The humble pie is an Australian classic, with a cult following, so it’s only fitting that one of the best pie regions in Australia is hosting a four-week pie festival. Dubbed Pie Time Festival, the Southern Highlands, also known as the food bowl of New South Wales will be hosting masterclasses and a myriad of other pie-themed events starting Tuesday, 1 June to Wednesday, 30 June.
Pie lovers will get a chance to sample as many meat pies they can handle on this self-guided pie trail starting at Mittagong and ending at Sutton Forest.
Mittagong
Start in Mittagong with a selfie with the giant pie at the Southern Highlands Welcome Centre, where you will also find information about the region. Mittagong is known for specialty shopping and heritage trails including the Fitz Roy Ironworks historic site. Stop by Sturt Gallery and Craft Centre before heading to Bowral.
Where to get pies in Mittagong
Chelsea Bakery: They sling traditional pies and some funky variations for those who are adventurous.
Gumnut Patisserie: This award-winning pie shop is serving a massaman curry beef pie.
Samuel Gee’s Pies and Pastries: The pies here come from 150-year-old family recipes. There are 27 pie varieties to choose from. The yabby pie is a must-try.
Stops along the way
The next stop is Bowral, but you will find lookouts and picnic spots at the top along the way. Travel along Oxley Drive and keep an eye out for lookout signs if you want to take a break. If not, continue to Bowral for more pies and art galleries.
Bowral
In Bowral, you will find a lot of pie shops, regional art galleries, and boutique shops. Visit the Botanic Gardens, pick up some local wine and produce, before stopping into one of these pie shops.
Where to get pies in Bowral
Gumnut Patisserie: This award-winning pie shop is serving a massaman curry beef pie.
Sonoma Bakery Bowral: Sonoma will be giving away 100 pies made fresh by the Sonoma pastry wizards. To join The Great Pie Hunt follow @sonomabakingco on Instagram and stay tuned as Sonoma release clues on where you can find their signature pie tokens hidden throughout Bowral. Each token will nab you one of their flaky, buttery, and chunky meat pies.
The Mill Cafe: Get the pie of the day and a glass of wine for $26.
The Bradman Cafe: Located at the Bradman Museum, pick up a pie and explore the cricket hall of fame.
Moss Vale
Once in Moss Vale, you will find specialty homewares stores filled with treasures for your home. Pick up something special before heading off to a pie lunch. Before leaving Moss Vale, you will need to decide if you want to go to Robertson or Sutton Forest, or you could do both.
Southern Rise Bakery: Award-winning bakery selling pastries and local-favourite pies.
Choose Your Finish Line
Robertson
The drive from Moss Vale to Robertson passes through some of the region’s lushest and most expensive pastureland where award-winning cattle graze and thoroughbred horse studs pop in and out of the landscape. The town of Robertson is home to Robertson Cheese Factory where artisan masterpieces sit alongside bric-a-brac making a visit to these two locations essential whilst in town.
Where to get pies in Robertson
Moonacres Kitchen: The pies here are made with fresh produce from the on-site farm.
Southern Rise Bakery: Award-winning bakery selling pastries and local-favourite pies.
The Whey Cafe: Becca’s Apple pie with Wensleydale cheese is a must.
The Robertson Pie Shop: Try the lemon pepper chicken pie for something delicious and different.
Sutton Forest
The drive from Sutton Forest is only 10 minutes, but it features rural vistas and is home to a number of the region’s award-winning vineyards. After stocking up on some bottles, enjoy the historic town of Sutton Forest.
Where to get pies in Sutton Forest
Heatherbrae’s Pies: Get the Alpine Pie, which is slow-cooked venison stewed in mulled wine and apple cider.
PepperGreen Estate: Tuck into a duck and shiitake mushroom with ginger shallot Extra Virgin Olive Oil Asian master stock Pithivier and sample four premium award-winning cool-climate wines.
Pepper’s Manor House: Enjoy a delicious ‘Pie Tea’ in front of a roaring fire in the Great Hall with your choice of tea, coffee or sparkling wine.
The cold weather in most parts of Australia coinciding with EOFY celebrations is the closest thing that we’ll get to snowy Christmas vibes. And if you’re in dire need of some festive cheer after the first six months of 2023, grab your ugly sweater and head to your nearest Red Rooster for Xmas in July deals.
From June 29 – July 31, 2023, Red Rooster is serving up free food items, a chance to win $10,000 or one of 10 merch packs valued at $400 and other fun prizes. All you have to do is sign up as a Red Royalty member and spend $5 on at a location near you or online.
Each week there’ll be new delicious deals and prizes to win. The week one deals have already dropped and they’re looking pretty tasty. You can get access to them via your Red Royalty account. The more you purchase, the more chances you have to win.
Spoiler alert: you can get 10 chicken nuggets for free, right now. Brb running to Red Rooster.