Where to find the best pies around Australia

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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)

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)

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.

Emily Murphy
Emily Murphy is Australian Traveller's Email & Social Editor, and in her time at the company she has been instrumental in shaping its social media and email presence, and crafting compelling narratives that inspire others to explore Australia's vast landscapes. Her previous role was a journalist at Prime Creative Media and before that she was freelancing in publishing, content creation and digital marketing. When she's not creating scroll-stopping travel content, Em is a devoted 'bun mum' and enjoys spending her spare time by the sea, reading, binge-watching a good TV show and exploring Sydney's vibrant dining scene. Next on her Aussie travel wish list? Tasmania and The Kimberley.
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Your summer events guide to Australia’s cultural capitals

Explore the best that Sydney and Melbourne offer over summer, when busy event-packed days stretch into fun-filled nights.

As summer unfolds, Sydney and Melbourne are at the forefront of the most exciting events in Australia. Whether your tastes run to culture, sport, shopping or dining, both offer a host of things to do and places to stay. Discover the best Accor hotels to explore from and how to spend your days to make the most of the warmer months in Australia’s vibrant capitals.

Sydney

Where to stay

suite at Manly Pacific – MGallery Hotel Collection
Relax beachside at Manly Pacific. (Image: Manly Pacific)

Sydney has no shortage of fabulous hotels to choose from when attending events in the city, often within reach of either the harbour or the beach.

The glamour and European style of Sofitel Sydney Wentworth is hard to beat, whether for a romantic getaway or a family holiday. It’s within walking distance to the Sydney Opera House, Circular Quay, The Rocks and Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, so everything the city offers is at your feet.

Pullman Sydney Quay Grand is equally central and offers luxury apartment-style accommodation, featuring fully equipped kitchens and laundries. It’s ideal for family stays. Also in the CBD, Swissôtel Sydney gives easy access to some of the city’s top shopping, including the historic Queen Victoria Building.

For beachside vibes, head to Manly or Brighton, where there’s something for everyone. Manly Pacific – MGallery Hotel Collection is all about coastal elegance, ocean views and fresh seafood. Hit the rooftop pool or the beach to cool off, or go snorkelling at nearby Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve. Take the Manly ferry for a scenic trip to the city.

Peppers Manly Beach offers stylish accommodation literally across the road from famous Manly Beach. Grab a free e-bike, take a surfing lesson, walk the foreshore or browse the surf shops, boutiques, galleries and cafes.

For a luxury stay that’s closer to both the city and airport, choose The Brighton Hotel Sydney – MGallery Hotel Collection . Hugging the shore of Botany Bay, the hotel is just 20 minutes by train to the CBD, and a 10-minute drive from Sydney airport. Soak up the sea air, or dive into the outdoor pool or the adults-only indoor pool.

Events and sightseeing

two people at Sydney Festival
Time your Sydney trip to visit the Sydney Festival. (Image: Destination NSW)

Sydney loves a party and there are few bigger than Sydney Festival , which has been entertaining locals and visitors alike for 50 years. Running from 8–25 January in 2026, it’s a city-wide celebration of culture and creativity encompassing music, dance, comedy, visual art and edgy experimental performances.

Westpac OpenAir Cinema opens for the summer season on 20 January. Set on the waterfront at Mrs Macquaries Point, with a backdrop of the harbour and city skyline, it features classics and new movies. Grandstand seating (BYO cushion) provides perfect viewing.

A cool oasis of green in the heart of the city, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney offers much more than just plants and flowers. Escape the heat with a stroll through themed areas, including the romantic Palace Rose Garden and lush Palm Grove, and stop at the Cadi Jam Ora – First Encounters Garden to learn the story of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. Best of all, it’s all free.

Where to eat and drink

Arches on Market bar in Accor SwissôtelSydney
Stop for drinks at Arches on Market. (Image: Steven Woodburn)

Fancy a taste of Italy? Flaminia is the new restaurant coming to the Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour in November 2025, and it’ll make you feel as though you could be in Portofino – but with the freshest of Sydney’s produce.

Arches , at Swissotel Sydney, is the perfect spot for a classic martini. Head there for afternoon tea or pre- and post-theatre dining delivered with old-school charm. You can even let the bartenders choose your drink for you, based on your mood.

With a $20 lunch menu and a leafy covered terrace, Wentworth Bar , on level five of Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, delivers a sophisticated escape from the hustle of the city. An extensive champagne list and Vietnamese-inspired bar menu complete the stylish scene.

Melbourne

Where to stay

view from Shadow Play Melbourne by Peppers by accor
Enjoy a luxurious stay at Shadow Play Melbourne by Peppers.

Sofitel Melbourne on Collins is the epitome of style, elegance and luxury. Appropriately at the ‘Paris end’ of Collins Street in the CBD, the Sofitel combines French flair with Australian hospitality.

Like many of the best discoveries in Melbourne, Pullman Melbourne City Centre is tucked away in a laneway. Five-star luxury is the hallmark here; enjoy stylish rooms, a rooftop bar, and the city’s best food and fashion finds just steps away.

On the historic South Wharf promenade, Novotel Melbourne South Wharf is a contemporary beacon that opens up to everything the precinct has to offer – shopping, dining, entertainment and the arts.

Pullman Melbourne on the Park , on the city’s threshold at East Melbourne, is a ball toss from the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Rod Laver Arena and Melbourne and Olympic Parks. Naturally a favourite with sports fans, it’s only minutes from the CBD by tram and right next door to the cool of Fitzroy Gardens.

The spacious one- and two-bedroom apartments of Shadow Play Melbourne by Peppers offer stunning views and easy access to the city and Southbank’s dining and shopping district. Head to the rooftop garden or relax in the outdoor heated pool.

Events and sightseeing

spectators watching Melbourne Cricket Ground
Cheer on your team at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. (Image: Visit Victoria)

As the ‘sporting capital of Australia’, Melbourne is the place to catch the best of your favourite game. Whether it’s the Boxing Day test cricket or all the action of the Australian Open tennis in January, book tickets early to ensure the best vantage points.

Find the Summer Night Market, a feast for both the body and the senses, in the Queen Victoria Market on Wednesday nights in the warmer months. Savour street food from 30 stalls and shop for locally made fashion, jewellery, art and homewares, and pause to watch performances by talented buskers.

The work of two of the most influential fashion designers in history – Vivienne Westwood and Rei Kawakubo – are on show at the National Gallery of Victoria  over summer. You can also wander through free exhibitions of First Nations art, colonial paintings and European masters.

Where to eat and drink

Melbourne’s laneway culture and rooftop bar scene set it apart from others. Where better to enjoy extended twilight hours or cheeky cocktails atop one of the city’s tall buildings, or while away long summer evenings in a cosy bar tucked far from the crowds in a hidden alley.

Head to Cleo on the rooftop at Hyde Melbourne from December 2025. Enjoy a cocktail with sweeping views of the skyline, and choose nibbles from a Mediterranean-inspired menu.

Under a 15-floor mirrored canopy at The Atrium on 35 , in the Sofitel Melbourne on Collins, sip cocktails in an intimate but playful setting. This is the place for l’aperitif hour before or after a night out at the theatre.

Start planning your summer getaway of events, culture and food with at ALL.com.