The historic town of Beechworth is located in Victoria’s High Country in the northeast, three hours from Melbourne. Beechworth Bakery boldly claims to be ‘Australia’s greatest bakery!’ It certainly has a huge following, with people travelling out of their way (or stopping along the way) to sample some of the shop’s tasty treats and wholesome country hospitality.
Along with Beechworth Bakery, the charming town of Beechworth is also known for its 1850s gold rush history. In 1880, bushranger Ned Kelly’s preliminary trial was held at the Beechworth Courthouse. The town has over 32 well-preserved historic buildings, as well as a host of wineries and stunning natural attractions nearby.
The Beechworth Bakery history is a fascinating one. Built in 1857, the original building had been a shoe shop, dining room and pastry shop. Around 1900, the single-story became a double with a balcony. When Tom O’Toole bought it in 1974, it was the Ideal Café and Milk Bar.
He ran the business for three years, sold it, then in 1884, bought it again and changed the name to Beechworth Bakery. He purchased the drapery next door allowing him to double the floor space, add more seating and extend the bakery’s production and baking areas.
Marty Matasoni started working after school for Tom when he was 13. His family owned the shoe shop across the road. Marty started with odd jobs, then helped the bakers and later became an apprentice baker/pastry cook. Over the years, he worked his way up to become a shareholder and Beechworth Bakery’s Managing Director!
Tom O’Toole says, “The difference between extraordinary and ordinary is that little bit extra.” Tom, Marty and their team certainly add that extra when it comes to their bakeries. When Marty took on the role of Managing Director, he helped grow the business, adding a second Beechworth Bakery.
Customers came from far and wide to the bakeries, often saying they wished they had one in their town. In response, between 2004 and 2006, four new bakeries opened. Beechworth Bakery then became a popular haunt for locals and visitors to Echuca, Albury, Bendigo, Ballarat and Healesville.
Focussing on building those bakeries up took 12 years, then in 2017, Yackandandah opened amid much local excitement as the town had been without a bakery for three months. The final bakery (for now) opened in Bright in 2018. Beechworth Bakery now employs around 300 locals and continues to bake all their delicious products.
Beechworth Bakery has eight wonderful bakeries - well worth a bakery road trip! The flagship Beechworth Bakery Beechworth was followed by bakeries in Echuca, Albury, Bendigo, Ballarat, Healesville, Yackandandah, and Bright.
Tom O’Toole bought the Ideal Cafe and Milk Bar in 1984 and turned it into Beechworth Bakery.
Beechworth Bakery was established in 1984. Back then it was a small bakery in a small town. Since then, both have flourished with many tourists stopping at Beechworth to enjoy its many attractions… and delicious baked goods!
In 1853, Beechworth was named by surveyor Smyth after his birthplace in Leicestershire, England.
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