A sweet trail to take you through Bendigo’s cake shops

A treasure map to guide visitors on a sweet trail through Bendigo, sampling cakes has been inspired by some of Australia’s most famous recipes.

A sweet scavenger hunt through Bendigo, where the challenge is on to find and eat modern treats, celebrates the legacy of Australia’s most beloved birthday cookbook.

A treasure map was unveiled at the Treacy Patisserie on Queen St on Thursday, where owner Daniel Treacy was on hand to debut his latest confection.

Treacy Patisserie, Bendigo, owner Daniel Treacy with his modern twist on the Australian Women‘s Weekly’s iconic doll cake. Picture: Julieanne Strachan

His edible artwork is a delicate multi-layered mini cake topped with a delicate biscuit in the shape of Dolly Varden, to whom the original cake was dedicated in the Australian Women’s Weekly birthday cake book.

Mr Treacy, whose career in food was launched by his appearance as a contestant on Zumbo’ Just Desserts television series, said he would like to make more of the beloved cakes with a modern twist.

“After the show I was given opportunities to train professionally and overtime harness my skill to the point I was able to open my own place,” he said.

“I’m originally from Bendigo and before becoming a pastry chef I was in recruitment and HR.”

The Sweet Treat Trail is likely to find an enthusiastic regional audience, following an overwhelming response to a public call out for pictures from family albums with cakes made from the iconic recipe book.

Bendigo residents sent in about 3000 snaps of themselves from family albums with birthday cakes created from the Australian Women's Weekly recipe book. Bendigo Art Gallery has displayed about 1000 of the pictures on the wall. Picture: Julieanne Strachan

Mr Treacy said he would like to put his own spin on the train cake, and the fairy house, to name just a couple.

Bendigo Art Gallery installation celebrating 90 years of the Australian Women's Weekly, including the iconic train cake. Picture: Julieanne Strachan

The Bendigo Art Gallery has decorated a wall of photos submitted by the public, on display inside its latest exhibition: The Australian Women’s Weekly: 90 Years of an Australian icon.

City of Greater Bendigo tourism and events team marketing manager Glenn Harvey said the trail was designed to keep visitors flowing into the region during the colder months of the year.

“We really want people to come and see the exhibition and really engage with it and spend some extra time in Bendigo,” he said.

Bendigo Council has revealed a sweet treasure hunt to celebrate the art gallery's newest exhibition. Picture: supplied

Mr Harvey said the council had reached out to a variety of eateries to see if they would be willing to make something special to celebrate 90 years of the Women’s Weekly.

He said he was delighted with the response and the number of stops on the treasure map was continuing to grow and could be seen online.

“From frosted cupcakes, delicious slices, and fabulous flans to bite-sized goodies and even cocktails – there is something for every kind of sweet tooth on the trail,” he said.

The trail features businesses that are Bendigo Tourism members.