Where to find the best pies around Australia

Hungry? We quizzed our readers on where to find the best pies around the country. How many have you been to?

When it comes to food in Australia, you might hear about our lack of food culture. I’ll see your point and raise you the meat pie. There is nothing quite as Australian as stopping at a regional bakery on a road trip and indulging in one of the best pies you’ve had that you’ll dream of for years to come.

Everyone has a favourite pie shop they’ve been to around our beautiful country. So much so that when we asked our readers for their recommendations the comments came in thick and fast. Here, find a curated list of where to get the best pies around Australia, according to you, our well-fed readers.

NSW

Milkwood Bakery, Berry

In the heart of Berry on the NSW South Coast, you’ll find this little gem of a bakery that popped up quite a few times in your recommendations. They like to experiment with their flavours here, so expect some uniquely delicious pies.

Upper Crust, Collaroy

Coming in hot on Sydney’s Northern Beaches lies a yellow and green painted pie shop that apparently does a very good pie – you all certainly think so! With a consistent queue out the door, Upper Crust is a pie lover’s paradise.

Couple enjoying pies from The Upper Crust pie shop, Collaroy (Image: Destination NSW) — Upper Crust has the best pies on the Northern Beaches. (Image: Destination NSW)

Dojo Bread, Braidwood

Don’t be fooled by the name, Dojo Bread in the Southern Tablelands town of Braidwood is much more than just bread. According to you, their pies are also worth the drive. So whether you’re stopping on your way in or out of Canberra, or you’re coming for the pies, Dojo Bread won’t disappoint.

The Redhead Bakehouse, Redhead

Serving all your trusty favourites, The Redhead Bakehouse has also branched out its offering with some specialty pies like chicken carbonara and steak, cheese and jalapeno. Yum!

Nimmitabel Bakery, Nimmitabel

The original Nimmitabel Bakery appeared in the recommendations a few times. Why not stop in on your next Snowy Mountains trip?

The exterior of Nimmitabel Bakery. — You all love this quaint bakery in Nimmitabel. (Image: Supplied)

Wild Ryes, Pambula

Located in Bega Valley Shire, Wild Ryes not only serves mouth-watering pies but also roasts their own coffee. Nothing better than a freshly ground coffee with your fresh-out-of-the-oven pie.

Wild Ryes pie and coffee — Wild Ryes also roasts their own coffee. (Image: Supplied)

The Bread Social, Tweed Heads

The Bread Social in Tweed Heads has a gourmet range of pies that you absolutely love. Featuring a braised local grass-fed beef pie, a lamb, veg and tomato pie with a polenta top, and a cauliflower and chickpea dahl pie, your tastebuds will be piqued.

Ganmain Bakery, Ganmain

The Ganmain Pie is somewhat famous, and the recipe is top secret. Located in the Riverina region of NSW, Ganmain Bakery produces up to 15,000 pies per week at some times of the year that are transported all over the state. But there’s no place better to try one than in their home bakery.

Rows of freshly baked Ganmain pies. — Ganmain pies are famous. (Image: Supplied)

Hayden’s Pies, Ulladulla

Driving along Princes Highway in Ulladulla, you can’t help but stop in at Hayden’s Pies. With a line always out the door, you have to figure out why right? Using quality, local ingredients, Hayden’s Pies is a delicious representation of the South Coast.

Woman holding Hayden's Pies. — Hayden’s Pies is a South Coast destination. (Image: Supplied)

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Ken’s Humble Pie Shop, The Entrance

Ken’s Humble Pie Shop was voted the Central Coast’s number one pie, and don’t you all agree! Ken uses only the freshest ingredients, prepared and cooked in a traditional time-honoured pie-making way. Meats are slow-cooked or roasted and topped with flaky pastry and baked to perfection.

Robertson Pie Shop, Robertson

The award-winning, famous Robertson Pie Shop is located in the Southern Highlands and is a popular destination for pie-lovers far and wide. Baked fresh daily, the pie shop makes a variety of savoury and sweet pies, so there’s something for everyone.

A row of freshly cooked pies at Robertson Pie shop. — Try the pies at the famous Robertson Pie Shop. (Image: Supplied)

Ridgey Didge Pies, Abermain

Ridgey Didge Pies began by offering a small range of traditional flavoured gourmet pies and sausage rolls, which were so popular they expanded the menu with new flavours and tastes inspired by cultures around the world. They now have over 30 different varieties of gourmet pies for customers to choose from.

A meat pie on top of paper bag that says Ridgey Didge Pies. — Ridgey Didge has over 30 different varieties of pies. (Image: Supplied)

Vic

Austro Bakery, South Melbourne

Austro is a local South Melbourne bakery with big ideas about producing small-batch, artisan products. Their pies are baked fresh every day with Central European flavours and techniques, but with modern accents to suit a Melbourne palate.

