Over the Moon Dairy: A Visitor’s Guide to Putaruru’s Cheese Factory
Stop five on the New Zealand cheese trail sits beside State Highway 1 in the South Waikato. Over the Moon Dairy says it makes the widest range of specialty cheese in the country, from cow, goat, sheep and buffalo milk. Better still, it welcomes visitors to taste, watch and even make cheese.
This guide covers the story behind Over the Moon Dairy, the cheeses to try, its tours and workshops, and how to visit the Putaruru cheese factory. It is part of our series on the New Zealand cheese trail.
Over the Moon Dairy at a glance
| Where | 33 Tirau Street (State Highway 1), Putaruru, South Waikato |
| Started | 2007, by founder Sue Arthur |
| Known for | A very wide range of specialty cheese from cow, goat, sheep and buffalo milk |
| Awards | More than 120 medals and trophies |
| Free tastings | In the cheese room, when the shop is open |
| Tour | Talk & Taste, NZ$10 per person (minimum of eight), Fridays at 10:30am |
| Workshops | DIY cheesemaking, 3 to 4 hours, by special arrangement |
| Phone | +64 7 883 8238 |
| Also find it at | Hamilton Farmers Market, Sundays 8am to noon |
Prices are in New Zealand dollars. Prices, hours and tour times can change, so confirm them with the factory before you go.
The story behind Over the Moon Dairy
Over the Moon began as a retirement project. Local resident Sue Arthur spent years traveling to taste and make cheese. In late 2007, she brought what she had learned back to the South Waikato and set up the business, along with its sister operation, the New Zealand Cheese School.
Success came quickly. By early 2008, the dairy had made its first cheeses and won a gold and two silver medals at the Cuisine New Zealand Champion of Cheese Awards. Since then, it has collected more than 120 medals and trophies at national and international competitions.
Sue’s idea was simple. New Zealand produces some of the world’s best milk, so there is no excuse for boring cheese. That outlook shapes the whole range: cheese should be adventurous, fun and a little bit sophisticated.
Why Over the Moon Dairy belongs on the New Zealand cheese trail
Three things set it apart:
- The range: Cheeses come from four kinds of milk, and the factory releases special editions regularly. The lineup rotates through the year.
- The setting: The South Waikato is dairy heartland, with around 150,000 cows for about 23,000 residents. It makes a fitting home for a Waikato cheese trail stop, and the Waikato cheese trail has few better-known names.
- The access: The factory sits right on the highway, so it is an easy detour between Auckland, Rotorua and Taupō.
Every cheese is handmade. The cheesemakers combine traditional methods with new experiments, so there is usually something unusual to try.
What to taste at Over the Moon Dairy
Because the range rotates, ask the staff what is in season. These award-winning cheeses are good places to start.
| Cheese | Style | Why try it |
|---|---|---|
| Volcano | Buffalo milk | Won the Hill Labs Trophy for best-in-class buffalo milk cheese |
| Goat Camembert | Soft white-rind goat cheese | Silky texture with a slight tang; silver medal |
| Galactic Gold | Washed rind | Orange rind and a piquant flavor; bronze medal |
| OMG Triple Cream Brie | Soft, triple-cream brie | An indulgent choice for brie lovers |
| Halloumi | Fresh cheese | The cheese made in the factory’s halloumi demonstrations |
Volcano, the buffalo milk champion
Volcano won a trophy for the best buffalo milk cheese in its class. It is a good pick if you have never tried cheese made from buffalo milk.
Goat Camembert and Galactic Gold
Goat Camembert is silky with a slight tang and has won a silver medal. Galactic Gold is a washed-rind cheese with an orange color and a piquant flavor, and it has taken a bronze. Together, they show the range between mild and punchy.
Over the Moon Dairy Talk and Taste tour
The Over the Moon Dairy Talk and Taste tour suits small groups, social outings and tour parties. You hear a presentation about the business and the cheesemaking, then taste four cheeses.
Key details:
- Cost: NZ$10 per person, with a minimum of eight people (NZ$80 minimum booking).
- When: Fridays at 10:30am. Bookings open up to one week in advance.
- Where: The upstairs conference room, which is reached by stairs only (20 steps).
- Add-on: An optional halloumi-making demonstration costs NZ$150 and takes another 45 minutes.
- Large groups: For groups of more than 25, contact the factory directly.
