Bourkies Bakehouse

Pies are the first thing to know about Bourkies Bakehouse, a bakery in Woodend, Victoria. The Stockmans pie gets a particular nod from locals, and the curry and mushroom pies have their fans too. Sausage rolls, donuts and a large variety of pastries sit alongside them. One visitor found a steak and mushroom pie short on flavour, so it may pay to try a couple of things.

The vanilla slice is the other name that keeps coming up. Fresh cream and a sweetness that isn't overdone is how people describe it, and the jelly slice gets a mention as well. Lamingtons and tea cakes are there for the classics, and the Filipino-inspired side of the baking shows in flavours like ube, pandan and macapuno. Some of those slices are only made on weekends, so go then if you want them.

Custom cakes are available. Bourkies makes custom and celebration cakes, and one customer who ordered one for a celebration said it looked as good as it tasted, then started dropping in every fortnight. A boxed selection of cakes and slices has also won over someone who tried it, so it's worth asking about when you're planning something. They also do catering.

It works as a sit-down stop as much as a grab-and-go one. There's an indoor dining area with a rustic country feel, plus tables outside, and coffee, breakfast and a hot chocolate if that's your thing. Pull a number when you line up to order. It does get busy, particularly on weekends and school holidays, but we hear the queue moves quickly. Staff come across as friendly, even to the point of toasting up a fresh ham and cheese toast when the first ran out.

For getting in, there's a wheelchair-accessible entrance, car park and toilet, plus free street parking and a free car park. Takeaway, in-store pick-up and delivery are on offer, and cards and mobile payments are accepted. They're open daily, but check the hours before you head in.