Wine may be the headline, but Margaret River’s artisan cheese is a serious contender for the spotlight. The same cool maritime climate that produces great wine also creates lush pastures for dairy — and the results are delicious.
Why Margaret River Cheese Is So Good
Rich green pastures, clean air and passionate small-batch producers combine to make cheeses with real character — from creamy bries to sharp aged cheddars and tangy blues. The region’s dairy heritage predates its vineyards, so cheesemaking here runs deep. The same maritime climate that keeps the pastures lush — mild summers and wet winters — also gives the region its year-round green, well-fed herds.
Perfect With Local Wine
There’s nothing quite like pairing a local cheese with a wine grown just down the road. A sharp cheddar with a structured Cabernet, a creamy brie with Chardonnay, or a tangy blue with a sweet dessert wine — each is a match made in the South West. The rule of thumb is to match intensity: delicate cheeses with lighter wines, bold cheeses with bold reds. On our tour, cheese tastings sit perfectly alongside the cellar doors — see how it works with the reds in our Cabernet guide.
What to Look For
Regional favourites include fresh curd, farmhouse cheddar, washed-rind varieties and camembert-style creamy cheeses. Many producers also make yoghurt, cultured butter, ice cream and fudge. Most offer free tastings at the door, so you can graze your way to a new favourite and pick up a picnic-ready selection to take home.
How to Build the Perfect Cheese Board
A great local board runs light to strong: start with a fresh curd or creamy camembert-style, move through a farmhouse cheddar, then finish with a punchy washed-rind or blue. Add regional extras — local honey, quince paste, olives, crusty bread and a few squares of Margaret River chocolate — and you have a lunch that shows off the whole region on one plate. Match each cheese to a wine of similar intensity for the best results.
Beyond Cheese
The region’s gourmet trail doesn’t stop at the dairy. Artisan chocolate, craft breweries, boutique distilleries, fresh marron and single-origin coffee round out a food scene that rivals the wine. Discover the wider experience in our guide to food, caves and coast.
Experience it yourself on our signature tour. Our small-group 3-day Margaret River wine tour from Perth includes six wineries, cave and wildflower tours, cheese tastings, meals and accommodation — all from just $850 per person. Call 1300 456 788 or enquire online to book today.
