2025 Pyney’s 🥧 Reviews
Review No 52
Willaura Bakery
(Willaura VIC)
June 2025
After getting the diesel heating sorted on the caravan, I continued my journey further south west and made my way towards the Port Fairy region. I decided to pull up and camp the night behind the Lake Bolac Hotel. This is a great overnight camp spot and a fantastic pub. The locals at the pub strongly advised that I get up early in the morning and drive to the nearby town of Willaura and check out the 125 year old bakery.
When I poked my head out the van that next morning, I was greeted with ice and frost everywhere, holy moly it was fresh. I soon realized my trusty pluggers weren’t gonna cut it, and I needed to upgrade to a pair of uggies.
The small town of Willuara is located 34 kilometres south of Ararat on the eastern slopes of the Grampians National Park. It is supported by the local farming industry, which is mainly involved in wool, fat lambs and cropping. The towns bakery opened in 1901 and the building itself is absolutely beautiful.
When I got to the bakery it hadn’t opened yet, so I just knocked on the door and that’s where I met the owner Peter. Peter has had this bakery for 9 years and had spent most of his career working in disability support work. Peter’s dad was actually a baker for over 50 years and when the opportunity came up to purchase this place Peter didn’t hesitate and jumped straight in.
What makes this story even more special is Peter is using some of his dad’s old baking equipment like his baking tins, knives and rolling pins. This equipment would be at least 75 to 80 years old and holds significant sentimental value.
This is another old school bakery and the products are basic but beautifuly baked. There is a great selection of products that’ll suit everyone including the freshly baked 🥧’s. There is 11 flavours to choose from on the menu and the variety is terrific. I noticed one particular flavour on the board straight away and it had me a little intrigued. I saw “Beef, Cheese and Sriracha” and this was a combination I’ve never seen before. I was told it had quite a kick, but I was really keen to give this one go.
🥧 THE REVIEW 🥧
1. Value for Money – $7.50 was reasonable value. Square shaped and the standard size in diameter, but the overall depth was small and that was due to the tins Peter uses. 7/10
2. Meat/Fill Ratio – The tins may be small in depth but this 🥧 was totally full. 10/10
3. Flavour – This is a basic flavoured 🥧, but the 🔥sriracha sauce gave it some serious kick. The mince tasted great, the cheese blended well and the sriracha sauce was the exact amount. This is a very unusual combination, but it worked. I think the key is getting the right right type of sriracha sauce and Peter has nailed this. Yes Sriracha is hot and it’s not going to suit everyone, but I loved it. Great job mate. 9/10
4. Pastry – The top bake color will grab your attention straight away, it was golden and flakey. The shape, stability and shrinkage absolutely perfect and couldn’t defaulted. The top thickness and bake were also very good, but the bottom bake was a smidge soft and underdone. pastry flour was excellent, apart from the bottom bake Peter has done a wonderful job with this. 9/10
5. Serving Temperature – Perfect serving temp. No issies at all. 10/10
Overall Rating
🥧🥧 45/50 🥧🥧
This was a really good product and I’m so glad I gave this particular flavour a go. Yes the Sriracha is hot, so if you don’t mind a little 🔥 you’re going to really love this 🥧. Apart from the bottom bake, the overall pastry was excellent particularly the color. $7.50 is on the top end of the scale for a mince & cheese 🥧, but still very much affordable. Overall, I made the right decision and I’m more than happy go back and have another one. Highly recommended. Great combination and great initiative.
The small town of Willuara and this bakery is definitely worth stopping in and having a look around. The bakery also has a beautiful outdoor garden seating area to sit and relax. Also, don’t forget the Lake Bolac Hotel this place is highly recommended for an overnight camp stay and the meals were terrific.
A massive thanks to Peter for allowing me to share his incredible journey. Peter is one of the most humble fellas you would ever met. He’s doing an incredible job at the bakery considering he had no formal baking experience. I’m so thankful for the locals at the pub who gave me the tip on this place. All the best mate keep up the great work.
As always thanks for the ongoing support and keep supporting 🇦🇺 bakeries and don’t forget to invite all your friends to the page.
