Baked to golden brown crispiness, this crumbly bread is a big component of the daily diet.
Baking is skillful enough, but when it requires the maintenance of a LIVING ORGANISM (mother dough) it should be left to the professionals.
With that in mind, it’s time to discover where to find the most lovingly crafted and delicious sourdoughs on the Bellarine.
Keep up with the latest local food and booze news here.
Ket Baker
The Bellarine is blessed to have Miek Paulus call Wallington home. Having first completed pastry training in Belgium, while travelling France she met Geelong local Stu, and eight years later moved to Australia (thanks Stu!). In 2016 a small all-sourdough operation was opened out of their kitchen garage, but the bakers soon outgrew the space, so in July of 2020 the new Wallington home was open to the public. Whilst sustainability is integral to Ket Baker’s style, quality and taste are just as paramount. Limited batches of high-quality, local produce are baked daily from Tuesday to Sunday every week. Sourdough is definitely the champion here with table loaf, baguettes, and rye bread all on offer. For the sweet tooth (with that sour twang) Ket Baker are masters of the croissant and danish too.
Address: 377 Grubb Road Wallington, Victoria
Open (or until sold out – check socials): Tuesday-Friday 8am – 6pm
Saturday 8am – 5pm
Sunday 9am – 3pm
Website: ketbaker.com.au
View this post on Instagram
Piknik Café
Alchemy Woodfire Bakehouse started with the restoration of its wood-fired Scotch oven originally built back in 1905. The focus of Alchemy is on the production of naturally leavened, organic breads, pastries and cakes, all from its beautifully restored oven. Since 2014 Alchemy has been producing its organic wares from its Queenscliff address but more recently paired with Piknik Café to offer its produce. The oven is fired up from Wednesday to Sunday, with white sourdough, seeded sourdough, stonegrain sourdough, fruit loaf and baguettes all on high rotation. Escargots and danishes are on offer too, but get in quick! Piknik is also home to house-made jams and preserves, perfect to pair with your fresh loaf.
Address: 1195 Queenscliff Road, Swan Bay, Victoria
Open: Wednesday-Sunday 7am – 230pm
Website: piknik.com.au
View this post on Instagram
Starfish Bakery
Starfish Bakery is a ‘salt of the earth’ style operation, wholly dependable, genuine and totally unpretentious. Starfish specializes in handmade sourdough breads, with a range of specialty loaves that are baked fresh daily. Located in the main drag of Barwon Heads, the bakery is family-owned, and has been in operation for more than 20 years (a tell-tale sign that the place is a bona fide OG). The original sourdough on offer is the Casa, a local favourite. Starfish also offers a light rye sourdough, in addition to classic high-tin favourites. To really feel the buzz of this salt-of-the-earth character, pop in on a Saturday morning and enjoy a coffee and something from the menu (make sure its on sourdough!).
Address: 78 Hitchcock Avenue, Barwon Heads, Victoria
Open: Wednesday-Monday 7am – 3pm (closed Tuesday)
Website: starfishbakery.com.au
View this post on Instagram
Little Wings Artisan Bread
TLC is the essential ingredient for all of the tastiest sourdoughs, and at Little Wings Artisan Bread the story is no different. Little Wings is a small, family-run business operating out of Drysdale. Head baker Miriam has been obsessed with perfecting the sourdough for some years. So obsessed, in fact, that herself and her partner David spent time travelling Australia to uncover the best flours and ingredients to use in their bakery – now that’s dedication! The years of trial and error have paid off, with their all-natural sourdough goodies being undoubtedly some of the Bellarine’s best. With a focus on quality, local produce, and sustainability, it’s a win-win-win in our books. Experimentation is the M.O at Little Wings, so expect the unexpected. Some past creations have included French Fougasse, woodsmoked cheddar sourdough, green olive sourdough, and Coopers Stout rye. There is an array of smaller sweet and savoury treats too. Be sure to stock up, because the bakery is only open from Thursday through to Saturday.
Location: Unit 2/34 Murradoc Road, Drysdale 3222
Open (or until sold out, check socials): Thursday & Friday 9am – 4pm
Saturday 9am – 1pm
Website: littlewingsartisanbread.com.au
View this post on Instagram
