Australia, take a bite out of this…
Pies. Whether they’re sweet or whether they’re savoury, this Australian classic is the staple of our culture. It sits ever so conveniently in our hands (or one hand for the experts) and encases some of the most flavoursome combinations in golden pastry that elegantly crumbles into our mouth with each bite.
Some might argue that savoury rules all; whether it’s matched with an injection of tomato sauce, gravy or even a dollop of mashed potato on top, pies are the mealtime saviours for sport enthusiasts, late nighters, travellers and midday meal favours. For those who prefer a sweeter treat, pies can be the ultimate way to cap any meal off when served with a side blessing of ice-cream.
So, to please your palate with the simpler but tastier things in life – pies – we’ve travelled near and far to find some of the best pies around Australia. From the outskirts of Sydney’s CBD to the east coastline of Tasmania, the heart of Australia and heck even the ones sitting conveniently off a highway, we’ve found them all and now it’s time for you to do the tasting yourselves.
New South Wales
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Gumnut Patisserie
With three locations across New South Wales, when it comes to Gumnut Patisserie, you’ll be surely spoilt for choice by their selection of to sweet and savoury baked goods. Owned by Tracy and Vicki, visitors can expect a traditional lengthy line that certainly proves all of the hype. If you’re stuck on deciding we’d recommend the Eden Pie made in collaboration with a specialty beer from the local EDEN brewery – beer-braised beef mixed with smokey BBQ sauce and vegetables encased in a seamless butter puff pastry.
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Robertson Pie Shop
Under a 40-minute drive west of Illawarra, Robertson Pie Shop should be any Sydneysiders go-to for their next road trip down south. A family run business since 1961, when it comes to pies, Robertson Pie Shop certainly knows a thing or two. Welcoming locals, travellers and anyone in between, for your visit we’d recommend arriving early. Or, for some mid-bite theatrics, we’d recommend visiting Robertson Pie Shop on a Sunday where they are often greeted by hordes of motorcyclists.
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Heatherbrae's Pies
Heading up north or simply want an excuse to? Let Heatherbrae’s Pies be your reasoning! Sitting between Newcastle and Nelson bay, Heatherbrae’s bakes up some of the best in the state. Using the classic meat pie and sausage roll as their idols, Heatherbrae’s took the basic out of these staples and replaced it with premium ingredients and produce to bring you a unique selection of irresistible pie recipes.
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Glenorie Bakery Cafe
Found 45-minutes from Sydney’s CBD on the outskirts of Dural and Berowra, there’s no explanation needed as to why Glenorie Bakery Cafe was voted Sydney’s best meat pie. A family-run business, Glenorie Bakery Cafe sells over 300 baked goods each morning thanks to their cult-like followers, both locals and visitors. And if you thought that the pies were fantastic, just wait until you try Glenorie’s decadent eclairs!
Australian Capital Territory
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Elaine's Gourmet Pie Cafe
With three locations across Canberra – Fyshwick, Dickson and Phillip – when it comes to Elaine’s Gourmet Pie Cafe, your sweet or savoury treat is best accompanied by a knife and fork to dig into this incredible pastry-laden gift. The perfect pit-stop from breakfast through to lunch and even an afternoon snack, Elaine’s offers everything from pie classics including Chunky Steak and Mushroom to more unique favourites such as the Chunky Chicken and Asparagus and Tuna Mornay.
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Crust Bakery and Cafe
With over 50 years of pie-making experience between the Crust Bakery and Cafe duo, Nick and Louise Smith started their legendary flavoursome pie adventures at the Fyshwick Fresh Food Markets in 2010 and have since been a must-visit for any Canberra pie lover. They offer 12 different pies to choose from each day, and, regardless of your choice, we can assure you that your pie will be cooked to perfection and more importantly, incredibly delicious.
Victoria
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Country Cob Bakery
Taking the title of Australia’s Best Pies in 2018 and 2019 respectively, one bite into one of Country Cob Bakery’s pies will certainly reveal why. Tucked in Victoria’s Kyneton – just 50-minutes south of Bendigo or just over an hour drive north of Melbourne’s CBD – Country Cob Bakery’s delectable treats and champion flavours are the product of head baker Ryan Khuan; his unique signature can be found in his use of tastes from home country Cambodia. But, thanks to months of taste testing, Khuan blends the flavours subtly and beautifully to suit even the tamest taste bud.
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Hulm's Bakery Colac
Found one hour west of Geelong, this volcanic area is renowned to some for its local bakery. What was once a secret, has now become a not-so secret across Australia. Hailing from this small city is Hulm’s Bakery Colac, a must-visit for any traveller passing through. Despite being locked in a time capsule, Hulm’s Bakery is ahead of their times with their pies packed with a balance of flavour meets an irresistibly flaky texture – something that surprisingly holds its form until your very last bite.
Image via @gladysdalebakehouse_official Instagram
Gladysdale Bakehouse and Tea Rooms
If you think that the ultimate companion to your pie is nothing other than a glass of wine, forget popping a cork or two because Gladysdale Bakehouse have already done it for you. And it’s all perfectly encapsulated in their indulgent Beef Burgundy Pie. Sourcing red wines from the surrounding Yarra Valley; Gladysdale also uses grass-fed beef from neighbouring farms to concoct some of Victoria’s best pies. And if you’re wanting to save a slice for later, Gladysdale Bakehouse also has family-sized pies for takeaway too.
Tasmania
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Blue Edge Bakery
No trip to Tasmania is worthwhile without sinking into some of Australia’s best scallops. And, on top of that, no trip to Blue Edge Bakery is fulfilled without trying one of their famed Scallop Pies. Winning Tasmania’s Best Scallop Pie award in 2019, Blue Edge Bakery is found just under a two-hour drive south-west of Launceston – the perfect accompaniment to any family road trip along Tasmania’s east coast.
