Banjo’s Bakery Cafe to open first Gold Coast store in Helensvale

A Tasmanian bakery chain renowned for unusual creations such as spag bol pies – and regarded by fans as the best in the nation – is poised to open its first Gold Coast outlet. Here’s what to expect.

A bakery chain known for eye-catching creations including Spag Bol, Chicken Parmi and Double Cheeseburger pies is cooking up its first outlet on the Gold Coast.

Work is underway at a site on Helensvale Rd in Helensvale on construction of a Banjo’s Bakery drive-through store.

Spokesperson Karen Ahern said the company was “excited” to be opening on the Gold Coast, with the new bakery expected to serve its first customers towards the middle of the year.

“The new bakery at Helensvale will offer the full range of exceptional baked goods including, delicious pies, pastries, doughnuts, sandwiches and coffee, all available dine in or take away,” Ms Ahern said.

“Customers will be able to skip the queue and order via the Banjos App, plus catering is available for all occasions, including business meetings, celebrations, and family gatherings.”

How the new Banjo's Bakery in Helensvale will look when it opens in mid 2024.

The bakery will be located behind a 711 service station on Helensvale Rd.

As well as its regular menu, Banjo’s has made headlines in the past for the limited edition creations it introduces each year.

In June 2022 the bakery sold a spag bol pie it said contained “comforting and filling spaghetti tangled with meaty Bolognese sauce”. Last year it introduced a fairy bread meat pie.

The spag bol pie sold by Banjo’s in 2022.

The bakery’s famous double cheeseburger pie.

The Helensvale store will be the first foray into the Gold Coast market for the company, which first opened in Tasmania in 1984 and now has more than 45 outlets across Australia.

Ms Ahern said the company was on the look-out for more sites in the city.

“As the Banjo’s network of stores continues to grow, we are always on the lookout for suitable sites and would love to have more stores on the Gold Coast in the future,” she said.

Hoarding at the Banjo’s Bakery site on Helensvale Rd. Picture: Keith Woods.

When it opens, the new Helensvale store is expected to operate from 4am to 6pm, seven days a week.

The news of the bakery’s arrival on the Gold Coast has been greeted warmly by many locals.

“Best bakery in Australia. It started in Tassie. I travel to buy their pies,” one Helensvale resident said.

“I’ve been praying for years the Gold Coast would have Banjo’s here and it’s finally coming.”

Another said the news brought back found memories.

“I used to live at the Banjos in Hobart in the late 90s,” they said “It was the local hangout, so it’s nice to see it here.”

The Banjo’s Bakery store is one of two new drive throughs under construction in the area, with work also underway on a new McDonald’s outlet near the corner with the Gold Coast Highway at Discovery Drive.

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