A visit to the Milawa Gourmet Region, North Eastern Victoria.
Before I left Melbourne we visited the Milawa Gourmet Region of North Eastern Victoria for some cheese and wine tasting. Once at Milawa we couldn’t go past the Milawa Cheese Company. We had visited here a few years ago when my son and family lived in the Albury/Wodonga area. It is only a one hour drive from Wodonga, however it is a 2-1/2 hours from Melbourne.
If your planning this trip from Melbourne you will need to start early, as with all the tasting in store, you will need time to enjoy. There is so much to see and places to visit in the area.
Milawa-Goumet Region- ready for cheese tasting at the Milawa Cheese Company
The Milawa Cheese Company is a family company where they serve up delicious Australian farmhouse cheeses, hand made and preservative free on site. Gourmet cheeses are their specialty. In the tasting room there is a range of cheeses for every palate. They also have their own bakery which has that wonderful tantalizing aroma of freshly baked bread to greet you as you enter.
Gourmet- Cheeses at the Milawa Cheese Company Milawa Gourmet Region Victoria
Gourmet and specialty cheese tasting
A magnificent log fire invites you into the premises, such a welcome retreat from the cold outside. The cheese tasting area was our first stop, so many delicious cheeses to taste, and so hard to choose. We came away with the Milawa Brie a soft luscious white mould cheese, King River Gold, a speciality washed rind cheese developed at Milawa, the Milawa Gold, great with a full flavored red wine, and Milawa Goat’s Camembert, rather different, with a more earthy flavor than most. The fresh bread was too hard to resist (two loaves) and finally, when we discovered the freshly made chocolates from the ‘Old Butter Room’ I was “gone gone gone”. Delicious chocolate! They have it all here!
Milawa Cheese Company in the tree nearby beautiful Yellow–Rosellas
They have a Bistro which does Breakfast and Lunch only, with a French Provencal menu as well as a steak sandwich or a three cheese pizza for a quick bite to eat. The Pizza’s were deliciously different. I adored the three cheese pizza.
Whilst we were eating lunch we noticed a flock of pretty Rosellas in the grounds nearby. We tried to get a photo but they flew off every time we got close. Finally, my son managed to get a couple of pics. I think this was a flock of Yellow Rosella. There are such a lot of pretty Rosellas in this region.
Milawa Cheese Company – The-Muse-Gallery for fine art and jewelery
The Milawa Cheese Company is a delightful and interesting place to visit. It also boast a wine cellar and an Art Gallery, so it is well worth a visit, with so much to offer in one spot.
Visit Brown Brothers Winery nearby in the Milawa Gourmet Region of NE Victoria
There are a number of wineries in the Milawa gourmet region. We visited Brown Brothers (we had visited them before) and enjoyed the wine tasting. It gave me an opportunity to purchase their 2006 Patricia Shiraz which I’ve enjoyed previously, but is not readily available from local suppliers.
Visit a Berry Farm at Beechworth
We visited a berry farm also just outside of Beechworth, but they weren’t picking, so settled for fresh frozen berries, which proved delicious served with cream and ice cream. If you are there when the ripe berries are on the vines, you can pick what you want yourself. This is so much fun, especially if you have young children too! It is a lovely experience to pick the berries, so fresh and luscious with the warmth of sun still on the fruit.
An old world sweets shop – The Beechworth Sweets Company
Moving on, we visited the famous Beechworth Sweets Company also in the Milawa Gourmet Region. This is an old world shop with all the sweets from a bye gone era. The largest lollipop on a stick I have ever seen, the old fashioned bull’s eyes and sweets from childhood days. Black cats, licorice and more.
We had friends to visit outside Beechworth for a late afternoon tea, before we had to head back to Melbourne, but what a great day.
Milawa Gourmet Region – The Beechworth-Sweets Company North Eastern Victoria
The Milawa Gourmet Region is located in the Ovens & King Valleys of North Eastern Victoria
The Milawa Gourmet Region is part of the Rural City of Wangaratta and is just 2½ hours north of Melbourne or, one hour south from Albury/Wodonga. It is easy to find.
The town centre of Milawa is situated at the intersection of the road to Myrtleford (Snow Road) and the road to Bobinawarrah. Located at this point are shops, cafes, and a bakery, as well as the historic Milawa Hotel which was established in 1865.
Directions to the Milawa Gourmet Region and to the Milawa Cheese Company
Travel along the Hume Freeway from Melbourne to the Oxley/Milawa turnoff. Continue on the Snow Road for approximately 16km, traveling through the township of Oxley along the way. At the main crossroads of Milawa, turn left onto the Milawa-Bobinawarrah road. Travel approximately 1.5km and you will find the Milawa Cheese Company on the right.
- Open for breakfast from 9.30am -11am 7 days
- Open for lunch 11am – 3pm 7 days
A visit to the Milawa Gourmet Regions is not to be missed if you are in Victoria. The Milawa Cheese Factory is such a delightful place to visit with so much to offer in one spot. There are many wineries and berry farms in the region.
Read about Cheeses:
If you are interested in Cheeses and what it takes to master the art, as well as a history of world Cheeses you will enjoy the following books.
Mastering Cheese: Lessons for Connoisseurship from a Maître Fromager
Cheeses of the World: An Illustrated Guide for Gourmets
Need to know before you go on a wine and cheese tour:
Cheese & Wine: A Guide to Selecting, Pairing, and Enjoying
Easy recipes with a French flavor including delicious recipes with cheeses.
Around My French Table: More Than 300 Recipes from My Home to Yours
Beautifully illustrated plates of all Australian Parrots (includes Rosellas).
Parrots of the World (Princeton Field Guides)
About Lyn
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