It was a hard job, but someone had to do it – here are our best-loved places to experience Tassie’s flourishing cheese scene. Tasmania’s cool climate, fertile land and hardworking artisans combine to create gorgeously creamy cheeses that are uniquely Tasmanian. Better still, you can begin exploring the state’s quality fromageries within an hour of rolling off Spirit of Tasmania. Here are our favourite Tassie cheeseries – and where to sample their best flavours.
Coal River Farm
Coal River Farm is the creation of Daniel and Melanie Leesong, who gave up corporate life to pursue a creative existence. The farm, just 20 minutes’ drive from Hobart’s CBD, is open to visitors who can see firsthand this collaboration of artisans growing fresh produce and making cheese and chocolate. Head cheesemaker Tim Gadischke refined his cheese making skills on the mainland at some of Australia’s best cheese producers. His wealth of cheese making knowledge, which spans over 15 years, ensures the handmade cheese is of the finest quality.
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Ashgrove Cheese
Ashgrove Cheese is showcased on board Spirit of Tasmania as part of our Flavours of Tassie program, but you’ll find the artisans behind the produce just 25 minutes east of Devonport. The Ashgrove Cheese factory and Tasmanian Farm Store is open to the public year-round and offers a range of creamy farm-fresh offerings including ice-cream, bottled milk, cream and butter, as well as cheese. Learn more about life on the farm, catch a sneak peek through the viewing window to watch the cheese being made, and stock up on provisions at the farm store. Our tip: grab a cheese platter – it’s the ideal ingredient to pack in a picnic hamper before finding a picturesque spot for lunch on your Tassie road trip.
Pyengana Dairy
In Tasmania’s north-east, you’ll discover, Pyengana Dairy. Famed for their mature English-style cheddar, Pyengana’s Healey family have been making cheese using traditional methods for more than 100 years. Taste their award-winning cheese, watch the cheese being made and visit the Dairy Shop for Tasmania’s finest produce. Don’t miss their flavoured cheddars, matured an average of 3-4 months and infused with seasonal flavourings such as herb, caraway and peppercorns. Visit the Holy Cow Café, overlooking Pyengana’s lush dairy farm, open daily for breakfast, lunch and snacks – or simply a farm-fresh, creamy milkshake.
Bruny Island Cheese Co.
Head to Bruny Island, near Hobart, to taste the artisan cheese at Bruny Island Cheese Co, founded by European-trained cheesemaker Nick Haddow. At the company’s Cellar Door you’ll find a selection of treats that combine traditional cheesemaking and maturation techniques with a distinctly Tasmanian flavour (don’t miss the oozy goodness of the Otto, a fresh cow’s milk cheese wrapped in prosciutto and baked for 15 minutes). There’s also a brewery here – Bruny Island Beer Co – so you can enjoy a cheese platter and local brew at the same time.
Grandvewe Cheese
Grandvewe Cheese is Australia’s only certified organic sheep dairy and produces handcrafted cheeses, gelato and yoghurt. They’re located in beautiful Birchs Bay (about 40 minutes south of Hobart) and you can taste Grandvewe’s award-winning cheeses, enjoy cellar door wine tasting and watch sheep-milking demonstrations (3pm daily, October to March). Grandvewe also runs Australia’s smallest distillery making vodka and gin from sheep whey. The kids are welcome to feed and pet the lambs and the adults will be equally happy with a cheese platter and glass of wine overlooking the farm’s rolling hills and the sparkling waters of the D’Entrecasteaux Channel.
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