Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese

The original Barrys Bay Dairy Factory opened in 1895, so we are proud to have been operating for over 125 years! Originally one of 9 small dairy cooperatives on Bank Peninsula, Barrys Bay is the last surviving cheese factory and an icon of the area. To allow for expansion, our current cheese factory was built in 1953 and by all accounts, was the most modern factory in NZ at the time.

Today we still use traditional recipes & methods brought to NZ by the early English settlers, as well as some European-style recipes we have picked up along the way. Some of our favourite cheeses are Havarti, Maasdam, Aged Gouda, Rinded Cheddar and Peninsula Blue. We believe using fresh, local milk is the key to producing such consistent, beautiful cheese. Stop in at our factory shop on your way to Akaroa, where you can watch the Cheesemakers in action through our viewing window on weekdays (Sept-May).

In the weekend and on non-make days, ask our team to play the DVD about our cheesemaking process. Enjoy complimentary cheese samples and shop our range of local wines, craft beer, preserves and other goodies on offer.