
Now it its 130th year of judging and celebrating the “best” in Australian dairy products, the Dairy Industry Association of Australia (DIAA) announced the winners of the Australian Dairy Awards of Excellence on 23 May at Plaza Ballroom Melbourne with 40 awards bestowed from over 1100 entries.
DIAA has been running dairy competitions Australia-wide since the late 1800’s and is Australia’s largest and longest-running dairy competition.
Bega Cheese has once again taken out Australia’s best Coffee Flavoured Milk for 2025 with its award-winning Dare Double Espresso Milk.
Dare Double Espresso has a well-balanced combination of rich aromatic coffee that enhances its depth without overpowering the taste.
“Winning this coveted prize is a massive achievement for Dare, whom won against Australia’s best Coffee Flavoured Milk,” said Darryl Cardona, past President DIAA and Marketing Manager for National Product Competition (Dairy Industry Association of Australia).
“Australia’s best coffee flavoured milk is Dare. No other country can beat our quality or taste.”
Five:AM Dairy was awarded Australia’s best Yoghurt in multiple categories.
Australia’s Best Naturally Flavoured Yoghurt with its Vanilla Bean Yoghurt combined with Australia’s Best Organic Dairy Product, again with its Organic Vanilla Bean Yoghurt.
“Winning this coveted prize is a massive achievement for five:am Dairy, whom won against Australia’s leading yoghurt brands,” said Mr Cardona.
“Arguably this was because of its superb taste, and unique natural process.
“Australia’s best yoghurt is made right here in Melbourne.”
Bannister Downs Dairy has won Australia’s Best White Carton milk for its Farm Fresh Milk in Australia’s largest and oldest Dairy Product Competition.
“Winning this coveted prize is a massive achievement for Bannister Downs Dairy, whom won against Australia’s leading brands,” said Mr Cardona.
“Arguably this was because of its superb taste, and unique processing, which is packaged on farm, and available exclusively in Western Australia.
“Australia’s best milk is packaged on farm in Regional WA.”
Bega Cheese has once again taken out Australia’s coveted best Cheddar Cheese for 2025 with its award-winning Lagoon Street Mature and Lagoon Street Heritage Vintage Cheese.
“Winning this coveted prize is a massive achievement for Bega Cheese, whom won against Australia’s best Cheddar Cheese’s,” said Mr Cardona.
“Winning this coveted prize is a massive achievement for Bega Dairy.
“Arguably this was because of its superb taste, and unique maturation process at Bega’s processing plant on the south coast of NSW.”
KyValley Dairy Kyabram was awarded Australia’s Best Flavoured Milk in Australia’s largest and oldest Dairy Product Competition with its Choc House Dairy Chocolate Milk.
“Winning the National award is a massive achievement for KyValley Dairy, which achieved the coveted prize of Australia’s Best Flavoured Milk,” said Mr Cardona.
“Sourced from local farmers, the chocolate milk is made with real chocolate, ensuring a rich and satisfying chocolate taste.
“Australia’s best milk is sourced packaged here in regional Victoria.”
Berry’s Creek Gourmet Cheese has won multiple awards in this year’s DIAA Dairy Products Competition Australia’s in Australia’s largest and oldest Dairy Product Competition with its Mossvale Blue Cheese.
“Winning the National award is a massive achievement for Berry’s Creek Gourmet Cheese, which achieved the coveted prize of Australia’s Best Blue Cheese,” said Mr Cardona.
“Sourced from local farmers in South Gippsland, the distinctive blue green mould veins with a strong and salty flavour and a creamy smooth texture.
“Australia’s best blue is made here in South Gippsland.”
Bulla Dairy was awarded Australia’s best Ice Cream 2025 with its Reeces Nutrageous Ice Cream.
“Winning this coveted prize is a massive achievement for Bulla Dairy, whom won against Australia’s best Ice Creams,” said Mr Cardona.
“Bulla uses 100% dairy for all of its ice cream products, using Victoria’s highest quality milk, directly off farm.
“Winning this coveted prize is a massive achievement for Bulla Dairy, the manufacturer of Reeces.
“No other country can beat our quality or taste of our ice cream,” said Allan Hood, CEO of Bulla Dairy Foods.
“Reece’s Nutrageous is a rich creamy indulgence that captures the depth and texture of chocolate coated roasted nuts balanced with a smooth taste.
“What elevates this ice cream from good to exceptional is how well it blends the nuttiness with the creaminess of the ice cream.”
