The call of cheese brought us to Bega, New South Wales. It felt obligatory, really. Bega is synonymous with cheese in our minds, so a visit was non-negotiable.
We made our way to the Bega Cheese Heritage Centre.
The size of the operation is impressive, and the history intriguing. It’s clearly a significant landmark for the town. Seeing the Bega Cheese factory is one thing, but learning about its humble beginnings is another.
The Heritage Centre is more than just a shop selling dairy products. A long verandah wraps around the old building
, offering a shaded spot to relax and soak in the atmosphere. Inside, you'll find a well-curated museum dedicated to the history of cheese making in the Bega Valley.
The displays are informative and engaging. We were particularly fascinated by the collection of antique equipment and the stories of the pioneering dairy farmers. There’s even a slightly unsettling, life-sized model of a dairy cow
, looking rather proud of its potential contribution to the cheese-making process. It also stood next to what appears to be a wagon, probably from a time when Bega cheesemaking was more rudimentary.
Further in, we came across a Butter Churn.
We are unsure what type of milk or dairy products that would have been used for, but the history surrounding the Bega cooperative of dairy farmers is really incredible. The heritage centre is very fascinating. It really gives us a strong sense of Australian innovation, hard work, and love for the craft.
