseRun by Ukrainian twins, Blue Bay Cheese produce a variety cheeses from cow and goat milk, including blue, brie, feta and hard cheeses. Combining traditional recipes passed down from their Grandmother with modern techniques, the cheesemakers use the freshest ingredients to create high quality produce. 6 Latham St, Mornington, +61 3 5976 4999

Geelong and the Bellarine

Drysdale CheesesRun by pharmacists Corinne & Peter Blacket, Drysdale Cheeses produces small quantities of handcrafted cheese and yogurt from their own herd of Saanen milking goats. The pampered goats eat natural, weedy pasture along with tree cuttings, hay and grains, contributing to the smooth taste of the milk, cheese and yoghurt. Drysdale Cheeses farm gate shop is open on the first Sunday of each month. They also run regular cheese making classes at Springdale Community Centre in Drysdale. 2140 Portarlington Road, Bellarine, +61 3 5251 1449

Great Ocean Road:

Timboon CheeseryThe Timboon Cheesery is a must do on the 12 Apostles Gourmet Trail. Handmade cheeses and local produce is available to sample and a garden surround by the scenic farmland is the ideal place to unwind. The fromagerie features LÁrtisan Cheeses and Shultz Organic Dairy produce alongside its own Timboon Dairy range of German style cheeses. Cheese tasting and cheese platter are on offer along with boutique roasted coffee and tea, scones and cream, local beer or wine. 23 Ford & Fells Road, Timboon

Apostle Whey CheeseLocated on the inland loop from the 12 Apostles, Apostle Whey Cheese is the home of award winning, delectable hand-made cheeses. Running a paddock to plate operation, all of its cheeses are made on-site from pure milk that has been produced by its specially bred herd of Aussie Red/Jerseys. Cheese tastings are free and little ones might be lucky enough to meet the resident donkeys. 9 Gallum Road, Cooriemungle, +61 437 894 337

Cheese World WarrnamboolLocated across the road from the Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory, Cheese World tells the story of the local dairy industry through film, artefacts, photos and personal items belonging to early local dairy farming families. Complimentary tasting presentations are held hourly, providing the chance to sample the award winning Warrnambool Heritage brand cheeses.  5330 Great Ocean Rd, Allansford, +61 3 5565 3130

Shaw River Buffalo CheesePioneers of water buffalo milking in Australia since 1996, Shaw River Buffalo Cheese crafts a range of cheeses and yoghurts from the milk of its herd of buffalos. Two tours are available at their property in Yambuk, enabling visitors to learn about the beginnings of the buffalo milking industry of Australia and the cheese making business as it is now. A second tour looks at the Haldane family’s herd of purebred Icelandic horses, the biggest in Australia. Watch spectacular footage of the 5 gaited horses and their most famous gait the tolt – no riding just hugging. Princes HIghway, Yambuk, +61 3 5568 4321

Gippsland

Prom Country CheeseProm Country Cheesery produces handmade specialty cheeses on the family farm in the Moyarra Valley, South Gippsland. The focus is producing sheep milk and showcasing its transformation into distinctive regional cheese. The final result is available to sample cheese in the tasting room, or as part of a larger meal on the veranda. To highlight the process, viewing windows into the cheese making area are accompanied by interpretative information. Midweek tours are available for groups by appointment. 275 Andersons Inlet Rd, Moyarra, +61 3 5657 3338

Gippsland CheeseLocated in the rolling green hills of Gippsland, only an hour from Melbourne, Gippsland Cheese represents a selection of premium artisan cheese-makers from Gippsland and beyond. The specialist cheese processor and distributor offers a wide range of cheeses, including their own range, Gippsland Gourmet, and others: Tarago River, Jindi, Old Telegraph Road, Maffra Cheese Co, Berry’s Creek, Milawa, Prom Country Cheese, Red Hill Cheese, Grandvewe Cheese, Pantalica and Mamma Lucia. 17 Ryan Ct, Warragul, +61 3 5622 3887