You Can Go On A Gourmet Cheese Crawl In Tasmania
Ah, Tasmania. Our island state, home to one-way streets, remote wilderness, our most unusual art gallery and, of course, the rich pastures, pure air and a mild climate that produce really (really, really) good food.
Case in point, Tasmanian cheese is actually next level. It’s honestly like an artisanal fromage fantasy down there, complete with the hazy food comas.
There’s an immense number of cheese producers in Tasmania, and the great news is that a number of them are open to visitors for tastings, meaning you can base your entire holiday around a spectacular gourmet cheese crawl.
Unzip those jeans, my friend. Here’s how to cover off four amazing places in a four-and-a-half-hour return road trip from Hobart.
[related_articles]50375,57226[/related_articles]#1 The Wicked Cheese Company
The Wicked Cheese Company prides itself on its use of only the purest hormone-free and chemical-free milk from grass-fed cows. And it must be doing something right, because the relatively newish cheesemaker has a host of awards under its belt, including the Supreme Cheese Champion Trophy from the 2008 Royal Melbourne Show for its Triple Cream Brie.
Head to the factory in Richmond to see how the cheese is made, partake in a tasting, and indulge in the product ranges at wholesale prices.
Where: 1238 Richmond Road, Richmond
#2 Tongola Goat Products
Tongola Goat Products is a small, artisan fromagerie with a focus on producing handmade goat milk cheeses from its own herd of organically reared Toggenburg goats. It produces four varieties of cheese, including Curdly (fresh and unsalted), Capri (a young, fresh cheese), Bloom (a white mould cheese) and Billy (a hard and flavourful aged cheese).
Visits are possible by prior appointment, so make sure to call ahead to schedule.
Where: 258A Sunday Hill Road, Wattle Grove
#3 Grandvewe Cheeses
In the mood for an afternoon tipple? Luckily, your next stop doubles as a sheep cheese cellar and certified organic vineyard. Stop by the Grandvewe Cheeses cellar door for wine tasting, cheese tasting and even sheep-milking demonstrations (daily at 3pm between October and March).
Where: 59 Devlyns Road, Birchs Bay
#4 Bruny Island Cheese Company
Arguably the most famous artisan cheese-makers on the Apple Isle, the Bruny Island Cheese Company matures its cheese meticulously. Helmed by Nick Haddow, who spent 10 years working with specialist cheese makers in many different countries around the world, the variety of cheeses produced have a distinctly Tasmanian character.
Even though this is the last stop on your cheese crawl before heading back to Hobart, while you’re there you can sign up to Bruny Island’s Cheese Club to have delicious seasonal bundles delivered right to your door eight times a year.
Where: 1807 Bruny Island Main Road, Great Bay, TAS
(Lead image: Bruny Island Cheese Company)
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