Maldon Bakery

Maldon Bakery has been feeding this Victorian goldfields town since 1854, and it's the kind of place that gets a mention in conversations about Maldon long before anyone brings up the antiques or the heritage streetscape. It's a bakery in Maldon with real history behind the counter, and the bakery describes itself as Australia's oldest continuously running bakery. Locals say the old brick building has kept its Victorian-era character, and the word is the baking still draws on the original wood-fired Scotch oven.

The pies are what most people head in for. We hear the beef and pepper gets a lot of love, along with beef and mushroom, and there are some less expected fillings too, including a Thai chicken curry pie, a lentil and vegetable pie and a cauliflower potato pie, so vegetarians have options. Sausage rolls with flaky pastry come up often, and so do pasties. Sourdough is a speciality, and one regular is partial to the spelt tin loaf. They'll slice it for you if you ask.

On the sweet side, people mention vanilla slice, eccles cakes, cinnamon scrolls, choc eclairs, strawberry and frangipani tarts and a light, fluffy basque cheesecake. Coffee gets good words as well, and there's a hole-in-the-wall serving spot for takeaway cups.

Staff are known for being friendly and attentive, and the owner is happy to share stories about the McArthur family if you have a few minutes to spare. The baking comes fresh from the oven, and some local produce and honey is on the shelves too.

You can take your order away or settle in. There's a garden courtyard and street seating, with crochet rugs set out for cooler days and shady trees when it's hot. Parking is free, the entrance and car park are wheelchair accessible, and cards and mobile payments are accepted. It's also LGBTQ+ friendly and identifies as women-owned. Hours run most of the day, seven days a week, though it's worth checking before a longer drive, as weekends can be busy.