A day of delicious delacies! Following the 12 Apostles gourmet trail took me through the beautiful countryside of south west Victoria. The green rolling hills dotted with dairy cows was a delight to see as I drove from venue to venue on the trail. There are distances of over 12kms between some of these, so a car is the best way to venture from one artisan to another.
Dairylicious Farm Fudge
My favourite of all the artisians was Dairylicious. Not just because the samples were so creamy and bursting with flavour that it is almost a necessity to buy some. The two owners were in the store that day and great to chat with. I asked what inspired them to start a fudge shop and discovered that they built the business from scratch using locally sourced milk and butter products. The passion they have for it was very evident as they proudly told how they also have plans for expansion. Each Sunday local farmers gather here for coffee and cake. The large purpose built shed has a magnificent large fireplace with full length windows on either side that look out over the rolling green farmland. Outdoor seating is also available to capture the great views.
1281 Timboon Colac Road Jancourt East VIC 3266
Apostle Whey Cheese
As an amateur cheesemaker myself, I love to chat with staff at cheese factories. The staff here were very friendly, knowledgeable and happy to let you sample their 12 selections. I passed on the two blue cheese samples, I am definitely not a blue cheese fan. The cheeses were amazing. Each one different from the other and perfect. The flavour of the garlic cheese was not noticeable at first, then snuck up on you with subtlety. mmmm. The views here were also incredible as they looked out over the farmlands. All cheese is made on the premises using milk from their own cow herd. If you are here at 4pm you can even watch the cows being milked.
9 Gallum Rd, Cooriemungle VIC 3268
Timboon Fine Icecream
Operating since 1999, this icecreamery uses locally sourced milk products for their scrumptious ice-creams. Served with a beaming smile from the young staff, they were happy to mention their own favourite flavours out of the twenty-four available. The most requested flavour here? The honeycomb. I tasted a sample of it and wow was it indulgently sweet. My favourite, licorice, was bursting with flavour. Outdoors they have a gorgeous grassed area with undercover seating available.
1A Barrett St, Timboon VIC 3268
Timboon Railway Shed Distillery
Across the park from the icecreamery is the distillery. Since 2007 they have been distilling single malt whisky, vodka and liquers in their restored railway shed. The small batch whisky is made onsite in copper pot stills. Tastings are available here. A lunch menu is available and can be eaten either indoors or outdoors. The owner and distiller is local lad Josh Walker. They also support other craft distilleries with over 100 Australian whisky, gin and rum varieties available here on their 'Aussie Craft Spirit Wall'.
1 Bailey, Timboon VIC 3268
Sow and Piglets Brewery
After purchasing a beer tasting paddle, the hardest choice occurs. Do you sit inside on the comfortable couches or outside on the lovely deck overlooking nature? Craft beers and new experimental varieties are brewed here at the microbrewery. The greeting from staff was so friendly I thought I must have meet them before. It was a pleasure to call into, and relax, in this delightful pub at Port Campbell.
18 Tregea Street, Port Campbell VIC 3269
Timboon Cheesery
While there are sadly no samples at this cheesery, the gardens are an absolute delight to enjoy a purchased cheese platter whilst here. Not all the cheeses on the platter are made by Timboon Cheesery, so be sure to ask which ones are locally made. I love the idea of the borrowing blankets to keep you cosy when dining outdoors. The cafe serves hot meals and drinks. Cheeses are available to purchase and take away.
23 Ford and Fells Rd, Timboon VIC 3268
(no website available at time of publishing)
I spent a lovely day tasting locally made and locally sourced products, seeing beautiful surrounding landscapes, enjoying the freedom of a country drive, and chatting with passionate people who love their work. Whether travelling solo as I did, or with others, these welcoming venues made me feel like a local.
Happy Travels!
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