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The iconic Wine & Cheese Fest is finally coming to Sydney this April

Credit: Getty Images/Lisovskaya

Taylah Darnell Taylah Darnell
Melbourne’s cult-favourite foodie fiesta is debuting in Sydney, bringing over 50 artisan exhibitors with it.

Some things in life simply belong together. Strawberries and chocolate; SpongeBob and Patrick; pay day and retail therapy. But the Wine & Cheese Fest may just be dedicated to the best pairing of them all – and it’s coming to Sydney for the first time ever this April.

The festival

Wine & Cheese Fest, Sydney
Melbourne’s iconic Wine & Cheese Fest is officially heading to Sydney.

Founded in 2014, the Wine & Cheese Fest was created to celebrate one of the world’s most iconic duos. It has since evolved into one of the country’s leading food and wine experiences, championing artisan producers from across both Australia and New Zealand.

The only catch? It has only ever called the Victorian capital home – until now, that is. Hot on the heels of its 13th edition in Melbourne, the Wine & Cheese Fest is officially making its debut in Sydney, marking the first-ever iteration in NSW.

Carriageworks in Sydney, NSW
Carriageworks will host Sydney’s inaugural Wine & Cheese Fest. (Credit: Jacquie Manning)

Set to take over one of Sydney’s hottest precincts, the foodie affair will unfold within the industrial-chic surrounds of Carriageworks. Over the day, two sessions will run back-to-back: lunchtime until mid-afternoon and mid-afternoon until evening. Regardless of which time slot you choose, it’s just as suited to a leisurely day out as it is to a post-lunch rendezvous that rolls into sunset drinks.

The program

With over 50 exhibitors set to attend, guests will have direct access to some of the country’s top boutique wineries and artisan cheese makers from NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania.

Rowlee Wines
Rowlee Wines out of Orange in NSW is one of 50 exhibitors. (Credit: Destination NSW)

This year’s line-up brings together both award-winning favourites and emerging icons, with names like Long Paddock Cheese, Rowlee Wines, Moorebank Vineyard, Second Mouse Cheese Co and Pokolbin Estate, one of the Hunter Valley’s standout cellar doors.

Beyond the parmesan and pinot, a curated selection of cideries, distilleries and gourmet food vendors will also be in attendance. Guests can expect the likes of Heathcote Gin, Finders Distillery, Ester Spirits, Cannoleria, The Bratwurst Truck, White Feather and The Gnocchi Way.

Cheese & Wine Fest, Sydney
Taste your way through some of Australia’s top artisan cheeses.

But it’s not just the unlimited tastings worth getting excited about. An epic program of live DJs, roving entertainment and exclusive masterclasses will round out the experience – from panel talks led by expert sommeliers to cheese-making demos and tips on creating the perfect pairing.

Throughout the day, guests will also have the chance to meet the makers behind the labels and shop their products on the spot – supporting them directly. Think it can’t get any better? Think again. A few extra perks will sweeten the deal, like your very own take-home wine glass and tote bag.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

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The extras

Carriageworks Farmers Market in Sydney, NSW
Spend the morning browsing Carriageworks Farmers Market. (Credit: Jacquie Manning)

Since you’re already here, you may as well make a day of it! Those booked in for the evening session should head in early for the Carriageworks Farmers Market. Held every Saturday from 8am–1pm, it’s the perfect addition for foodies chasing something a little more local.

Grab a coffee and take your time wandering the stalls, where you can purchase everything from just-baked croissants and artisanal chocolate to seasonal produce and small-batch condiments.

BrewDog in Eveleigh, Sydney NSW
Pop into BrewDog for a beer after your session. (Credit: Destination NSW)

If you’re heading along for the afternoon session, pop across the tracks to BrewDog afterwards, considered one of Sydney’s best pubs. Set within a former locomotive workshop, the buzzy venue serves a rotating line-up of craft beers alongside farm-to-table pub fare.

The details

The inaugural Sydney Wine & Cheese Fest takes place on 11 April at Carriageworks in Eveleigh. Two sessions are available, each running for 3.5 hours, giving you the option to choose between a daytime outing or an evening experience. The first session runs from 12pm–3:30pm, while the second kicks off at 4pm through to 7:30pm.

Wine & Cheese
Wine and cheese lovers won’t want to miss the one-day festival. (Credit: Getty Images/Lisovskaya)

Tickets are priced at $59 per person and include unlimited tastings, access to masterclasses and live entertainment, plus a wine glass and tote bag to take home.

Carriageworks is a wheelchair accessible venue, with ramps, lifts and accessible bathrooms. There is limited street parking available, so using public transport is highly recommended. Redfern Station is just a short 10-minute walk from the precinct, making it an easy and convenient option.

Taylah Darnell
Taylah Darnell is Australian Traveller's Writer & Producer. She has been passionate about writing since she learnt to read, spending many hours either lost in the pages of books or attempting to write her own. This life-long love of words inspired her to study a Bachelor of Communication majoring in Creative Writing at the University of Technology Sydney, where she completed two editorial internships. She began her full-time career in publishing at Ocean Media before scoring her dream job with Australian Traveller. Now as Writer & Producer, Taylah passionately works across both digital platforms and print titles. When she's not wielding a red pen over magazine proofs, you can find Taylah among the aisles of a second-hand bookshop, following a good nature trail or cheering on her EPL team at 3am. While she's keen to visit places like Norway and New Zealand, her favourite place to explore will forever be her homeland.
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3 vintage train journeys to step back in time and explore NSW

(Credit: Krista Eppelstun)

    Elizabeth Whitehead Elizabeth Whitehead
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    From country landscapes to the coast, Vintage Rail Journeys blends the grandeur of the golden age of rail travel with immersive local experiences.