Cheesemaking workshop in New Zealand: DIY at Over the Moon
Want to make your own? Over the Moon offers hands-on workshops. A cheesemaking workshop in New Zealand like this one lasts 3 to 4 hours. You cut and stir curds, fill the hoops, turn the cheese and finish with a wheel of your own.
You can make halloumi, camembert or feta. The team provides all the ingredients. Bring a small container to take your cheese home, an apron, a pen and plenty of enthusiasm.
Workshops run by special arrangement for groups of four to eight, so contact the factory to check availability. The shop also sells cheesemaking equipment, rennet and cultures if you want to keep going at home.
Putaruru cheese factory opening hours and how to visit
The Putaruru cheese factory and deli is at 33 Tirau Street, right on State Highway 1. Call +64 7 883 8238 to confirm opening times.
Opening hours: The website lists slightly different hours on different pages. In general, the shop opens around 10am to 5pm on weekdays and for shorter hours on weekends (roughly 10am to 3pm or 4pm). One page shows Monday as closed. Phone ahead to be sure.
What to expect:
- Free tastings: The cheese room offers free samples from a selection of cheeses whenever the shop is open.
- A factory window: Watch the cheesemakers at work. According to the factory, the best time to see this is between 10am and noon on weekday mornings.
- A deli: Staff can recommend cheeses, and you can order coffee to take away.
- Gourmet extras: You’ll find accompaniments such as honey and fruit paste, plus hampers.
Visiting tips:
- Bring a cool bag, especially in summer.
- Check your airline and home country’s rules on bringing dairy products home.
- Stairs lead to the tour room, so ask the team about access.
- You can also meet the team at the Hamilton Farmers Market on Sundays, 8am to noon, at The Barn, Claudelands Event Centre.
Things to do in Putaruru and nearby
Putaruru is small, but it sits in a rewarding part of the North Island. Combine your cheese stop with:
- Blue Spring and the Te Waihou Walkway: A short drive from town, this clear spring is a popular walk. See our walking and hiking guide.
- Tirau: This nearby town is known for its corrugated-iron buildings and quirky shops.
- Hobbiton: The Matamata movie set is within about 40 minutes. See our Lord of the Rings tours.
- Rotorua and Taupō: Both are a short drive away. Explore Rotorua and Taupō.
For more ideas, browse Waikato and Waitomo and our other food and wine experiences.
Getting to Over the Moon Dairy
Putaruru is roughly 2 hours south of Auckland. It is about an hour from Hamilton and Rotorua and around 1.5 hours from Taupō. Because the factory sits on State Highway 1, it is one of the best stops on the drive from Auckland to Taupō.
A car is the easiest way to include it. Browse our rental car options, read our guide to driving in New Zealand, or see how a self-drive tour makes the stops easy.
Plan your New Zealand cheese trail with us
Ready to follow the New Zealand cheese trail? Pair Over the Moon Dairy, a highlight of the Waikato cheese trail, with other North Island highlights. Browse our North Island tours, explore the best North Island attractions, or see how food fits into a longer route on our Classic New Zealand Wine Trail.
We can build a route around the producers you most want to meet. Share your dates through our custom New Zealand tour form, or see more New Zealand itinerary ideas. Then bring a cool bag and an appetite for Over the Moon Dairy.
For the latest hours and bookings, visit the official Over the Moon Dairy website and its Visit Us page.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Over the Moon Dairy?
Over the Moon Dairy is at 33 Tirau Street (State Highway 1) in Putaruru, in the South Waikato.
Can you visit Over the Moon Dairy?
Yes. The factory shop and deli offer free tastings when open. You can also watch the cheesemakers through the factory window.
Does Over the Moon Dairy offer tours?
Yes. The Over the Moon Dairy Talk and Taste tour runs on Fridays at 10:30am for groups of at least eight. It includes a presentation and a tasting of four cheeses.
Can you do a cheesemaking class at Over the Moon Dairy?
Yes. A cheesemaking workshop in New Zealand like this one runs by special arrangement for groups of four to eight. You can make halloumi, camembert or feta.
What is Over the Moon Dairy known for?
It is known for a very wide range of handcrafted cheeses from cow, goat, sheep and buffalo milk, and for winning more than 120 medals and trophies.
What is the New Zealand cheese trail?
It is a self-guided route linking artisan cheese producers across the North and South Islands. Over the Moon Dairy is stop five on the trail map. Some producers on older maps have since closed, so check each stop before you go.