Award winning Tarago River Cheese farm hits the market for the first time in 90 years
The sale has brought the future of the iconic Gippsland fromage into question.
Courtney O'Brien
December 10, 2025
The Gippsland farm behind the production of the iconic and award-winning Tarago River Cheese is on the market for the first time in 90 years.
What’s in a farm: The 98-hectare farm runs across four titles in Neerim South. It encompasses the thriving dairy operation, which has for decades provided high quality milk to the cheese factory on the same site.
A winning history: The Trarago River farm has been in the Johnson family for generations. Rob and Lynette Johnson worked alongside now-retired cheese maker Laurie Jensen to pioneer and produce the Tarago River cheese in the 80s.
Using traditional methods, a blue, brie and farmhouse-washed rind cheese were created under the Tarago River Cheese name.
Cows grazing on the Tarago River property.
Rob and Lynette’s son, David Johnson, continued their legacy until late 2023, when Moondarra Cheese acquired Tarago River Cheese.
Johnson is now seeking to let go of the final piece of this historic and iconic property by selling the farm.
🗣️ “This has been in motion for probably four or five years,” Johnson told the Monitor. “We've got three kids. It's very difficult to pass it on or sell the farm down to the kids. So, we’ll try and realise the value we've got, and maybe go elsewhere if we need to.”
“I’m quite comfortable with it. I see a lot of older farmers that leave it all too late, and I'd rather do it early than do it too late.”
Tarago River Cheese farm owner David Johnson.
Any impact on cheese production? Moondarra Cheese is an Australian owned and operated cheese making and producing company. They hold a lease on the Tarago River Cheese factory for the next four years, securing the dairy supply from the original site.
Director of Moondarra Cheese, Nick Katis said the company is committed to continuing to produce Tarago River Cheese – but the decision will ultimately be up to the new farm owners.
🗣️“We can't say that we know exactly what's going to happen,” Katis said. “What the landlord does and what the new landlord does is a little bit outside our control.”
Katis emphasised that despite a potential sale of the site, Moondarra Cheese is committed to continuing the legacy of the Gippsland icon.
🗣️“Shadows of Blue and Shadows of White are iconic world-class cheeses, enjoyed throughout Australia, made from Gippsland milk, so we've got a long-term outlook for sure,” Kratis said.
