Our story
Set amongst the rolling hills of the Mary Valley in the Sunshine Coast, we draw on six generations of farming experience here at Kenilworth Dairies to deliver premium, award-winning dairy products — from club cheddars, soft cheeses, and fettas to mousse, yoghurt, and milk.
Our home in the hinterland is known for its abundant agricultural industry. The region’s fresh water, lush pastures, and cool, temperate climate ensure the milk we source from nearby farms is of exceptional quality. If there’s one thing we’re passionate about, it’s helping sustain the local industry and keep farming traditions alive.
Our 65 years of cheesemaking heritage allows us to create one-of-a-kind dairy products that can’t be found elsewhere. However, we have become so much more than just a simple dairy producer — we’re also a popular destination for tourists wanting to enjoy the farm-to-plate experiences of the Sunshine Coast hinterland.
Six generations of farming experience
Kenilworth Dairies has been owned by the Cochrane family since 2017. John Cochrane, a dairy farmer from Kin Kin, continues to lead our business with invaluable knowledge passed down from his parents, Alan and Mavis.
John channelled his lifelong passion for dairy farming into something truly meaningful when he became the proud owner of the Kenilworth Cheese Factory, later renaming it Kenilworth Dairies. His vision for our brand was simple yet powerful — to create a sustainable future for local farmers and preserve the rich dairy farming heritage of the region.
Supporting local farmers
Our commitment to supporting local farms remains at the heart of what we do. We want to ensure the survival and success of farming families for generations to come, and desire to build a more sustainable and connected future for the dairy communities of Australia.
We understand the hard work and challenges of dairy farming, so it’s our deep-rooted passion that drives us to deliver products of exceptional quality, honouring both our history and the future of Australian dairy.
Sustainability
What sets us apart is not just our premium, locally sourced milk from nearby farms, but the unwavering commitment we have to every step of the process. Sustainability is an important part of our business, and we’re always aiming to improve our impact.
How it all started
The Kenilworth cheese factory originally opened in 1952, owned and operated by Kraft Cheese Company. The factory specialised in bulk cheese, until the 1990s when a handful of highly skilled cheese makers created a co-op and purchased the factory. Among these master cheesemakers was Peter ‘Poppa’ Hansen, a gentleman famous for his speciality cheese recipes. Despite 65+ years of cheese making, our passion remains the same – quality local products that support the dairy farming families of our region. Our factory is truly a piece of Queensland dairy history.