New South Wales is Australia’s most populous state and is recognised by the NSW Government Department of Primary Industries as the dairy state with the most regional differences of any Australian state.
There is no greater showcase of these regional differences then in the increasing number, variety of style and quality of boutique, farmhouse cheese; largely produced and sold through local networks of farmers markets and restaurants.
Australia had no goats, cows, sheep or buffalo until white settlement in 1788 when Captain Arthur Phillip sailed into Sydney Harbour and off loaded from the First Fleet boats limited livestock for milk and meat.
He did so straight onto the sandbank that is today famously known as Bennelong Point; originally called Cattle Point, as the cattle were held there in make shift enclosures. This sandbank has been built up and is now home to the Opera House.
Unbeknown to many, Sydney Harbour NSW has this rich history in Australia’s milk and cheese industry.
It was at this time in Australia’s history and from this exact region, now known as NSW, that our nations dairy industry in general and cheese industry specifically commenced.
Continued exploration and migration of people and livestock by ship down Australia’s east coast is how our dairy and cheese industry migrated to other regions.
Ideal dairy farming regions were discovered by settlers today known as VIC, TAS and SA where the majority of Australia’s dairy output comes.