Pies fresh out of the oven at Austro Bakery. — Austro Bakery has Central European influence. (Image: Supplied)

Gum Tree Pies, Yackandandah

Gum Tree Pies is a family-run pie shop near Beechworth, that has won gold, silver and bronze medals at the Great Aussie Meat Pie Competition. You simply can’t go wrong with these delicious pies.

Parker Pies, Rutherglen

Parker Pies has 24 pie varieties available in-store or takeaway and every delicious pie is filled only with the freshest local produce available and encased in a crisp, golden pastry. Plus, they have vegetarian options, so everyone will be happy.

Different flavour pies at Parker Pies including Crocodile and vegetarian. — Parker Pies has a pie to suit all different tastes. (Image: Supplied)

High Country Bakehouse, Mansfield

High Country Bakehouse in Victoria’s High Country is worth the drive according to your recommendation. You’ll also get to see the beautiful landscapes of the area on the drive there.

Qld

Yatala Pies, Yatala

Yatala Pies has been a landmark for more than 130 years. From humble beginnings as a small pie shop that sold about 200 pies a day a little over a decade ago, Yatala Pies now sells more than 3,500 pies a day!

Chaffey’s Bakery, Chapel Hill

A city bakery with a country feel, Chaffey’s Bakery came up a few times as your favourite pies in Australia. They also serve lots of your traditional bakery faves.

A chunky pepper pie at Chaffey's. — Try the chunky pepper pie at Chaffey’s. (Image: Supplied)

Beefy’s Pies, South East Queensland

Born and bred on the Sunshine Coast, Beefy’s has grown into a franchise across South East Queensland due to its pie success. It’s also gained the reputation of Australia’s best gluten-free bakery with 2020 and 2021 wins of Australia’s best gluten-free pie at the Official Great Aussie Meat Pie Competition.

Beefy's Signature Steak Pie — Beefy’s Signature Steak Pie has been award-winning since 2002. (Image: Supplied)

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Tas

Smith’s Specialty Pies, Salamanca Markets, Hobart

Smith’s Specialty Pies – home to Tassie’s famous scallop pies – appeared numerous times in the recommendations. And more specifically, Hobart’s Salamanca Markets Smith’s Pies truck. The traditional home-style baking includes a wide variety of pie flavours, with many awards being won over the years.

Ross Village Bakery, Ross

The Ross Village Bakery is the perfect place to take a break. They bake daily in the 1860 original wood-fired oven giving it an authenticity that is unmatched.

Baking in the wood fired oven at Ross Village Bakery. (Image: Tourism Tasmania and Adrian Cook) — The woodfired oven gives the pies authenticity. (Image: Tourism Tasmania and Adrian Cook)

SA

Port Elliot Bakery, Port Elliot

Port Elliot Bakery is an iconic part of Port Elliott in the Fleurieu Peninsula that you have all urged us not to miss! With a pie of the month, they are always refining their flavour combinations to bring a fresh taste to their customers.

The exterior of Port Elliot Bakery in South Australia. (Image: Josh Geelan) — Port Elliot Bakery is iconic. (Image: Josh Geelan)

Apex Bakery, Tanunda

Apex Bakery in the Barossa Valley is synonymous with pies. Having been in operation since 1924, there is plenty of history and plenty of experience within the walls.

Man serving people at Apex Bakery in South Australia. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission and Sven Kovac) — Apex Bakery is synonymous with pies. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission and Sven Kovac)

WA

Pinjarra Bakery, Pinjarra

Pinjarra Bakery’s award-winning pies are the product of pie love, passion and only the best quality ingredients. Whether you prefer the classic favourites or the more gourmet, there’s something for every pie lover.

The ‘Bob’s your uncle’ Chunky Steak & Pepper Pie at Pinjarra Bakery. — Try the ‘Bob’s your uncle’ Chunky Steak & Pepper Pie. (Image: Supplied)

Toodyay Bakery, Toodyay

Toodyay Bakery has won awards for their gourmet pies, sausage rolls and bread, also taking home the award for Australia’s Best Pastie in 2016.

NT

The Bakery, Alice Springs

The Bakery is a local, family business in Alice Springs that prides itself on making quality products using quality ingredients. Their creative pies are made fresh from top-quality, locally sourced meats and vegetables, just the way you like it!

Serving customers at The Bakery in Alice Springs. (Image: Tourism NT and Neil Rilatt) — The Bakery uses only the best quality ingredients. (Image: Tourism NT and Neil Rilatt)

Tommo’s Pies, Darwin

Tommo’s Pies in Darwin began making pies back in the seventies and is still going strong today. Their premise is that a great pie doesn’t need bells and whistles. If a classic beef and mushroom is prepared just right, it can knock the socks off even the pickiest of eaters.

