Cult Aussie foods worth the road trip

Now that the country is opening up again, it’s time to embark on that great Aussie summer tradition: a road trip.

And what’s a great motivator for a long drive? A tasty treat at the end.

Over the course of this year we asked our writers to compile some of the best foods they’ve found on their travels … and these are the delicious discoveries they made.

Best vanilla slice

The Bridgewater Bakehouse – a two-hour drive up the Calder Highway from Melbourne, 35km northwest of Bendigo – has won the Great Australian Vanilla Slice Triumph not once, but twice, in 2018 and 2019. To win a slice should have “a custard with a creamy smooth texture and a balance of vanilla taste with a crisp crunchy pastry topped with a smooth and shiny glaze fondant”. This one ticks all the boxes.

Australia’s best pies

It’s official – the best pies in Australia come from Country Cob Bakery in Kyneton, Victoria. They have taken out the Baking Association of Australia’s national pie prize every year since 2018. And there are some interesting combos to choose from here: innovative pie flavours include Mushroom & Leek, Caramelised Fish & Mashed Potato, Tom Yum, Chilli Con Carne, and Cheese, Kransky & Mash pies.

Best fish and chips

We recently stumbled upon what we think is Australia’s best fish and chips. It’s an inviting indoor/outdoor eatery, right on the water by the main shopping strip in Batemans Bay. It’s called Innes Boathouse (though the sign simply reads “The Boathouse”), and it’s in the heart of the beautiful NSW south coast. A piece of fresh fish eaten right by the water, together with fat-but-crispy chips and a fruity soft drink, is one of life’s simplest pleasures. And this place nails it.

Best jam doughnut 

Five generations of bakers have lovingly made Barnett’s Bakery on the mid-north NSW coastal town of Crescent Head a destination in itself. The jam doughnuts are truly something special. Considerably bigger than your fist and lightly dusted in sugar with the perfect jam to dough ratio, these bad boys are serious doughnut goals.

The cake dreams are made of

The passionfruit sponge cake at Freshwater Creek Cakes in country Victoria (about an hour and 20 mins from Melbourne, on the way to the Great Ocean Road) has become the stuff of legend ever since the bakery opened in the mid-80s. The light-as-a-feather sponge would, without doubt, get the seal of approval from any card-carrying member of the CWA. Then there is the zingy passionfruit icing, perfectly complemented by a generous slather of vanilla-laced cream, so fluffy and puffy you can imagine angels might sleep on it. Well worth the journey.

Amazing milkshakes 

For a truly unique Aussie milkshake, head to the Bush Lolly Cafe in Karratha, WA to sample their mind-bogglingly good Nutella and wattleseed milkshake. There’s also a Bush Mint and a Rosella (flower) and Coconut offering. 

Incredible laksa 

Head to Darwin if you want to sample what  many deem to be Australia’s best laksa noodle soup. Make your way up north for the month-long Darwin Laksa Festival  or find a stall selling steaming bowls at the Mindil Beach Sunset Markets and Parap Village Markets. It’s said that Mary’s Laksa is the best of the best.

Best fish burger

Head to Ash’s at the Point in Karumba, QLD to sample their famous barramundi burger. Owners Yvonne and Mark Tunney say the lure of their bangin’ burger is quite simply “locally caught, fresh barra. It’s going to be a heck of a journey for most people though – Karumba is 750km from Cairns.

Best schnitty 

Earlier this year Wotif announced the winners of their “Uniquely Aussie Awards”. One of the categories they asked people to vote for was the country’s best schnitty, and that honour went to Schnithouse in Adelaide. Key points that helped the South Australian institution take out top honours were “crispiness of the crumb” and “crunch of the schnitty”. According to voters size also matters and the chips accompanying your schnitty are also a deal breaker. Schnithouse won points for serving the chips separately instead of underneath the schnitty – that way they don’t get soggy. 

For a truly incredible seafood platter …

Head to Cairns. It’s where you’ll find Prawn Star, a unique dining establishment located at Marlin Marina. It’s essentially three restored fishing trawlers serving nothing but fresh seafood and ice cold beer. The premise of Prawn Star is simple: offer a menu of a handful of fresh seafood dishes – no accompaniments, no bread, no fanfare and let the atmosphere do the work. Favourites include oysters, prawns, crayfish, mud crabs and salmon sashimi.

The best lamington in Australia 

We have thirteen words for you: Vanilla sponge soaked in pannacotta, berry compote centre, dark chocolate and flaked coconut. Flour and Stone in Woolloomooloo, Sydney is where you will find such delights. They’re slightly more expensive than your average lamington at $8.50 a pop, but that’s the price you pay for Australia’s best lamington.