2025 Australian Dairy Awards of Excellence
| Most outstanding show exhibit, medium to large-scale producer | Farm Fresh Milk | Bannister Downs Dairy – Farm Fresh Milk | 609-916 Muirillup Road NORTHCLIFFE 6262 | Western Australia | ||||||||||||
| Most outstanding show exhibit, small-scale producer | Mossvale Blue | Berrys Creek Gourmet Cheese – Mossvale Blue | 740 Fish Creek Foster Road FISH CREEK 3959 | Victoria | ||||||||||||
| Most successful exhibitor | NA | Most successful exhibitor | ||||||||||||||
| Champion cheesemaker | Bega Rindless Cheddar | Bega Cheese – Lagoon Street – Bega Rindless Cheddar | 13 Lagoon St BEGA 2550 | New South Wales | ||||||||||||
| Highest scoring cheese | Mossvale Blue | Highest scoring cheese | 740 Fish Creek Foster Road FISH CREEK 3959 | Victoria | ||||||||||||
| Highest scoring dairy dip | Olympus Cheese Labneh Original Herbs | Olympus Cheese – Labneh Original Herbs | 8 Churchill St COORPAROO 4151 | Queensland | ||||||||||||
| Highest scoring cream or dairy dessert | Bulla Dollop Cream | Bulla Dairy Foods (Colac) – Bulla Dollop Cream | 91 Forest St COLAC 3250 | Victoria | ||||||||||||
| Highest scoring white milk | Farm Fresh Milk | Bannister Downs Dairy – Farm Fresh Milk | 609-916 Muirillup Road NORTHCLIFFE 6262 | Western Australia | ||||||||||||
| Highest scoring powder | ROYAL AUSNZ GOAT TODDLER MILK DRINK | GOTOP HEALTHCARE PTY LTD – Royal AUSNZ Goat Toddler Milk Drink | Level 1, 299 Elizabeth St SYDNEY 2000 | New South Wales | ||||||||||||
| Highest scoring product containing natural flavours and colours | Five:am Organic Vanilla Bean Yoghurt | five:am operations (Carrum Downs) – Organic Vanilla Bean Yoghurt | 25 Lakewood Boulevard CARRUM DOWNS 3201 | Victoria | ||||||||||||
| Highest scoring flavoured milk | Coach House Dairy Chocolate Milk | Kyvalley Dairy Group (Kyabram) – Coach House Dairy Chocolate | 157 Fenaughty St Kyabram 3620 | Victoria | ||||||||||||
| Highest scoring cultured dairy product | Five:am Organic Vanilla Bean Yoghurt | five:am operations (Carrum Downs) – Organic Vanilla Bean Yoghurt | 25 Lakewood Boulevard CARRUM DOWNS 3201 | Victoria | ||||||||||||
| Highest scoring italian-style cheese | That’s Amore Cheese Mini Burrata | That’s Amore Cheese – Mini Burrata | 66 Latitude Boulevard THOMASTOWN 3074 | Victoria | ||||||||||||
| Highest scoring frozen product | Mini Upside Down Cake | Brunetti Production Pty Ltd – Mini Upside Down Cake | 48-54 Weston St BRUNSWICK 3056 | Victoria | ||||||||||||
| Highest scoring bulk butter (Classes 1 & 2) | NZMP – Salted butter | Fonterra Pty Ltd (Cobden) – Western Star Salted Butter | 129 Curdie St COBDEN 3266 | Victoria | ||||||||||||
| Highest scoring consumer pack butter (Classes 3 & 4) | Western Star Unsalted Butter | Fonterra Pty Ltd (Cobden) – Western Star Unsalted Butter | 129 Curdie St COBDEN 3266 | Victoria | ||||||||||||
| Highest scoring cheddar cheese (Classes 6 to 9) | Bega Rindless Cheddar | Bega Cheese (Lagoon Street) – Mature | 13 Lagoon St BEGA 2550 | New South Wales | ||||||||||||
| Highest scoring consumer pack cheddar cheese (Classes 10 to 12) | Bega Heritage Vintage | Bega Cheese (Lagoon Street) – Heritage Vintage | 13 Lagoon St BEGA 2550 | New South Wales | ||||||||||||
| Highest scoring semi-hard cheese (Class 15) | Alba Piccantino Red | Alba Cheese Pty Ltd – Piccantino Red | 33 Assembly Drive TULLAMARINE 3043 | Victoria | ||||||||||||
| Highest scoring very hard cheese (Classes 16 and 17) | Floridia Cheese Pecorino | Floridia Cheese Pty Ltd – Pecorino | 327 Settlement Road THOMASTOWN 3074 | Victoria | ||||||||||||
| Highest scoring pasta filata cheese (Classes 18 and 19) | Mini Burrata | That’s Amore Cheese | 66 Latitude Boulevard THOMASTOWN 3074 | Victoria | ||||||||||||
| Highest scoring non-cheddar cheese (Classes 20-34) | Mossvale Blue | Berrys Creek Gourmet Cheese – Mossvale Blue | 740 Fish Creek Foster Road FISH CREEK 3959 | Victoria | ||||||||||||
