Bega Cheese Heritage Centre — Attraction in Bega

I love cheese from Bega, so tasty 😋, my first taste from Bega is the milk 🥛 that comes to Canberra in the 1960s, at school.

My family is going there when we are in Bega, the Bega Cheese 🧀 Heritage Centre. This is not the first time we were there before ten years ago. The Bega Cheese Factory 🏭 is over 124 years old.

We come before closing hours, so we get some gifts 🎁 cheeses 🧀.

They have amazing cakes and cupcakes 🧁, coffee ☕️ 😋 or tea 🍵 😋, with 🧀 cheese snacks and cold drinks. 🥶

Come and see 👀 the gifts 🎁 that are so amazing 👏, for you, family's and friends.

Upstairs, there is a museum, a history of Bega Cheese Heritage Centre, and Bega.

The Bega name is derived from the local Aboriginal word meaning "big campaign ground." Another claim is that the word "bika " in local Aboriginal language, one of the Yuin language meaning "beautiful. "

The first European to come near was George Bass (30 January 1771-5 February 1803 last seen before living the Port Jackson, age 32),in December 1797 as part of his broader explanation 😳 of the Australian coast 😳.

William Tarlinton was the first European arriving on foot and exploring this area in 1829. He returned in the early 1830s and settled there and started a cattle farm.

Around the same time, the Imlay brothers came, who also began farming their names, has been preserved in the form of Mount Imlay National Park.

The town of Bega itself was laid out and gazetted in December 1851. The region received a further boost 😳 in the late 1870s when gold was discovered in the Bermagui area 😀. In 1882, the Municipality of Bega was created. Before the 20th century, come the Bega Dairy Cooperative Limited was...

We visited the Cheese Factory on the recommendation of a friend while visiting the town of Merimbula. This was one of the stopovers of our town tour.

There was no guided tour for the cheese factory but we had a rather pleasant time looking at the tools used to make cheese in the past. If you are interested in seeing the transition from manual butter and cheese churning, this can be quite an insightful visit.

A fair warning, if you are looking for a modern curated museum that can occupy the better half of your afternoon, this is not that. The heritage centre tour can be completed within 10-15 minutes and is a small single floor area that leads to a souvenir store filled with many oddities and locally made goods. It is eclectic but uniquely local.

We had a good laugh at the souvenir store because of how creative some of the goods were.

What completely ruined the experience was a 40-50-ish lady on the ground floor of the cafeteria. When we completed the tour, we decided to head down to get a drink. My partner ordered a vanilla milkshake and got a chocolate milkshake.

When we informed the lady kindly about the wrong order, the lady proceeded to aggressively say that she had asked us three times whether we are sure that we wanted a chocolate milkshake.

The triple confirmation never happened.

We were so shocked that she was gaslighting us so vehemently when all we did was ask her nicely about the order.

As we did not want to pick a fight over something so trivial, we decided to take the order as it is. Unfortunately, the milkshake also left lots to be desired.

It was such an unpleasant way to end our visit and left a really nasty taste...

The Bega Cheese Heritage Centre is a charming spot that showcases the history of dairy farming and cheese-making in the Bega region. Here's what you can expect:

Highlights:

Rich History: The centre features a fascinating museum with exhibits on the dairy industry and cheese-making process, including old machinery and equipment. Cheese Tastings: Sample a variety of premium Bega cheeses, including some exclusive to the centre, like the Heritage Vintage Reserve Cheddar. Craft Shop: Discover unique gifts and souvenirs, including locally produced crafts and Bega-themed merchandise. Cafe: Enjoy freshly baked cakes, scones, and toasted cheese sandwiches, along with good coffee and tea.

Improvements Needed:

Limited Factory Tours: Unfortunately, factory tours are no longer available, which might disappoint some visitors.

Overall Experience:

The Bega Cheese Heritage Centre is worth visiting for its historical significance, cheese tastings, and unique gifts. While it may not be perfect, it's a great spot to stop and relax while exploring the Sapphire Coast. With some improvements, it could become an even more enjoyable experience.

Tips:

Visit Early: Arrive early to avoid crowds, especially during peak times. Try the Heritage Premium Cheese Plate: It's a treat for cheese lovers. Explore the Craft Shop: Find unique gifts and souvenirs. Check the Website: Before visiting, check the centre's website for up-to-date information on hours and...