The heavens take centre stage at this Outback NSW glamping lodge.

Crane your neck. Look up. If it’s nighttime in a major Australian city, you might see a faint dusting of stars. Now imagine yourself out in the bush. Here, those stars aren’t just scattered dots – instead, they’re smudged across the sky in endless, glittering streaks. Welcome to Wilderluxe Lake Keepit, a new glamping lodge in one of the most picturesque corners of outback NSW.

Between its eight stargazing tents, Gilay Guest Lounge, and shared tales of the Dreamtime night sky, this retreat is designed to exist in harmony with the breathtaking lake and surrounding landscape. Intrigued? Here’s everything you need to know.

Bathed in warm light, a couple watches the sun dip beyond the horizon. — Watch the sky melt into magic at Wilderluxe.

Getting to Wilderluxe Lake Keepit

Wilderluxe Lake Keepit is in the NSW Northern Tablelands, bordered by the Great Dividing Range. The lake itself is hard to miss: this mammoth body of water is two-thirds the size of Sydney Harbour.

Just 40 minutes from Tamworth and close to Gunnedah, it’s on the inland route between Sydney and Byron Bay. Drive or take one of the daily flights to Tamworth’s airport.

Aerial view of Wilderluxe. — Let vast waters and towering ranges set the scene for your escape.

Wilderluxe Lake Keepit rooms

Don’t settle for a paltry room when you can sleep directly under the cosmos. Wilderluxe offers eight domed ‘Star Tents’, all named after Aboriginal sky stories – like Djirri Djirri, the sacred messenger bird, Baiame, the Sky Father and great creator, and Dhinawan, the Emu in the Sky constellation.

On a clear night, use your tent’s retractable roof for gazing above or wander to the outdoor bathtub on your private deck to soak under the night sky. No need to go anywhere. You can stay put come evening with a kitchenette inside and a gas barbecue on the deck.

A couple gazes up at a sky ablaze with stars at Wilderluxe. — Sleep beneath the stars.

Style and character

When it comes to aesthetics, Wilderluxe Lake Keepit stays on trend. The encampment blends with its surroundings, building up layers of minimalist visuals that mirror the ever-changing curves of the water.

Earthy tones, natural materials and timber finishes also anchor the retreat in its bushland surrounds. It’s enough to deepen the sense of calm you’ll experience as you drive off-grid, and this is only heightened as you spot kangaroos grazing at dawn or hear the chatter of native birds by the lake.

The dreamy sunset at Wilderluxe. — Go off-grid in style at Wilderluxe Lake Keepit.

Wilderluxe Lake Keepit dining

‘Dinner and a show’ hits differently with the property’s Big Sky dinner experience. Hosted in the Gilay Lounge, enjoy complimentary drinks and a grazing table with the host, followed by a screening of Big Sky Dreaming, a film produced exclusively for Wilderluxe guests in which Kamilaroi storyteller Uncle Len Waters narrates tales of the Dreaming above.

Once your imagination has been fed, it’s time to take a seat fireside for a glass of Australian port and a serving of s’mores.

Keen to explore the wider area? Staff can provide barbecue and picnic hampers, stuffed with regional meats, cheeses and organic local fare.

Wilderluxe Lake Keepit facilities

While you could very well spend all your time in your tent, sometimes it’s time to hit pause on the celestial show. Instead, make your way up to the Gilay Guest Lounge, where you can relax on the deck overlooking the lake or the outdoor fire pits. It’s a great way to unwind and clink glasses with other stargazers.

The Gilay Lounge with the view of the lake. — Unwind by the fire and raise a glass at Gilay Lounge.

Wilderluxe Lake Keepit experiences

No need to turn nocturnal; when the sun rises, there are still plenty of ways to touch the sky.

Lake Keepit hosted the 2020 Women’s World Gliding Championships, and it’s one of the best places in Australia to stretch your wings. The local Soaring Club operates year-round, meaning you can book a gliding experience any day of the year – or opt for a scenic flight to take in the vast beauty from above.

Prefer to keep your feet on solid ground? There are plenty of walking and cycling trails in and around the area. Luckily, bikes are part of the Wilderluxe package. All you have to do is ask a staff member for their favourite route, throw a picnic onto the back and cycle off into the great beyond.

Alternatively, nab a stand-up paddleboard (SUP) or kayak and head out onto the lake. Or, if you’re feeling lucky, borrow a fishing rod and try your chances.

A person kayaking through serene waters. — Paddle into peace.

The details

A two-night minimum twin-share accommodation package includes Big Sky dinner and drinks experience, plus daily continental breakfast. As well as access to leisure equipment including mountain bikes, kayaks, SUPs and fishing gear.

The interiors of the glamping tent. — Let nature restore you, while luxury takes care of the rest.

Start planning your outback glamping adventure at wilderluxe.com.au.