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Australia’s massive 20-tonne cheese festival returns this spring – complete with free tastings

CheeseFest will take over Adelaide’s Rundle Park on October 17 and 18

Melissa Woodley
Written by
Melissa Woodley
Editor, Time Out Australia
Cheese pull
Photograph: Supplied | CheeseFest
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It’s time to let the gouda times roll! Australia’s biggest cheese festival is celebrating its momentous 21st birthday this spring with a massive two-day fromage fiesta. Set in the lush surrounds of Adelaide’s Rundle Park on October 17 and 18, CheeseFest will bring together more than 100 of South Australia’s finest artisans for a weekend of sunshine, free tastings, celebrity cooking demos, live music, top-notch drinks and, of course, enough cheese to melt your heart. 

Whether you’re craving cheddar, eyeing off Emmental or goggling over gooey raclette, CheeseFest promises more dairy than you can handle (consider that a challenge). Last year, festivalgoers devoured more than 18 tonnes of cheese, and 2026 is tipped to crack a massive 20 tonnes. You can eat your weight’s worth with free samples and stalls serving up every cheese-loaded dish imaginable.

Cheesy pasta
Photograph: SuppliedCheeseFest

Beyond the dairy, festivalgoers can chat with both established local artisans and passionate newcomers – from cheesemakers, chocolatiers and farmers to winemakers, distillers and brewers.

In a CheeseFest first, celebrity chef Miguel Maestre will bring his trademark Spanish-Aussie flair to the RAA Cooking Demonstration Stage alongside local restaurateur and MasterChef 2025 winner Laura Sharrad. To round it out, you can soak up the atmosphere with live music from South Australia’s hottest emerging talent.

Outdoor festival
Photograph: SuppliedCheeseFest

More than 18,000 people are expected to attend this year's CheeseFest, with tickets on sale now starting from $29 for one-day entry to $50 for the entire weekend. The full program is yet to be released, but you can grab tickets and stay updated here.

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