Bega

Bega is a town in the southeast of New South Wales, Australia. It is the administrative centre of the Bega Valley Shire and is situated on the Bega River in the South Coast region. The town serves as a service hub for the surrounding dairy farming area and the broader Bega Valley.

Indigenous history in the area predates European settlement, with Aboriginal peoples long inhabiting the region. The Bega Valley remains a region rich in Indigenous heritage and culture, with ongoing recognition of traditional ownership and local history.

The local economy is centered on dairy farming and related industries. Bega is closely associated with Bega Cheese, a major dairy cooperative founded in 1899 that grew into a national brand. The Bega Cheese Heritage Centre in town preserves and presents the history of the cooperative and the local dairy industry. Beyond dairy, agriculture and regional services support the community, and tourism linked to the South Coast’s landscapes also contributes to the economy.

Notable features include the Bega River and access to the surrounding valleys and natural areas that form part of the broader Bega Valley. The town is connected by road via the Princes Highway and functions as a gateway to the coastal and inland communities of the region, offering a compact, rural-town character with a focus on farming, food production, and regional services.