Our top picks for the best regional bakeries

The tantalising aroma of freshly-baked pastry wafting from a country bakery is the hallmark of any great Australian road trip. From piping hot meat pies to creamy vanilla slices and crusty artisan bread, award-winning bakeries around the country are serving up delicious baked goods. Here’s our list of the top regional bakeries to make a beeline for when you next hit the holiday road.

In the heart of Shepparton, Victoria, you’ll find Australia’s best vanilla slice 2023 – a melt in the mouth combination of crisp flaky pastry and creamy custard. Crowned the winner at the annual Great Australian Vanilla Slice Triumph in Merbein, North End Bakehouse is a beloved local institution. And it’s easy to see why, the delicate flavours and textures of their award-winning vanilla slice are nothing short of perfection. They’re also famous for their hot cross buns and fruit pudding, so don’t leave Shepparton without stopping for a delicious treat.

For the best meat pies, Banjo’s Bakery in Mildura, in the Murray-Darling basin of Victoria, is a worthy regional contender. Baking fresh on-site every day, with their signature flaky pastry, Banjo’s gourmet pies range from classic beef to more exotic flavours like kangaroo and red wine, using the best of local ingredients. Try their famous Tasmanian curried scallop pie or a handmade spinach and ricotta roll for the perfect lunchtime snack.

Stop in the charming Riverland town of Renmark, South Australia, and visit the Paringa Bakery for a slice of sweet treat heaven. Paringa Bakery is famed for its delicious Bienenstich or ‘bee sting cake’, a German cream-filled dessert topped with caramelised almonds. It’s the perfect accompaniment to a cup of coffee while you relax on the banks of the Murray River.

For the best pies in Darwin, and something a little out of the ordinary, Tommo’s Pies is a must-visit for pie lovers in the Northern Territory. These award-winning pie makers have been honing their delicious craft since 1978, and their expertise shows. Sample their slow-cooked beef and bourbon pie or try a sticky ginger beef and honey pie with a touch of chilli. You can even grab a freshly made banh mi bursting with flavour or a classic scotch fillet steak sandwich.