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The NSW Country Bakeries Worth Pulling Over For
These are the NSW bakeries you detour for, queue for and still think about days later. From flaky pies to legendary lamingtons, consider this your ultimate road-trip hit list.
There’s a particular thrill that comes with spotting a country bakery mid-drive — the hand-painted sign, a few cars pulled over, locals already lined up. It’s one of these rare things where you don’t check Google reviews, you just trust the instinct. Because some of the best food in New South Wales is hiding in plain sight, just off the highway.
Country bakeries have long been the backbone of regional towns, serving the kind of comfort food that doesn’t chase trends or reinvent classics (because they’ve perfected them). We’re talking about those pies with real heft, pastries that shatter just right, and sweets that feel as though they’ve been made purely to reward long drives.
Read on for the bakeries worth building a trip around, or at the very least, worth pressing the brakes for.
Robertson Pie Shop
A Southern Highlands institution and arguably one of the most famous pie stops in the state, Robertson Pie Shop delivers exactly what you hope for when hunger strikes mid-drive. The pies are generous and unfussy, the pastry reliably golden, and the fillings comforting without being boring. Locals swear by the steak and mushroom, while the lamb and rosemary is a sleeper hit.
Address: 4400 Illawarra Highway, Robertson NSW
Junee Licorice & Chocolate Factory
Housed inside a historic flour mill, Junee Licorice & Chocolate Factory leans into nostalgia in the best possible way. Alongside its famous licorice, the bakery turns out classic country baked goods like think chunky slices, old-school cakes and comforting savouries. It’s the kind of place where you leave with more than you intended, every single time.
Licorice Factory, 45/61 Lord St, Junee NSW 2663
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Heatherbrae’s Pies, Heatherbrae
No list of NSW country bakeries would be complete without Heatherbrae’s; the gold standard for highway pie stops. Open early, closing late and always buzzing, this Hunter Valley favourite delivers consistently excellent pies with crisp pastry and rich fillings. The classic beef and gravy remains undefeated, but the chicken and leek deserves equal respect.
Corner Pacific Hwy And, Masonite Rd, Heatherbrae NSW 2324
HOME, Alstonville
A true Northern Rivers gem, HOME is the kind of bakery-café that turns a quick stop into a longer one. Locals swear by its generously filled pastries, rustic breads and seriously good pies, all made with a focus on quality produce and comforting flavours. Whether you’re passing through or planning a bigger break, it’s a great place to pop into and even pick up a few goodies to take home (like their jams and relishes).
71 Main St, Alstonville NSW 2477
Gumnut Patisserie, Bowral
Gumnut is where the Southern Highlands goes when it wants a sweet treat done properly. Though it may be famous for its lamingtons, the patisserie also excels at refined cakes, tarts and pastries that feel celebratory without being over the top. If you’re stopping for coffee, you’ll almost certainly leave with a box.
Shop 7, Grand Arcade, Bong Bong St, Bowral NSW 2576
Burnt Honey Bakery, Copacabana
A cult favourite on the Central Coast, Burnt Honey Bakery is the kind of place people happily queue for. Known for its naturally leavened sourdough and knockout pastries, the cabinet changes daily but always delivers, especially when it comes to croissants, fruit Danishes and rustic loaves. It’s relaxed, coastal and absolutely worth the detour.
Unit 1/224 Del Monte Pl, Copacabana NSW 2251
Clementine Bakery, Yass
This Yass institution has quietly built a loyal following thanks to its commitment to real-deal baking. Clementine Bakery shines when it comes to artisan sourdough and classic pastries that let the ingredients and skill really do the talking. It’s the kind of local bakery that feels deeply tied to its town, so expect a big welcome!
69 Comur St, Yass NSW 2582
Milkwood Bakery, Berry
Milkwood Bakery is exactly the sort of place you plan your drive around. Set in the heart of Berry, it’s famous for wood-fired sourdough alongside pastries and cakes that sell out fast. The bread alone is reason enough to stop, but the warm, flour-dusted charm and reliably excellent bakes make it a must-visit every time.
109 Queen St, Berry NSW 2535
Did you love this piece? Why not read about the best road trips across NSW or the most family-friendly suburbs in regional NSW?