| Highest scoring fetta cheese (Classes 23 to 25) | Lemnos Marinated Lemon Myrtle | Lemnos Cheese – Marinated Lemon Myrtle | 10 Bungaleen Court DANDENONG SOUTH 3175 | Victoria | ||||||||||||
| Highest scoring blue cheese (Class 27) | Mossvale Blue | Berrys Creek Gourmet Cheese – Mossvale Blue | 740 Fish Creek Foster Road FISH CREEK 3959 | Victoria | ||||||||||||
| Highest scoring brie/camembert style (Classes 28 and 29) | Lochard Gorgeous Camembert | Apostle Whey Cheese – Lochard Gorgeous Camembert | 9 Gallum Road COORIEMUNGLE 3268 | Victoria | ||||||||||||
| Highest-scoring flavoured cheese (Classes 35 to 37) | Pantalica Chilli Cheese | Pantalica Cheese Company – Chilli Cheese | 49 Trawalla Avenue THOMASTON 3074 | Victoria | ||||||||||||
| Highest scoring club cheese (Classes 38 and 39) | Brownes Dairy Vintage Club Cheddar 200g | Brownes Foods Operations Pty Ltd – Vintage Club Cheddar 200g | 22 Geddes Street BALCATTA 6021 | Western Australia | ||||||||||||
| Highest scoring stirred yoghurt (Classes 53, 55 to 57, 104 and 106) | Five:am Organic Vanilla Bean Yoghurt | five:am operations (Carrum Downs) – Organic Vanilla Bean Yoghurt | 25 Lakewood Boulevard CARRUM DOWNS 3201 | Victoria | ||||||||||||
| Highest scoring set yoghurt (Classes 48, 49, 54, 104 and 106) | KISAAN YOGHURT – NATURAL POT SET YOGHURT | Kisaan – Natural Pot Set Yoghurt | 11 McHarry Place Shepparton 3630 | Victoria | ||||||||||||
| Highest scoring Greek-style yoghurt (Classes 50 to 52) | Tamar Valley Dairy The Creamery Affogato 700g | Lactalis Australia Pty Ltd – Tamar Valley Dairy The Creamery Affogato 700g | 1 River Street INVERMAY 7248 | Tasmania | ||||||||||||
| Highest scoring unmodified full-fat milk (Classes 58-59) | Farm Fresh Milk | Bannister Downs Dairy – Farm Fresh Milk | 609-916 Muirillup Road NORTHCLIFFE 6262 | Western Australia | ||||||||||||
| Highest-scoring modified milk (Classes 60 to 63) | Jersey Light Milk | Gippsland Jersey – Light Milk | 22 Purton Road PAKENHAM 3810 | Victoria | ||||||||||||
| Highest scoring flavoured milk – chocolate (Classes 64 and 65) | Coach House Dairy Chocolate Milk | Kyvalley Dairy Group (Kyabram) – Coach House Dairy Chocolate Milk | 157 Fenaughty St Kyabram 3620 | Victoria | ||||||||||||
| Highest scoring flavoured milk – coffee (Class 66 and 67) | 500ml Dare Double Espresso | Bega Dairy & Drinks Malanda – Dare Double Espresso (500ml) | 18 James Street MALANDA 4885 | Queensland | ||||||||||||
| Highest scoring flavoured milk other than chocolate or coffee (Classes 68 and 69) | Choc Cherry Delite | Bannister Downs Dairy – Choc Cherry Delite | 609-916 Muirillup Road NORTHCLIFFE 6262 | Western Australia | ||||||||||||
| Highest scoring UHT milk (Classes 70 to 72) | PAULS Full Cream Milk Longlife | Lactalis Australia – PAULS Full Cream Milk Longlife | 842 Welington Road ROWVILLE 3178 | Victoria | ||||||||||||
| Highest scoring ice-cream (Classes 81 to 90, 94 and 95 ) | Dooley’s Premium Raspberry Ice Cream | Dooley’s Premium Ice Cream – Raspberry Ice Cream | 89 Great Ocean Road APOLLO BAY 3233 | Victoria | ||||||||||||
| Highest scoring gelati (Classes 81 to 90, 94 and 95) | Hazelnut Gelato | Little Sky Gelato – Hazelnut Gelato | 332 Bay Street BRIGHTON 3186 | Victoria | ||||||||||||
| Highest scoring novelty ice-cream/gelati (Classes 91 and 92) | REESE’S Nutrageous | Bulla Dairy Foods (Colac) – REESE’S Nutrageous | 43 Connor Street COLAC 3250 | Victoria | ||||||||||||
| Highest scoring frozen yoghurt (Classes 96 and 97) | Nordenfine Berry Swirl Yoghurt | Nordenfine Ice Cream Company – Berry Swirl Yoghurt | 34 Bell Street TORQUAY 3228 | Victoria | ||||||||||||
| Highest scoring non-bovine product (Classes 98 to 104) | Riverine Blue | Berrys Creek Gourmet Cheese – Riverine Blue | 740 Fish Creek Foster Road FISH CREEK 3959 | Victoria | ||||||||||||
| Highest scoring organic product (Classes 105 and 106) | Five:am Organic Vanilla Bean Yoghurt | five:am operations (Carrum Downs) – Organic Vanilla Bean Yoghurt | 25 Lakewood Boulevard CARRUM DOWNS 3201 | Victoria | ||||||||||||
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