The Flying Doctor's Favourite Country Bakeries 2024
The country bakery. It's a place where travelers and locals alike gather to share in the spoils of a deliciously indulgent, freshly baked treat.
For some, it's a stopover on an adventurous holiday road trip - a chance to explore rural Australia. For others - the locals, that is - it's the spot for a quick workday lunch or after-school treat. Importantly, for our RFDS Victoria road crews, this country institution is a crucial refuelling stop, keeping teams on the road fed, and able to deliver essential health care to rural Victorians.
Each and every week our road crews travel hundreds of kilometres, traversing highways, navigating back roads and contributing their skills to connect rural communities to health, social and wellbeing care. This leaves them uniquely qualified as the unofficial, yet experienced, voice on the best country Victorian bakeries.
That is why we polled Flying Doctor road crews, asking them to share their favourite bakery and go-to sweet and savoury order!
While we received an overwhelming number of recommendations, ultimately six champions were crowned as an official refuelling stop of the Flying Doctor, receiving multiple nominations.
As such, these bakeries have been formally recognised by RFDS Victoria as being the ultimate pitstop that Flying Doctor team members most frequent whilst driving across the state to transport patients and deliver a multitude of primary health care services.
The six award winners hail from right across the state - from the Mallee to the Gippsland regions, up towards the New South Wales border, and everywhere in between. The sheer breadth of each of the six winners is reflective of the distance RFDS Victoria staff and volunteers go to better connect rural Victorians to the health care they need.
Segafredo's Bakery - Heathcote
Must try savoury treat: Sausage rolls.
Must try sweet treat: Vanilla slice.
Known for their friendly customer service and freshly baked goods, Segafredo's is situated along the main street of Heathcote. Dine in or enjoy a stroll through the town center! You may even spot one of our friendly Community Transport volunteer drivers.
What our team says:
They have the best pasties I have ever eaten - Captain Tom, Flying Doctor Education Manager
Nooy’s Cakes and Hot Bread Shop - Robinvale
Must try savoury treat: Egg & bacon on a super soft roll.
Must try sweet treat: Apple pie cake.
Nooy's Bakery sells fresh cakes, bread rolls and pies, all handmade at the shop each morning. Plus enjoy a coffee/hot drink made by experienced staff. Here you may spot a member of our Community Transport team or Flying Doctor Health Group.
What our team says:
The store is impeccably clean, the staff very respectful and friendly. The selection of goodies is great and very affordable. Great coffee too.
- Tess Akkermans, Community Transport Program Support Officer
The Elmore Bakery - Elmore
Must try savoury treat: The beef, cheese and jalapeño pie is unbeatable for those who like a spicy twist at lunch time.
Must try sweet treat: Giant pink iced donuts and vanilla slice. Donuts are always so fresh and soft and the vanilla slice custard cream is perfectly light and delicious.
The Elmore Bakery is situated 30 minutes north of Bendigo on the Highway to Echuca. With sweet treats galore and a unique twist on your classic favourites, this is a great stop for kids!
What our team says:
Best donuts and coffee between Bendigo and the border and the snot block is second to none! Great service, good prices and when the bakers out the back are blasting the tunes early in the morning it’s a great vibe to start the day.
- Hayley Wallace, Community Transport Program Coordinator
Numurkah Bakery Cafe - Numurkah
Must try savoury treat: Meat pie.
Must try sweet treat: Vanilla slice.
Numurkah Bakery Cafe boasts a great variety of food, baked in-house. With something for everyone and a large inviting space this is a great spot to stop, relax and dine in!
What our team says:
Wonderful people, good coffee and food.
- John Watson, Community Transport Volunteer Driver
Jack's Country Bakery - Sale
Must try savoury treat: Roast pork rolls: fresh roll, gravy and crackling.
Must try sweet treat: Vanilla slice: fresh and tasty!
Renowned for their roast rolls, Jack's Country Bakery in Sale is a must-stop when traveling the southern Gippsland region.
What our team says:
Variety plus, great vanilla slices and tasty roast pork rolls.
Ian Fellowes, Community Transport Program Coordinator
Sharps Bakery - Birchip
Must try savoury treat: Pie... any of them...
Must try sweet treat: Vanilla slice, fresh, tasty and award winning!
Birchip Bakery has been owned and operated by Kevin, Gail and the Sharp Family since 1977. Ask anyone who has had the opportunity to try their award-winning vanilla slice and they will tell you it is a must-try!
What our team says:
Best service and the vanilla slice just melts in your mouth and is nice and creamy!
- Kay Featherstone, Mobile Patient Care Branch Coordinator
Every good Victorian road trip deserves a stop at a great country bakery.
These ones have the Flying Doctor’s
tick of approval.
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