hero media

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.

AI Prompt

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.

Want to see more stories from Australian Traveller in your Google search results?

  1. Click here to set Australian Traveller as a preferred source.
  2. Tick the box next to "Australian Traveller". That's it.
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 check out places like Scotland and North America, her favourite place to explore will always be her homeland.
View profile and articles
Fire Pit Cinema at Christmas in July festival in Sydney, NSW
Sydney

A cosy outdoor cinema with private fire pits is returning to Sydney

Experience a European Christmas in the heart of Sydney this July.

Read more
One Playground wellness retreat in Port Stephens
Sydney

One of Sydney’s most popular gyms is launching wellness retreats

From Muay Thai training in Koh Samui to camel rides in Port Stephens, One Playground's new Destination One retreats are bringing together fitness, recovery and travel in a fresh take on a typical wellness getaway. 

Read more
pier one harbourside cinema
Sydney

Sleepover at this private open-air cinema, complete with Yo-Chi and Sydney Harbour views

With snack stations, cosy comforts and a pyjama dress code, Pier One Sydney's intimate harbourside cinema is a PJ-party dream come true. We test it out.

Read more
Jetstar plane taking off
Sydney

First flights from Western Sydney’s new airport go on sale

Western Sydney International Airport will open on 25 October 2026, with Jetstar the first airline off the blocks – and tickets are on sale today.

Read more
hero media

9 of the best Sydney hotel bars for a local adventure

(Credit: Nikki To)

    Lucy Cousins Lucy Cousins
    Continue
    A great night out doesn’t need a road trip, just the right bar. Swap the long drive for an evening at these standout Sydney venues.

    If you’re thinking of a staycation or a long weekend (with foodie benefits), you can’t get much better than the bright lights and beautiful vistas of Sydney. From tucked-away bars to late-night hidden hangs, Australia’s (unofficial) favourite city is packed full of venues that make staying local feel like an adventure.

    1. El Vista, Circular Quay

    bar tender at El Vista, Circular Quay sydney hotel bars
    Enjoy tasty cocktails and gorgeous Sydney views. (Credit: Mario Francisco)

    This welcoming bar by the Maybe Sammy team offers a fun buzz and jaw-dropping harbour views. Part of the Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour, this lounge bar sits above Circular Quay with the harbour on one side and the Botanical Gardens on the other. You may start here for pre-dinner drinks, but you won’t want to leave before the early hours. If the 1960s Acapulco vibe isn’t enough, the views will be – the Sydney Harbour Bridge is so close it hardly fits in the window, while ferries glide by all night.

    2. Bar Allora, CBD

    Bar Allora, CBD Sydney hotel bars
    Settle in for a taste of Italy.

    Inspired by Milan in the 1980s, Bar Allora brings Italian style and culture to the CBD. Although it’s officially part of the Mantra 2 Bond Street hotel, it’s designed to look and feel like you’ve travelled to Italy for all-day dining. Think espresso in the morning, aperitivo in the afternoon and Negronis late into the night. Accompany your liquid diet with Italian-style small plates and pastas with a modern twist.

    3. Percy, Pyrmont

    Percy Sydney hotel bars
    Spanish-style tapas and wine is the name of the game. (Credit: Steven Woodburn)

    Taking centre stage in the luxe foyer of the Woolstore 1888 Hotel in Pyrmont, Percy is a popular Spanish-style tapas and wine bar serving food that makes you want to linger. The restored 138-year-old wool store creates an atmospheric backdrop to your glass of merlot with exposed timber beams, brick and the echoes of Sydney’s past. With an air of Barcelona, expect low conversations, creative dining and the city moments away.

    4. The Crudo Bar at Flaminia, CBD

    The Crudo Bar at Flaminia, CBD Sydney hotel bars
    Seafood lovers should head to The Crudo Bar. (Credit: Nikki To)

    Grab a seat at the beautifully designed crudo bar, taking centre stage in Giovanni Pilu’s latest CBD restaurant, Flaminia. Enjoy a glass of chilled Vermentino from Sardinia or prosecco from the hills of Treviso, matched with freshly shucked oysters. Complement your seafood with a range of special dressings, influenced by iconic Italian port cities. It’s the perfect spot for a pre- or post- glass of wine before visiting the Sydney Opera House.

    5. Mee So, Sydney Central

    Mee So sydney
    Enjoy Japanese-influenced food and drinks.

    For something a little different, Mee So is a modern, neon-lit Japanese-influenced bar in the Ibis Sydney Central. Serving bold flavours and umami-heavy dishes alongside sake and yuzu-infused cocktails, this Tokyo-esque venue offers an escape from the busy streets outside. Order steaming ramen, a Japanese whisky, and make a corner of Mee So yours for the night.

    6. Bar Morris, Haymarket

    Bar Morris sydney
    Settle into old-world European glamour.

    Housed in a 1929 heritage-listed building, Bar Morris brings old-world European glamour to the Hotel Morris Sydney, part of Accor’s Handwritten Collection. More of a destination than a pitstop, this bar leans into its Art Deco past with velvet features, intimate lighting and bold brass finishes. Here you can order smaller plates like burrata, cured meats, and seasonal seafood to match your martini.

    7. Pumphouse, Darling Harbour

    Pumphouse sydney
    Enjoy a tipple inside a building from the 1880s.

    When you first walk into Pumphouse, you’ll quickly notice the high ceilings, exposed brick and industrial-style decor. Officially part of the busy Novotel Darling Square, this busy local hang doesn’t feel like it; it’s housed inside a former hydraulic pumping station from the 1880s – hence the name – and is a local institution. Grab a seat if you can and order off the classic modern Australian menu, before trying one of the many craft beers on tap to wash it down.

    8. Wentworth Bar, CBD

    Wentworth Bar sydney hotel bars
    Drink where the celebrities once did.

    Designed for big groups and late-night cocktails, this open-air terrace bar is part of the Sydney Sofitel Wentworth – one of Sydney’s most iconic hotels. Once the watering hole of royals and celebrities, this mid-century building has recently been refurbished to be sleek, modern and inviting. The stunning rooftop bar attracts Sydneysiders who love to watch the sunset with a table full of Vietnamese and French-inspired dishes.

    9. Monica Rooftop Bar, Paddington

    Monica Rooftop Bar, Paddington sydney
    See the city skyline, drink in hand.

    Sitting pretty on top of a restored 110-year-old theatre, Monica is a Hollywood-style rooftop bar with views across Paddington and the city skyline. Part of the 25hrs The Olympia hotel, this isn’t a quick drink kind of place; it’s a ‘let’s stay all night’ kind of venue. Weekend DJs will take you from sunset to late-night conversations, while you graze on ceviche, grilled meats or sharing plates.

    For more information on how to enjoy Sydney for a long weekend, visit ALL.com.