Regional Queensland small business Summer Land Camels has won a bronze medal at the 2026 World Championship Cheese Contest in Madison, Wisconsin. Summer Land's Marinated Camel Cheese - Persian Feta Style was rated 99.6 out of 100 by the international judging panel of dairy experts in the 'All Other Milk Cheese' category. This highly-competitive category is open to producers of cheeses made from milk from animals other than cows - including camel, sheep and buffalo.

This is the 75 dairy award Summer Land Camels has brought home since 2018, with its Persian feta-style cheese responsible for 21 of those awards. It is also the second bronze, and second in succession, they have won at the prestigious bi-annual competition. Summer Land also took away the bronze medal in 2024.

Awards recognition of the excellence of regional artisans

"To be recognised on the world stage alongside some of the most celebrated cheesemakers on the planet is incredibly exciting," Paul Martin, Summer Land's founder, said. "Camel milk produces a beautifully clean, creamy cheese that carries flavour exceptionally well. We're thrilled judges loved the balance of the marinade and the quality of the cheese."

Summer Land Camels

Martin added that the recognition is a reflection of the quality of products made by Australia's rural and regional artisans.

His interest in camels began on the family cattle property near Springsure in Central Queensland. He experimented putting camels in the pastures alongside the cattle to regenerate the grazing land. The experiment highlighted camels' resilience in Australia's harsh conditions and the benefits to cattle through biome transfer and improved pasture.

One solution with two major benefits

Martin saw the opportunity of camels in agriculture offering two beneficial outcomes. Firstly, dealing with the environmental issues by Australia's large feral camel population. And secondly, a new, sustainable agricultural sector.

Australia

So, he founded Summer Land Camels in May 2015 in Harrisville on the Pacific Rim south-west of Brisbane. He spent a few years focusing on research and development into training systems, animal husbandry practices and dairy processes. His mission was to break new ground by creating Australia's first viable, scalable camel dairy enterprise. Today, Summer Land Camels is Australia's largest camel dairy and a pioneer of camel milk products. The company produces cheeses, gelato and skincare products from their camels' milk. They recently also the world's first camel milk vodka, distilled from whey made during the cheesemaking process. This allows them re-use waste from their core process, increasing the operation's sustainability.

Not just a farm, but also a destination

Martin has also developed the farm as an agritourism destination. Visitors can go on camel rides and guided farm tours. And the team conduct tasting sessions during which they teach tourists about camel farming and the nutritional benefits of camel milk as an alternative to other animal- and and plant-based milks.

Having achieved triple-digit growth over the last two years, Summer Land Camels is in the process of raising additional capital through a crowdfunding scheme. Martin will use the funds to upgrade the dairy with a view to it becoming Australia's first FDA-approved camel dairy. It will also enable him so significantly increase production volumes. That will help meet the surge in demand from overseas - the US market alone wants 60,00 litres a year of Summer Land's camel milk.

To be recognised on the world stage alongside some of the most celebrated cheesemakers on the planet is incredibly exciting.

The wider picture

Ingredients matter, but technique matters more: the same butter and flour will produce very different results in different hands.

Key takeaways

  • Regional Queensland small business Summer Land Camels has won a bronze medal at the 2026 World Championship Cheese Contest in Madison, Wisconsin
  • "To be recognised on the world stage alongside some of the most celebrated cheesemakers on the planet is incredibly exciting," Paul Martin, Summer Land's founder, said
  • Martin added that the recognition is a reflection of the quality of products made by Australia's rural and regional artisans
  • He founded Summer Land Camels in May 2015 in Harrisville on the Pacific Rim south-west of Brisbane
  • Martin has also developed the farm as an agritourism destination

The numbers worth knowing

  • This is the 75 dairy award Summer Land Camels has brought home since 2018, with its Persian feta-style cheese responsible for 21 of those awards
  • Summer Land also took away the bronze medal in 2024
  • That will help meet the surge in demand from overseas - the US market alone wants 60,00 litres a year of Summer Land's camel milk

The questions it raises

What should you know about Summer Land Camels?

Regional Queensland small business Summer Land Camels has won a bronze medal at the 2026 World Championship Cheese Contest in Madison, Wisconsin.

What happens next?

Martin will use the funds to upgrade the dairy with a view to it becoming Australia's first FDA-approved camel dairy.

In short

As always in the bakery case, the gap between what gets announced and what actually reaches people is where the real story will be decided.