    Travelling aboard the historic Southern Aurora train is the ultimate scenic journey through regional NSW. Operated by Vintage Rail Journeys, the former Southern Aurora is a step back in time, from the lovingly restored carriages to the Off Train Experiences that spotlight local history, artisanal crafts and regional producers.

    Once the overnight express that ferried passengers between Sydney and Melbourne throughout the 1960s, this train has been revived to its former mid-century glory, from the cabin layouts to the original lettering. Today, the train takes passengers on scenic and historic five-day journeys – starting and ending in Sydney – through three distinct regions of NSW: The Riverina, Golden West and North Coast.

    Vintage Rail Journeys Southern Aurora train carriage
    Be transported into the golden age of travel. (Credit: Krista Eppelstun)

    One of the most magical parts of travelling with Vintage Rail Journeys is waking up on the train. Each night, the train stables at a station so guests can enjoy a restful night’s sleep in stillness, before departing again at dawn. Passengers awake to the gentle motion of the carriage, flicking open the blinds to watch the landscape unfold at sunrise. There is no better way to start the day.

    The onboard experience come evening time is just as picturesque. Guests enjoy the all-inclusive food and beverages, nursing cocktails in the Art Deco-inspired lounge carriage or lingering over a three-course dinner in the dining carriage. Outside the window, Eastern grey kangaroos bound across open plains and flocks of cockatoos scatter from the gumtrees. It’s an old-world way of travelling, a slower pace that’s increasingly rare amid the frenzy of modern life. From coastal sojourns to adventures through agrarian landscapes, these are the multi-day Vintage Rail Journeys itineraries transporting guests back in time.

    The Riverina

    Vintage Rail Journeys Southern Aurora train travelling through nsw
    Travel through the agricultural heartland of NSW. (Credit: Krista Eppelstun)

    The Riverina is the agricultural heartland of NSW. Over five days, Vintage Rail Journeys takes passengers through the region to experience its celebrated produce, wines and local history. Travelling in a loop through the Central West, guests can sample sweets at the Junee Liquorice & Chocolate Factory, housed inside a former flour mill, tour an olive grove alongside a second-generation olive farmer, and enjoy tastings at family-owned wineries where the grapes are harvested mere metres away.

    The Riverina is also a region shaped by passionate local historians. The Fairground Follies museum in Bowral houses one of the world’s largest collections of mechanical music and carnival memorabilia – a riot of colour and nostalgia tucked away where you’d least expect it. Meanwhile, Temora Rural Museum offers a glimpse into the history of everyday life in rural NSW. It’s home to the NSW & ACT Ambulance Museum (yes, a museum within a museum), packed with ambulances that span the past 120 years (including horse-drawn!). And seeing it all aboard a vintage train makes it feel not just like you’re visiting history, but living inside of it.

    North Coast

    Forest Sky Pier
    Take in the views from Forest Sky Pier. (Credit: Destination NSW)

    This five-day journey is all about ocean views and slowing down in tune with the rhythm of coastal life. As you make your way north from Sydney, the water is never too far from sight, whether Vintage Rail Journeys is tracing the Gloucester River or travelling alongside sweeping stretches of coastline. You’ll want to sit by a window as the train passes through the Coffs Harbour region – it’s one of the most scenic stretches of the whole journey.

    Guests can also disembark at Coffs Harbour to take in the beauty of the Great Dividing Range at the Forest Sky Pier – a surreal lookout point that looks like a runway disappearing into the sky. The train continues onward to Byron Bay, where guests can disembark to explore the iconic beach town at their own pace. And on the return journey to Sydney, keep your eyes peeled for dolphins – they’re known to frequent the Kooragang Wetlands near Newcastle, which guests visit on a lunch cruise on the final day.

    Golden West

    winery experience in new south wales
    Jump off the train for a winery experience. (Credit: Krista Eppelstun)

    Travelling through the Golden West by rail is like stepping into a Frederick McCubbin painting – a nod to the golden era of rail travel. This five-day journey evokes the era of Australian Impressionism, passing through some of the country’s most painterly landscapes while tracing a path through history.

    Starting in Sydney, the train makes its way to the Hawkesbury River, where the train crosses a historic rail bridge over the bronze, glassy waters below. Guests disembark here to cruise the brackish inlet aboard a historic postal boat before returning to the train to continue into Gold Rush country. Ahead lie grand heritage towns and historic estates, including the 1870s Abercrombie House in Bathurst.

    Special event journeys

    meal onboard Vintage Rail Journeys Southern Aurora train
    Enjoy all-inclusive dining and beverages on the way to special events. (Credit: Krista Eppelstun)

    Regional NSW is home to some truly one-of-a-kind events, and Vintage Rail Journeys offers a memorable way to get there. Planning a trip to the Bathurst Repco 1000? Vintage Rail Journeys’ special itinerary combines accommodation, dining and transport into one seamless experience. Guests take the scenic route to Bathurst, where the train becomes a unique home base for the event, complete with transfers, all-inclusive dining and beverages, and three days of reserved grandstand seating before returning to Sydney Central Station.

    For something a little more playful, guests can also join fellow Elvis enthusiasts on a special overnight journey to Parkes for the town’s iconic annual Elvis Festival. It’s a vintage rail journey – with a little added rock ‘n’ roll.

    Step back into the golden age of rail travel at vintagerailjourneys.com.au.