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Ross Village Bakery
Nestled at the centre of the new Heritage Highway between Launceston and Hobart, Ross Village Bakery is Ross’ original bakery and has been operating at the same site for over 100 years and counting. Using a traditional semi-scotch wood-fired oven fitting 300 loaves at a time, Ross Village Bakery has all your baked good needs sorted from bread to pies and more. And, if you’re looking for something sweet to finish off your Ross Village Bakery experience, we’d recommend the famed Vanilla Slice!
South Australia
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Port Elliot Bakery
Tucked in between Victor Harbour and Middleton, Port Elliot Bakery is nestled on the coastline of South Australia just an hour’s drive from Adelaide’s centre. Having made it here since the 1860s, Port Elliot Bakery is a staple amongst locals and neighbouring South Australians thanks to their title of the best pies in the state. Apart from their monthly rotating menu, let’s not forget to mention that come summer, Port Elliot Bakery sees up to a 25-metre queue to get in – so don’t forget to get here early!
Image via @apexbakery Instagram
Apex Bakery
Found nestled within the heart of South Australia’s Barossa Valley, Apex Bakery is well known state-wide for not only being the Barossa’s original wood oven bakehouse, but the place to go for some of the best pies around Australia. Surrounded by a plethora of parks, playgrounds and picnic spots to explore, no trip to this picturesque part of the world would be complete without a visit to Apex Bakery and tasting their delectable creations like the renowned Venison Ragù Pie.
Western Australia
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Pinjarra Bakery
Under 20-minute south-east of Mandurah, pie lovers can tuck into some of Australia’s best pies thanks to Pinjarra Bakery. This bakery has an impressive track record; in 2019 Pinjarra took home 14 gold, three silver and one bronze award for their range of crowd-pleasing pies. And, on top of that, Pinjarra Bakery also held the title for 2019’s best mince pie at the national Great Aussie Pie Comp. But you’ll just have to taste them all for yourself…
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Bindoon Bakery
If it’s fit for royalty, then it will be fit for you! With Prince Harry visiting in 2015, Bindoon Bakery has safely taken the title as the queen of pies in Western Australia. With a mouthwatering range of sweet and savoury treats including Harry’s new found favourite Banoffee Eclair or the classic Pepper Steak to the more indulgent Moo and Blue pie concoction – braised steak with a creamy blue cheese centre.
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Croc Cafe Bakery
Australia, stop chomping around and make your way to Wyndham to try one of Western Australia’s best pies – you’ll be snapping into in no time. Sitting on the bank of King River and surrounded by some of the Kimberley’s most spectacular formations; if you’re feeling brave and up to trying something new, you cannot look past Croc Cafe Bakery’s Crocodile and Barramundi Pies available. It’s more savoury than it sounds!
Northern Territory
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The Bakery
Sitting along the bank of the Todd River in the heart of Alice Springs, The Bakery should be your first pitstop for everything baked and pie related. Handmade onsite daily, each of the delectable goodies are made from scratch using only the best ingredients – the pastry is even made from real butter! Sourcing vegetables and meats from local farmers and suppliers; visitors can expect a daily rotating menu featuring the likes of camel and kangaroo pies alongside their classic fare.
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Tommo's Pies
If you’re looking for a pie with modern twist but a classic feel, Tommo’s Pies should be your first port of call. Found tucked in Darwin, the team at Tommo’s Pies certainly understand the logistics behind the Australian staple: flavoursome, gourmet and heaven to eat in each pie. Operating since the 1970s and hanging perfectly off the Stuart Highway, visitors can expect the likes of Thai Chicken Curry and Vegan Mexican Chilli Bean Pie to name a few.
Queensland
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Yatala Pies
Whether you’re planning your next Queensland road trip or you’re simply wanting to taste your way through some of Brisbane’s best landmark eateries, Yatala Pies is a must for any meat-meets-pastry lover. Operating for over 130 years, Yatala Pies is one of Australia’s busiest bakeries selling up to 3500 savoury and sweet pies per day. And despite the line, after one bite you’ll understand exactly why.
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Jochheim's Pies
If you’ve ever wanted to feel like a star whilst divulging the mightiest of Australian food classics, then Jochheim’s Pies will certainly make you feel that way. A favourite for Australian actor Hugh Jackman while on set in Australia, Jochheim’s Pies is renowned along the east coast of Australia for their quality ingredients encased in the perfect crust. So whether you’re wanting a bit of land (Hunky Beef Pie) or a bit of sea (Creamy Prawn Pie), let Jochheim’s Pies transport you.
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Old Fernvale Bakery
If you’d rather let the accolades do the talking, the best place to point you is in the direction of the Old Fernvale Bakery found just under an hour’s drive west of Brisbane’s CBD. Established in Fernvale for more than three decades, this award-winning bakery boasts a team with hundreds of national pie and baking awards under their belt. And, with over 100 different flavours of pies including emu, crocodile, camel and kangaroo on the menu – to say that you’ll be spoilt for choice would be an understatement.
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Sutton's
Hailing from Thulimbah – just under a four-hour drive west of Byron Bay – Sutton’s is the detour you wish you made earlier. Despite its reigning title as one of Australia’s best pies all round, Sutton’s is best known for their mouthwatering apple pie – the sweetest treat for any road trip. Each pie is handmade using apples grown either on the property or no further than 10-kilometres from the cafe – ensuring that Sutton’s keeps all of their produce for their legendary pies local.
What’s better than a meat pie? A meat pie with beer of course! Why not preplan the ultimate combination thanks to our top 10 Australian stout picks! Wanting to make a trip out of it? You’ve come to the right place! Keep up to date with our latest guides across all Australian travel here.
